New Orleans law firm accused of charging excessive fees in malpractice suit

A Tennessee company has filed a legal malpractice lawsuit against the New Orleans law firm of Adams and Reese, LLP.

Colonial Freight Systems Inc. filed the lawsuit against Adams and Reese on July 20 in federal court in New Orleans.

In an underlying lawsuit filed in Orleans Parish District Court, Colonial Freight claims it hired attorneys Ronald J. Sholes and Christopher D'Amour, who were partners at Adams and Reese.

The attorneys are accused of providing substandard and negligent representation, breaching its fiduciary duties and failing to adequately represent the interests of Colonial Freight, resulting in an unfavorable settlement to its case. The attorneys are also accused of unauthorized billing, increasing its hourly rate without authorization or agreement, charging excessive fees and costs and charging Colonial Freight for services that were misrepresented or not performed. Colonial Freight states that it agreed to settlement in the case due to the advice and alleged misrepresentation of Adams and Reese.

Colonial Freight is asking the federal court for an award of all attorneys fees and costs in connection with its representation by Adams and Reese, all sums it was required to pay in the Orleans Parish District Court case and all other damages, plus interest and court costs.

The plaintiff is currently represented by Scott W. McQuaig of McQuaig & Associates in Metairie. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01755