Kasowitz LLP has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, alleging that a well-known international financier failed to pay nearly $500,000 in legal fees tied to his earlier U.S. defense case.
The prominent U.S. litigation firm Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP has initiated legal proceedings against an international banker in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming unpaid legal fees amounting to approximately $500,000. The case, filed earlier this month, alleges that the client defaulted on obligations outlined in a retainer agreement for representation during a high-profile criminal defense.
Court documents indicate that Kasowitz LLP provided extensive legal counsel between 2022 and 2024, during which the financier faced several complex federal allegations. The firm’s work reportedly included pre-trial research, filing motions, liaising with co-counsel in Puerto Rico, and coordinating strategic defense communications with U.S. authorities.
Despite numerous invoices and reminders, Kasowitz claims the client left a substantial balance unpaid. The complaint states that “the defendant’s failure to fulfill contractual payment obligations has caused significant economic harm to the firm.” The law firm seeks to recover the outstanding amount with interest and associated legal costs.
A spokesperson for Kasowitz Benson Torres declined to elaborate beyond the official filings, describing the action as “a routine fee-collection case arising from nonpayment of legitimate services.”
The financier’s representatives have not released a formal response, but sources close to the matter suggest the dispute centers on the scope and pricing of services rendered, rather than outright refusal to pay. They emphasized ongoing discussions that could lead to an out-of-court settlement.
Legal observers note that such disputes often follow high-intensity criminal defenses that span multiple jurisdictions. According to Professor Elaine Whitmore, an expert in legal ethics at Georgetown Law, “When a defense involves parallel cases in different regions, billing conflicts can arise, especially when clients feel certain tasks overlapped or were unnecessary.”
The client’s criminal proceedings concluded earlier this year after prosecutors dropped multiple felony charges, including bribery and conspiracy counts, leaving only a single misdemeanor campaign-finance violation. The resolution marked a significant reduction in legal exposure and allowed him to resume his international business operations.
Kasowitz LLP, recognized for its high-profile corporate and financial litigation cases, has previously represented Fortune 500 companies, hedge funds, and prominent individuals in complex regulatory disputes. The current filing underscores the firm’s willingness to pursue overdue accounts through direct civil action when negotiations fail.
Industry insiders believe the issue is unlikely to cause lasting reputational harm, as fee-related litigation between law firms and former clients is relatively common in New York’s federal court docket. “These matters are typically resolved quietly once payment terms are clarified,” said one attorney familiar with similar disputes.
As the case proceeds, both sides appear motivated to reach an agreement that prevents further public scrutiny. Settlement talks are reportedly active, suggesting the dispute could be resolved in the coming weeks.
