(DOWNLOAD) "Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v. Syntek Finance Corporation" by Supreme Court of Texas ~ eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v. Syntek Finance Corporation
- Author : Supreme Court of Texas
- Release Date : January 22, 1994
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 73 KB
Description
Per Curiam This case turns on the application of the ""substantial relationship"" test for attorney disqualification based on prior representation of the same or a related client. Following a lengthy hearing, the trial court overruled a motion to disqualify counsel filed by Syntek Finance Corporation. After a jury trial, a judgment for approximately $6.7 million was rendered in favor of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The court of appeals reversed that judgment and remanded the case for a new trial, holding that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Syntek's motion for disqualification of counsel. S.W.2d . We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and remand the case to that court for consideration of points of error not previously addressed. Gene Phillips owns a controlling interest in Syntek and several other related companies. In 1986, the law firm of Hughes & Luce represented Phillips in a divorce and subsequently drafted a prenuptial agreement. In the course of that representation, Phillips disclosed his personal financial status to Hughes & Luce, including the intricate structure of his various companies. This suit, filed by Syntek in April 1989, arises out of a hotel Syntek purchased from Metropolitan. Hughes & Luce attorney Richard Nelson represented Metropolitan. Nelson made an initial conflicts check and determined to his satisfaction that there was no conflict of interest due to the firm's previous representation of Phillips.