In a recent decision by the Court of Appeals of Georgia, the law firm Scrudder, Bass, Quillian, Horlock, Lazarus & Adele, LLP challenged a trial court’s order that imposed attorney fees and litigation expenses on them. The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Rhonda Barken against the City of Atlanta and two public works employees following the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident. The firm was sanctioned for allegedly failing to disclose a conflict of interest before trial, which led to a mistrial. However, the appellate court reversed this decision, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to support the sanctions under OCGA § 9-15-14 (b), which addresses unnecessary expansion of proceedings through improper conduct.
Source: A24A0159_SCRUDDER_BASS_QUILLIAN_HORLOCK_LAZARUS_and_ADELE_LLP_v_RHONDA_BARKEN_et_al_Opinion.pdf
