In Re: Mma Law Firm, Pllc

Summary

The court answered certified questions concerning whether attorney misconduct affects contingent-fee contracts and whether a prematurely terminated attorney may recover fees and costs. It held that misconduct inducing contract formation makes the contract absolutely null and bars recovery, while later misconduct may lead to dissolution and a reduced or denied recovery under the applicable fee-allocation framework. It also held that successor counsel may invoke absolute nullity, that withdrawal is treated like discharge for fee allocation, and that federal law—not Louisiana law—controls the judge-jury allocation question.