SACRAMENTO – Two attorneys allege they were not paid for their work in a legal matter.
Mark Crawford and John Cruikshank filed a complaint on Nov. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Anthony Poidmore alleging conversion and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on July 1, 2013, Crawford and Cruikshank initiated all the necessary interviews, legal research and documentations needed by their client, Savage, to file a discrimination case against Savage's employer. Because of other commitments, the plaintiffs allege they mutually decided to allow withdrawal and substitute another attorney into the case, Poidmore.
After settlement in June 2015, the suit states the plaintiffs initiated contact with the defendant and submitted itemized bill for services rendered totaling $100,115, but were never paid to date. The plaintiffs hold Poidmore responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to remit plaintiffs share of the contingency fees, and converted portions of the fees belonging to plaintiffs for his own use.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, damages in an amount of $100,115, legal expenses and costs, and additional relief the court may deem proper. They are represented by John Cruikshank of Cruikshank & Cruikshank in Sausalito.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California Case number 2:16-cv-02713