Editor's note: Chris Bell has been non-suited from this lawsuit on July 7, 2020.
HOUSTON – Attorney Chris Bell, a fairly well known Texas politician, is being sued for legal malpractice after allegedly failing to warn a client that there could be possible consequences to bringing a defamation lawsuit.
Seeking more than $200,000 in damages, Richard “Rick” Gonzalez (also spelled Gonzales in the suit) filed suit against the former congressman on May 19 in Harris County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, Gonzalez retained Bell after being reassured that he had a meritorious defamation case.
Gonzalez, however, was allegedly not advised that there could be possible consequences and that the individuals he sued could counter with a motion to dismiss under the Texas Citizens Participation Act.
“After filing a lawsuit on behalf of Gonzales, Bell failed to take the proper procedural moves … to defeat the TCPA motion,” the suit states. “Bell was negligent in the advice he gave.”
As a result, Gonzalez incurred an additional $33,000 in attorney’s fees to be paid to the individuals he sued.
He is accusing Bell of negligently failing to conduct adequate discovery and failing to protect his interests.
“Bell placed his self-interest ahead of Gonzales’ interests and profited … to the tune of at least $90,000 when in fact Gonzales … received no representation at all,” the suit states.
Gonzalez is suing for economic, exemplary and treble damages.
He is represented by Houston attorneys Chris Carmona and Rogelio Garcia.
Case No. 2020-30096