Retainer Agreement in Divorce Action Which Addressed Only Work “Up To” Trial Did Not Allow Recovery of Attorney’s Fees for Trial
The First Department determined that a retainer agreement for work “up to” a trial in a divorce action precluded the law firm from recovering any fees for the trial. To cover those fees a second retainer agreement was required:
The plain language of the retainer states that the law office’s representation of Blisko includes work leading “up to” a trial, “but not including an actual trial.” Indeed, the law office acknowledges that the retainer did not include representation at trial. Following the commencement of the trial on August 18, 2009, the retainer between the law office and Blisko terminated and plaintiff was representing Blisko without a written retainer …. Law Off of Sheldon Eisenberger v Blisko, 2013 NY Slip Op 03802, 1st Dept,. 5-28-13