Case Results Summaries
The case recoveries and results shown on the opening page of this website were achieved by various California law firms unrelated to Legion Counsel and were dependent on the facts of each case. The results will differ if based on different facts. No particular results can be guaranteed by any lawyer. The following is a summary of the facts of the cases portrayed:
Divorce Property Settlement
Facts: The plaintiff wife and defendant husband divorced 20 years ago. Defendant is a real estate developer with extensive holdings. Trusts were established with interests in the same properties divided between them. Plaintiff contended that she had not been treated fairly and brought this action for an accounting, dissolution of existing partnerships and damages.
Result: Settlement for $2,750,000 and plaintiff coveys all of her interests in the real estate, trusts and partnerships.
Defamation by Spouse
Facts: Plaintiff husband and defendant wife were separated. Plaintiff, a doctor, transferred funds out of the country. His wife retained a co-defendant private investigator who proceeded to break into the doctor’s office and remove documents and confidential medical files. The plaintiff brought this action for the intentional infliction of emotional distress, interference with his business and defamation.
Result: Verdict for $1,515,000
Divorce Legal Malpractice
Facts: Plaintiff retained defendant law firm to represent her in the dissolution of her marriage. She paid a retainer and agreed to pay $250 per hour for all time of the attorney. After four years, defendant had still not obtained the divorce, despite constant reassurances by defendants that the default would be obtained shortly and blaming the Court for the delays. Defendant claimed that plaintiff had incurred no damages by this delay and that plaintiff failed to mitigate her damages by allowing so much time to pass without substituting a new attorney. She alleged emotional distress.
Result: Settlement for $57,000
Child Custody
Facts: The plaintiff shared custody of her two children with ex-husband. The plaintiff informed the childrens’ therapist that she had hygiene concerns stemming from the childrens visits with the father. A report was filed with Child Protective Services expressing concern that the children might have been sexually abused by the father. The children were examined without the parents’ consent and then were removed from both parents without a warrant. A court later found that there was insufficient evidence of abuse. The judge ordered the return of the children. Action was brought against the County and the social workers. Plaintiff contended that she suffered a nervous breakdown from the experience, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Result: Verdict for $1,220,000
Mediation Legal Malpractice
Facts: The plaintiff and his wife were referred to the defendant mediator for mediation of the dissolution of their marriage. They jointly paid the fee. A marriage settlement agreement was prepared, which failed to provide for an equitable distribution of separate and community assets. The plaintiff also consulted with a co-defendant attorney who advised plaintiff to sign the agreement. Plaintiff’s motion to rescind the agreement was denied. The defendant mediator contended that he had advised the plaintiff that he represented the wife only.
Result: Settlement for $75,000.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Facts: Plaintiff received an IRA as part of her divorce/dissolution agreement. She had been a homemaker during the marriage and was unsophisticated concerning stock investments. The account executive at the defendant brokerage firm also represented her ex-husband. The account executive bought and sold stocks at his discretion without consulting plaintiff. There was no written authorization to do this. Plaintiff received account statements but asserted that she did not understand them and relied on the advice of the account executive. Plaintiff contended that the defendant engaged in stock churning, resulting in the loss of $170,000 due to mismanagement.
Result: Settlement for $240,000.
Slander by Spouse
Facts: Plaintiff husband and defendant wife divorced and engaged in a custody battle over their three year old son. Physical custody was awarded to the wife. In her effort to gain sole custody defendant made accusations that plaintiff had sexually molested their son. Courts investigated and found no evidence of this. Defendant continued to make these accusations at the child’s school, to parents of other children and other members of the community. Plaintiff claimed to have suffered severe depression and emotional distress from this defamation of his character.
Result: Verdict for $220,000.
Spousal Abuse
Facts: Plaintiff alleged that during her marriage the defendant physically, emotionally and sexually abused her and terrorized her with guns. Plaintiff filed for dissolution of marriage. Defendant stalked her and threatened to kill her after being served with the papers in disregard of restraining orders. Her action was based upon battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Result: Verdict for $1,695,950.
