Mouradian

I. INTRODUCTION

Defendants, Michael V. Jehdian, Law Offices of Michael V. Jehdian and Law Offices of Michael V. Jehdian, APC, moved to compel arbitration against a former client, Andranik Mouradian (Mr. Mouradian). Defendants also sought to enforce the written arbitration agreement against several nonsignatory plaintiffs, Lucy Mouradian, Arous Mouradian and Albert Shamamian. The trial court granted defendants’ motion to compel arbitration as to Mr. Mouradian but stayed the matter as to the nonsignatory plaintiffs’ sole claim for attorney malpractice. Defendants appeal from the order staying the nonsignatory plaintiffs’ attorney malpractice claim until after arbitration. Defendants argue the nonsignatory plaintiffs should have been ordered to arbitrate their attorney malpractice claim. We affirm the order.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Complaint

On February 4, 2013, plaintiffs filed a complaint against defendants. The complaint alleges in May 2012, Mr. Mouradian retained defendants to represent him in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy matter. Mr. Mouradian signed a fee agreement and paid defendants a retainer fee of $2,000. Mr. Mouradian contacted defendants to discuss the bankruptcy proceeding but…