CHICAGO – A Lake Zurich man is suing his divorce lawyer, alleging mishandling of the case caused the plaintiff to lose more than $200,000.
Daniel M. Guss filed a lawsuit Dec. 11 in Cook County Circuit Court against Louis Capozzoli, alleging legal malpractice.
According to the complaint, Guss hired Capozzoli in January 2013 to represent him in divorce proceedings. The suit says the attorney failed to zealously represent Guss, including missing the first hearing, conducting faulty discovery and engaging in email and letter-writing with opposing counsel on so-called frivolous matters.
In addition, the suit alleges Capozzoli attempted to charge Guss $77,000 in legal expenses after originally promising to charge only $5,000. The complaint also alleges a $25,000 mistake regarding living expenses for his ex-wife and allowing another $150,000 loss over marital property.
Guss seeks a six-person jury trial and damages of more than $100,000. He is represented by attorney Thomas W. Gooch III of Gauthier & Gooch in Wauconda.
Cook County Circuit Court Case number 2015-L63088