Meredith Purcell v. James A. Billings, Esq.
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Disposition: Award to Petitioner
Issued by: Fee Arbitration Commission
Docket #: FAC#16-044
Dated: October 10, 2016
Bar Number: 009353
A hearing in the above matter was held on September 23, 2016, in Bangor, Maine before a duly authorized Fee Arbitration Panel of the Fee Arbitration Commission of the Board of Overseers of the Bar. This Panel was designated to hear the controversy existing between the above named parties as set forth in the Petitioner's Petition. The members of this Panel were Chair Rebecca A. Cayford, Esq.; Edmond J. Bearor, Esq.; and public member Paul F. Bolin. The Petitioner was present and testified. The Respondent appeared and filed written submissions. Based upon the evidence introduced, the Panel finds as follows:
Measuring the findings with the factors set forth in Rules 1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Panel finds that Petitioner, Meredith Purcell, has not carried her burden to show that Respondent, James A. Billings' fees and costs are unreasonable. The Respondent did testify that the total sum of $222.00 in unused witness fees should have been credited to Petitioner. Therefore, Respondent owes Petitioner the sum of $222.00.
In order to preserve the confidentiality of the written materials and the testimony submitted at the hearing, the findings of fact and conclusions are not set forth in the Award and Determination. This Award and Determination is accompanied, however, by a separate supplemental document which sets forth the findings of facts and conclusions of the Panel. By ruling of the Chair, the attached supplemental document shall not be considered part of the award, which is a public document. In accordance with Maine Bar Rule 7(h), the supplemental document shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public or disclosed to any person except as otherwise set forth in Maine Bar Rule 7(h).
The Award and Determination is in full settlement of all claims submitted to the Arbitration Panel.
The undersigned have subscribed to this award on October 10, 2016.
Rebecca A. Cayford, Esq., Panel 4 Chair
Fee Arbitration Commission
