HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-5096
Eric J. Wiener,
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
ejw(ibejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC : COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff No. 0 g . S? y(p
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
NOTICE
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. IF YOU WISH TO DEFEND AGAINST THE
CLAIMS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, YOU MUST TAKE ACTION WITHIN
TWENTY (20) DAYS AFTER THIS COMPLAINT AND NOTICE ARE SERVED, BY
ENTERING A WRITTEN APPEARANCE PERSONALLY OR BY AN ATTORNEY AND
FILING IN WRITING WITH THE COURT YOUR DEFENSES OR OBJECTIONS TO THE
CLAIMS SET FORTH AGAINST YOU. YOU ARE WARNED THAT IF YOU FAIL TO DO
SO THE CASE MAY PROCEED WITHOUT YOU AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED
AGAINST YOU BY THE COURT WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE FOR ANY MONEY
CLAIMED IN THE COMPLAINT OR FOR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR RELIEF REQUESTED
BY THE PLAINTIFF. YOU MAY LOSE MONEY OR PROPERTY OR OTHER RIGHTS
IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO THE TELEPHONE OR THE
OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
32 SOUTH BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
1-800-990-9108
717-249-3166
V
Eric J. Wiener,
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
ejwkejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF
COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff No.
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
AND NOW COMES Plaintiff, Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC and relates as follows:
1. The Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC is a Limited Liability Corporation
maintaining an office and place of business at 2515 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania.
2. Robert M. Mumma, II is an adult individual who maintains an office and place of
business at 840 Market Street, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
1
3. Upon request of Defendant, Plaintiff performed work for Defendant individually
and for Corporations either owned or solely controlled by Defendant.
4. There remains an outstanding balance due of $18,418.46 a statement of account
with all attachments is marked Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference thereto.
5. Plaintiff had several meetings and conversations with Defendant regarding the
outstanding balance due and Defendant agreed to pay the balance, however, was to check his
records to make sure there weren't any other payments made against the outstanding balance of
$18,418.46.
6. Plaintiff had made numerous telephone calls to Defendant requesting payment
which was promised and also sent a-mails and letters regarding the outstanding balance due.
7. Defendant has not objected to or raised any defenses to the amount due and owing
of $18,418.46.
8. An account has been stated against Defendant for the sum of $18,418.46 based on
Defendants failure to raise any objections as to outstanding balance due.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully request judgment be entered against Defendant and
in favor of Plaintiff in the amount of $18,418.46.
Respectfully submitted,
LAW O S ERIC J. WIENER LLC
eDate: D W By:
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
ID #18046
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
(717) 909-9009 FAX
ejwgejw-law.com
2
VERIFICATION
I, Eric J. Wiener, hereby verify that the statements made in the foregoing Complaint are
true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that the
statements in the foregoing document are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4909
relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: Z Z- /to
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
Supreme Court I.D. # 18046
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
(717) 909-9009 Fax
Revised 8/1/2008
ROBERT BARTON'S WORK
7/27/07 Payment in the amount of $26,496.60 which was applied as follows:
Invoice # Amount Amount applied to Bob Barton's work
Invoice # 13 $16,834.47 $ 7,491.00
Invoice # 6 $10,524.17 $ 7,614.17
Invoice #17 $10,575.00 $ 8,010.00
Invoice #25 3,796.39 3,381.43
TOTAL $26,496.60 $26,496.60
11/5/07
Statement #
48
50
TOTAL
Payment in the amount of $15,800.00 which was applied as follows:
Amount
$ 6,990.24
8,812.87
$15,803.11
WRITE-OFF $3.11
12/28/08 Payment in the amount of $15,909.43 which was applied as follows:
Statement # Amount
90 $ 7,842.36 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
91 $ 900.00 Mumma v. Boswell
92 $ 315.00 High Spec Florida
107 $ 1,764.80 High Spec Florida
108 $ 2,882.27 Mumma v. Boswell
109 $ 2,205.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
TOTAL $15,909.43
OUTSTANDING STATEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2008
Statement #125 $ 3,792.02 High Spec Florida
Statement 4126 $ 315.00 High Spec PA
Statement #127 $ 1,260.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Statement #128 $ 315.00 Pennsy Supply
Statement #129 1,350.00 Mumma v. Sonnenschein
TOTAL $ 7,032.02
OUTSTANDING STATEMENTS FOR JANUARY 2008
Statement #142 $ 405.00 High Spec Florida
Statement #143 $ 4,590.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Statement #163 $ 1,035.00 McDermitt Concrete v. Macri Concrete
TOTAL $ 6,030.00
OUTSTANDING STATEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2008
Statement #223 $ 2,010.02
Statement #224 $ 2,025.00
Statement #225 $ 320.97
Mumma v. Boswell
Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
High Spec Florida
TOTAL $ 4,355.99
TOTAL DUE
2
$17,418.01
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT DUE FOR LEGAL SERVICES
Statement #259 1,000.45 High Spec Florida
TOTAL $ 1,000.45
$17,418.01
+ 1,000.45
TOTAL AMOUNT PAST DUE $18,418.46
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 125
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees Hours Rate Amount
12/3/2007 rwb Research re Movants' right to hearing on Post 5.00 90.00 450.00
Trial Motion. Prepare Amended Motion for
Relief.
12/4/2007 rwb Research re standing as jurisdictional 5.50 90.00 495.00
prerequisite in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Prepare Amended Motion for Relief.
12/5/2007 rwb Research re in rem jurisdiction. Prepare 5.50 90.00 495.00
Amended Motion for Relief.
12/6/2007 rwb Research re Florida statute mandating 5.50 90.00 495.00
deference to Pennsylvania law. Prepare
Amended Motion for Relief.
12/7/2007 rwb Prepare Memorandum re Amended Motion for 6.00 90.00 540.00
Relief. Complete and circulate Amended
Motion for Relief.
12/10/2007 rwb Telephone conferences with Mr. Mumma. 4.50 90.00 405.00
Research re requirement of continuous
ownership of stock. Revise Amended Motion
for Relief.
12/14/2007 rwb Conference with Mr. Mumma. Telephone 4.50 90.00 405.00
conference with and Memorandum to Kevin
Doty, Esquire.
12/28/2007 rwb Prepare for and conference with Mr. Mumma. 5.50 90.00 495.00
Correspondence with Mr. Doty. Research re
discovery in motion practice.
Sub-total Fees: 3,780.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 42.00 hours at $ 90.00/hr 3,780.00
Total hours: 42.00
Expenses
Postage 1.82
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER Page: 2
Matter ID 1001-005 Stmt No: 125
January 8, 2008
Photocopies 10.20
Subtotal Expenses: 12.02
Payments
12/20/2007 Payment Payment for Statement No. 92 and 107 2,079.80
Sub-total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Current Billing: 3,7 2.02
Previous Balance Due: 2,079.80
Total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Now Due: 3,792.02
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 126
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1033-001: High-Spec PA
Professional Fees Hours Rate Amount
12/20/2007 rwb Review Briefs filed in Superior Court. 3.50 90.00 315.00
Sub-total Fees: 315.00
Rats Summary
Robert W. Barton 3.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 315.00
Total hours: 3.50
Payments
11/5/2007 Write-off 3.11
11/5/2007 Payment Payment for Statement 50 and 48 15,800.00
Sub-total Payments: 15,803.11
Total Current Billing: - 15.00
Previous Balance Due: 15,803.11
Total Payments: 15,803.11
Total Now Due: 315.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 127
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1049-001: Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Professional Fees Hours Rate Amount
12/11/2007 rwb Research re attorneys' fiduciary duties. 5.00 90.00 450.00
Research re attorney/client privilege and
waiver.
12/12/2007 rwb Research re bailments. Research re contents 4.50 90.00 405.00
of briefs.
12/13/2007 rwb Research re amendment of pleadings. 4.50 90.00 405.00
Research re recusal.
Sub-tota l Fees: 1,260.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 14.00 hours at $ 90.00/hr 1,260.00
Total hours: 14.00
Payments
12/20/2007 Payment Payment for Statement No. 90 and 109 10,047.36
Sub-total Payments: 10,047.76-
Total Current Billing: - 1,'
Previous Balance Due: 10,047.36
Total Payments: 10,047.36
Total Now Due: 1,260.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 128
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-007: Pennsy Supply
Professional Fees Hours Rate Amount
12/31/2007 rwb Research re compulsory counterclaims in 3.50 90.00 315.00
Federal Court.
Sub-total Fees: 315.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 3.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 315.00
Total hours: 3.50
Total Current Billing: 315.00
Previous Balance Due: 0.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 315.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 129
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-008: Mumma v. Sonnenschein
Professional Fees
12/17/2007 rwb Research re diversity jurisdiction in Federal
Courts. Research revenue.
12/18/2007 rwb Research re choice of laws and procedure in
diversity cases.
12/19/2007 rwb Research re breach of fiduciary duty as cause
of action.
Hours Rate Amount
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
Sub-total Fees: 1,350.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 15.00 hours at $ 90.00/hr 1,350.00
Total hours: 15.00
Total Current Billing: 1,350.00
Previous Balance Due: 0.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 1,350.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of January 31, 2008
Statement No. 142
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees
1/2/2008 rwb Telephone and email conferences with Mr.
Mumma and Mr. Doty.
1/16/2008 rwb Review correspondence with Mr. Doty and Mr
Bowdish. Research re entry of appearance.
Telephone conference with Mr. Doty.
Hours Rate Amount
1.50 90.00 135.00
3.00 90.00 270.00
Sub-total Fees: 405.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 4.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 405.00
Total hours: 4.50
Total Current Billing: 405.00
Previous Balance Due: 3,792.02
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 4,197.02
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of January 31, 2008
Statement No. 143
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1049-001: Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Professional Fees
1/2/2008 rwb Review Post Trial Motions. Research re
bailment. Research re Philadelphia precedent.
1/3/2008 rwb Conference with Mr. Mumma and Mr. Gault.
Review Court Order. Research re format of
Brief.
1/4/2008 rwb Review memo from Mr. Gault. Research re law
of the case.
1/7/2008 rwb Research re contract interpretation.
1/22/2008 rwb Review transcript of trial. Research re
contracts.
1/23/2008 rwb Research re privileged communications
between Attorney and client. Research re
Code of Professional Conduct. Review
transcript.
1/28/2008 rwb Research re bailments. Research re
attomey/client privileges.
1/29/2008 rwb Prepare Brief re Post Trial Motions.
1/30/2008 rwb Research re recusal of trial judge. Prepare
Brief.
1/31/2008 rwb Prepare Brief.
Hours Rate Amount
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
4.50 90.00 405.00
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
Sub-total Fees: 4,590.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 51.00hours at $ 90.00/hr 4,590.00
Total hours: 51.00
Total Current Billing: 4,590.5-0
Previous Balance Due: 1,260.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 5,850.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of January 31, 2008
Statement No. 163
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-009: McDermitt Concrete v. Macri Concrete
Professional Fees
1/3/2008 rwb Conference with Mr. Mumma.
1/8/2008 rwb Review pleadings in Adams County. Research
re UCC and offer and acceptance per UCC.
Communications with Mr. Mumma and Mr.
Hewitt.
1/10/2008 rwb Prepare and conference with Bill Ladane and
Mike Smith.
Hours Rate Amount
1.00 90.00 90.00
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
Sub-total Fees: 1,035.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 11.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 1,035.00
Total hours: 11.50
Total Current Billing: 1,035.00
Previous Balance Due: 0.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 1,035.00
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of May 31, 2008
Statement No. 223
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-006: Mumma v. Boswell
Professional Fees Hours Rate Amount
2/1/2008 rwb Research and prepare Petition for Allowance 4.00 90.00 360.00
of Appeal.
2/4/2008 rwb Research and prepare Petition for Allowance 5.00 90.00 450.00
of Appeal.
2/6/2008 rwb Research and prepare petition for allowance of 4.50 90.00 405.00
appeal.
2/8/2008 rwb Research and prepare Petition for Allowance 4.00 90.00 360.00
of Appeal.
2/11/2008 rwb Research and prepare petition for allowance of 4.00 90.00 360.00
appeal.
Sub-total Fees: 1,935.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 21.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 1,935.00
Total hours: 21.50
Expenses
2/11/2008
Payments
12/20/2007
Postage
Photocopies
Filing fees.
10.42
4.60
60.00
Sub-total Expenses: 75.02
Payment Payment for Statement No. 91 and 108 3,782.27
Sub-total Payments: 3,782.27
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC Page: 2
Matter ID 1001-006 Stmt No: 223
June 3, 2008
Total Current Billing: 2,010.02
Previous Balance Due: 3,782.27
Total Payments: 3,782.27
Total Now Due: 2,010.02
V
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of May 31, 2008
Statement No. 224
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1049-001: Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Professional Fees
2/5/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/7/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/12/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/14/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/15/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
Hours Rate Amount
6.00 90.00 540.00
4.50 90.00 405.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
Sub-total Fees: 2,025.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 22.50hours at $ 90.00/hr 2,025.00
Total hours: 22.50
Total Current Billing: 2,025.00
Previous Balance Due: 5,850.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 7,875.00
t
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of March 1, 2008
Statement No. 225
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees Hours Rate
2/19/2008 rwb Research re proper parties. 3.50 90.00
Sub-total Fees:
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 3.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 315.00
Total hours: 3.50
Expenses
Amount
315.00
315.00
Postage 1.57
Photocopies 4.40
Sub-total Expenses: 5.97
12/20/2007
Payment Payment for Statement No. 92 and 107 2,079.80
Sub-total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Current Billing: - 3207
Previous Balance Due: 6,276.82
Total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Now Due: 4,517.99
Payments
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of July 31, 2008
Statement No. 259
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees
3/21/2008 ASB Researched Florida Court records; Type email
to EJW.
3/21/2008 EJW Calls to Florida check dockets, e-mails.
4/8/2008 EJW Discussioin with RMM and Doty re conf call.
4/9/2008 EJW Discussion with Jim on case history and
e-mails on conference call.
4/10/2008 EJW Conference call with Jm, Kevin re charging
lien.
5/29/2008 EJW Review Klett charging lien status of motion.
5/29/2008 EJW Met with rmm re case aver 2.5 hours, 1 hour
re a/. r- nc.
Expenses
Payments
12/20/2007
Hours Rate Amount
0.60 60.00 36.00
0.40 200.00 80.00
0.60 200.00 120.00
0.50 200.00 100.00
1.00 200.00 200.00
0.50 200.00 100.00
1.50 200.00 300.00
Sub-total Fees: 936.00
Rate Summary
Arnold S. Bituin 0.60 hours at $ 60.00/hr
Eric J. Wiener 4.50 hours at $ 200.00/hr
Total hours: 5.10
Photocopies
Postage
36.00
900.00
52.40
12.05
Sub-total Expenses: 64.45
Payment Payment for Statement No. 92 and 107 2,079.80
Sub-total Payments: 2,079.80
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
Matter ID 1001-005
Page: 2
Stmt No: 259
August 1, 2008
Total Current Billing: 1,000.45
Previous Balance Due: 6,597.79
Total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Now Due: 5,518.44
O
A
t0
1
O
O O
A
co
1
O
O O
O
1
O
8 O
O
1
O
8 O
O
1
O
O O
O
1
O
con O
O
1
O
0 O
O
I
O
0 O
O
1
O
8 O
Cl
1
O
8 O
A (
T
O
O O
A
10
O
O O
W
T
O
O O
W
?
O
O O
W
O
O O
W
7
O
O O
W
O
J - J J J
N
N
O
O ?_
N
O
O
V N
N
O
O A
N
O
O
V
N
O
O A
N
O
O
V
O\
N
O
O
N
O
O
V
O2
N
O
O
N
O
O
V
N
O
O
N
O
O
V Cn
N
O
O
V v+
N
O
O
V Oo
13
O
O
V N
N
O
O
V OD
N
O
O
V
O O 0 0 O J co CD co c0 co CT CA (n A A
co C
O 0
0 V N O O O O O w w
0 w 0 w 0 0 0 Cl) 0 cn 0 to 0 ? w n 0
d m m v ? a?
n?
S " M
S N S CD S CD S m (D S N S (D N =
S N
3 3 3 3 3 6
n CD n CD CD (D CD n =h (D n CD
fD .3. N .?-. 0
CD ?? 0
?. .?,. n
(D. .?. n
m 3 .?. CD .?.
N
O
N)
CT N
O
K)
Vt N
OD
co
N N
O
00
N L
-4
D)
A -
V
Cr
j
M
CD
O
CD
O v
? V
00
N pD
00
COD
W O
00
N 6
co
co p)
-co
O
C O N N 00 00 O O O O W W V -+ 00 IV N
O O V V O O O O O O O O a) -? V A A
O O O O O O O O O
C) C) 0
O O O O O O O O O
N N L
N N - V V 00 90 6 m
O O A A N CO CD 00 -CO V V 00
CA 00
O 0
U1 Cl1 U1 CJ1 N tr LA Cfl O O O O O O O C
D t
0
O O O O O O O C O O O O O O O O O
O O O Co O O O O O O O O O O O O O
O o o p O o p o o p o o p O O O Pi
O O C O O C O O O O C O O O O C O
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
1
O O V v .CD CD O O O O .N N CVp W N O O
O O to N o po b O Cl O W W V O
O O V V O O O O O O O O O -? V
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O I
O O O O O O O O O G O O O O O O O
O O O O O O C. O O O O O O O O Cl O
3
v
v
01
w
3
Z
O
'O
-+
0)
W
01
3 I
y
2
0)
a
n
fON
ur
N
O
n
N
7
e?
W
O
N
C
0)
x
Cl)
0
S
vo
n y
0
O .
?
J O
O
O
V
O
O
O
O
00
0
O
0
0
c0
O
O
6
Cl
L"
O
O
0
0
rn
O
W
W
0
O
O
A
If
O
O
J
Qr
N i
00
o
?
C7
o m
-„ y
_r
vi O
(o m
n
S
T •`
(D
O CD.
U) =
W
1
?r
CL /r
G : ?
a?
O
N
Cn
? ? J J J ? ? .
i J ? ? J
O O O O A pp O
O O A O A W O
0 0 o b b o 0 0 0
0 0 0
co o o o 0 0 0 0
c
o co t
n CA 0
A 00 00 ? W W W A A Lb OD OD
N N 13 f3 N N N N N N N f3
O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O Cb O O
N N N
N
w N
A N
N
W co O
O t
o tr W W N v " I
C
m v v m v o d d m n d m
? ? l
m m m m m m m m m m m m
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
m m m m m m m m m m m m
_ _ _ _ = 3 = _ = 3
G
CL
o
m
-+ --' -+ N N A -? W
O W W O W O O Cn A N W -4
O _ w 40 C)
W O p p p p O W O p N
0 0 0 ? co 0 0 0 0 0 0 0'
O O O CA V O N O O O O N
7 -• N N A - W'
O W W O W O O Cn A N W -4
W Cn -+ O N N co O CD -+ to
C71 O Cn O O Cn O .0 U1 O Cn N
0 Cl o A. to 0 0 o O o 0 CI
O Cl O to V O N Co O O O NI
N " A -? W
O W W co W O co 0 A N W V
W CA w CD
U O Cn CA to Cn to O to O to O .
O O O O O O O o O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O
O o o p O o p O o p O o
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Co 0 0
O O O O O O O O O O O O
O O O ? CT O CV71 O O O O N
C) O o ? CD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
O O O CA -I O N 0 O O O N
O o p O O O O O O O O O
0 0 0 0 o O o o O O o 0
O Co O O O O O O O O O O
3
Y1
N
0
v
d
A
Z
O
v
m
0
d
d
11
d
3
CIO
m
A
H
01
CL
0
0
0
sr
N
O
M
0
0
7
m
m
H
-I
d
x
3 VJ
N m
a)
m n
s
vo
II N
7.
O
O ?
O
O
v
O
O
O
O
O
O
0
0
0
to
O
O
0
0
O
0
0
0
rn
O
W
W
0
0
0
A
0
O
O
J
Qr
m ?
00
O+
K ?
O <D
h H
E
ca 0
cm
3
-n
<D
CD
CK F-
G : ?
0
N
a `Tl
N3
Cn rT
i_
} c.rt
SHERIFF'S RETURN - NOT FOUND
CASE NO: 2008-05096 P
COMMONTWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
LAW OFFICES OF ERIC J WIENER
VS
MUMMA ROBERT M II
R. Thomas Kline
,Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff, who being
duly sworn according to law, says, that he made a diligent search and
inquiry for the within named DEFENDANT
MUMMA ROBERT M II but was
unable to locate Him in his bailiwick. He therefore returns the
COMPLAINT & NOTICE
the within named DEFENDANT
840 MARKET STREET
NOT FOUND , as to
, MUMMA ROBERT M II
LEMOYNE, PA 17043
DEFENDANT WAS NOT FOUND AT GIVEN ADDRESS. THERE WERE NO
BUSINESSES VISIBLE AT REAR OF BUILDING.
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing 18.00
Service 42.00
Not Found 5.00
Surcharge 10.00
Postage 9-,/ .59
/n/U),IOF 75.59
So answerer =?
R. omas Kline
Sheriff of Cumberland County
ERIC WIENER
09/24/2008
Sworn and Subscribed to before
me this day of
A. D.
Eric J. Wiener,
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
ejwgejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF
COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff No. 08-5096
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE TO REINSTATE COMPLAINT
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please reinstate the Complaint in the above matter.
0// 0Q V
Date:
spectfully submitte ,
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
i4
W
0
?J
G
r
cxy
}a
SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
CASE NO: 2008-05096 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
LAW OFFICES OF ERIC J WIENER
VS
MUMMA ROBERT M II
NOAH CLINE , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County,Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon
MUMMA ROBERT M II the
DEFENDANT , at 0009:55 HOURS, on the 23rd day of October , 2008
at 840 MARKET STREET
LEMOYNE, PA 17043 by handing to
JAMES G GAULT ADULT IN CHARGE/ATTORNEY
a true and attested copy of COMPLAINT & NOTICE together with
and at the same time directing His attention to the contents thereof.
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing
Service
Affidavit
Surcharge
Postage
4.2 s /I7 8
Sworn and Subscibed to
before me this
of
So Answers:
18.00
14.00
.00
10.00 R. Thomas Kline
.42
42.42 10/24/2008
ERIC WIENER
By:
day Deputy Sheriff
A.D.
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
Plaintiff
V.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08 - 5096 CIVIL TERM
ROBERT M. MUMMA, II ;
Defendant CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO COMPLAINT
TO: THE LAW OFFICES OF ERIC J. WIENER, LLC AND
ERIC J. WIENER, ESQUIRE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM
SERVICE HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
AND NOW, comes Robert M. Mumma, II, by and through his counsel, James G. Gault,
Esquire, who files the following Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiffs Complaint pursuant to
Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(1) through (4) stating as follows:
1. On or about August 25, 2008, Plaintiff filed a complaint against the Defendant
seeking the total sum of $18,418.46 with respect to allegedly unpaid amounts due for
legal services and/or attorney fees.
2. Attached to said complaint is Exhibit A which is comprised of the following:
(i) a one (1) page summary of various invoices regarding "Robert Barton's Work";
(ii) a two (2) page summary of "Outstanding Statements" for December 2008 (sic),
January 2008, February 2008, and "Additional Amount Due for Legal Services";
(iii) thirteen (13) pages of various statements for "Professional Fees" attributed to
"Robert W. Barton", said statements bearing the letterhead of Plaintiff's business;
(iv) two (2) pages of a statement for "Professional Fees" attributed to Eric J. Wiener
and Arnold S. Bituin, said statement bearing the letterhead of Plaintiff's business;
and,
(v) a two (2) page document designated as Plaintiff's "Ledger Copy of Listing with
Fee/Cost Breakdown."
3. The Plaintiff is identified in Paragraph 1 of the complaint as "The Law Offices of
Eric J. Weiner LLC", a limited liability corporation with an office and place of
business at 2515 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
4. The complaint was signed by Eric J. Weiner, Esquire, listed at the same mailing
address as the Plaintiff.
5. Paragraph 3 of the complaint avers that the Plaintiff performed the legal services in
question, did so at the Defendant's request, and did work for Defendant individually
and for his corporations.
6. Although referenced in its Exhibit A, the complaint does not identify either Robert
W. Barton or Arnold S. Bituin, nor does it indicate whether Robert W. Barton or
Arnold S. Bituin are or were licensed Pennsylvania attorneys who were employed at
the Plaintiff.
7. Paragraph 5 of the complaint references "several meetings and conversations with
Defendant" without further identifying the times, dates, and locations thereof.
8. Paragraph 6 of the complaint avers that Plaintiff had made `numerous telephone calls
to Defendant', and also sent emails and letters without further identify the times,
dates, and locations thereof.
9. Although referenced in its Paragraph 6, the complaint does not have attached thereto
nor incorporated therein any copies of any emails or letters sent by Plaintiff to
Defendant.
10. Paragraph 7 of the complaint avers that Defendant has not objected to or raised any
defenses to the amount; however, Defendant did object to the amount allegedly due
and owing, and Defendant did raise objections, to wit, that Plaintiff s legal services
performed by Eric J. Wiener in several matters were not only inadequate and
incompetent, but, as a result thereof, caused Defendant economic harm and/or
setbacks or losses in several matters of litigation.
I 1. Paragraph 8 of the complaint avers that an account has been stated against the
Defendant for the sum of $18,418.46 based upon an alleged failure to object;
however, the complaint does not aver that Defendant ever acquiesced, assented,
and/or agreed to the account rendered, and, accordingly, for this reason and others,
the complaint fails to plead properly any action based upon the hoary theory of
recovery upon an account stated.
12. Although seeking payment of attorneys fees for legal services performed by Plaintiff,
the complaint does not plead nor aver the existence of any attorney-client
relationship, whether same may involve those individuals at the Plaintiff identified as
Eric J. Wiener, Robert W. Barton, or Arnold S. Bituin
13. Although seeking payment of attorneys fees for legal services performed by Plaintiff,
the complaint does not plead nor aver the existence of any Fee Agreement entered
into before or within a reasonable time after the commencement of any attorney-client
relationship.
14. Although seeking payment of attorneys fees for legal services performed by Plaintiff,
the complaint does not have attached thereto a copy of any Fee Agreement entered
into before or within a reasonable time after the commencement of any attorney-client
relationship.
15. Pennsylvania's Rules of Professional Conduct governing attorney-client relationships
provide that the basis or rate of the fee shall be in writing.
I. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.
1028(x)(1).
16. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
17. Although it was filed in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the complaint contains
no averments respecting any county in which any alleged cause of action arose and/or
any county where any transaction or occurrence took place and, as such, is legally
objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(1).
H. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION OVER THE
PERSON OF THE DEFENDANT PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(1).
18. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
19. The Defendant is a resident of the State of Florida such that the complaint fails to
plead the requisite basis for jurisdiction in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
therefore same is legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to
Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(1).
III. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR INSUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY IN A
PLEADING AS TO AN ACCOUNT STATED THEORY OF RECOVERY
PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(3).
20. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
21. The complaint avers that the amounts are due under an account stated theory of
recovery; however, the complaint insufficiently pleads the requisite facts necessary to
support this theory of recovery.
22. The complaint fails to plead sufficiently the nature or extent of the following
elements of an account stated:
(i) That the Defendant ever acquiesced, assented, or agreed to the account
rendered;
(ii) That there was ever a running account and/or a pre-existing account;
(iii) That there was ever a promise to pay on the alleged account;
(iv) That there was ever any acceptance of the account rendered or any
account;
(v) That the services performed relative to the alleged account were
satisfactory to the Defendant;
(vi) That the services performed relative to the alleged account were
competent and adequate under the appropriate standards governing the
nature of the work performed; and/or,
(vii) That the account stated is not subject to impeachment for mistake or fraud.
23. To the extent the complaint purports to seek recovery of the alleged total amount due
under an account stated theory of recovery, yet fails to aver with specificity the
appropriate elements of such a theory or action, same is legally objectionable by way
of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(3).
IV. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LEGAL INSUFFICIENCY OF A PLEADING
(DEMURRER) PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(4).
24. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
25. The complaint seeks payment of a specified total amount under an account stated
theory of recovery without asserting the necessary and requisite facts which would
support the application of such a theory of recovery in this matter, and, as such, is
legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P.
1028(a)(4).
26. The complaint fails to set forth an appropriate theory of law upon which its demand
for payment must be granted, and, as such, is legally objectionable by way of
preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(4).
27. The complaint seeks payment based upon an account stated theory of recovery;
however, said theory of recovery is inapplicable to the attorney-client relationship
which is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct, and, as such, is legally
objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(4).
V. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE OF A PLEADING TO CONFORM
TO LAW PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(2).
28. The Petitioner hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
29. To the extent the complaint is considered to be in the nature of a suit on a written
contract, the complaint does not have attached thereto a copy of any contract,
agreement, document, or similar writing signed by the Defendant, and, as such, is
legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P.
1028(a)(2).
30. The complaint seeks payment based upon an account stated theory of recovery;
however, said theory of recovery is inapplicable to the attorney-client relationship
which is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct, and, as such, is legally
objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(2).
31. To the extent the complaint is considered to be for the recovery of attorney fees
allegedly due and payable for the performance of legal services, the complaint does
not have attached thereto a copy of any Fee Agreement and, as such, is legally
objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(2).
WHEREFORE, the Defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court GRANT
the instant Preliminary Objections and dismiss the instant complaint.
I Z,
2wk
DATE
Respectfully submitted,
e G. Gault, Esquire
Pa preme Ct. ID #: 49687
84014arket Street
Suite 153
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 612-9720
jggault@comcast.net
VERIFICATION
I, Robert M. Mumma, II, the Defendant, do hereby verify that any statements of fact
made in the foregoing document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information
and belief. I understand that any false statements therein are subject to the penalties contained in
18 Pa.C.S.A. §4904, relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
*obeztvumms I
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
1Z
I hereby certify that on November, 2008, I served a true and correct copy of the
foregoing Preliminary Objections to Complaint by U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid,
addressed to:
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
G. Gault,
for Defendant
°
C
N ?: G1
4 may. .r,4
ck
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
Plaintiff
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA, II
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08 - 5096 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE
Please enter my appearance on behalf of the Defendant in the above-captioned matter.
DATE
4 Jam G. Gault, Esq '
Pa. reme Ct. ID #: 49687
840 Market Street
Suite 153
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 612-9720
jggault@comcast.net
rn
?
f
??
Eric J. Wiener,
2515 North Front Stfeet
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
ejw@ejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff No. 08-5096 CIVIL TERM
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
NOTICE
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. IF YOU WISH TO DEFEND AGAINST THE
CLAIMS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, YOU MUST TAKE ACTION WITHIN
TWENTY (20) DAYS AFTER THIS COMPLAINT AND NOTICE ARE SERVED, BY
ENTERING A WRITTEN APPEARANCE PERSONALLY OR BY AN ATTORNEY AND
FILING IN WRITING WITH THE COURT YOUR DEFENSES OR OBJECTIONS TO THE
CLAIMS SET FORTH AGAINST YOU. YOU ARE WARNED THAT IF YOU FAIL TO DO
SO THE CASE MAY PROCEED WITHOUT YOU AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED
AGAINST YOU BY THE COURT WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE FOR ANY MONEY
CLAIMED IN THE COMPLAINT OR FOR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR RELIEF REQUESTED
BY THE PLAINTIFF. YOU MAY LOSE MONEY OR PROPERTY OR OTHER RIGHTS
IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO THE TELEPHONE OR THE
OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
32 SOUTH BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
1-800-990-9108
717-249-3166
Eric J. Wiener,
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
ejw@ejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff No. 08-5096 CIVIL TERM
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
AND NOW COMES Plaintiff, Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC and relates as follows:
1. The Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC is a Limited Liability Corporation
maintaining an office and place of business at 2515 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania.
2. Robert M. Mumma, II is an adult individual who maintains an office and place of
business at 840 Market Street, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
3. Upon request of Defendant, Plaintiff performed work for Defendant individually
and for Corporations either owned or solely controlled by Defendant. Plaintiff entered into a Fee
Agreement with Defendant. A copy of the Fee Agreement as well as supporting a-mails as to the
charges for Robert W. Barton are marked Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein.
4. There remains an outstanding balance due of $18,418.46 a statement of account
with all attachments is marked Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein by reference thereto.
5. Robert W. Barton at the time was acting as a paralegal for Plaintiff and Arnold S.
Bituin as a law clerk.
6. Plaintiff had several meetings and conversations with Defendant regarding the
outstanding balance due and Defendant agreed to pay the balance, however, was to check his
records to make sure there weren't any other payments made against the outstanding balance of
$18,418.46. The last face to face meeting occurred at Defendant's office on 6/9/2008.
7. Defendant did resolve an outstanding bill in the amount of $15,364.50 (this was
for the services of Eric J. Wiener ESQ. only) with the reduced payment of $10,000.00 on June 9,
2008 and resolved any questions of services by Eric J. Wiener, Esquire personally.
8. Plaintiff had made numerous telephone calls to Defendant requesting payment
which was promised and also sent a-mails and letters regarding the outstanding balance due. See
e-mails narked Exhibit "C" attached hereto and incorporated herein.
9. Defendant has not objected to or raised any defenses to the amount due and owing
of $18,418.46.
10. An account has been stated based on Defendant's failure to raise any objections
on the outstanding balance and which he repeatedly promised to pay never questioning the basis
for the charges at any time.
11. Worked performed and the basis for the billing was performed at both Plaintiff's
place of business in Dauphin County, as well as substantial work and meetings at Defendant's
2
place of business in Cumberland County and Defendant maintains an office and place of
business located in Cumberland County.
12. In all conversations with Defendant he indicated no disagreement as to the
amount owed, only as to whether or not another payment had been made on such account. He
promised to provide copies of any additional checks and never did so. Therefore, an account has
been stated against Defendant for the sum of $18,418.46 based on Defendant's failure to raise
any objections as to outstanding balance due.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests judgment be entered against Defendant and
in favor of Plaintiff in the amount of $18,418.46.
Respectfully submitted,
LAW OFFICES F ERIC J. WIENER LLC
Date: By:
Eric J. Wiener, E quire
ID #18046
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
(717) 909-9009 FAX
ejw@ejw-law.com
3
VERIFICATION
I, Eric J. Wiener, hereby verify that the statements made in the foregoing Amended
Complaint are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I
understand that the statements in the foregoing document are made subject to the penalties of 18
Pa.C.S. § 4909 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date:
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J.
WIENER
2407 Park Drive
Harrisburg, Ph 171 10
71..657.7701
n 6 5: 6 .5 Q
ewiencriawq-tcomcast.net
Mr. Robert M. Mumma II
c/o Mann Realty
840 Market Street, Suite 164
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Re: Fee Arrangement
Dear Bob:
E
October 16, 2006
We are pleased to have the opportunity to represent you in this matter and any other matters that you may
refer to us in the future. Under the Rules of Professional Conduct in Pennsylvania, attorneys are required to
confirm to their clients in writing the basis on which their fees are charged.
Basis of Billing
Our firm will bill you on a regular basis for legal services and for direct expenses paid by us on your
behalf.
Our fees for legal services are based on hourly rates and the amount of time spent by the attorneys and
paralegals of our firm on your legal matters. The minimum time unit recorded is 1/10th of an hour, and
minimum intervals of 2/10ths of an hour are charged for phone calls and 3/10ths of an hour for all
correspondence. Voice mail messages will be treated as phone calls and a-mails will be treated as
correspondence or phone calls, as the case may be, subject to the same minimum time charges. The rates
for Eric J. Wiener currently are $200.00 per hour for out of court matters, and $250.00 per hour in court.
For the remainder of this year and possibly going forward, I will maintain a rate for you for my services at
the rate of $150.00 per hour.
The hourly rates for a paralegal and/or assistant in my office is $50.00 per hour. There will not be a charge
for stenographic services in the ordinary course of business. For research performed by Robert Barton, the
hourly rate shall be $75.00 per hour, in or out of court.
The direct expenses that may be paid by us on your behalf for which you will be billed include, but are not
limited to, such items as filing fees, transcripts of court and other proceedings, subpoenas, toll phone calls,
fax transmissions, computer-assisted legal research, photocopying, and other similar items. Only the direct
expenses associated with your case will be billed.
Payment of Bill
It is very important to us that our bills be paid within thirty (30) days of their receipt. If you have any
questions about the type of service rendered or the amount of the statement, please notify, us promptly in
writing. Unless you do so within twenty-five (25) days of the date a bill is issued, we shall regard the bill as
final and undisputed. In all cases, we reserve the right to stop performing services if our bills are not paid
•
within sixty (60) days of receipt. Interest at the rate of 1.5% per month will be added to unpaid balances
after sixty (60) days following the date of the bill.
Retainer
Before we can begin work on your matter, we will require an advance retainer of Ten Thousand Dollars
($10,000.00), which we will place in our trust account. I will charge any bills to that account and when the
amount in trust falls below Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), 1 will bill you to replenish
the advance retainer.
As to the services of Robert Barton, he will be a full-time employee of the Law Firm of Eric J. Wiener after
November 1, and bills will be rendered from this office. Any amounts billed or unbilled for services of
Robert Barton prior to November I should be directly paid to him.
Arbitration of Disputes
Any attempt by the firm to collect fees and/or any and all disputes concerning fees shall be decided by
common-law arbitration pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 7341 et seq. Arbitration shall be conducted by way of an
informal conference before a panel of three attorneys from the Fee Dispute Committee of the Dauphin
County Bar Association as selected by the chair of that committee. The parties hereto agree that the
decision of a majority of the members of the panel shall be final and binding and may not be appealed to
any court.
Acceptance
We will make every effort to assure that your matter is completed expeditiously and to your satisfaction.
We hope this letter adequately sets forth the basis of our charges for fees and costs. If you have any
questions, please call. If there are no questions,.please sign the enclosed copy of this letter and return it to
us, together with the fee and cost retainer of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) signifying your receipt of,
and concurrence with, the fee and costs agreement. We will then be able to proceed further with
representation of your legal matters.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to represent you.
Very truly yours,
LAW OF ER J. WIENER AND/OR
T 7 LAW FIRM O ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
By:
Eric 3 ener
1 hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy ofthis letter.
Date!
•
January 30, 2007
Robert M. Mumma II
c/o Mann Realty
840 Market Street, Suite 164
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Dear Bob,
•
I understand you will be retaining new counsel for most of your currently
pending legal matters, and I am writing to propose the terms for continuing our
attorney/client relationship with respect to two matters we are currently handling.
Of course, I am referring to the High-Spec litigation and the appeal in Mumma v.
Boswell, Tintner, et al.
As you know, Judge Guido has scheduled oral argument on February 16,
2007, at 1:30 p.m. regarding the Motion for Reconsideration, and he has also
scheduled a hearing at that time regarding the Stay Order he has entered. Of
course, Bob Barton and I have already prepared several briefs with respect to the
issues involved in the Motion for Reconsideration, and we would be very pleased
to work with you in preparation for the oral argument. Furthermore, we prepared
and filed the Motion for the Stay that was granted by Judge Guido, so we are
quite familiar with the issues there as well. We have already billed you for our
services with respect to those Motions and it would seem to make sense, from a
financial and strategic standpoint, for us to continue our representation on those
Motions.
As to the litigation in Mumma v. Boswell, Tintner et al., we had prepared
and filed the Petition to Strike and/or Open the Judgments of non pros that were
entered against you when you were proceeding pro se, so we are familiar with
those issues as well. Of course, those Petitions were denied and we have filed
appeals from those denials, and we are of the opinion that an excellent argument
can be presented in support of our appeals. We informed you last week that the
Briefs and Reproduced Records in support of those appeals must be filed by
February 27, 2007, and we are prepared to meet that deadline. Again, for
financial and strategic reasons, it seems that our continued representation of you
might be in your best interests.
At the risk of sounding immodest, I submit that we have had some
success in these cases, particularly High-Spec. Judge Guido did initially enter
summary judgment against you for the reasons that had been briefed by Vincent
Carissimi and Justin Weber when they represented you, and we were able to
convince Judge Guido that he should reconsider the entry of that judgment. And
the granting of that Motion for Reconsideration, while not unprecedented, is
certainly unusual. Furthermore, I really believe that the Stay ordered by the
Judge was astonishing, particularly since he did not require the posting of any
security.
I have some optimism about the appeal in the Mumma v. Boswell case as
well. I would never guarantee a specific result in any appeal, especially an
appeal from an adverse result in the lower court. But I think the Defendants
committed fundamental procedural error in their entries of the judgments against
you, so the Superior Court might reverse the lower court and strike those
judgments. If so, you might be able to pursue those claims with a clean slate.
If you agree to this proposal, we will bill you at the rate of $150 per hour
for my time and $90 an hour for Bob Barton's time. Those billings will be sent to
you bi-monthly and I will request payment in full within 15 days. Of course, I will
also bill you for all expenses incurred, such as printing. You may accept this
proposal by sending me an e-mail that specifically so states.
Thank you for you consideration of this.
Sincerely,
/s/
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
. ? ? Page 1 of 1
Robert Barton
From: "Robert Mumma" <rmmtwo@mac.com>
To: "Robert Barton" <robertwbarton@msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 2:26 PM
Subject: Re: Mumma v. Boswell; High-Spec
Robert and Eric,
I agree with your proposal e-mailed to me.
4/4/2007
Revised 8/1/2008
ROBERT BARTON'S WORK
7/27/07 Payment in the amount of $26,496.60 which was applied as follows:
Invoice # Amount
Invoice #13 $16,834.47
Invoice # 6 $10,524.17
Invoice #17 $10,575.00
Invoice #25 $ 3,796.39
Amount applied to Bob Barton's work
$ 7,491.00
$ 7,614.17
$ 8,010.00
$ 3,381.43
TOTAL $26,496.60 $26,496.60
11/5/07 Payment in the amount of $15,800.00 which was applied as follows:
Statement #
48
50
TOTAL
12/28/08
Statement #
90
91
92
107
108
109
Amount
$ 6,990.24
$ 8,812.87
$15,803.11 WRITE-OFF $3.11
Payment in the amount of $15,909.43 which was applied as follows:
Amount
$ 7,842.36 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
$ 900.00 Mumma v. Boswell
$ 315.00 High Spec Florida
$ 1,764.80 High Spec Florida
$ 2,882.27 Mumma v. Boswell
$ 2,205.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
TOTAL $15,909.43
OUTSTANDING STATEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2008
Statement #125 $ 3,792.02 High Spec Florida
Statement # 126 $ 315.00 High Spec PA
Statement #127 $ 1,260.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Statement #128 $ 315.00 Pennsy Supply
Statement #129 $ 1,350.00 Mumma v. Sonnenschein
TOTAL $ 7,032.02
OUTSTANDING STATEMENTS FOR JANUARY 2008
Statement #142 $ 405.00 High Spec Florida
Statement #143 $ 4,590.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Statement #163 $ 1,035.00 McDermitt Concrete v. Macri Concrete
TOTAL $ 6,030.00
OUTSTANDING STATEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2008
Statement #223 $ 2,010.02 Mumma v. Boswell
Statement #224 $ 2,025.00 Mumma v. Dauphin Deposit
Statement #225 $ 320.97 High Spec Florida
TOTAL $ 4,355.99
TOTAL DUE
$17,418.01
2
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT DUE FOR LEGAL SERVICES
Statement #259 $ 1,000.45 High Spec Florida
TOTAL $ 1,000.45
$17,418.01
+ 1,000.45
TOTAL AMOUNT PAST DUE $18,418.46
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
" 2407 PARK DRNE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 125
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma 11
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees Hours Rate Amount
12/3/2007 rwb Research re Movants' right to hearing on Post 5.00 90.00 450.00
Trial Motion. Prepare Amended Motion for
Relief.
12/4/2007 rwb Research re standing as jurisdictional 5.50 90.00 495.00
prerequisite in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Prepare Amended Motion for Relief.
1215/2007 rwb Research re in rem jurisdiction. Prepare 5.50 90.00 495.00
Amended Motion for Relief.
12/6/2007 rwb Research re Florida statute mandating 5.50 90.00 495.00
deference to Pennsylvania law. Prepare
Amended Motion for Relief.
12/7/2007 rwb Prepare Memorandum re Amended Motion for 6.00 90.00 540.00
Relief. Complete and circulate Amended
Motion for Relief.
12110/2007 rwb Telephone conferences with Mr. Mumma. 4.50 90.00 405.00
Research re requirement of continuous
ownership of stock. Revise Amended Motion
for Relief.
12/14/2007 rwb Conference with Mr. Mumma. Telephone 4.50 90.00 405.00
conference with and Memorandum to Kevin
Doty, Esquire.
12/28/2007 rwb Prepare for and conference with Mr. Mumma. 5.50 90.00 495.00
Correspondence with Mr. Doty. Research re
discovery in motion practice.
Sub-total Fees: 3,780.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 42.00hours at $ 90.001hr 3,780.00
Total hours: 42.00
Expenses
Postage 1.82
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
Matter ID 1001-005 Page: 2
Stmt No: 125
Photocopies January 8, 2008
10.20
Sub-total Expenses: 12.02
Payments
12/20/2007 Payment Payment for Statement No. 92 and 107
2.079.80
Sub-total Payments: -2,079.80
Total Current Billing: -S,-792-02
Previous Balance Due: 2,079.80
Total Payments: 2,079.80
Total NOW Due: 3,792.02
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG; PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 126
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1033-001: High-Spec PA
Professional Fees
12/20/2007 rwb Review Briefs filed in Superior Court. Hours Rate Amount
3.50 90.00 315.00
Sub-total Fees: 315.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton
3.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 315.00
Total hours: 3.50
Payments
11/5/2007 Write-off
11/5/2007 Payment Payment for Statement 50 and 48 3.11
15, 800.00
Sub-total Payments: 15 803.11
Total Current Billing: 315.00
Previous Balance Due: 15,803.11
Total Payments: 15,803.11
Total Now Due: 315.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 127
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1049-001: Mumma v Dauphin Deposit
Professional Fees
12/11/2007 rwb Research re attomeys' fidu
i Hours Rate Amount
c
ary duties.
Research re attorney/client privilege and 5.00 90.00 450.00
waiver.
12/12/2007 rwb Research re bailments. Research re content
s
of briefs.
4.50 90.00 405.00
12/13/2007 rwb Research re amendment of pleadings
.
Research re recusai.
4.50 90.00 405.00
Sub-total Fees: 1,260.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton
14.00 hours at $
Total ho 90, 00/hr 1,260.00
urs: 14.00
Payments
12/20/2007 Payment
Payment for Statement N
o. 90 and 109
10,047.36
Sub-total Payments: 10,047.36
Total Current Billing:
1,260.00
PrevioUs Balance Due: 10, 047.36
Total Payments: 10,047.36
Total Now Due: 1,260.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 128
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-007: Pennsy Supply
Professional Fees
12/31/2007 rwb Hours Rate Amount
Research re compulsory counterclaims in
Federal Court. 3.50 90.00 315.00
Sub-total Fees: 315.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 3.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr
315.00
Total hours: 3.50
Total Current Billing: 315.00
Preyous Balance Due: 0.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 315.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of December 31, 2007
Statement No. 129
Robert M. Mumma II
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-008: Mumma v Sonnenschein
Professional Fees
12/17/2007 rwb
Research re diversity jurisdicti Hours Rate Amount
on in Federal
Courts. Research re venue.
5.00
90.00
450.00
12/18/2007 rwb Research re choice of law
s and procedure in
diversity cases.
5.00
90.00
450.00
12/19/2007 rwb Research re breach of fidu
i
c
ary duty as cause
of action.
5.00
90.00
450.00
Sub-total Fees: 1, 350.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 15.00hours at $ 90.00/hr 1,350.00
Total hours; 15.00
Total Current Billing: 1,350.00
Previous Balance Due:
0.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 1,350.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of January 31, 2008
Statement No. 142
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees
1/2/2008 rwb Telephone and email conferences with Mr.
Mumma and Mr. Doty.
1/16/2008 rwb Review correspondence with Mr. Doty and Mr
Bowdish. Research re entry of appearance.
Telephone conference with Mr. Doty.
Hours Rate Amount
1.50 90.00 135.00
3.00 90.00 270.00
Sub-total Fees: 405.00
Rate Summary W. Barton 4.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 405.00
Total hours: 4.50
Total Current Billing:
405.00
Previous Balance Due: 3,792.02
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 4,197.02
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Statement as of January 31, 2008
Statement No. 143
Robert M. Mumma 11
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1049-001: Mumma v Dauphin Deposit
Professional Fees
1/2/2008 rwb Review Post Trial Motions. Research re
bailment. Research re Philadelphia precedent.
1/3/2008 rwb Conference with Mr. Mumma and Mr. Gault.
Review Court Order. Research re format of
Brief.
1/4/2008 rwb Review memo from Mr. Gault. Research re law
of the case.
1/7/2008 rwb Research re contract interpretation.
1/22/2008 rwb Review transcript of trial. Research re
contracts.
1/23/2008 rwb Research re privileged communications
between Attorney and client. Research re
Code of Professional Conduct. Review
transcript.
1128/2008 rwb Research re bailments. Research re
attorney/client privileges.
1/29/2008 rwb Prepare Brief re Post Trial Motions.
1130/2008 rwb Research re recusal of trial judge. Prepare
Brief.
1/31/2008 rwb Prepare Brief.
Hours Rate Amount
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
4.50 90.00 405.00
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
5.50 90.00 495.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
Sub-total Fees: 4,590.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 51.00hours at $ 90.001hr 4,590.00
Total hours: 51.00
Total Current Billing: 4,590.00
Previous Balance Due: 1,260.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 5,850.00
LAW OFFICE OF ERIC J. WIENER
2407 PARK DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA. 17110
(717) 657-7701
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
Statement as of January 31, 2008
Statement No. 163
1001-009: McDermitt Concrete v. Macd Concrete
Professional Fees
1/3/2008 rwb Conference with Mr. Mumma. Hours Rate Amount
1/8/2008 rwb Review Pleadings in Adams County. 1.00 90.00
90.00
re UCC and offer and acceptance Per CC, rch 5.50 90.00
495
Communications with Mr. Mumma and Mr. .00
Hewitt.
1/10/2008 rwb Prepare and conference with Bill Ladane and
Mike Smith. 5.00 90.00
450.00
Sub-total Fees: 7035.00
Robert W. Barton Rate Summary
11.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr 1,035.00
Total hours: 11.50
Total Current Billing: 1,035.0o
Previous Balance Due:
0.00
Total Payments:
0.00
Total Now Due:
1,035.0o
: Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of May 31, 2008
Statement No. 223
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-006: Mumma v Boswell
Professional Fees
2/1/2008 rwb
2/4/2008 rwb
2/6/2008 rwb
2/8/2008 rwb
2/11/2008 rwb
Research and Prepare Petition for Allowance
of Appeal.
Research and prepare Petition for Allowance
of Appeal.
Research and prepare petition for allowance of
appeal.
Research and Prepare Petition for Allowance
of Appeal.
Research and prepare petition for allowance of
appeal.
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 21.50 hours at $ 90.00/hr
Total hours: 21.50
Hours Rate Amount
4.00 90.00 360.00
5.00 90.00 450.00
4.50 90.00 405.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
Sub-total Fees: 1,935.00
1,935.00
Expenses
2/11/2008
Postage
Photocopies
Filing fees.
10.42
4.60
60.00
Sub-total Expenses: 75.02
Payments
1 2/2 012 0 0 7 Payment Payment for Statement No. 91 and 108
3,782.27
Sub-total Payments: 3 782 27
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
Matter ID 1001-006
Page: 2
Stmt No: 223
June 3, 2008
Total Current Billing: 2,010.02
Pre%iOus Balance Due:
3,782.27
Total Payments: 3,782.27
Total Now Due: 2,010.02
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of May 31, 2008
Statement No. 224
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1049-001: Mumma v Dauphin Deposit
Professional Fees
2/5/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/7/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/12/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/14/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
2/15/2008 rwb Prepare Brief in support of Motions for Post
Trial Relief.
Hours Rate Amount
6.00 90.00 540.00
4.50 90.00 405.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
4.00 90.00 360.00
Sub-total Fees: 2,025.00
Rate Summary
Robert W. Barton 22.50hours at $ 90.001hr 2,025.00
Total hours: 22.50
Total Current Billing: 2,025.00
Previous Balance Due: 5,850.00
Total Payments: 0.00
Total Now Due: 7,875.00
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of March 1, 2008
Statement No. 225
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005. High Spec Florida
Professional Fees
2/19/2008 rwb
Expenses
Payments
12/20/2007
Research re Proper parties Hours Rate Amount
.
3.50 90.00 315.00
Sub-total Fees: 3"15 0-0
Rate Summary W. Barton 3.50 hours at $ 90.001hr 315.00
Total hours: 3.50
Postage
Photocopies
1.57
4.40
Sub-total Expenses:
5.97
Payment Payment for Statement No. 92 and 107
2,079.8o
Sub-total Payments:
2,079.80
Total Current Billing:
320.97
PrebiOus Balance Due:
6,276.82
Total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Now Due:
4,517.99
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
2515 Front Street
Harrisburg, PA
17110
(717) 909-9999
Statement as of July 31, 2008
Statement No. 259
Robert M. Mumma II
840 Market Street
Suite 164
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
1001-005: High Spec Florida
Professional Fees
3/2112008 ASB Researched Florida Court records; Type email
to EJW.
3/21/2008 EJW Calls to Florida check dockets, e-mails.
4/8/2008 EJW Discussioin with RMM and Doty re conf call.
4/9/2008 EJW Discussion with Jim on case history and
e-mails on conference call.
4/10/2008 EJW Conference call with Jm, Kevin re charging
lien.
5/29/2008 EJW Review Klett charging lien status of motion.
5/29/2008 EJW Met with rmm re case aver 2.5 hours, 1 hour
re a/. r- nc.
Expenses
Payments
Hours Rate Amount
0.60 60.00 36.00
0.40 200.00 80.00
0.60 200.00 120.00
0.50 200.00 100.00
1.00 200.00 200.00
0.50 200.00 100.00
1.50 200.00 300.00
Sub-total Fees: 936.00
Rate Summary
Arnold S. Bituin 0.60 hours at $ 60.00/hr
Eric J. Wiener 4.50hours at $ 200.00/hr
Total hours: 5.10
Photocopies
Postage
36.00
900.00
52.40
12.05
Sub-total Expenses: 64.45
12/20/2007 Payment Payment for Statement No. 92 and 107 2,079.80
Sub-total Payments: 2,079.80
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC
Matter ID 1001-005
Page: 2
Stmt No: 259
August 1, 2008
Total Current Billing: 1,000.45
Previous Balance Due: 6,597.79
Total Payments: 2,079.80
Total Now Due: 51518.44
x
° O O O ° Q C) CD C)
C) 0 0 CD
i O O O O O O O O O O ° p O O O O °
O O
C
O N .-- 00 CD O co p O O O
O co
C) CD Go 00 C14 CN C\i
O O ch ?- '. 0 0 ° O rn ^ o 0
U) O O O O O O ° O O O
O
'p O O O ° O O O O O O O O O O CD O°
W O O O
O
d O O O
O
C lL
Qj p o ° O O O p O ° O O O
co 00 C=; ci
V co
0 00 co cc! r- m m M p O° U-) LO ° 0 O
J (fl O C !` ^ D) M M r U') LO ^ ^ N N
J N N N N
L Ln
Cl) _ U O
° O
° O O
0 O
0 0 C)
_d C) o m o 0 0
c; o° CD
o° o
CD
C m
m
°
>
LL o
s
O
W °
O N N co r
;
te- (O
O CO
c
CD
~ O
M
0
v
O
N N C) CD
G O Co O
(fl O 00
O 0
m O
l
M
co
C-l
Go O O
4-
GD co C
)
N
-7 co
co co O O
N N
O
v
>% O 1 N
N N N
CL 9
O
O U o
0
3
-0)
co
J N o°
J 9
L
c y
= _
.a
a
Q
pC) N U 03 2 U
m c a? .. ° a
5
N E
t 2! (D
E
.
ED F- Cn m
U C m
U
is N
CU
?"
m V)
ar m
a?
00
N
E
O U 05 m
U
U) m
U :a N fA
O
CD co ao
v
U') LO
' U U
E U
)
°
0)
rn rn
0 0
0^
0 co
o
o rn
ao N r- a
0
0
0
O
C5 CD C) CD
O co \NN N N N N N O N Co N O O Co O° ^ O
Q o O `? r a N N N N N Q O Q O
p `- r r• a a a N N
a
U
N If
v m` `m °0 0 c 0 0 0 0 o cg Lo L, L,
CO 0 O O p V' p o O o O' 9 0
C C) C)
O O
r
a- ?-- O 0 O O 0 O° O C? C)
O°
O O
O
0
a
X p p °
° o 0 0 0 ° op' opp' p° o° o° po 0
O O
d
w
C
O C14 p p ° 00 ON Op 0) v ° p O
C! o
O O O p co ?O ° O f?
0 LID
CO)
to ° O 0 0 00 C O p p Co
a ° ° O O O p p ° ° O O O
N
Z
d ° p 0 ° ° p O
C LL 0 L6
O 0 0 co 00
(D a) LO
J M M .-CN U) - N M 0)
M M p N
J ? W
O ?
w >•
L co
CO) 4) 4) CN a
- U O O O O 0 N O t` lq
_4) O 0 L6 ? O O Q? q p O 0 t0. L6 0
m M M N N M M M OM
U- p m oc
W O p ° Q O 0 p N O
0 0 C) C)
C; C'4 LO C5 C)
LO C> C) C:l
V?
0 N O M N ct O O N N O O R co
G? M V7 N N M O M ccn Cl)
It,
00
O
CL O
O
0 U o
C,
3 (D
-cm to
c w c
65 - 05 cg
U) ?5 CO
`- O tp to O N N
= N a?- N N N N O) M
N N N CN C%4 co
00
O
O
O
O
O O O ° co co co co
co
00 O r N N N N CD O 0 0 O Co co m Go O p' Q M M M N N N N
Q O `-' N a I - 00 a0
C O (O (O co
•-- .-- N
U
(A
N II
Q Q Q Lo e-
U N d ° 9 9 O c) C, 0 O ° O p CD C', CD Cl
U) C O O O 0 p It C O O
•-- .-- O O O O O 0 0 0
A ERIC ICE: OF
J
WIENERLLC
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717.909.9999
717.909.9009 Fax
ejw@ejw-law.com
www ejw-law com
VL4 E-MAIL AND U.S. MAIL
Robert M. Mumma, II
C/O Mann Realty
840 Market Street, Suite 164
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Dear Bob:
July 8, 2008
It has now been over a month since you promised to make payment on the enclosed bill.
During our last meeting you claimed you were going to check to make sure there were no furth
payments and I do not believe there were any payments in 2008. er
I would appreciate your honoring your word and paying this outstanding bill right now. I
would appreciate your contacting me regarding this
as my pho calls have done
unreturned. VXry truly
EJW/cb
Enclosure(s)
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
C
,?,,,
LAW OFFICES OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff No. 08-5096 CIVIL TERM
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA 11,
Defendant :
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I am an employee of the Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC, and that
I served the foregoing Amended Complaint by placing a true and correct copy thereof in the
United States Mail, first class postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
James G. Gault, Esquire
840 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Date: 1 a 3 a>
?_..,
f_«
i
?_
(... .}
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
Plaintiff
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA, II
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08 - 5096 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO AMENDED COMPLAINT
TO: THE LAW OFFICES OF ERIC J. WIENER, LLC AND
ERIC J. WIENER, ESQUIRE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM
SERVICE HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
AND NOW, comes Robert M. Mumma, II, by and through his counsel, James G. Gault,
Esquire, who files the following Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiffs Amended Complaint
pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(1) through (4) stating as follows:
1. On or about August 25, 2008, Plaintiff filed a complaint against the Defendant
seeking the total sum of $18,418.46 with respect to allegedly unpaid amounts due for
legal services and/or attorney fees.
2. On November 12, 2008, the Defendant filed a set of Preliminary Objections which
were served on the same date via first class mail. Said Preliminary Objections
included a 20 day Notice to Plead.
3. The 20 day period for filing a responsive pleading expired on December 2, 2008.
4. On December 3, 2008, Plaintiff filed an untimely Amended Complaint.
5. Attached to said Amended Complaint is Exhibit A which includes a two (2) page
letter dated October 16, 2006 sent by Plaintiff to Defendant, same being captioned
"Re: Fee Arrangement", which requests the latter to sign and return same "together
with a fee and cost retainer of $10, 000.00 signifying your receipt of, and concurrence
with, the fee and costs agreement." Said letter attached to Exhibit A is unsigned by
the Defendant.
6. Also attached to said Amended Complaint is Exhibit B which consists of a three (3)
page summary regarding "Robert Barton's Work", thirteen (13) pages of various
statements for "Professional Fees" attributed to "Robert W. Barton"(said statements
bearing the letterhead of Plaintiff's business), and a two (2) page document
designated as Plaintiff's "Ledger Copy of Listing with Fee/Cost Breakdown."
7. The Plaintiff is identified in Paragraph 1 of the Amended Complaint as "The Law
Offices of Eric J. Weiner LLC", a limited liability corporation with an office and
place of business at 2515 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania.
8. The Amended Complaint was signed by Eric J. Weiner, Esquire, listed at the same
mailing address as the Plaintiff.
9. Paragraph 3 of the Amended Complaint avers that the Plaintiff performed the legal
services in question, did so at the Defendant's request, and did work for Defendant
individually and for his corporations; said paragraph further references "charges for
Robert W. Barton" as contained in Exhibit A.
10. Paragraph 4 of the Amended Complaint references an outstanding balance due as
contained in Exhibit B; said paragraph does not aver with specificity whether the
balance due is for work actually performed by Attorney Weiner.
11. Paragraph 5 of the Amended Complaint indicates that Robert W. Barton was
acting "as a paralegal" and that Arnold S. Bituin was "a law clerk". Hence, said
averment indicates Robert W. Barton and Arnold S. Bituin were not licensed
Pennsylvania attorneys who were employed at the Plaintiff. By way of further
response, it is believed that Robert W. Barton is a disbarred attorney who is therefore
incapacitated from performing any legal services for fees chargeable by Plaintiff.
12. Paragraph 6 of the Amended Complaint references "several meetings and
conversations with Defendant" without further identifying the times, dates, and
locations thereof (other than one meeting on June 9, 2008).
13. Paragraph 7 of the Amended Complaint references that an outstanding bill was
resolved on June 9, 2008 for services performed by Attorney Weiner, without further
averring the relevance of same to any sums being demanded for "charges for Robert
W. Barton" as is averred in Paragraph 3.
14. Paragraph 8 of the Amended Complaint avers that Plaintiff had made "numerous
telephone calls to Defendant", and also sent emails and letters without further identify
the times, dates, and locations thereof (other than the one letter dated July 8, 2008
sent by Plaintiff to Defendant as set forth in Exhibit Q.
15. Paragraph 9 of the Amended Complaint avers that Defendant has not objected to or
raised any defenses to the amount; however, Defendant did object to the amount
allegedly due and owing, and Defendant did raise objections, to wit, that Plaintiff s
legal services performed by Eric J. Wiener in several matters were not only
inadequate and incompetent, but, as a result thereof, caused Defendant economic
harm and/or setbacks or losses in several matters of litigation.
16. Paragraph 10 of the Amended Complaint avers that an account has been stated
against the Defendant for the sum of $18,418.46 based upon an alleged failure to
object; however, the complaint does not aver that Defendant ever acquiesced,
assented, and/or agreed to the account rendered, and, accordingly, for this reason and
others, the complaint fails to plead properly any action based upon the hoary theory
of recovery upon an account stated.
17. Although seeking payment of attorneys fees for legal services performed by Plaintiff,
the Amended Complaint itself pleads that payment was made to Attorney Weiner
which resolved any questions of payment for services rendered by him. See
Paragraph 7.
18. The Amended Complaint does not plead nor aver the existence of any attorney-client
relationship involving those individuals at the Plaintiff identified as Robert W. Barton
or Arnold S. Bituin.
19. Pennsylvania's Rules of Professional Conduct governing attorney-client relationships
provide that the basis or rate of the fee shall be in writing.
20. The Amended Complaint does not aver the existence of a binding, executed Fee
Agreement signed by the Defendant.
1. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION OVER THE
PERSON OF THE DEFENDANT PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(1).
21. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
22. The Defendant is a resident of the State of Florida such that the Amended Complaint
fails to plead the requisite basis for jurisdiction in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
therefore same is legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to
Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(1).
II. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR INSUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY IN A
PLEADING AS TO AN ACCOUNT STATED THEORY OF RECOVERY
PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(3).
23. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
24. The Amended Complaint avers that the amounts are due under an account stated
theory of recovery; however, the Amended Complaint insufficiently pleads the
requisite facts necessary to support this theory of recovery.
25. The Amended Complaint fails to plead sufficiently the nature or extent of the
following elements of an account stated:
(i) That the Defendant ever acquiesced, assented, or agreed to the account
rendered;
(ii) That there was ever a running account and/or a pre-existing account;
(iii) That there was ever a promise to pay on the alleged account;
(iv) That there was ever any acceptance of the account rendered or any
account;
(v) That the services performed relative to the alleged account were
satisfactory to the Defendant;
(vi) That the services performed relative to the alleged account were
competent and adequate under the appropriate standards governing the
nature of the work performed; and/or,
(vii) That the account stated is not subject to impeachment for mistake or fraud.
26. To the extent the Amended Complaint purports to seek recovery of the alleged total
amount due under an account stated theory of recovery, yet fails to aver with
specificity the appropriate elements of such a theory or action, same is legally
objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(3).
III. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LEGAL INSUFFICIENCY OF A PLEADING
(DEMURRER) PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(4).
27. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
28. The Amended Complaint seeks payment of a specified total amount under an account
stated theory of recovery without asserting the necessary and requisite facts which
would support the application of such a theory of recovery in this matter, and, as
such, is legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P.
1028(a)(4).
29. The Amended Complaint fails to set forth an appropriate theory of law upon which
its demand for payment must be granted, and, as such, is legally objectionable by way
of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(4).
30. The Amended Complaint seeks payment based upon an account stated theory of
recovery; however, said theory of recovery is inapplicable to the attorney-client
relationship which is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct, and, as such, is
legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P.
1028(a)(4).
IV. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE OF A PLEADING TO CONFORM
TO LAW PURSUANT TO Pa.R.C.P.1028(a)(2).
31. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
32. To the extent the Amended Complaint is considered to be in the nature of a suit on a
written contract, the complaint does not have attached thereto a copy of any contract,
agreement, document, or similar writing signed by the Defendant, and, as such, is
legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P.
1028(a)(2).
33. The Amended Complaint seeks payment based upon an account stated theory of
recovery; however, said theory of recovery is inapplicable to the attorney-client
relationship which is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct, and, as such, is
legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection pursuant to Pa. R.C.P.
1028(a)(2).
34. To the extent the Amended Complaint is considered to be for the recovery of attorney
fees allegedly due and payable for the performance of legal services, the Amended
Complaint does not have attached thereto a copy of a binding, executed Fee
Agreement and, as such, is legally objectionable by way of preliminary objection
pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(2).
V. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR UNTIMELY FILING OF AMENDED COMPLAINT
35. The Defendant hereby incorporates all preceding paragraphs of his Preliminary
Objections as though fully set forth at length herein.
36. The Amended Complaint was filed untimely as same was filed beyond the 20 day
Notice to Plead affixed to the original Preliminary Objections.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court GRANT
the instant Preliminary Objections and dismiss the Amended Complaint with prejudice.
DATE
Respectfully submitted,
J s G. Gault, Esq ' e
Pa. Supreme Ct. ID #: 49687
840 Market Street
Suite 153
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 612-9720
jggault@comcast.net
VERIFICATION
I, Robert M. Mumma, II, hereby verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing document
are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that this
verification is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.§4904 relating to unsworn falsification
to authorities.
-L_
Date: U ?J
Robert M. Mumma, 11
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on December 23, 2008, I served a true and correct copy of the
foregoing Preliminary Objections to Amended Complaint by U.S. Mail, first class, postage
prepaid, addressed to:
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
G. Gault, Esquire
for Defendant
-TI
,ii
Eric J. Wiener,
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
ejw@ejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff No. 08-5096 CIVIL TERM
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
REPLY TO DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS
TO AMENDED COMPLAINT
AND NOW COMES Plaintiff, the Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC and replies as
follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Denied. The Preliminary Objections were received in Plaintiff's Office on November
13, 2008.
3. Denied. To the contrary, the 20 day period for filing responsive pleading expired on
December 3, 2008.
4. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that an Amended Complaint was
filed on December 3, 2008. It is denied that the Amended Complaint was untimely.
5. Admitted. However, it is further admitted that the retainer was paid which by its own
language signified receipt and concurrence. It is admitted that the letter attached as
Exhibit A was unsigned as while Defendant acquiesced he failed to return a signed
copy of the letter.
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted.
8. Admitted.
9. Admitted. It is admitted that paragraph 3 of the Amended Complaint avers that
Plaintiff performed work at Defendant's request.
10. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the Amended Complaint in
paragraph 4 alleges an outstanding balance of $18,418.46. Exhibit B shows a balance
due Plaintiff and is detailed as to who the work was performed by and most of it not
by Attorney Wiener.
11. The averments of paragraph 11 are admitted in part and denied in part. While it is
admitted that Robert W. Barton was acting "as a paralegal" and that Arnold S.
Bituin as "a law clerk" the remaining averments are conclusions of law and said
averments are denied. It is, however, further averred based on information and belief
that Robert W. Barton who is a disbarred attorney has and still is performing services
for Defendant either directly or through Defendant's attorney of record.
12. Admitted.
13. Admitted.
2
14. Admitted.
15. Denied. It is denied that Defendant ever objected to the amount due and owing and
the claim of inadequate and incompetent services of Eric J. Wiener, Esquire was not
raised relative to this balance and in fact any claim for services rendered by Eric J.
Wiener, Esquire were resolved prior to and separate from the amount due of
$18,418.46.
16. Denied. Exhibit C avers that Defendant did acquiesce and assent to the outstanding
balance.
17. Denied. The subject complaint is seeking payment for legal services performed by
Plaintiff, not necessarily attorney's fees. The payment made to Attorney Wiener
resolved a different past due bill which was resolved by payment of $10,000.00 by
Defendant.
18. Admitted as in fact Robert W. Barton and Arnold S. Bituin were employees of the
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC and whom Defendant did have an attorney-client
relationship.
19. Admitted.
20. Denied. While the letter of engagement was not returned signed Defendant
acquiesced and in fact paid a retainer pursuant to said letter agreement.
21. Plaintiff's answers to all preceding paragraphs in Preliminary Objections are
incorporated herein.
22. The Defendant while being a resident of the State of Florida maintains an office and
place of business in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The Amended Complaint
further alleges that work performed and the basis for billing was performed both at
3
Plaintiff's place of business in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania as well as substantial
work and meetings at Defendant's place of business in Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania. The remaining averments of paragraph 22 are legal conclusions and
misstatement of the law as well and are, therefore, denied.
23. Plaintiff's answers to all preceding paragraphs in Preliminary Objections are
incorporated herein.
24. Denied. The averments of paragraph 24 are conclusions of law, however, it is
averred that the Amended Complaint does plead requisite facts necessary to support
both on an account stated and as a debt due stated or otherwise. The remaining
averments are conclusions of law and are, therefore, denied.
25. Denied. It is denied that the Amended Complaint fails to plead the nature and extent
of items (i) through (vii).
26. Denied. To the contrary all of those requisites are pled and are true and Defendant
had acquiesced that the funds were due and owing other than his claim that he may
have given one check to the office which Defendant never produced.
27. Plaintiff's answers to all preceding paragraphs in Preliminary Objections are
incorporated herein.
28. Denied. It is averred that the necessary facts to support the account stated and debt
unpaid are sufficiently plead.
29. The averments of paragraph 29 are conclusions of law and said averments are denied.
30. The averments of paragraph 30 are conclusions of law and are, therefore, denied.
31. Plaintiff's answers to all preceding paragraphs in Preliminary Objections are
incorporated herein.
4
32. Denied. To the contrary, the elements of a contract are attached and plead properly.
33. Denied. It is denied that there is any disability for Plaintiff to recover from Defendant
for unpaid legal services.
34. Denied as the averments are conclusions of law and to the contrary, documentation
including the Fee Agreement is attached to the complaint.
35. Plaintiff's answers to all preceding paragraphs in Preliminary Objections are
incorporated herein.
36. Denied. It is denied that the Amended Complaint was untimely filed. To the
contrary, it was filed within the 20 day period as above stated.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the Preliminary Objections be dismissed and Defendant
ordered to answer the Amended Complaint.
//7 14?7
DAT
Respect mitte ,
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
ID # 18046
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9999
(717) 909-9009 FAX
ejw@ejw-law.com
5
VERIFICATION
I, Eric J. Wiener, hereby verify that the statements made in the foregoing Reply to
Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Amended Complaint are true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that the statements in the foregoing
document are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4909 relating to unsworn falsification
to authorities.
I /-;/?/
Date: /
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
LAW OFFICES OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff No. 08-5096 CIVIL TERM
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I am an employee of the Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC, and that
I served the foregoing Reply to Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Amended Complaint by
placing a true and correct copy thereof in the United States Mail, first class postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
James G. Gault, Esquire
840 Market Street, Suite 153
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Date: d J44 W ) 6
onnie Bright, Offi e anager
??
ri??- c_..
?
??
-r
.._ ?,
,
?. ±
.srv°
"? ` '
?
cx? ?
;.? ,
?: -?
;? c??
.
w
?'?
-? -<
/'
PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT
(Must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate)
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: (List the within matter for the next
Argument Court.)
CAPTION OF CASE
(entire caption must be stated in full)
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener, LLC.,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Robert M. Mumma II,
Defendant.
No 08-5096 CIVIL Term
1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiff's motion for new trial, defendant's ddem rrer to
complaint, etc.): Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Amended Complainu
Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Amended Complaint
2. Identify all counsel who will argue cases:
(a) for plaintiffs:
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
(Name and Address)
2515 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
(b) for defendants:
James G. Gault, Esquire
(Name and Address)
840 Market Street, Suite 153, Lemoyne, PA 17043
3. 1 will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for
argument.
4. Argument Court Date: February 4, 2009. Du o rior commitments, co sel is
requesting to be schedule n or after February 009
Signature
Date: / - / 2 - &0)7
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
Print your name
Plaintiff
Attorney for
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Two copies of all briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR
(not the Prothonotary) before argument.
2. The moving party shall file and serve their brief 12 days prior to argument.
3. The responding party shall file their brief 5 days prior to argument.
4. If argument is continued new briefs must be filed with the COURT
ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) after the case is relisted.
N
Defendant.
No. 08-5096
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I am an employee of the Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC,
LAW OFFICES OF ERIC J. WIENER LLC IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
v.
and that I served the foregoing Praecipe for Listing Case for Argument by placing a true
and correct copy thereof in the United States Mail, first class postage prepaid, addressed
as follows:
James G. Gault, Esquire
840 Market Street, Suite 153
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Date: ?? ?/
C-1 ev i
t? <<._ to
LAW OFFICE OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 2008 - 5096 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS
TO PLAINTIFF'S AMENDED COMPLAINT
BEFORE GUIDO, J.
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2009, after a thorough review of the
Amended Complaint as well as the briefs filed by the parties in support of their respective
positions, Defendant's Preliminary Objections are DENIED. He is directed to file an
answer within twenty (20) days.
.Xnc J. Wiener, Esquire
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, Pa. 17110
/ames G. Gault, Esquire y
840 Market Street, Suite 153
Lemoyne, Pa. 17043
Court Administrator
: sld
X??.
1
I S :3 Wd 11 23d 6001
kj?i
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC
Plaintiff
v.
ROBERT M. MUMMA, H
IN THE-COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08 - 5096 CIVIL TERM
Defendant CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
ANSWER TO AMENDED COMPLAINT
WITH NEW MATTER
AND COUNTERCLAIM
TO: THE LAW OFFICES OF ERIC J. WIENER, LLC AND
ERIC J. WIENER, ESQUIRE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS
FROM SERVICE HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
AND NOW, comes Robert M. Mumma, II, by and through his counsel, James G. Gault,
Esquire, who files the following Answer to the Plaintiff's Amended Complaint pursuant to Judge
Guido's Order dated February 10, 2009 and answers as follows:
1. Admitted based upon information and belief
2. Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted that the Defendant is an adult
individual with an office and place of business situate at said street address; it is
denied that same necessarily confers appropriate jurisdiction over his person as the
Defendant is a resident of Florida.
3. Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff has performed work for
the Defendant or said corporations in the past; by way of further answer, Defendant
tendered payments for certain services and Plaintiff accepted said sums as payment in
full. It is denied that Defendant requested those services for which payment has been
demanded via the relief specified in the Amended Complaint. It is denied that
Defendant entered into a Fee Agreement with Plaintiff; by way of further answer, no
formal Fee Agreement has been produced by Plaintiff. By way of further answer, it is
denied that Exhibit A attached to the Amended Complaint constitutes any formal Fee
Agreement rendering the Defendant liable for the sums demanded via the relief
specified in the Amended Complaint.
4. Denied; strict proof is demanded. By way of further answer, it is specifically denied
that Defendant is liable for the sum(s) demanded via the relief specified in the
Amended Complaint. By way of further answer, the answers set forth in the
additional paragraphs of the instant Answer are incorporated herein. This averment is
further denied to the extent it constitutes a legal conclusion to which no response is
required.
5. After reasonable investigation, the Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of whether Robert W. Barton acted in the
capacity of a paralegal for Plaintiff and whether Arnold S. Bituin acted in the capacity
of a law clerk for Plaintiff.
6. Denied as stated. It is denied that there exists any outstanding balance due as averred.
It is specifically denied that Defendant agreed to pay "the balance" as averred or any
"balance". By way of further answer, meetings and conversations between the parties
were resolved by Plaintiffs acceptance of payments to him for all past services. By
way of further answer, after reasonable investigation, the Defendant is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether a meeting occurred
on June 9, 2008.
7. Admitted in part; denied in part. It is admitted that Defendant paid Plaintiff for
Plaintiff s services; it is denied that Defendant remains liable to Plaintiff for any other
sum(s) demanded via the relief specified in the Amended Complaint. By way of
further answer, the answers set forth in the additional paragraphs of the instant
Answer are incorporated herein. All characterizations, inferences, and allegations
related to this averment are denied.
8. Denied as stated. It is denied that Defendant remains liable to Plaintiff for
"the outstanding balance" or for any other sum(s) demanded via the relief specified in
the Amended Complaint, and it is further denied that Defendant promised payment as
averred. By way of further answer, the answers set forth in the additional paragraphs
of the instant Answer arp incorporated herein. All characterizations, inferences, and
allegations related to this averment are denied.
3
9. Denied. By way of further answer, Defendant did object to the amount allegedly due
and owing, and Defendant did raise objections, to wit, that Plaintiff's legal services
performed in several matters were not only inadequate and incompetent, but, as a
result thereof, caused Defendant economic harm and/or setbacks or losses in several
matters of litigation. By way of further answer, the answers set forth in the additional
paragraphs of the instant Answer are incorporated herein.
10. Denied. This averment is further denied to the extent it constitutes a legal conclusion
to which no response is required. By way of further answer, the Defendant has never
acquiesced, assented, and/or agreed to the alleged account stated. By way of further
answer, the answers set forth in the additional paragraphs of the instant Answer are
incorporated herein.
11. After reasonable investigation, the Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment. By way of further answer,
the answers set forth in the additional paragraphs of the instant Answer are
incorporated herein.
12. Denied. This averment is further denied to the extent it constitutes a legal conclusion
to which no response is required. By way of further answer, the Defendant has never
acquiesced, assented, and/or agreed to the alleged account stated. It is fiuther denied
that Defendant made the promises as averred. By way of further answer, the answers
set forth in the additional paragraphs of the instant Answer are incorporated herein.
[continued]
4
NEW MATTER
13. The Defendant hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs of his
Answer as though fiilly set forth at length herein.
14. Plaintiff's claims are barred by the affirmative defense of accord and satisfaction.
15. Plaintiff's claims are barred by the affirmative defense of payment.
16. The Defendant is a resident of the State of Florida such that Plaintiff has not
established valid jurisdiction in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
17. The Amended Complaint avers that the amounts are due under an account stated
theory of recovery; however, the Amended Complaint insufficiently pleads the
requisite facts necessary to support this theory of recovery.
18. The Amended Complaint fails to plead sufficiently the nature or extent of the
following elements of an account stated:
(i) That the Defendant ever acquiesced, assented, or agreed to the account
rendered;
(ii) That there was ever a running account and/or a pre-existing account;
(iii) That there was ever a promise to pay on the alleged account;
(iv) That there was ever any acceptance of the account rendered or any
account;
(v) That the services performed relative to the alleged account were
satisfactory to the Defendant;
5
(vi) That the services performed relative to the alleged account were
competent and adequate under the appropriate standards governing the
nature of the work performed; and/or,
(vii) That the account stated is not subject to impeachment for mistake or fraud.
19. The Amended Complaint fails to set forth an appropriate theory of law upon which
its demand for payment must be granted.
20. To the extent the Amended Complaint is considered to be in the nature of a suit on a
written contract, the complaint does not have attached thereto a copy of any contract,
agreement, or similar formal document signed by the Defendant.
21. To the extent the Amended Complaint is considered to be for the recovery of attorney
fees allegedly due and payable for the performance of legal services, the Amended
Complaint does not have attached thereto a copy of a binding, executed Fee
Agreement, nor does the Amended Complaint aver the existence of a binding,
executed Fee Agreement signed by the Defendant.
22. The Amended Complaint seeks payment based upon an account stated theory of
recovery; however, said theory of recovery is inapplicable to the attorney-client
relationship which is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct.
[continued]
6
COUNTERCLAIM
23. The Defendant hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs of this
pleading as though fully set forth at length herein.
24. Counterclaim Plaintiff is the Defendant named hereinabove.
25. Counterclaim Defendant is the Plaintiff hereinabove, a licensed professional with
offices in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
26. Counterclaim Plaintiff is asserting a professional liability claim against this
Counterclaim Defendant.
27. Counterclaim Defendant previously represented the Counterclaim Plaintiff with
respect to the "High Spec, Inc" litigation in Florida.
28. At a critical stage in the Florida proceedings in or about January 2007, Counterclaim
Defendant failed to schedule properly an evidentiary hearing in Martin County,
Florida.
29. As a result of the acts and omissions of Counterclaim Defendant, the Counterclaim
Plaintiff was not able to testify at the critical hearing in Martin County, Florida.
30. The Counterclaim Defendant was not prepared to go forward with the appropriate
presentation of evidence at said hearing in Martin County, Florida.
31. In addition to the foregoing, the Counterclaim Defendant was otherwise unprepared,
unknowledgeable, unqualified, and/or ill-equipped to represent fully the interests and
rights of the Counterclaim Plaintiff at said hearing in Martin County, Florida
32. The Counterclaim Defendant has authored correspondence acknowledging that "the
matter blew up" in reference to said proceedings in Martin County, Florida.
7
33. Counterclaim Defendant previously represented the Counterclaim Plaintiff with
respect to the "Dauphin Deposit Bank & Trust" litigation in Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania.
34. Counterclaim Defendant had agreed to and was responsible for pursuing a motion to
file an amended complaint on behalf of the Counterclaim Plaintiff.
35. The aforesaid motion to file an amended complaint was not pursued and/or otherwise
finalized by Counterclaim Defendant.
36. Counterclaim Defendant had agreed to and was responsible for complying with and
meeting certain discovery deadlines in late 2006 and early 2007.
37. As a result of the delays, malfeasance, and/or nonfeasance attributable to
Counterclaim Defendant, no discovery was taken on behalf of the Counterclaim
Plaintiff within the timetables and parameters established by the Dauphin County
court.
38. The Counterclaim Defendant failed to procure the necessary contracts, documents,
and rental lease agreements from opposing counsel in the "Dauphin Deposit Bank &
Trust" matter.
39. The Counterclaim Defendant had not taken appropriate discovery and was otherwise
inadequately preparing the "Dauphin Deposit Bank & Trust" matter for trial.
40. As a result of the failure of the Counterclaim Defendant to take the appropriate
discovery and to pursue other pre-trial measures, the Counterclaim Plaintiff was
required to search for and retain replacement counsel (to wit, Sonnenschein, Nath and
Rosenthal) in order to move forward with the "Dauphin Deposit Bank & Trust"
litigation.
8
41. Said replacement counsel eventually withdraw its representation of Counterclaim
Plaintiff in the weeks immediately preceding trial in October 2007.
42. As a result of the withdrawal of counsel immediately before trial, the Counterclaim
Plaintiff was required to go to trial in the "Dauphin Deposit Bank & Trust" matter as
a pro se litigant.
43. The jury returned a defense verdict at the close of the "Dauphin Deposit Bank &
Trust" trial.
44. The Counterclaim Defendant had engaged in unauthorized settlement discussions
with opposing counsel in the "Dauphin Deposit Bank & Trust" litigation.
45. The Counterclaim Defendant was without any authority, whether implied, express, or
otherwise, to engage in any settlement discussion(s) with the opposing counsel in the
"Dauphin Deposit Bank & Trust" litigation.
46. Counterclaim Defendant failed to perform the competent and correct legal services
which it promised, and for which it was paid.
47. The legal services rendered by Counterclaim Defendant fell outside of the realm of
appropriate and competent legal services which a reasonable legal professional would
have so provided under the circumstances.
48. As a direct and proximate result of Counterclaim Defendant's errors and omissions,
Counterclaim Plaintiff suffered harm and damage in an amount in excess of
$50,000.00.
9
COUNT I - BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY
49. The Counterclaim Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs
of this pleading as though fully set forth at length herein.
50. As the legal representative of the Counterclaim Plaintiff, Counterclaim Defendant
owed a fiduciary duty to act in his best interests at all times.
51. By and through its acts and omissions, Counterclaim Defendant has unlawfully
breached the fiduciary duty owed to Counterclaim Plaintiff by:
(a) Failing to act in his best interests;
(b) Misrepresenting the nature and scope of legal services to be performed and/or that
were provided;
(c) Failing to obtain properly important and necessary documentation;
(d) Overcharging for legal services;
(e) Engaging in unauthorized settlement discussions; and,
(f) Failing to take discovery and other proper pre-trial measures.
52. Counterclaim Defendant directly benefited and was unjustly enriched by its breach of
fiduciary duties to Counterclaim Plaintiff by charging and collecting excessive and
unwarranted legal fees.
53. As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Counterclaim
Defendant, Counterclaim Plaintiff has sustained direct and consequential damages.
WHEREFORE, Counterclaim Plaintiff demands judgment against
Counterclaim Defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000.00 together with interest
and costs.
10
COUNT II - BREACH OF CONTRACT
54. The Counterclaim Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs
of this pleading as though fully set forth at length herein.
55. The acts and omissions of Counterclaim Defendant constitutes a breach of contract
with respect to Counterclaim Plaintiff by reason of such the latter has suffered
damages in an amount in excess of $50,000.00.
56. As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Counterclaim
Defendant, Counterclaim Plaintiff has sustained direct and consequential damages.
WHEREFORE, Counterclaim Plaintiff demands judgment against
Counterclaim Defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000.00 together with interest
and costs.
COUNT III - NEGLIGENCE / LEGAL MALPRACTICE
57. The Counterclaim Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs
of this pleading as though fully set forth at length herein.
58. The acts and omissions of Counterclaim Defendant as set forth above constitutes
negligence and legal malpractice, as the direct and proximate cause of which the
Counterclaim Plaintiff suffered damages in an amount in excess of $50,000.00.
59. As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Counterclaim
Defendant, Counterclaim Plaintiff has sustained direct and consequential damages.
11
WHEREFORE, Counterclaim Plaintiff demands judgment against
Counterclaim Defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000.00 together with interest
and costs.
COUNT IV - NEGLIGENCE
60. The Counterclaim Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs
of this pleading as though fully set forth at length herein.
61. The acts and omissions of Counterclaim Defendant as set forth above constitutes
negligence, as the direct and proximate cause of which the Counterclaim Plaintiff
suffered damages in an amount in excess of $50,000.00.
62. As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Counterclaim
Defendant, Counterclaim Plaintiff has sustained direct and consequential damages.
WHEREFORE, Counterclaim Plaintiff demands judgment against
Counterclaim Defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000.00 together with interest
and costs.
COUNT V - LEGAL MALPRACTICE
63. The Counterclaim Plaintiff hereby incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs
of this pleading as though fully set forth at length herein.
64. Counterclaim Defendant failed to exercise the ordinary skill, care and knowledge in
its representation of Counterclaim Plaintiff.
65. Counterclaim Defendant failed to exercise the ordinary skill, care and knowledge
possessed by attorneys in the community.
12
66. As a direct result of Counterclaim Defendant's negligence, Counterclaim Plaintiff has
suffered substantial damage, injury and loss.
67. Counterclaim Defendant's conduct was the proximate cause of Counterclaim
Plaintiff's aforesaid damages, injuries, and losses.
68. Counterclaim Defendant's negligent conduct occurred while it rendered professional
legal services in representing Counterclaim Plaintiff.
69. Under Pennsylvania law, Counterclaim Defendant is liable to Counterclaim Plaintiff
up to the full value of its property to compensate for damages, injuries, and losses
suffered as a result of its negligent conduct.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court deny the
relief sought by Plaintiff, dismiss the Amended Complaint with prejudice, and grant the relief
sought in the Counter-Claim in an amount in excess of $50,000.00, together with interest, pre-
judgment interest, reasonable attorneys fees, and costs, and other such relief as deemed
appropriate by this Honorable Court.
submitted,
0-3/0 DATE
G. Gault,
Pa.Supreme Ct. ID #: 49687
840 Market Street
Suite 153
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 612-9720
jggault@comcast.net
13
VERIFICATION
I, Robert M. Mumma, II, hereby verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing document
are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that this
verification is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.§4904 relating to unworn falsification
to authorities.
i y
Date: ??` ?G vt a , .2,0 0
Robert M. Mumma, II
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on March 2, 2009, I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
Preliminary Objections to Amended Complaint by U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid,
addressed to:
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
Law Offices of Eric J. Wiener LLC
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
J es G. Gault, Esquire
A rney for Defendant / Counterclaim Plaintiff
a.
J7 I
(7J
Eric J. Wiener
PA ID# 18046
2515 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-909-9999
717-909-9009 (fax)
ejw@ejw-law.com
LAW OFFICES OF
ERIC J. WIENER, LLC,
V.
ROBERT M. MUMMA II,
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE TO SETTLE, DISCONTINUE AND END
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF SAID COURT:
Kindly mark the docket in the above matter including counterclaim settled, discontinued and
ended with prejudice.
Date: -3 - J:3 - 0 7
Date: 0'50-10q
IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF
COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff No. 08-5096
Defendant
By:
ctfully submitt
,
Eric J. Wiener, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
c" ; Vy
(71 t
4 A^"
ell A3