US Trustee Files Motion Against Lawyer’s Fees in Chapter 7 Case

The U.S. trustee has filed a motion objecting to the billing practices of a Maryland attorney, seeking an order canceling his fee agreement with a client.

John P. Fitzgerald III’s motion accuses attorney Adam M. Freiman of improperly billing his client, in violation of bankruptcy laws and ethical rules of conduct. The motion seeks a return of the fees paid and civil penalties.

At the center of the dispute is Freiman’s attempt to bifurcate the services he provides for filing a Chapter 7 to separate pre-petition and post-petition agreements. He charges nothing for the pre-petition services and attempts to collect ...