Law Offices Of Jerris Leonard, P.C. v. Mideast Systems, Ltd.

111 F.R.D. 359 (D.D.C. 1986)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Leonard (P) represented Mideast (D) in litigation against the Department of Interior. The Department prevailed. D failed to pay attorney fees to P. P sued to recover those fees. D made no appearance, and a default was entered in August 1985. In June 1986, D filed a malpractice claim against P in state court. D claimed that the Department offered to settle for $100,000, but on P’s advice, D declined that offer and lost. In response to the malpractice claim, P returned to federal court and sought declaratory relief such that the state malpractice claim was a compulsory counterclaim in P’s fee suit and it was now barred in state court.