PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia law firm is looking to recoup more than $75,000 in allegedly unpaid fees from one of its former clients, who it says accepted its services and then failed to compensate it.
Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP of Philadelphia filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on March 15 versus Theodora Voulgaris, of Wayne.
The lawsuit states Voulgaris consulted the plaintiff firm on domestic relations matters in July 2013 and after being presented with the firm’s terms of representation, accepted the firm’s legal services in exchange for a $6,000 retainer fee.
Moving forward, Voulgaris was sent monthly bills for these same and continuous legal services and periodically made payments, according to the suit. Despite repeated demand from the plaintiff firm, the litigation states Voulgaris has failed to pay the outstanding balance due of $75,342.09, plus interest from Jan. 31, 2016 at a monthly rate of 1 percent.
“Defendant’s failure to pay the plaintiff the sum due constitutes a material breach of the fee agreement in effect between plaintiff and defendant,” the suit states.
For counts of breach of contract, quantum meruit, action on an account stated and unjust enrichment, the plaintiff is seeking damages of $75,342.09, plus interest dating back from Jan. 31, 2016 at the rate of 1 percent per month and other relief as the Court deems appropriate.
The plaintiff is represented by Dina S. Ronsayro and David I. Grunfeld of Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 180301704
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com