Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd. v. Beens

OPINION. SCHUMACHER, Judge.

Appellant Richard A. Beens challenges the district court’s grant of a motion for partial summary judgment in favor of respondent Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd. (the Barna firm), arguing that a shareholder separation agreement violates public policy because it involves fee-splitting among attorneys without client consent and restrains a client’s right to select counsel. We affirm.

FACTS

Beens was a shareholder in the Barna firm until April 1993, when he left to join the law firm of Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt (the Felhaber firm). Nine clients whom Beens represented at…