Griffin sues to recoup more than $110K in fees from client

GALVESTON - Galveston attorney Anthony P. Griffin has filed suit against Barbara Regina Schlein in an effort to recoup at least $110,000.

According to the suit filed April 20 in Galveston County District Court, Schlein hired Griffin to represent her in numerous civil and criminal cases in Galveston and Harris Counties, but has yet to pay him.

The parties had a contract dated Nov. 3, 2009, which called for Schlein to pay Griffin an initial retainer of $35,000 and a reduced hourly rate of $250 an hour for any work more than $35,000.

The suit states the contract was entered with knowledge of previous counsel's representation of the defendant and the long-term and protracted nature of the underlying family/business law litigation.

Griffin claims that Schlein never paid the initial $35,000, but told him "that she was trustworthy, that she always paid her bills and that if the plaintiff took care of her interest, she would take care of him."

Nevertheless, he represented her and maintained business records during the course of the lawyer-client relationship.

According to the suit, the defendant racked up an invoice that included 352.5 work hours totaling $88,125 and $22,339 in additional costs. Griffin says the funds have not been remitted.

He also insists that Schlein owes him an additional $75,000 for legal counsel in litigation outside of the specified contract.

He ultimately accuses her of fraud and theft of services.

The plaintiff is representing himself, and Galveston County 56th District Court Judge Lonnie Cox is presiding over the case.

Case No. 12-cv-1098