SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A business owner unhappy with his lawyers is suing them in San Francisco, claiming they charged too much for shoddy work.
Ryan Peacock and Ryan Peacock Inc. filed suit July 5 in San Francisco Superior Court against Manning & Kass, Ellrod Ramirez, Trester. RPI was the defendant in four lawsuits in Santa Clara County, including one brought by the California State Labor Commissioner over allegations the company failed to provide water to a field technician who was suffering heat-related illness, then suspended him without pay.
Peacock retained Miriam Graciela Ortiz while she was a solo practitioner. The suit says the COVID-10 pandemic caused her to abandon her duties while going through a divorce. She joined Manning & Kass in March 2021.
"Even with the support of M&K, Ortiz continued to miss deadlines, not respond to discovery, failed to appear for court hearings and failed to oppose motions for terminating sanctions in the underlying actions," the suit says.
"In short, the defendants completely failed to represent their clients in the underlying actions, breaching the standard of care and causing Peacock at least $1 million in damage."
Malpractice in a lawsuit brought over an alleged failure to pay premiums to the State Compensation Insurance Fund cost him at least $500,000, Peacock claims.
A default judgment in a case brought by a former employee alleging unpaid wages will cost the company $481,000, the suit says.
The Maloney Firm is representing Peacock.