GRETNA – A personal injury law firm is being sued for legal malpractice for allegedly venue shopping by filing identical litigation on behalf of its client in more than one court.
Joey P. Griffin filed suit against Michael I. Rodriguez, Shannon C. Rodriguez, Rodriguez Law Office and their insurer in the 24th Judicial District Court on July 2.
Griffin contends that on Feb. 27, 2011 he was a customer at the Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant located at 3330 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie where he was injured after slipping and falling on the premises. The plaintiff alleges he contracted the Rodriguez Law Office to represent him in a lawsuit against the restaurant in which it would be paid a percentage of any damage award he received. Griffin claims the Rodriguez Law Office filed a lawsuit against Chevy’s in the 24th Judicial District and an identical lawsuit in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
On May 9, 2014 the plaintiff claims the Orleans Parish Civil District case was dismissed and the 24th JDC case also was dismissed on an “abandonment” claim.
Griffin contends the Rodriguez Law Office engaged in venue shopping which resulted in the cases being dismissed.
The defendant is accused of legal malpractice, failing to keep the client informed, failing to properly defend a motion for summary judgement, failing to appeal the case, failing to reply to client’s request for information, failing to protect the client’s claim and forum shopping.
Damages in excess of $75,000 are sought by the plaintiff.
Griffin is representing himself pro se.
The case has been assigned to Division F Judge Michael P. Mentz.
Case no. 751-967.