Arent Fox has sued former client Gietz Master Builders, alleging that the company failed to pay more than $76,000 in legal fees.
According to a complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Gietz, an Arizona-based building company, hired Arent Fox in 2005 to represent the company during a bankruptcy matter and an adversary proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia.
According to filings in the bankruptcy case, the Doctors Community Healthcare Corporation Liquidating Trust sought to recover funds that had been transferred to Gietz by way of an allegedly fraudulent transaction between the building company and Paul Tuft, the chief executive officer of DCHC. The trust accused Gietz of fraudulent conveyance, unjust enrichment, and wrongful retention of approximately $2,747,589. Gietz ultimately settled for $200,000, according to the district court complaint.
Arent Fox says in its complaint that despite helping Gietz reach a reduced settlement, the company failed to pay for $76,208.05 worth of legal fees. The firm also says Gietz owes interest on its unpaid bills.
The complaint goes on to name an affiliate of Geitz, Superior Home Services, which the firm says also benefitted from the settlement.
Gary Tepper, an Arent Fox partner handling the firm’s suit, declined to comment on the case.
According to Joanne Hand, who answered the phone at Geitz’s Scottsdale, Arizona office, the company has not received a copy of the suit and was unaware that it had been filed.
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