Leonard Carder, LLP v. Patten, Faith, & Sandford

Opinion

KRIEGLER, J.

Plaintiff and appellant Leonard Carder, LLP, filed a declaratory relief action against Patten, Faith & Sandford (Patten) 1 regarding distribution of attorney fees awarded in a stipulated judgment in a class action lawsuit. The trial court entered a judgment denying all relief to Leonard Carder on the basis the complaint did not present a case or controversy and that jurisdiction had been reserved with the judge who approved the class action settlement. Leonard Carder challenges both aspects of the trial court’s ruling. We reverse, holding that the complaint did articulate a…