Emmons, Williams, Mires & Leech v. State Bar

Opinion

FRIEDMAN, Acting P. J.

Plaintiff attorneys seek a declaratory judgment nullifying the San Joaquin County Bar Association’s claim to a one-third forwarding fee arising from a piece of legal business which had originated with the bar association’s lawyer reference service. Plaintiffs appeal from a summary judgment requiring them to pay the fee. The appeal comes up on an agreed statement of facts.

Plaintiff John Hertzer, an attorney and member of the San Joaquin County Bar Association, signed a registration form enlisting himself on the panel of the lawyer reference service. According to…