Lawyer Breaches Operating Agreement.Studying the language in an arbitration clause, the California state court of appeals recently reversed an order demanding arbitration of a dispute between a lawyer and his client-turned-business-partner. The lawyer must now defend against a $1.5 million claim based on malpractice and breach of the operating agreement that the lawyer had drafted in connection with his real estate venture with the former client. With arbitration provisions becoming a common feature of lawyer-client retainer agreements, this ruling is worth attention.
The client's 2013 malpractice complaint alleged that while serving as counsel to the client and the companies he was affiliated with, the lawyer and the client decided that they would form a company together to develop properties in the affordable housing market. The lawyer prepared the operating agreement for the LLC, which provided that "any controversy between the parties arising out of this Agreement shall be submitted" to arbitration in Los Angeles. Lawyer Breaches Operating Agreement in this 1.5 Million dollar case.
