October 18, 2024 — The Daily Business Review reports on a lawsuit filed by Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors client Lourdes Maria Castillo against the law firm Foster-Morales and its founder, former Florida Bar President Dori Foster-Morales. According to the report, Castillo claims that, "despite Foster-Morales assuring Castillo of her skills, the defendant failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care and competence and breached fiduciary duties while representing her."
"The complaint says it all: when our client's divorce proceedings became increasingly complex and contentious, she retained the defendants to protect her interests," says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer and counsel to Castillo. "Unfortunately, they were regularly unprepared for key court and arbitration events, caused Castillo to unwillingly waive substantial rights, and abandoned her during the most critical time of her life."
Among other things, the report states that Castillo claims Foster-Morales "pressured her to accept a buyout of the marital residence from her ex-husband for half the property's value, threatening to withdraw as counsel if Castillo refused to accept an immediate settlement."
The report notes that Castillo rejected the offer. Castillo retained new counsel and secured a global settlement of all claims for nearly $1 million more than the defendants had urged her to accept.
Castilllo is seeking damages in excess of $1.1 million. Read more here.