Gibson

Pacific Law Group: USA appeals from a judgment confirming an arbitration award in favor of respondent Paul R. Gibson. It maintains confirmation should not have been entered because the amount awarded had been paid. We disagree and affirm.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

Pacific Law Group: USA (hereafter Pacific) is a law firm which specializes in international business transactions. In May 1990, it filed a complaint against a client, International Business-Government Action, Inc. (hereafter Interact), and its president, Paul R. Gibson, for legal fees. Interact and Gibson asked that the dispute be resolved alternatively, and the parties stipulated to binding arbitration.

An arbitration hearing held in August 1990 resulted in a split ruling. The arbitrators decided that Interact must pay Pacific legal fees in excess of $33,000, but held Gibson not individually responsible.

The parties then began discussing how the award could be formalized. The parties agreed that Pacific’s award against Interact could be confirmed but differed about whether Gibson could confirm his award against Pacific. Essentially, Pacific maintained that since it had paid Gibson the amount he…