Arbitrator Awards Attorney’s Fees to Client in Severance Dispute Against Local Financial Company

Early in March 2010, we initiated an arbitration action against a local financial firm that purchases structured settlements and lottery winnings. Our client was employed as an executive with the firm. When filed, the case was premised on the firm's anticipatory breach of a severance agreement with our client. Subsequently, the firm admitted liability and the only issue that remained was their liability for the costs of arbitration and our client's attorney's fees. Rather than settle the dispute, as it should have, the firm chose to continue the fight and cause our client to more than triple his attorney's fees. The hearing was held on November 4, 2010 and the arbitrator issued her decision several days later, holding that firm had indeed anticipatorily breached the severance agreement and awarded our client his fees and costs incurred during the arbitration.