Mandell Menkes firm accuses VersusLaw of not paying $50K legal bill

A law firm is suing a company it alleges failed to pay it more than $50,000 after securing a win on the company's behalf.

Mandell Menkes filed a lawsuit Oct. 14 in Cook County Circuit Court against VersusLaw and Joseph W. Acton.

In its complaint, MMLLC alleges it was hired to represent VersusLaw in a lawsuit filed against it in April 2009. In that suit, the plaintiff, Jason Nieman, sought a permanent injunction and compensatory damages related to website publication of civil court cases involving him, according to Menkes's recently filed complaint.

Menkes contends it removed the Nieman matter to federal court and filed a motion to dismiss it, which the court granted on March 19, 2013.  In turn, the suit states the firm billed VersusLaw and Alton $55,920.50.

"Despite MMLLC's successful representation, the VersusLaw defendants have failed to pay for these services other than their tender at the outset of litigation of the $5,000 retainer," the suit states.

Even though MMLLC has requested repayment numerous times, it has not received the money owed, the complaint alleges.

"As of the date of filing, the outstanding balance for attorney fees and costs in connection with the Nieman matter is $50,920.50," the firm asserts.

In addition to the money it alleges it is owed, MMLLC is seeking pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Steven P. Mandell and Rebecca A. Edwards of Mandell Menkes in Chicago are representing the plaintiff law firm.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-10647.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.