Lieppman

Julius Lieber and his attorneys, the law firm of George & Collins (hereafter Lieber), appeal from the trial court’s order granting the request of respondents Michael Lieppman and Lorraine Lieppman (hereafter Lieppman) for $2,500 as a sanction for frivolously moving for a change of venue.

Lieber worked as Lieppman’s accountant in Long Beach between 1979 and 1983. On July 13, 1984, Lieppman filed a complaint against Lieber, claiming that Lieber had done a poor job, to his detriment. Lieber, who had previously moved to Los Osos, in San Luis Obispo County, answered through his attorneys George & Collins. Lieber simultaneously moved to change the place of trial from Los Angeles County to San Luis Obispo County. The motion was made pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 397, which states: “The court may, on motion, change the place of trial in the following cases:

The basis of the motion in essence was that Lieber was in poor health and had limited financial resources, both of which would suffer if he had to drive down to Long Beach to defend himself. Attached to the motion was the single declaration of Lieber himself, which stated in relevant part:

Lieppman opposed the…