The Provost Umphrey Law Firm is taking one of its former employees to court, alleging the attorney still owes the firm its share of fees.
Allegedly, former Provost Umphrey attorney Rodney Barnwell has been refusing to pay his previous bosses fees and settlements received from cases retained while working for the law firm.
Provost Umphrey filed suit against Barnwell in the Jefferson County District Court on Aug. 31.
According to the law firm's complaint, under an agreement with Provost Umphrey, Barnwell owes the law firm a share of fees he received on certain contingent fee cases.
"Defendant Rodney Barnwell has breached his contract with Plaintiff," the suit said. "Plaintiff seeks only an interest in the fees to which it is ethically entitled and does not seek recovery of any client funds or any funds to which it is not ethically entitled."
The suit claims Barnwell is disputing the matter and refusing to pay Provost Umphrey "its rightful share of the fees."
To settle the matter, Provost Umphrey is forcing arbitration. The case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham, 58th Judicial District.
The Orgain, Bell & Tucker law firm is handling the case for Provost Umphrey.
Case No. A181-147