Stuart Kane v. The Law Offices of J.D. Cuzzolina CA4/3

FACTS

The Complaint In July 2020, plaintiff filed the operative complaint in the instant action against defendant and Reza Parsi, who is not a party to this appeal. The complaint alleges Parsi retained plaintiff to represent him in a lawsuit in October 2013. Their engagement letter and agreement included the following provision, which is central to this appeal: “‘We request that you grant us a lien on any and all claims or causes of action that are the subject of our representation of you. The lien will be for any sums

1 All further statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure unless otherwise stated.

2 owing to us at the conclusion of our services. The lien will attach to any recovery you may obtain whether by arbitration award, judgment, settlement or otherwise.’” Plaintiff ultimately withdrew from representing Parsi for certain ethical reasons. Parsi retained new counsel, prevailed at trial, and was awarded $346,993.39 in attorney fees. At that time, Parsi had not paid plaintiff for all of its services. Parsi then retained defendant to represent him in a judgment collection action. The complaint alleges defendant received $650,000 “as a result of its efforts to…