Castillo v. Atkinson Watkins & Hoffmann, LLP

Summary

The court held that the settlement arose from professional-negligence claims because the alleged ordinary-negligence conduct involved medical providers acting within a professional relationship, so the statutory cap on contingent attorney fees applied. It also held that an attorney lien must be perfected before counsel receives the relevant settlement funds, making the lien on the first check invalid but the lien on the second check valid. The court reversed the post-judgment lien order and remanded for further proceedings.