More Drama at Cristina Gutierrez's Law Firm in 1999/2000

In my last two posts (here and here), I noted how at least two associates and a named partner departed from Cristina Gutierrez's law firm back in 1999. It turns out that there was additional drama occurring at Gutierrez's law firm during her representation of Adnan.

This is from a brief filed on September 20, 2000:

This matter arises from the claim of Appellee, Redmond, Burgin & Cruz, P.A., (“RBC”) that it is entitled to collect fees and expenses from Alexander, Bearden, Hairston & Marks, L.L.P, (“ABHM”) for services RBC alleges it rendered to ABHM in the case of Board of School Commissioners et al. v. Maryland State Board of Education, et al., No. 99528055 (filed Sept. 15, 1994, Baltimore City Circuit Court) (“the education litigation”) (E1, 5-6)....

 

Count II seeks an order declaring that an employer-employee relationship existed between RBC and Appellee [redacted] through May 31, 1996, and that RBC is entitled to collect $116,809.62 from ABHM for services RBC alleges it rendered to ABHM in the education litigation from April 19, 1996, through July 9, 1996, some of which allegedly is for [redacted]'s fees through May 31, 1996. (E7-8).

According to the brief,

On March 28, 2000, the trial court held RBC had shorted [redacted] $5,419.31 of her $45,587.50 fees for March through April 19, 1996, that RBC had obtained from ABHM in the $61,000 check. (E53-53) The Court held that "the proper way to allocate the $61,000 payment should have been to apply the payment to the statement for which it was paid." (E52).

Thereafter, on October 19, 2000, RBC filed its response and own appeal from the trial court's ruling.

I don't know how the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland ultimately ruled, and I don't know whether the claims by either side had any merit. What I do know is that there was "conflicting testimony" by members of the firm that was given before the trial court's ruling on March 28, 2000. I also know that Gutierrez testified in the matter. What I don't know is exactly how much time Gutierrez spent on briefing, preparing to testify, and testifying in the matter in 1999 and early 2000.

-CM