The Beaumont law firm Stevens Baldo Freeman & Lighty is suing Camin Cargo Control -- a former client that was hit with $1.4 million verdict last August -- for not paying attorney's fees.
The law firm filed the suit on Aug. 16 in Jefferson County District Court, seeking to collect more than $100,000 in attorney's fees.
Martin Products Sales originally filed suit against Camin Cargo Control and Chemtex Environmental Laboratory on Dec. 19, 2008, in Jefferson County District Court, alleging the chemical testing companies inaccurately reported levels of toxic contaminants in a batch of sulfuric acid.
Last August, a Jefferson County jury awarded Martin Product Sales nearly $1 million in damages, plus an additional $445,500 in attorney's fees, finding that two defendants were negligent in handing over an inaccurate toxicity report.
After a final judgment was entered on Nov. 21, 2011, in favor of Martin Product, the parties entered into a settlement, court papers say.
Throughout the litigation, the Stevens Baldo Freeman & Lighty law firm represented Camin Cargo.
According to the firm's suit, Camin Cargo has refused to pay the five invoices for attorney's fees sent to the company following the trial.
"The principal amount due and owing by defendant to plaintiff for legal services rendered to defendant in the Martin Product Sales, LLC lawsuit is $104,746.52," the firm's suit states. "Defendant's failure to pay for legal services rendered constitutes a breach of contract to plaintiff."
The firm is suing for actual damages and for attorney's fees for the lawyer it hired to file the suit.
Beaumont attorney Wyatt Snider represents the firm.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. A192-884