Strobehn v. Mason
2013 Mo. App. LEXIS 225
Mo. Ct. App.2013Background
- Mason (NY attorney) and Walters Bender, a Missouri firm, formed a co-counsel arrangement in a New York personal-injury case in 2007; no written contract was signed.
- After a mistrial in NY, Mason terminated the arrangement and settled the case for a substantial sum with new co-counsel.
- Walters Bender asserted a §475 lien in NY and filed a Missouri action seeking personal liability against Mason for fees.
- NY court fixed Walters Bender’s fee at $109,425.39 with expenses; NY Appell Division remanded to determine reasonableness and expenses.
- Missouri circuit court adopted the NY findings, awarded Mason $109,425.39 plus prejudgment interest, and held Mason personally liable; Mason appeals on jurisdiction grounds.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether NY judgment precludes Missouri action | Mason argues res judicata/collateral estoppel bar the Missouri suit | Walters Bender argues NY ruling allows separate, cumulative remedies | Preclusion arguments rejected; action allowed to proceed consistent with NY law. |
| Whether the circuit court had personal jurisdiction over Mason | Mason contends lack of sufficient Missouri contacts | Walters Bender asserts Mason solicited services in Missouri and contract performed there | MO court has personal jurisdiction; Mason solicited and engaged services in Missouri, with substantial performance there. |
| Whether the remedies under NY law are cumulative or exclusive | [Not explicit in brief; Mason challenges sequencing.] | NY law permits charging lien and plenary action to coexist | Remedies under §475 and plenary action are cumulative. |
Key Cases Cited
- J.C. W. ex rel. Webb v. Wyciskalla, 275 S.W.3d 249 (Mo. banc 2009) (subject-matter jurisdiction is plenary and defenses may be affirmative defenses)
- Parker v. Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Co., 93 N.Y.2d 343 (1999) (res judicata limits in NY judgments; multiple remedies may be pursued)
- Haser v. Haser, 271 A.D.2d 253 (2000) (§475 lien not enforceable to impose personal liability; remedies are cumulative)
- Butler, Fitzgerald & Potter v. Gelmin, 235 A.D.2d 218 (1997) (three remedies (retaining, charging lien, plenary action) are not exclusive but cumulative)
- State ex rel. Metal Service Center of Georgia, Inc. v. Gaertner, 677 S.W.2d 325 (Mo. 1984) (minimum contacts for jurisdiction can be based on contractual solicitation and Missouri performance)
- Wilson Tool & Die, Inc. v. TBDN-Tenn. Co., 237 S.W.3d 611 (Mo. App. E.D. 2007) (contract made where acceptor spoke; long-arm analysis)
- Bryant v. Smith Interior Design Grp., Inc., 310 S.W.3d 227 (Mo. banc 2010) (two-step personal jurisdiction: long-arm and minimum contacts; due process)