A recent BLT Blog post, “Mayer Brown Sues Pacific Seafood Group for $5M in Fees,” reports that Mayer Brown filed a breach of contract lawsuit (pdf) in D.C. Superior Court against former client Pacific Seafood Group, claiming unpaid attorney fees in excess of $5 million.  The firm represented Pacific, a global seafood processing and distribution company based in Clackamas, Ore., against a series of antitrust claims, including a class action in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.  According to the claimant, the firm stopped representing the company in February because of nonpayment of fees.

Mayer Brown claims Pacific paid part, but not all of the fees it owed.  The firm is suing for more than $5 million, which includes $3.8 million in fees, an additional $1.3 million for a discount the firm has originally provided, and interest.  According to the claimant, Pacific hired Mayer Brown attorneys from the Washington office in July 2010.  From the fall of 2010 through the summer of 2011, Pacific never fully paid invoices sent the firm.  The company “requested that Mayer Brown be patient and continue rendering professional services,” the firm said in its complaint.

Mayer Brown reached a breaking point early this year and told Pacific it would be ending its representation, according to the complaint.  “Mayer Brown is now informed and believes that Pacific intentionally misled Mayer Brown and caused it to provide legal services, while intending not to pay for such services and informed Mayer Brown of its intent,” the firm wrote in the complaint.