Case Background

This case involved a contract and billing dispute between PWBC, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and The Manors Club, Inc., a Florida homeowners' association. The dispute centred around unpaid legal fees allegedly owed under a retainer agreement signed between The Manors Club and law firm Katzman Chandler, P.A. (KCPA). When the firm withdrew from representation in October 2020, unpaid balances remained. KCPA later assigned its claim to PWBC, which filed suit to recover the money. The case was tried in a Florida court and concerned four civil claims: breach of contract, open account, account stated, and unjust enrichment.

The cause that led to the legal dispute

PWBC asserted that The Manors Club signed a retainer agreement with KCPA on May 4, 2020, for ongoing legal services. KCPA had provided those services until October 14, 2020. After terminating the engagement, KCPA transferred its right to collect the unpaid fees to PWBC. PWBC claimed that The Manors Club received the legal work, never disputed the billing, and then refused to pay. They maintained that the association knowingly benefited from the services while failing to meet its contractual responsibilities.

Injuries suffered

PWBC claimed a financial loss stemming from the unpaid legal work. The law firm had performed the services, issued invoices, and advanced costs on behalf of the association. Despite this, no payment was received, resulting in a cumulative loss of $82,457.34. The Plaintiff alleged that this amount covered the unpaid fees, interest, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the legal services. Interest on the unpaid balance continued to accrue.