In the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, plaintiff Adam Kingsley has won a lawsuit against defendant Seth Patinkin. The case, filed under the ID 21 M2 002421 and presided over by Judge Jeffrey L. Warnick, pertains to a breach of contract claim regarding unpaid attorney's fees and costs. The order was filed on March 22, 2024.
Kingsley sued Patinkin for failing to pay attorney’s fees and costs amounting to $20,991 from their previous legal engagement. Patinkin had retained Kingsley for an arbitration over a business dispute with an agreed fee structure of a $2,500 retainer fee and an hourly rate of $250 plus court costs and fees. However, Patinkin refused to pay several invoices sent by Kingsley leading to the lawsuit.
Patinkin appealed pro se arguing that the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over him as he had filed a motion to quash service before filing his answer. He also claimed that Kingsley concealed evidence from the court creating questions of material fact. Despite these claims, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Kingsley awarding him $13,546 after offsetting damages with a $7,642 refund check from the American Arbitration Association due to overpayment of arbitration fees.
The plaintiff sought for summary judgment on breach of contract claim and recovery of remaining unpaid fees and costs totaling $13,349.