Tressler sues former client for legal fees

A Chicago law firm has sued one of its former clients in an attempt to recoup more than $34,500 in legal fees.

Tressler LLP filed a one-count complaint July 9 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Constantine Pavlopoulos alleging breach of contract.

The firm, which has seven offices in four states including Illinois, asserts that it entered into a written agreement with Pavlopoulos in March 2008 to perform legal work.

Pursuant to the agreement, Tressler contends that it performed the work “in a professional, competent and satisfactory manner” and submitted its bills totaling $34,523.65 to Pavlopoulos, who then breached the parties’ contract by not paying up.

“Plaintiff has made demands upon defendant for payment but defendant has not paid the amounts owed,” Tressler asserts in its suit. “Defendant has no good faith basis for not paying the plaintiff the amount specified in the complaint.”

The suit seeks a judgment against Pavlopoulos in the amount of the legal fees, plus costs and 5-percent pre-judgment interest, as well as a 1-percent per month late fee provision included in the contract.

Downers Grove attorney Gregory J. Abbott submitted the suit on behalf of Tressler.