SIMPSON v. PLLC (2023)

Order, New York County (Lisa S. Headley, J.), entered April 8, 2022, which, to the extent appealed from, granted nonparty intervenor Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC's motion for attorney's fees to the extent of awarding the total sum of $300 for legal services rendered on behalf of plaintiff, unanimously affirmed, with costs.

The motion court's award to Napoli, plaintiff's prior counsel, of $300 for the costs incurred in connection with its preliminary investigation of the matter, rather than 40% of the net contingency fee that Napoli sought, was a provident exercise of discretion (see Han Soo Lee v. Riverhead Bay Motors, 110 A.D.3d 436, 972 N.Y.S.2d 240 [1st Dept. 2013];  Hinds v. Kilgallen, 83 A.D.3d 781, 782, 920 N.Y.S.2d 675 [2d Dept. 2011]).  The court providently apportioned the legal fee to reflect that current counsel, Scott A. Wolinetz, P.C., not Napoli, commenced the lawsuit that resulted in the settlement of plaintiff's workers’ compensation action.  Napoli only preliminarily investigated the matter over approximately three months, including obtaining medical records from only one of plaintiff's several medical providers and submitting certain no-fault and workers’ compensation applications and medical authorizations.  By contrast, Wolinetz demonstrated that it commenced the underlying action, conducted discovery and depositions, engaged in motion practice, and negotiated the settlement that resulted in an award to plaintiff.

We have considered Napoli's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.