Ungrateful Client.

Lawyer represented client in employment litigation resulting in a $62,246.74 judgment in the client’s favor after a jury trial.  The trial court awarded $300,000 for attorney fees, whereupon the client substituted the lawyer out of her case and represented herself in propria persona.  The lawyer moved for an order that the attorney fees be made payable to the law firm.  The trial court denied the motion and the appellate court granted a petition for extraordinary relief, concluding “an attorney fee award under Labor Code sections 1194, subdivision (a) and 226, subdivision (e) should be made payable to the attorney who provided the legal services rather than the client, unless their fee agreement otherwise provides.”  Henry M. Lee Law Corporation v. Sup. Ct. (Ok Song Chang) (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 3;  April 16, 2012.) 204 Cal.App.4th 1375, [139 Cal.Rptr.3d 712].