Estate of Philip Meriano, Deceased, Anita Panepinto, Administratrix - Page 48

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          43,516.25) for legal services to prepare and try one issue that             
          took 11 1/2 hours to try.                                                   
               Panepinto is a lawyer.  Our review of the record in this               
          case convinces us that she kept herself fully apprised of the               
          fees for legal services incurred by the estate during the time              
          the estate was represented by the Dilworth law firm.                        
               She testified at the trial of this case as to the                      
          reasonableness of the legal fees charged to the estate by the               
          Tupitza law firm and, except for the certitude that the fees                
          charged were "very reasonable," she was a particularly unknowing            
          witness.  On cross-examination, the following colloquy took place           
          between counsel for respondent and Panepinto:                               
                    Q  Have you discussed the issue of fees with your                 
               attorney in preparation for today -- with Mr. Tupitza?                 
                    A  He gave me a copy of the fees.                                 
                    Q  Did you discuss this bill or any other subject                 
               with respect to your testimony today?                                  
                    A  Yes.                                                           
                    Q  When did you talk to him about it?                             
                    A  I guess this morning.                                          
                    Q  Do you know the amount of the deduction at                     
               issue in this case due to the actions of Lynch and                     
               Reardon?                                                               
                    A  Yes.                                                           
                    Q  How much is it?                                                
                    A  I think it's approximately $250,000.                           






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Last modified: May 25, 2011