Prince v. Poole
This text of 935 So. 2d 431 (Prince v. Poole) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinions
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *Page 433
Robert F. Prince, The Prince Law Firm, P.C., Charles E. "Ward" Pearson, P.C., and Charles E. Pearson appeal from a summary judgment entered by the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court in favor of Phil Poole on his breach-of-contract claims in this action. We reverse and remand.
It is undisputed that Charles E. Pearson of Charles E. Pearson, P.C. (Charles E. Pearson and Charles E. Pearson, P.C., are hereinafter referred to jointly as "the *Page 434 Pearson appellants"), and Robert F. Prince of Prince, Poole Cross, P.C. (Robert F. Prince and Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., and the successor law firms are hereinafter referred to jointly as "the Prince appellants"),2 were the principal attorneys who prosecuted the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Poole, a "name" partner in Prince, Poole Cross, P.C.,3 had an unwritten arrangement with Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., under which he received 50% of the attorney fees earned from cases that he secured for or referred to the firm.4 Poole apparently was able to work out this arrangement with Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., because of what his brief describes as "Poole's unmatched connections, relationships and influence in the Town of Moundville."
Poole contends he first became aware of the claims underlying the Moundville gasoline litigation in early 1996 when, he says, several landowners affected by the gasoline spill contacted him. Poole learned from those landowners that a town meeting concerning those claims would be taking place in February 1996, and he contends that, because he could not attend the meeting, he contacted Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., to inform the firm of the meeting. Poole argues that by contacting the firm regarding the meeting, he "presented" the Moundville gasoline litigation to the Prince appellants.
Silas G. "Dell" Cross, Jr., a principal in Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., attended the February 1996 town meeting, Poole contends, at his request. At that meeting, Cross saw Pearson's brother, Greg Pearson, who is also an attorney. Cross talked to Greg Pearson and informed him, Poole contends, that Poole had been contacted by several landowners about the gasoline spill, including William B. "Buster" Chandler, whose case eventually became the only Moundville gasoline litigation to go to trial. Thus, Poole argues that he, in effect, also presented the Moundville gasoline litigation to the Pearson appellants.
Pearson and Prince dispute Poole's contentions that he presented the Moundville gasoline litigation to them. Prince asserts he first became aware of the claims underlying the Moundville gasoline litigation in February 1996, and Pearson contends he learned of the claims from his brother, Greg. Pearson contends that by the time of the February 1996 meeting, Greg already had been contacted by several landowners, including Buster Chandler, regarding the claims. Pearson testified that after the February 1996 town meeting, Greg told Pearson that he had seen Cross there. Pearson stated that Cross's presence at the town meeting caused him to assume that Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., was involved in representing the landowners in the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Pearson asserts that he contacted Prince to see if Prince would be interested in "associating" to jointly prosecute the *Page 435 Moundville gasoline litigation. Pearson and Prince claim that at some point before July 1996, they orally agreed to associate and to prosecute the Moundville gasoline litigation together, splitting expenses and fees equally. Prince claims that after his initial agreement with Pearson, he talked with Poole about lowering Poole's fee percentage from 50% to 33 1/3% for Moundville gasoline litigation cases that Poole had contributed or had referred to the firm. In July 1996, Pearson, Prince, and Poole reached an oral agreement ("the July 1996 agreement") regarding the Moundville gasoline litigation. The terms of the July 1996 agreement, however, are disputed.
Regarding the splitting of fees under the July 1996 agreement, Poole claims that he, Prince, and Pearson agreed to "pool"5 all the Moundville gasoline litigation cases and split the fees equally, regardless of which attorney had contributed or had referred the case.6 Prince's deposition testimony on this point is somewhat conflicting. He first testified that the initial agreement was that Poole would receive an equal share of the fees from all of the cases. Prince later explained in his deposition, however, that the parties agreed to that arrangement only because it was understood that Poole would be contributing virtually all of the cases. But, Prince contends, "[w]hen Poole failed to carry through with that promise, and other lawyers began bringing cases, the original understanding lost all applicability." (Prince's reply brief, p. 22 n. 16.)
Pearson's testimony regarding the July 1996 agreement directly conflicts with Poole's understanding of that agreement. According to Pearson, he agreed to split fees equally with Prince and Poole only on those cases Poole secured or referred; on cases not secured or referred by Poole, Pearson and Prince were to split the fees 50/50.
The parties agree that under the July 1996 agreement Poole was not responsible for any of the litigation expenses because Prince and Pearson had agreed to split the costs of the litigation equally. The parties, however, dispute Poole's obligations under the July 1996 agreement. Poole contends that he had a duty only to "refer" any Moundville gasoline litigation case that came to him, but he claims he had no other obligations under that agreement.
Prince's understanding of the July 1996 agreement, however, was that Poole would be contributing virtually all of the Moundville gasoline litigation cases. Similarly, Pearson believed that Poole agreed to contribute Moundville gasoline litigation cases. Pearson also claims that Poole agreed to "work" on the Moundville gasoline litigation. Pearson's testimony on that point, however, is not very specific; he testified that Poole agreed to "handle" necessary work with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management arising out the Moundville gasoline litigation and that Poole generally agreed to "work" on the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Eventually, 38 individual plaintiffs signed contingency-fee contracts with either *Page 436 Charles E. Pearson, P.C., or Prince, Poole Cross, P.C. As mentioned, those 38 plaintiffs filed 22 separate lawsuits. On January 17, 2000, before any of the Moundville gasoline litigation cases had been resolved by trial or otherwise, Poole, Cross, and Fischer left the law firm of Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C., and formed a new firm — Cross, Poole Fischer, L.L.C.
In an effort to wrap up the dissolution of Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C., Prince, Cross, and Fischer executed a written "exit agreement" on January 27, 2000.
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[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *Page 433
Robert F. Prince, The Prince Law Firm, P.C., Charles E. "Ward" Pearson, P.C., and Charles E. Pearson appeal from a summary judgment entered by the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court in favor of Phil Poole on his breach-of-contract claims in this action. We reverse and remand.
It is undisputed that Charles E. Pearson of Charles E. Pearson, P.C. (Charles E. Pearson and Charles E. Pearson, P.C., are hereinafter referred to jointly as "the *Page 434 Pearson appellants"), and Robert F. Prince of Prince, Poole Cross, P.C. (Robert F. Prince and Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., and the successor law firms are hereinafter referred to jointly as "the Prince appellants"),2 were the principal attorneys who prosecuted the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Poole, a "name" partner in Prince, Poole Cross, P.C.,3 had an unwritten arrangement with Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., under which he received 50% of the attorney fees earned from cases that he secured for or referred to the firm.4 Poole apparently was able to work out this arrangement with Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., because of what his brief describes as "Poole's unmatched connections, relationships and influence in the Town of Moundville."
Poole contends he first became aware of the claims underlying the Moundville gasoline litigation in early 1996 when, he says, several landowners affected by the gasoline spill contacted him. Poole learned from those landowners that a town meeting concerning those claims would be taking place in February 1996, and he contends that, because he could not attend the meeting, he contacted Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., to inform the firm of the meeting. Poole argues that by contacting the firm regarding the meeting, he "presented" the Moundville gasoline litigation to the Prince appellants.
Silas G. "Dell" Cross, Jr., a principal in Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., attended the February 1996 town meeting, Poole contends, at his request. At that meeting, Cross saw Pearson's brother, Greg Pearson, who is also an attorney. Cross talked to Greg Pearson and informed him, Poole contends, that Poole had been contacted by several landowners about the gasoline spill, including William B. "Buster" Chandler, whose case eventually became the only Moundville gasoline litigation to go to trial. Thus, Poole argues that he, in effect, also presented the Moundville gasoline litigation to the Pearson appellants.
Pearson and Prince dispute Poole's contentions that he presented the Moundville gasoline litigation to them. Prince asserts he first became aware of the claims underlying the Moundville gasoline litigation in February 1996, and Pearson contends he learned of the claims from his brother, Greg. Pearson contends that by the time of the February 1996 meeting, Greg already had been contacted by several landowners, including Buster Chandler, regarding the claims. Pearson testified that after the February 1996 town meeting, Greg told Pearson that he had seen Cross there. Pearson stated that Cross's presence at the town meeting caused him to assume that Prince, Poole Cross, P.C., was involved in representing the landowners in the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Pearson asserts that he contacted Prince to see if Prince would be interested in "associating" to jointly prosecute the *Page 435 Moundville gasoline litigation. Pearson and Prince claim that at some point before July 1996, they orally agreed to associate and to prosecute the Moundville gasoline litigation together, splitting expenses and fees equally. Prince claims that after his initial agreement with Pearson, he talked with Poole about lowering Poole's fee percentage from 50% to 33 1/3% for Moundville gasoline litigation cases that Poole had contributed or had referred to the firm. In July 1996, Pearson, Prince, and Poole reached an oral agreement ("the July 1996 agreement") regarding the Moundville gasoline litigation. The terms of the July 1996 agreement, however, are disputed.
Regarding the splitting of fees under the July 1996 agreement, Poole claims that he, Prince, and Pearson agreed to "pool"5 all the Moundville gasoline litigation cases and split the fees equally, regardless of which attorney had contributed or had referred the case.6 Prince's deposition testimony on this point is somewhat conflicting. He first testified that the initial agreement was that Poole would receive an equal share of the fees from all of the cases. Prince later explained in his deposition, however, that the parties agreed to that arrangement only because it was understood that Poole would be contributing virtually all of the cases. But, Prince contends, "[w]hen Poole failed to carry through with that promise, and other lawyers began bringing cases, the original understanding lost all applicability." (Prince's reply brief, p. 22 n. 16.)
Pearson's testimony regarding the July 1996 agreement directly conflicts with Poole's understanding of that agreement. According to Pearson, he agreed to split fees equally with Prince and Poole only on those cases Poole secured or referred; on cases not secured or referred by Poole, Pearson and Prince were to split the fees 50/50.
The parties agree that under the July 1996 agreement Poole was not responsible for any of the litigation expenses because Prince and Pearson had agreed to split the costs of the litigation equally. The parties, however, dispute Poole's obligations under the July 1996 agreement. Poole contends that he had a duty only to "refer" any Moundville gasoline litigation case that came to him, but he claims he had no other obligations under that agreement.
Prince's understanding of the July 1996 agreement, however, was that Poole would be contributing virtually all of the Moundville gasoline litigation cases. Similarly, Pearson believed that Poole agreed to contribute Moundville gasoline litigation cases. Pearson also claims that Poole agreed to "work" on the Moundville gasoline litigation. Pearson's testimony on that point, however, is not very specific; he testified that Poole agreed to "handle" necessary work with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management arising out the Moundville gasoline litigation and that Poole generally agreed to "work" on the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Eventually, 38 individual plaintiffs signed contingency-fee contracts with either *Page 436 Charles E. Pearson, P.C., or Prince, Poole Cross, P.C. As mentioned, those 38 plaintiffs filed 22 separate lawsuits. On January 17, 2000, before any of the Moundville gasoline litigation cases had been resolved by trial or otherwise, Poole, Cross, and Fischer left the law firm of Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C., and formed a new firm — Cross, Poole Fischer, L.L.C.
In an effort to wrap up the dissolution of Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C., Prince, Cross, and Fischer executed a written "exit agreement" on January 27, 2000.7 Among other things, the exit agreement exempted from its coverage the Moundville gasoline litigation.8 Paragraph 2 of the exit agreement stated that "[t]he allocation of revenues, attorney fees and reasonable and necessary case expenses arising out of the [Moundville gasoline litigation would] be addressed by a separate agreement between [Prince, Cross, and Fischer]."
The exit agreement did not, however, end the dissolution dispute. In particular, the continuing dispute focused on the division of fees from the Moundville gasoline litigation. In a series of letters between Cross, Fischer, and Prince in early February 2000, the conflict escalated to the point that Cross and Fischer accused Prince of breaching the exit agreement because, they alleged, Prince refused to execute a separate agreement pertaining to the Moundville gasoline litigation.
Prince claims that in an effort to resolve the dissolution dispute, he asked Pearson to make a concession on the fees to which he was entitled from the Moundville gasoline litigation. Pearson agreed to Prince's request because, Pearson says, the dissolution dispute was interfering with the prosecution of the Moundville gasoline litigation. Through a series of telephone calls and a meeting on February 6, 2000, an oral agreement was reached regarding the division of fees from the Moundville gasoline litigation.
On February 15, 2000, Pearson sent a letter to Cross, Poole, Fischer, and Prince; each attorney signed it ("the February 15 letter"). The February 15 letter states:
"RE: Fee Splits for Moundville Gasoline Cases v. Chevron Plantation Pipe Line
"Dear Gentlemen:
"This will confirm the fee splits and other issues that were discussed and generally endorsed by everyone at the end of the day on Sunday, February 6th. The Fee Splits and understanding expressed by this letter agreement are applicable only to the following lawsuits *Page 437 and/or cases: (1) the Chandler et al lawsuits currently filed against Chevron, Plantation Pipe Line, CH2MHill and Ron Clary (or some combination of said defendants) specifically in regard to the gasoline spill/contamination that originated at the terminal facilities of Chevron and Plantation Pipe Line located on and adjacent to 2nd Avenue in Moundville, Alabama (the `Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill'); (2) such additional lawsuits and/or cases as may be obtained or filed hereafter by any of the undersigned parties for any new or existing clients specifically and only in regard to the said Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill; and (3) any class action filed for protection of the Gordo Aquifer from the gasoline spills that have occurred in the area of the Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill (the `Gordo Aquifer Class Action'). Cases and/or lawsuits as described in part IV below are expressly excluded from operation of the fee splits set forth below.
"I. Fee Splits
"James H. Seale 10% .100 Silas G. Cross, Jr. Erby J. Fischer 8% of 90% .072 Phil Poole 30% of 90% .270 Robert F. Prince 26% of 90% .234 Charles E. Pearson, P.C. and H. Gregory Pearson, P.C. 36% of 90% .324 _____ Total 1.000
"II. Funding for Costs
"Charles E. Pearson and Robert F. Prince will continue to advance all (100%) of the funding for costs of litigation for the Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill, as to which costs all of the Fee Splits indicated above will be subject. Everyone acknowledges and understands that loans and loan costs (including interests and loan fees relating thereto) have been and will continue to be secured and incurred by Charles E. Pearson and Robert F. Prince from a third party bank in their sole discretion for the funding contemplated to cover the costs of the subject litigation. Such loans, interest and loan fees are mutually agreed to be a legitimate cost of the litigation to which all Fee Splits are subject and subordinate. Regardless of allocations (for client purposes) of the foregoing costs of litigation to any particular case, all incurred costs will be repaid and/or reimbursed first (out of first available proceeds of any recovery) before distribution of fees according to the Fee Splits indicated above. Regardless of the outcome of the litigation made the basis of this agreement, it is understood and agreed that there shall be no recourse against Silas G. Cross, Jr., Phil Poole, Erby J. Fischer or Cross, Poole Fischer, L.L.C. for the recovery of expenses or cost incurred in the prosecution of the litigation. The obligation for cost and expenses in the funding of this litigation shall be borne solely by Charles E. Pearson and Robert F. Prince.
"III. Gordo Aquifer Class Action
"The Gordo Aquifer Class Action may be filed by any of the undersigned parties. As among the undersigned partiesthere shall be two groups. Group `A' shall be composed of Silas G. Cross, Jr., Phil Poole and Erby J. Fischer. Group `B' shall be composed of Charles E. Pearson and Robert F. Prince. Each group shall have the option to participate in any Gordo Aquifer Class Action for up to fifty percent (50%) of the attorney fees generated. A group which chooses to participate shall also be obligated for a proportionate share of the costs and expenses of said litigation. The proportionate share of costs and expenses shall be equal to the fee percentage received by the group. Additionally, *Page 438 any group so participating shall be obligated for their proportionate share of the workload associated with the prosecution of the litigation. A group may elect not to participate, in which event such non participating group's percentage will then be transferred to the participating group. In the event the Gordo Aquifer Class Action is referred to other attorneys and a non-cost bearing, non-workload bearing referral fee is retained, all of the undersigned parties will have their respective fee split percentages in such referral fee. The provisions of this part III are only applicable to a Gordo Aquifer Class Action and are not applicable to individual cases that seek injunctive relief and/or damages. The provisions of part II above as to Funding for Cost are not applicable to the Gordo Aquifer Class Action.
"IV. Excluded Cases and Litigation
"All of the parties to this letter agreement are practicing attorneys. Each party to this letter agreement acknowledges and recognizes the respective rights of the others without obligation hereunder to continue to represent clients, enter into client contracts, and handle client cases and litigation that do not specifically include claims occasioned by the Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill. Any and all client contracts, cases and litigation that do not specifically include claims occasioned by the Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill are not subject to the Fee Splits and Funding for Costs provisions of this letter agreement, regardless of whether such claims, contracts, cases and/or litigation involve the same or similar plaintiffs and/or the same or similar defendants. It is acknowledged that there are other possible or existing contamination spills and/or leaks in or near the Moundville area by Colonial Pipeline, Hunt Oil, and Plantation Pipe Line Company that may give rise to claims by some of the same plaintiff landowners that are involved in the Chevron/PPL 2nd Avenue contamination spill. Such other possible or exiting contamination spills and/or leaks are not subject to the Fee Splits and Funding for Costs provisions set forth above.
"Sincerely,
"/s/ Charles E. Pearson "Charles E. Pearson
"Stipulated and Agreed to by the undersigned:
"/s/ Charles E. Pearson /s/ Erby J. Fischer "Charles E. Pearson Erby J. Fischer
"/s/ Robert F. Prince /s/ Phil Poole "Robert F. Prince Phil Poole
"/s/ Silas G. Cross, Jr. "Silas G. Cross, Jr."
Despite the February 15 letter, however, disagreement regarding the dissolution of Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C., continued. In April 2000, Prince exchanged letters with Cross and Fischer regarding an alleged oral agreement by Cross and Fischer to pay Prince for firm-related expenses. The dispute escalated, and in May 2000 Prince filed an action in the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court for a declaratory judgment against defendants Cross, Fischer, Poole, and the law firm of Cross, Poole Fischer, L.L.C. Among other things, Prince's complaint sought a judgment declaring that the defendants were in material breach of the exit agreement, the February 15 letter, and any other written and oral agreements between the parties.
On May 31, 2000, Cross, Fischer, and Poole filed an answer and a counterclaim. They asserted a claim of breach of contract and sought an accounting and a declaration that the exit agreement and the February 15 letter were valid and enforceable agreements that they had not materially *Page 439 breached. The counterclaim also asked the court to determine whether Pearson and Charles E. Pearson, P.C., were necessary and indispensable parties to the declaratory-judgment action.
On July 5, 2000, Pearson sent a letter to Cross, Poole, Fischer, and Prince ("the July 5 letter"). In the July 5 letter, Pearson attempted to terminate what he described as the "association" of each of the attorneys by the February 15 letter. The July 5 letter states:
"It has come to my attention that a contention has been alleged that I should be made a party in your current lawsuit regarding the split-up of Prince, Poole and Cross.9 I do not understand or appreciate any necessity for me to be involved in your internal affairs, and particularly do not see it as appropriate action for you to involve me, an associating attorney, in your dispute. The Moundville gasoline contamination cases have reached an important point in my effort to get one or more up for trial. The casework on the Moundville cases is time consuming and difficult enough as it is without having to address the contention that has been raised to involve me in your lawsuit. I do not understand why I have been singled out among what must be a number of attorneys who associated either Bob [Prince] or your former P.C. to assist the pursuit of legal claims on behalf of clients.
"I am therefore terminating my earlier association of each of you in regard to my client cases and contracts that are involved in the Moundville gasoline contamination litigation. In particular, I want to make it clear that the association of each of you as may be reflected by my letter of February 15, 2000, in regard to my specific Moundville clients/contracts is hereby withdrawn. As each of you are well aware, my concession of fee percentage reflected in such letter of February 15th was purely a unilateral decision by me to reduce my fee percentage merely in an effort to accommodate Bob, and was not the result of any consideration whatsoever being granted to me by any of you. Other than Bob, no work has been done nor any financial investment made by the rest of you in regard to my Moundville clients/contracts since my February 15th letter.
"My termination of your association pursuant to this letter results in a reversion to the original understanding that I had reached with Phil Poole and Bob (at the outset of the Moundville contamination litigation) as to Phil having a referral fee as to certain Moundville cases. Phil and I need to discuss the specifics of the original understanding, but I am proceeding on the basis that the original understanding as to Phil is back in place and I will honor such understanding as to Phil."
On August 4, 2000, attorney James Jenkins responded by letter ("the August 4 letter") to the July 5 letter. Jenkins wrote the August 4 letter on behalf of Fischer, Cross, and, Poole contends, Poole.10 The *Page 440 August 4 letter protested Pearson's interpretation and attempted revocation of the February 15 letter in the July 5 letter. The August 4 letter maintains that "[t]he 15 February 2000 letter is an enforceable contract between the parties who signed. The agreement supplants and replaces any previous agreements between my clients' former firm, Phil Poole individually and [Pearson's] law firm (and/or [Pearson] individually)."
On April 11, 2001, Prince, Cross, and Fischer settled their disputes regarding the dissolution of Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C. As part of the settlement, Cross and Fischer surrendered any claim to fees from the Moundville gasoline litigation. The settlement resulted in the dismissal of Cross, Fischer, and the law firm Cross, Poole Fischer, L.L.C., from Prince's declaratory-judgment action, leaving Poole as the only remaining defendant.
In October 2001, Prince and Pearson obtained a jury verdict of $43.8 million on behalf of Buster Chandler against Plantation Pipeline Company in the first of the Moundville gasoline litigation cases to go to trial. In a letter to Pearson dated February 15, 2002, counsel for Poole asked whether Pearson would be distributing, in accordance with the February 15 letter, a share of the fee earned on Chandler's case. Pearson contends this was the first time since the July 5 letter he had been contacted by Poole regarding the Moundville gasoline litigation.
On February 25, 2002, Pearson filed a motion to intervene in the dissolution litigation between Prince and Poole; the trial court later granted Pearson's motion. Pearson's complaint in intervention sought a declaratory judgment regarding the validity of the February 15 letter and the nature of his obligations to Poole under the February 15 letter.
Poole answered Pearson's complaint in intervention and filed a counterclaim against Pearson and amended his counterclaim against Prince. Poole's counterclaims included breach-of-contract claims against Pearson and Prince.
In October 2002, the trial court ordered the parties to mediate the dispute, but the mediation efforts failed. Pearson and Prince contend that on October 14, during the mediation, Poole learned that confidential settlement negotiations were ongoing regarding the Moundville gasoline litigation. Poole testified at his deposition that on the evening of October 14, he, along with his father and brother, contacted 11 of the plaintiffs in the Moundville gasoline litigation. The Pooles attempted to obtain from those plaintiffs written consents stating that Poole was one of their attorneys in the Moundville gasoline litigation and giving Poole authority to file notices of appearance on their behalf.
On October 15 and soon thereafter Poole filed notices of appearances on behalf of several of those plaintiffs. In some instances, however, Poole had not been a party to the discussions his father or brother had with the Moundville gasoline litigation plaintiffs, nor had Poole been present when some of the written consents were obtained from those plaintiffs.11 *Page 441
On October 15, 2002, five of the Moundville gasoline litigation plaintiffs who had been contacted by the Pooles signed notarized letters demanding that Poole destroy the written consents the Pooles had obtained on October 14.12
In January 2003, a settlement of the Moundville gasoline litigation was reached. As part of the settlement, each plaintiff signed a written statement that included the following acknowledgment: "Robert Prince and Charles E. Pearson represent all Claimants who are Plaintiffs in connection with the Lawsuits and . . . neither Phil Poole, Erby Fischer, nor Dell Cross represents any Claimants who are Plaintiffs in connection with the Lawsuits." Pearson and Prince did not disburse to Poole any of the attorney fees from that settlement.
In March 2003, seeking 27% of the fees from the Moundville gasoline litigation, Poole moved for a summary judgment as to his breach-of-contract counterclaim and submitted evidentiary materials in support of his motion. Pearson and Prince responded to Poole's summary-judgment motion and filed a motion and supporting materials for a partial summary judgment as to Poole's breach-of-contract counterclaim.
The trial court afforded the parties several opportunities to submit supplemental evidence in support of their respective motions, and the court held two hearings relating to the pending summary-judgment motions.
Following Prince's submission of an affidavit in opposition to Poole's motion for a summary judgment, Poole moved to strike two parts of the affidavit that, Poole contended, contradicted Prince's earlier sworn deposition testimony. Poole objected to a portion of Prince's affidavit in which Prince asserted that Poole had orally agreed to pay for various firm-related expenses. Poole also objected to those parts of the affidavit in which Prince asserted that Poole had assumed and had failed to perform obligations not mentioned in the February 15 letter. Prince filed a response to Poole's motion to strike, but the trial court granted Poole's motion.
During the pendency of the parties' summary-judgment motions, the trial court, at Poole's request, ordered Prince and Pearson to produce information regarding the total amount of attorney fees resulting from the settlement of the Moundville gasoline litigation. Following the trial court's granting of Poole's motion to compel the information, Prince and Pearson produced documents, which were placed under seal, showing the total amount of attorney fees.
The trial court then granted, on January 5, 2004, Poole's motion for a summary *Page 442 judgment. In a three-page order, the trial court stated, in relevant part:
"The Court has considered the relevant legal authorities, the parties' oral arguments, the evidence in the record, and the parties' written submissions. . . . Based on its review of these items, the Court finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact as to Poole's breach of contract count, and Poole is entitled to judgment in his favor on this count as a matter of law. . . .
"It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that Poole's Motion for Summary Judgment as to His Breach of Contract Count is GRANTED; Pearson's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED; and Prince's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, insofar as it applies to Poole's breach of contract count, is DENIED. Summary judgment is entered in favor of Poole and against Charles E. Pearson, P.C., Charles E. Pearson, Robert F. Prince, The Prince Law Firm, P.C., and The Prince-Patterson Law Firm, P.C.,13 on Poole's count for breach of contract in the amount of $4,755,644.20 plus prejudgment interest. . . ."
The trial court made its summary judgment in Poole's favor final under Rule 54(b), Ala. R. Civ. P. The trial court also entered an order denying two motions filed by Pearson to strike as untimely supplemental evidentiary submissions filed by Poole on September 9, 2003.
Dow v. Alabama Democratic Party,"This Court's review of a summary judgment is de novo. Williams v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.,
886 So.2d 72 ,74 (Ala. 2003). We apply the same standard of review as the trial court applied. Specifically, we must determine whether the movant has made a prima facie showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists and that the movant is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Rule 56(c), Ala. R. Civ. P.; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama v. Hodurski,899 So.2d 949 ,952-53 (Ala. 2004). In making such a determination, we must review the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant. Wilson v. Brown,496 So.2d 756 ,758 (Ala. 1986). Once the movant makes a prima facie showing that there is no genuine issue of material fact, the burden then shifts to the nonmovant to produce `substantial evidence' as to the existence of a genuine issue of material fact. Bass v. SouthTrust Bank of Baldwin County,538 So.2d 794 ,797-98 (Ala. 1989); Ala. Code 1975, §12-21-12 . `[S]ubstantial evidence is evidence of such weight and quality that fair-minded persons in the exercise of impartial judgment can reasonably infer the existence of the fact sought to be proved.' West v. Founders Life Assur. Co. of Fla.,547 So.2d 870 ,871 (Ala. 1989)."
Although Pearson and Prince have raised a number of substantive and procedural challenges to the summary judgment in Poole's favor on the breach-of-contract claim, resolution of this case requires discussion of only two issues: the trial court's application of the parol-evidence rule and the trial court's striking of portions of Prince's affidavit.14 We conclude that the summary judgment was inappropriate because Pearson and Prince have presented substantial evidence creating a genuine issue of material fact as to the obligations Poole assumed under the parties' agreement regarding the Moundville gasoline litigation and whether Poole performed those obligations.
Pearson and Prince contend that they were entitled to introduce parol evidence because, they argue, the February 15 letter does not contain a merger clause and was not intended to be a complete integration of the parties' agreement. Pearson and Prince argue that the February 15 letter effected only a partial integration of the parties' agreement, and they contend — and offer parol evidence suggesting — that Poole assumed obligations not mentioned in the February 15 letter and that Poole failed to perform those obligations.
Poole responds by arguing that the February 15 letter is an unambiguous contract and therefore parol evidence is inadmissible to vary or add to its terms. Poole relies upon this Court's decision in Southland Quality Homes, Inc. v. Williams,
Poole's reliance upon Southland Quality Homes is not without merit; unambiguous contracts must be enforced as written. Certainly the portion of the February 15 letter most beneficial to Poole — that is, the part outlining the percentage of the fees each party is to be awarded — is clear and unambiguous because, under that part, Poole is to receive 27% of the fees from the Moundville gasoline litigation. But Pearson and Prince have contended *Page 444
throughout this case that the February 15 letter is not and was not intended to be the complete expression of the parties' agreement. They contend that the parties' agreement was partly oral and partly written — that is, they argue that the writing at issue (the February 15 letter) did not completely integrate the parties' agreement and that, therefore, parol evidence of other terms is admissible. See Smothers v. Henderson,
We agree with Pearson and Prince. This Court has stated that the parol-evidence rule does not apply in every instance where there is a written contract:
First Commercial Bank v. Spivey,"The applicability of the parol evidence rule necessarily rests upon the existence of a valid written instrument that completely and accurately expresses the obligations assumed by or imposed upon the parties. The very purpose of the parol evidence rule is to protect the verity of such an instrument. As noted by this Court in Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. v. Biernbaum,
375 So.2d 431 ,434 (Ala. 1979), quoting Sellers v. Dickert,185 Ala. 206 ,213 , 64 So. 40, 43 (1913), `[t]he implication, at least, is that the executed writing contains all stipulations, engagements and promises the parties intend to make or to assume, and that all previous negotiations, conversations, and parol agreements are merged in the terms of the instrument.' In other words, the parol evidence rule does not apply to every contract of which there exists written evidence; it applies, instead, only when the parties to an agreement reduce it to writing, and agree or intend that the writing shall be their complete agreement. Biernbaum, supra at 434, citing 3 Williston, Contracts, § 633."
Normally, the words used by the parties in a written contract determines whether the parties intended the writing to be their complete agreement. The parties can express their intention that a written contract serves as their complete agreement by including a merger clause in the written contract. Poole argues, in effect, that the parties did just that by including in the February 15 letter the following sentence: "This will confirm the fee splits and other issues that were discussed and generally endorsed by everyone at the end of the day on Sunday, February 6th." We disagree with Poole's characterization of that sentence as a merger clause.
Justice Woodall, writing for a majority of this Court, has explained, "[a] `merger clause' is `a clause which states that all oral representations or agreements are merged into and subsumed by the written document of which the clause is a part.'"Belmont Homes, Inc. v. Law,
Moreover, the remainder of the February 15 letter does not reveal that the parties intended for the letter to serve as a complete integration of the parties' agreement. Instead, the language of the February 15 letter accomplished a partial integration of the parties' agreement because it reduced to writing the parties' agreement as to only the four issues it addresses: (1) fee-split percentages for the Moundville gasoline litigation; (2) funding for costs of the Moundville gasoline litigation; (3) division of the potential fees and expenses from the "Gordo Aquifer Class Action" if such an action were filed; and (4) those claims or cases that explicitly were not subject to the "Fee Splits" and "Funding for Costs" provisions of February 15 letter. The February 15 letter does not, however, address the parties' respective obligations in prosecuting the Moundville gasoline litigation. See Herring v. Prestwood,
As Pearson and Prince argue, the express terms of the February 15 letter do not place an obligation on anyone — including Pearson, Prince, or Poole — to prosecute the Moundville gasoline litigation.16 However, Pearson and Prince contend that if there were to be fees to split from the Moundville gasoline litigation, the litigation *Page 446
necessarily would have to be prosecuted. Thus, Pearson and Prince argue that the parties' respective obligations to prosecute the cases are terms omitted from the February 15 letter and, they contend, they are entitled to introduce parol evidence of those terms. We agree. Lankford,
Pearson and Prince contend that Poole agreed to obligations not delineated in the February 15 letter and that Poole failed to perform those obligations.17 In particular, Pearson argues that Poole agreed to assist in working on the Moundville gasoline litigation and to work to end the dissolution dispute with Prince's former firm; after the February 15 letter, Pearson contends, Poole neither worked on the Moundville gasoline litigation nor worked to end the dissolution dispute.
Prince, in his affidavit, testified that the February 15 letter was only a part of the parties' overall agreement and that "Poole was expected to refer new cases relating to the Moundville gasoline spill, assist with state agencies, and be available to assist with jury selection and at trial." Prince testified, however, that Poole did not perform any of those obligations after the February 15 letter was written.
Poole disputes Pearson and Prince's claims that he assumed obligations other than what is expressed in the February 15 letter. Poole maintains that he was obligated "only to include in the pooled cases any Moundville gasoline case that came his way, and there is no evidence that he breached that requirement." (Poole's brief, p. 53.)
To resolve Poole's argument regarding his obligations under the February 15 letter in Poole's favor would necessarily require us to find that the February 15 letter is a completely integrated agreement.18 *Page 447
We, however, have concluded otherwise. Pearson and Prince have presented evidence from which the fact-finder could conclude that the parties' agreement included Poole's assuming obligations other than what is expressed in the February 15 letter, such as agreeing to work on the Moundville gasoline litigation, to assist with state agencies in pursuing the Moundville gasoline litigation, or to work to end the dissolution dispute with Prince's former firm. If the fact-finder were to conclude that Poole had indeed assumed one or more of the additional obligations Pearson and Prince allege he assumed, the fact-finder could also conclude, based upon Poole's admission that he did "nothing" after the parties executed the February 15 letter, that Poole failed to perform those obligations. A dispute of material fact therefore exists, and summary judgment was inappropriate.
In Counts, Stockstill, a Louisiana attorney, associated Counts, an Alabama attorney, on March 14 or 15, 1993, to assist Stockstill in representing two individuals in a civil action in Baldwin County, Alabama. Stockstill informed Counts that the statutory limitations period for the claims would expire on March 17, 1993. The two attorneys reached an oral agreement, which Stockstill confirmed by letter the next day.
"`It is my understanding that you will prepare a Complaint on behalf of our Clients . . . and file same in Baldwin County, Alabama prior to the Statute of Limitations date, i.e., March 17, 1993.
"`It is also my understanding that I will be involved in all phases of discovery *Page 448 and trial, and you will assist me in that regard. Our Firm will advance all funds necessary for case development and trial. We have a contingency fee of 33 1/3 percent with our Clients. The fee will be apportioned 60 percent to our Firm and 40 percent to you.
"`Presently, I am in negotiation with State Farm regarding settlement and I will keep you informed in that regard.'"
On March 23, 1993, Stockstill mailed a letter to Counts stating that the claims of one of the individuals had been settled. Counts contacted Stockstill after he received the letter. Stockstill indicated that the claim had settled for $55,000, but Stockstill stated he did not intend to split any resulting fee with Counts because, Stockstill contended, the claim "had been settled before Counts filed the complaint and that Counts had not helped in discovery or trial and therefore was entitled only to compensation based on a theory of quantum meruit."
Counts sued to recover 40% of the fee. The trial court enforced the fee-splitting agreement and entered a judgment in Counts's favor for $7,333.33. The Court of Civil Appeals, however, reversed the judgment and remanded the cause to the trial court, concluding that Counts was entitled to recover only under a theory of quantum meruit. Glenn Armentor Law Corp. v. Counts,
This Court reversed the judgment of the Court of Civil Appeals and rejected Stockstill's claim "that Counts's right to receive a fee was conditioned upon his performing discovery and trial work."
"One cannot reasonably interpret the clear and plain wording of this contract to mean anything except that Counts is entitled to 40% of Stockstill's 1/3 contingent fee on Presley's settlement. Stockstill drafted the fee agreement and now must accept its terms and its results. A different conclusion would run contrary to fundamental contract law."
In Gaines, Thomas Benton Barnett, a minor, was killed in a vehicular accident in 1987.
Barnett, Sr., then asked his son to contact the law firm of Hare, Wynn, Newell Newton ("Hare Wynn") to file a wrongful-death action on his behalf. Barnett, Jr., worked out a fee-splitting agreement under which Hare Wynn and the Gaines firm were to share equally a 25% contingency fee. It was understood that Barnett, Jr., would actively work on the case along with Hare Wynn.
Approximately two months after the firms entered into the fee-splitting agreement, Barnett, Jr., left the Gaines firm. Soon thereafter, Barnett, Sr., orally and then in writing discharged the Gaines firm and requested an invoice for any expenses the firm had incurred up to that point. Barnett, Sr., then "entered into a formal agreement" with Hare Wynn to represent him.
After holding a hearing and receiving ore tenus evidence, the trial court determined that any contingency-fee agreement between Barnett, Sr., and the Gaines firm had been terminated when Barnett, Sr., discharged the firm. Moreover, the trial court found that any agreement between Hare Wynn and the Gaines firm had been "conditioned on the active participation of the Gaines firm in the case, which was not fulfilled, and that discharge of the Gaines firm had the effect of relieving Hare, Wynn of any obligations it had to share the contingent fee with the Gaines firm."
The Court of Civil Appeals affirmed. Applying a deferential standard of review under the ore tenus rule, the Court of Civil Appeals could not say that the trial court's ruling was "plainly and palpably wrong or manifestly unjust."
"The trial court made no finding regarding whether a valid fee division agreement ever existed between the Gaines firm and Hare, Wynn, but, rather, held that `any contingent fee arrangement between Robert B. Barnett, Sr., and the Gaines firm was terminated by Mr. Barnett . . . long before the contingency was fulfilled. . . ."
Finally, the Court of Civil Appeals rejected the Gaines firm's argument that it was entitled to a "referral fee" from Hare Wynn.
In Gamble, Gamble, an associate at Corley, Moncus Ward P.C. ("Corley Moncus"), was contacted by Moseley. Moseley was a friend of Gamble and Gamble's family, and he discussed with Gamble the possibility of suing a pharmacy. Gamble later asked the partners of Corley Moncus for permission to sue the pharmacy on Moseley's behalf, but the partners refused because they feared the action would jeopardize the firm's relationship with the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, a longtime client.
Gamble then referred Moseley to the law firm of Heninger, Burge Vargo ("Heninger Burge"), and Moseley entered a contingency-fee contract with Heninger Burge. The contract provided for Heninger Burge to receive 33 1/3% of any settlement recovery or 40% of any recovery obtained if the case went to trial. An attorney at Heninger Burge then confirmed by letter its arrangement with Corley Moncus. The letter stated, in relevant part:
"`This letter will serve to confirm all agreements that were reached in this case regarding fees. We have Mr. Moseley signed up to a 1/3 if settled or 40% if tried contract. Out of that, we split the fee on a 55/45 basis, with my firm to receive the 55%. Additionally, I understand that you want to remain as active as possible in this file, while at the same time having your name and/or involvement remain anonymous.'"
For approximately a year thereafter, Gamble actively participated in the case, although his participation was anonymous. But in January 1995, Gamble resigned from Corley Moncus. Gamble explained to Moseley that he was free to file a notice of appearance and to continue Moseley's representation, and Gamble informed Moseley that Corley Moncus could remain involved in the case if Moseley wanted the firm to do so. Moseley, however, decided to terminate his relationship with Corley Moncus, which he did by a letter dated March 11, 1995.
In late 1995, Moseley's case settled for $900,000. Heninger Burge received $300,000 from the settlement and paid 45% of that fee ($135,000) to Gamble. Gamble, in turn, sent a check to reimburse Corley Moncus for its expenses on the case and for pay Gamble had received for the hours he had worked on the case as an employee of Corley Moncus. Corley Moncus, however, rejected the reimbursement and sued, asserting rights under Gamble's referral arrangement with Heninger Burge.
Relying upon Gaines, this Court reversed the trial court's judgment. This Court held that the situation in Gamble "closely resemble[d] the situation in Gaines" and found that "Gamble [had] presented evidence indicating that Corley Moncus's continued (albeit anonymous) participation in the case was a condition precedent to its right to receive a portion of the contingent fee."
We agree with Pearson and Prince — the facts of this case are distinguishable from the facts in Counts. Like this case,Counts involved a letter that contained a fee-splitting arrangement between attorneys.
Moreover, the fee-splitting letter in Counts specifically acknowledged that settlement negotiations were underway.
Finally, Counts is distinguishable from this case because inCounts, the clients on whose cases Counts had been associated did not dispute, or purport to terminate, Counts's representation, and the contingency upon which Counts's recovery was based — that is, settlement of the clients' claim — had occurred before Stockstill asserted his claim that Counts's recovery was subject to an unfulfilled condition precedent.
The facts of this case therefore are more analogous to the facts in Gamble and Gaines. Just as the clients discharged, before settlement, the respective firms that were claiming fees in Gaines,
This case, however, is not completely analogous to Gamble andGaines. In addition to whether the parties intended for their arrangement to be a referral or an association, there are disputed issues of fact in this case with respect to: (1) whether Poole assumed obligations under the overall agreement among the parties and, if so, what those obligations were; and (2) if Poole indeed assumed obligations under the parties' agreement, whether the parties intended Poole's performance of those obligations to be a condition precedent to his entitlement to a percentage of the fees obtained in the Moundville gasoline litigation.
It is well settled that "`a party is not allowed to directly contradict prior sworn testimony to avoid the entry of a summary judgment.'" Wilson v. Teng,
"`"[w]hen a party has given clear answers to unambiguous questions which negate the existence of any genuine issue of material fact, that party cannot thereafter create such an issue with an affidavit that merely contradicts, without explanation, previously given clear testimony."' [Continental Eagle Corp. v. Mokrzycki,Wilson,611 So.2d 313 ,317 (Ala. 1992)], quoting Robinson v. Hank Roberts, Inc.,514 So.2d 958 ,961 (Ala. 1987). However, when a party submits a subsequent affidavit merely to clarify his or her answers to ambiguous questions asked by counsel during a deposition or other prior sworn proceeding or to supply information not necessarily sought by questions asked at the deposition or other prior sworn proceeding, the trial court should consider the subsequent affidavit. See, e.g., Rickard v. Shoals Distrib., Inc.,645 So.2d 1378 ,1382-83 (Ala. 1994); and Tittle v. Alabama Power Co.,570 So.2d 601 ,606-07 (Ala. 1990)."
Poole's motion to strike identified portions of Prince's affidavit that Poole contended contradicted Prince's prior sworn testimony. Among other objections,21 Poole challenged Prince's affidavit *Page 453 testimony that Poole had assumed obligations not stated in the February 15 letter and that he did not perform those obligations. Poole argued that this portion of Prince's affidavit contradicted Prince's earlier deposition testimony that he could "not point to anything in the [February 15 letter] that Poole was supposed to do . . . that . . . he did not do," that "there is nothing in [the February 15 letter] that Poole violated," and that Poole "was not going to be active in working up the cases." The trial court apparently agreed with Poole's analysis.
The trial court erred in granting Poole's motion to strike these portions of Prince's affidavit.22 When the portions of Prince's deposition quoted by Poole above are placed in context and viewed in light of Prince's theory of the case, it is apparent that Prince's affidavit testimony regarding Poole's obligations under the February 15 letter does not "merely contradict, without explanation, previously given clear testimony" by Prince. Wilson,
"Q. . . . My question was, is there anything in that February 15, 2000 letter agreement . . . that Phil is required to do by the terms of that agreement that you claim he failed to do?"A. Just by the written words on the letter, no, he did not — there's nothing in there that he violated.
". . . .
"Q. But sitting here today and having [the February 15 letter] in front of you, you cannot point to anything in [the February 15 letter] that Phil was supposed to do that you say he did not do?
"A. That's correct."
(Emphasis added.) Given that Prince and Pearson have consistently maintained that the February 15 letter is not the parties' complete agreement regarding the Moundville gasoline litigation, this deposition testimony by Prince does not conflict with his testimony in his affidavit that
"Poole was expected to refer new cases relating to the Moundville gasoline spill, assist with state agencies, and be available to assist with the jury selection and at trial. Poole did not do any work *Page 454 on the cases, of which I am aware, after this letter was written."
Likewise, Prince's affidavit testimony that Poole had assumed obligations not mentioned in the February 15 letter did not contradict Prince's deposition testimony that Poole "was not going to be active in working up the cases." Prince concedes that he knew Poole had virtually no experience as a trial lawyer and therefore would not have been expected to be "active in working up the cases."23 But, Prince contends, Poole's lack of experience in civil litigation does not mean that Poole did not also have the obligations to which Prince and Pearson testified, such as assisting with state agencies and being available for jury selection and for trial. Those obligations — rather than requiring that Poole have an extensive background in civil litigation — relied instead upon Poole's familiarity with Montgomery and with the residents of Moundville.
Indeed, the February 15 letter is silent regarding the parties' obligations with respect to working on the Moundville gasoline litigation. Thus, instead of striking Prince's affidavit testimony regarding Poole's obligations to work on the Moundville gasoline litigation, the trial court should have viewed it as an attempt by Prince "merely to clarify his . . . answers to ambiguous questions asked by counsel during a deposition . . . or to supply information not necessarily sought by questions asked at the deposition." Wilson,
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
NABERS, C.J., and LYONS, WOODALL, and BOLIN, JJ., concur.
PARKER, J., concurs in the result.
HARWOOD, J., recuses himself.
"Both the Original Firm and the Departing Firm shall have a unilateral right to inspect all books, records, case files, documents, or other records of any kind which are reasonably necessary to conduct an accurate accounting as to said cases enumerated in Exhibits A, B and C at any time upon reasonable notice."
The exit agreement defined the "Original Firm" as "Prince, Poole, Cross Fischer, P.C. and/or its successor firm and/or Robert F. Prince, individually" and the "Departing Firm" as "Cross, Poole Fischer, L.L.C., Silas G. Cross, Jr., individually and Erby J. Fischer, individually."
Poole responds to Pearson's claims by pointing out that Jenkins had already filed the answer and counterclaims on behalf of Cross, Poole, and Fischer in Prince's declaratory-judgment action.
Because we conclude that there are other factual disputes of a material nature that render a summary judgment inappropriate in this case, we pretermit discussion of the materiality of the factual dispute concerning whether Jenkins was acting on Poole's behalf in sending the August 4 letter.
"Dear Mr. Poole:"I am writing this letter and requesting that you destroy the document you had me sign on October 14, 2002. I am further informing you and anyone else that Ward Pearson and Bob Prince only are my legal counsel in any and all situations dealing with Plantation Pipe Line Company, Chevron and CH2M Hill.
"To the extent there is any claim that Phil Poole ever represented me in any aspect of these cases, I terminate this representation."
The fifth letter stated:
"I am writing this letter and requesting that you destroy the document you had me sign on October 14, 2002, which allowed you to enter an appearance in my case. If you have filed an appearance please cancel it."
Rule 1.5(e) addresses the division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm. The rule provides:
"(e) A division of fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm, including a division of fees with a referring lawyer, may be made only if:"(1) either (a) the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer, or (b) by written agreement with the client, each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation, or (c) in a contingency fee case, the division is between the referring or forwarding lawyer and the receiving lawyer;
"(2) the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved;
"(3) the client is advised that a division of fee will occur; and
"(4) the total fee is not clearly excessive."
Consistent with his position that the February 15 letter is an unambiguous, integrated agreement, Poole contends that accepting Pearson and Prince's argument "would be strange indeed" because, he argues, it would "allow the draftsman of a fee splitting agreement to enjoy all of the benefits of that agreement, only to much later turn around and attempt to enrich himself by denying those benefits to another party." (Poole's brief, p. 62 (footnote omitted).) However, Pearson and Prince point out that when the February 15 letter is viewed as only a part of the parties' overall agreement, the February 15 letter did not violate Rule 1.5(e) because, they argue, Poole agreed to work on the Moundville gasoline litigation, including, presumably, those cases he neither secured nor referred.
We point out this dispute only to emphasize that there are other potential problems with Poole's interpretation of the February 15 letter as a complete integration of the parties' agreement. However, in light of our disposition of this case in favor of Pearson and Prince, we find it unnecessary to resolve the parties' dispute over the applicability of Rule 1.5(e), Ala. R. Prof. Conduct.
We need not determine which standard is appropriate in this case, however, because even under the more deferential standard of review, it was error for the trial court to strike those portions of Prince's affidavit in which he asserted that Poole had assumed obligations other than what appears in the language of the February 15 letter.
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