Watson v. Pietranton

BROTHERTON, Justice:

Dolores K. Pietranton, as executrix of the estate of her deceased husband, Frank A. Pietranton, an attorney, appeals a summary judgment in which the Circuit Court of Hancock County held that the deceased attorney’s fee agreement with another attorney was void as against public policy because the fee agreement violated DR2-107 of the West Virginia Code of Professional Responsibility.

Frank A. Pietranton practiced law for many years in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. In about 1978 Mr. Pietran-ton became ill and was unable to actively practice law. As a result of his…