COTCHETT, PITRE & McCARTHY v. Universal Paragon Corp.

Opinion

NEEDHAM, J.

Appellant Universal Paragon Corporation, formerly known as Tuntex (USA), Inc. (UPC), hired respondent law firm Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy (CP&M) to represent it in complex environmental litigation. After a settlement in the underlying action was reached, UPC and CP&M were unable to agree on the amount of fees owed to CP&M under their written fee agreement. The parties proceeded to binding arbitration, as provided for in the agreement, and the arbitrator awarded CP&M $7,554,149.13 in attorney fees and expenses. UPC appeals the superior court judgment confirming the award…