Randy L. Betz v. Diamond Jim's Auto Sales

¶ 1. This is a review of a decision of the court of appeals, Betz v. *307Diamond Jim's Auto Sales, 2012 WI App 131, 344 Wis. 2d 681, 825 N.W.2d 508, reversing an order of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court1 denying a motion by the attorneys representing Randy L. Betz ("Betz") to recover statutory attorney's fees from Diamond Jim's Auto Sales ("Diamond Jim's").

¶ 2. In this case we are asked to determine the circumstances under which plaintiffs counsel may recover statutory attorney's fees directly from a defendant when, without counsel's knowledge or approval, the plaintiff and defendant enter…