Shoemake v. Ferrer

¶1 This case presents an issue of first impression involving a determination of damages for legal malpractice. After he admitted liability, the trial court ordered attorney-petitioner Douglas Ferrer to pay client-respondents Andrea and Keith Shoemake interest on a settlement that the Shoemakes would have received had Ferrer not mishandled their case. The trial court calculated the interest on a figure of $60,000, representing the $100,000 settlement less Ferrer’s 40 percent contingency fee.1 The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the prejudgment interest in this case should have been…