WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A lawyer alleges that his former employer has defaulted on a written agreement.
David S. Ratner filed a complaint on Jan. 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Morelli Ratner Law Firm PLLC; Morelli Law Firm PLLC, as successor to Morelli Ratner Law Firm PLLC; and Benedict P. Morelli alleging failure to pay.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Oct. 15, 2015, he was terminated by defendants' law firm. The suit states that he and the defendants entered into a written agreement for the plaintiff to be paid $1.5 million in 36 monthly installments beginning November 2015 in return for the plaintiff to relinquish any claims he may have. This payment plan was later modified for the defendants to pay a lump sum of $1.2 million before Dec. 31, 2015, the suit states.
The suit states that a balance of $200,000 is due and owing as of Dec. 31, 2015.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to comply with its obligations under the agreed contract and failed to provide payment amount due and owing.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment of $200,000 plus interest from Dec. 31, 2015, exemplary and punitive damages, together with interest, costs and disbursements. He is represented by Lee Bernardo Ratner of David Ratner Law Firm in Walnut Creek, California.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York case number 1:18-cv-00699-RJS