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§ 329(a)

In re Olson

Ruling
Fees ordered disgorged due to debtor’s attorney’s failure to file proper fee disclosures or appearance arrangements.
Issue(s)
Should debtor’s attorney be sanctioned for sharing his fee with a lawyer outside the firm and then not disclosing the fee sharing relationship

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on June 16, 2016 , LexisNexis #0716-035

In re Michaud

Ruling
Compensation disallowed and debtor's counsel's appearance stricken due to insufficient disclosures.
Issue(s)
Were debtor's attorneys' three disclosures to the court sufficient to allow award of fees?

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on December 01, 2014 , LexisNexis #1214-108

In re Hall

Ruling
Damages for stay violations awarded in reduced amount due to failures by debtor's attorneys to file § 329(a) statements.
Issue(s)
What impact did debtor's attorneys' failure to comply with § 329(a) have on the amount of attorneys' fees recoverable for a willful stay violation?

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on September 26, 2014 , LexisNexis #1014-075

In re Wegesend

Ruling
Debtors' attorneys' fees denied due to numerous serious errors and violation of disclosure standards.
Issue(s)
Should debtor's attorneys' fees be denied due to numerous, significant errors alleged by the U.S. Trustee?

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on July 03, 2014 , LexisNexis #0714-107

In re Ivens Props.

Ruling
Sanctions were appropriate where debtor's attorneys failed to file required compensation disclosure statement.
Issue(s)
Was failure of debtor's attorneys to file required compensation disclosure statement grounds for sanctions?

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Commercial opinion summary, case decided on June 18, 2014 , LexisNexis #0714-072

In re Bergae

Ruling
Debtor's attorneys' fee application allowed with reductions for poor quality of work, unauthorized second lawyer on the case and time charged by unqualified paraprofessional.
Issue(s)
Should debtor's attorney's "no-look" fee application be allowed despite errors in filings and time charges by unauthorized second lawyer and untrained paralegal?

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on April 11, 2014 , LexisNexis #0514-037

In re Hyland

Ruling
Application for debtor's attorneys' fees in excess of base fee amount denied on trustee's objection.
Issue(s)
Were debtor's attorneys' entitled to lodestar fee where they had certified prior to confirmation that they would not seek fees in excess of base fee.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on January 23, 2014 , LexisNexis #0214-073

In re Ortiz

Ruling
Debtor's attorneys could not exclude routine matters such as attendance at §341 meetings from scope of representation.
Issue(s)
Could debtor's attorneys limit representation at §341 creditors meetings and hire appearance counsel for initial meeting.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on August 20, 2013 , LexisNexis #0913-036

In re Attell

Ruling
Excessive attorneys' fees ordered refunded on reconsideration.
Procedural posture

Debtor filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. A bank's motion for relief from the automatic stay was granted. The debtor moved to dismiss the case and sought to recover $ 3,850 he paid to two attorneys, including attorney one. Attorney one was ordered to return $ 3,850. Upon the debtor's motion for contempt, the bankruptcy court vacated the order requiring attorney one to refund the attorney's fees. The debtor moved for reconsideration.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on May 23, 2013 , LexisNexis #0613-111

In re Grabanski

Ruling
Debtor's attorney held in contempt due to nondisclosures as to compensation and reimbursement.
Procedural posture

Former partners with chapter 11 debtors in at least two entities relevant to the bankruptcy, filed a motion for an order to show cause and for contempt directed at the debtors' attorney.

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Consumer opinion summary, case decided on April 19, 2013 , LexisNexis #0513-037