United States Federal Circuit

Where a veteran entered into a contingent fee arrangement with his attorney, then terminated the lawyer's representation prior to the successful conclusion of the case, the Regional Office has jurisdiction to determine whether the lawyer is entitled to a fee.

Appellate Information

• Decided 03/13/2002
• Published 03/13/2002

Judges

• FRIEDMAN, Senior Circuit Judge., Before NEWMAN, Circuit Judge, FRIEDMAN, Senior Circuit Judge, and RADER, Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States Federal Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Kenneth M. Carpenter, Carpenter, Chartered, of Topeka, Kansas, argued for intervenor-appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• John S. Groat, Attorney, Civil Division, Department of Justice, of Washington, DC, argued for respondent-appellee.   With him on the brief were Stuart E. Schiffer, Acting Assistant Attorney General;  David M. Cohen, Director;  and Robert E. Kirschman, Assistant Director.   Of counsel on the brief were Donald E. Zeglin, Deputy Assistant General Counsel;  and Michael J. Timinski, Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs, of Washington, DC. Of counsel was Michael A. Leonard, Department of Veterans Affairs, of Washington, DC.