No Fee For Disbarred Attorney

May a disbarred lawyer sue a former client for allegedly unpaid fees and recover? No, according to a recent decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court. The disciplinary case was not disclosed to the client even though charges were filed shortly after the representation commenced. The client found out from a friend. The trial court concluded that the lawyer had been paid more than the value of services rendered and that "disbarment did not constitute a valid legal defense for the [lawyer's] inability to perform further..." The court concluded that the lawyer's inability to complete the legal services was not excusable but rather the lawyer's fault. (Mike Frisch)