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Business Associations Keyed to Epstein, 5th Ed.
Bohatch v. Butler & Binion
Citation:
977 S.W.2d 543 (1998)Facts
Colette Bohatch became an associate in Butler & Binion’s Washington D.C. office in 1986 and was made partner in 1990. Upon becoming partner, she began receiving internal reports showing billable hours and became concerned that John McDonald, the managing partner of the office, was overbilling Pennzoil, their primary client. In July 1990, Bohatch reported her concerns to the firm’s managing partner, Louis Paine. The day after her report, McDonald informed Bohatch that Pennzoil was dissatisfied with her work. The firm investigated her allegations, including discussing them with Pennzoil, which confirmed it was satisfied with the bills. In August 1990, Paine told Bohatch the investigation revealed no basis for her contentions and suggested she look for other employment. The firm continued to pay her monthly draw for nine months but denied her year-end partnership distribution and eventually terminated her draw. Bohatch found new employment in September 1991, filed suit in October, and was formally expelled from the partnership three days later.
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