Wichita Falls Private School Files Legal Malpractice Claims against Dallas Law Firm Hermes Sargent Bates

WICHITA FALLS, Texas, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Christ Academy, a non-denominational private school in Wichita Falls, Texas, has filed a state district court lawsuit against the Dallas-based firm Hermes Sargent Bates, LLP, based on claims of negligence and legal malpractice.

The lawsuit alleges that Hermes Sargent Bates and two of its attorneys were negligent and deceptive in defending the school against gender discrimination and retaliation charges brought by former Christ Academy headmaster Keven Robertson and the school's former development officer.

Hermes Sargent Bates represented Christ Academy in the earlier lawsuit, which concluded following a four-day jury trial in August of 2012, The school says the law firm submitted legal fees totaling more than $400,000, exceeding its agreed-upon budget by more than 400 percent over a 13-month period.

The lawsuit alleges Hermes Sargent Bates subsequently failed to contribute to a post-trial settlement with Ms. Robertson that included more than $460,000 in damages. Christ Academy says it was forced to pay Ms. Robertson's settlement and her attorneys' fees by dipping into the school's existing funds and a $100,000 insurance policy.

"By their own statements and actions following the trial, the attorneys from Hermes Sargent Bates clearly acknowledged that they failed to raise a proper defense and challenge to the earlier lawsuit," says Mark A. Ticer of the Law Office of Mark A. Ticer in Dallas, lead counsel for Christ Academy. "Despite overcharging the school, and consistently failing to act honorably in meeting their obligations, the law firm has rebuffed every attempt to resolve this matter. It's unfortunate that we've come to this, but the school believes it must file these claims based on what we believe are negligence, malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act."

Founded in 1953, Christ Academy is the former The Episcopal School of Wichita Falls. The independent, parochial school educates students from pre-K through 12^th grade, and graduated its first high school seniors this year.

The case is Christ Academy v. Monte K. Hurst, Lauren Z. Farkas and Hermes Sargent Bates, LLP, filed in the 30^th District Court in Wichita County.

For more information on the lawsuit, please contact the Law Office of Mark A. Ticer at 214-736-7404.

SOURCE Law Office of Mark A. Ticer