Stroock Seeks $261K in Attorney Fees from Ex-Partner Who Sued for Retirement Pay
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan is asking a New York court to enforce an arbitration ruling and award at least $261,000 in attorney fees spent litigating a dispute over a former partner’s retirement benefits.
The New York arbitrator ruled on June 18 that former Los Angeles partner Michael Perlis is not entitled to pension benefits under the firm’s partnership agreement because he continues to work at a competing firm, Locke Lord, the Am Law Daily reports. The arbitrator awarded Stroock more than $163,000 in attorney fees, Law 360 reported last week.
Stroock’s suit to compel arbitration is now seeking at least $261,000 in attorney fees for money it spent on Perlis’ initial suit, a second suit fighting the arbitration, and the arbitration itself.
Perlis told the Am Law Daily that Stroock proceeded with the arbitration even though he had dismissed his suit in February and informed the firm he no longer wanted to pursue his claim. “Stroock is simply pursuing a nonexistent claim, then trying to seek attorneys’ fees for litigating against a non-claim,” Perlis told the publication.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Stroock Partner Who Jumped to Locke Lord Sues Former Firm for Retirement Benefits”
