Legal malpractice claimed in divorce settlement. Defense. San Diego County.

Summary

Plaintiff says he suffered over $2 million in damages due to attorney's negligence.

Case Name: Girgis v. Christenson et al.
Court and Case Number: San Diego County Superior Court / 37-2017-00024754-CU-PN-CTL
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, August 26, 2019
Date Action was Filed: Friday, July 07, 2017
Type of Case: Legal Malpractice
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Joel R. Wohlfeil
Plaintiffs:
Hany M. Girgis
Defendants:
Lesa Christenson
Ashworth Blanchet Christenson, LLP
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

Gross Verdict or Award: Defense.
Award as to each Defendant:
Jury returned a verdict finding defendants were not negligent.
Trial or Arbitration Time: 9 days.
Jury Deliberation Time: 2 1/2 hours
Jury Polls: 12-0

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Joel Selik, San Marcos.

Suzanne Mindlin, Cardiff by the Sea.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Juskie LLP by Ian R. Friedman and Andrew A. Servais, San Diego.

Facts and Background:
Plaintiff sued his former lawyer and the firm Ashworth Blanchet Christenson, LLP for legal malpractice relating to the negotiation of a Marital Settlement Agreement in a $30+ million divorce.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff argued he was entitled to $2,053,000 as damages for defendant attorney’s alleged failure to negotiate a stock transfer as an equalizing payment in a divorce proceeding.
Defendant's Contentions:
No instruction was ever given to make a stock equalizing payment. Defendants did not cause plaintiff’s harm as he could not prove any better result. Plaintiff had suffered no damages.

The 998 history: