PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

A Philadelphia law firm claims in a newly filed civil action that it is owed nearly

$130,000 from an Illinois man whom the firm represented in a prior employment matter.

Spector, Gadon & Rosen, which is based in downtown Philadelphia, alleges that Northfield, Ill. resident Robert M. Fishman has ratcheted up unpaid legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses totaling $129,264.70, plus interest, for professional services performed by the plaintiff.

According to the breach of contract claim, which was filed May 16 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Spector Gadon lawyer Daniel J. Dugan, Fishman entered into a retainer agreement with the plaintiff on May 16, 2007, to represent Fishman in an employment dispute with Pennsylvania-based United American Indemnity Ltd.

The defendant initially made monthly payments on the plaintiff’s invoices but ceased paying the legal bills after December 2008, the suit states.

The law firm has repeatedly requested payment of the nearly $130,000 it claims it is owed, but the defendant has failed to adequately compensate the plaintiff, the complaint alleges.

“It is inequitable for defendant to have accepted, used and enjoyed the benefits of SGR’s legal services on his behalf, without paying for them,” the suit reads. “Plaintiff reasonably expected to be paid by defendant for the legal services it performed on his behalf.”

In addition to the money the firm claims it is owed by the defendant, Spector Gadon also seeks more than $75,000 in damages, plus litigation costs and other equitable relief.

The federal case number is 2:13-cv-02691-JD.