Case Law Database

Pressman v. Estate of Steinvorth

Alan Pressman, a New York attorney, sought attorney's fees and expenses incurred in commencing an interpleader action in 1986. The interpleader was initiated because Pressman held assets for Guido Steinvorth, whose contested will led to multiple claims against Pressman. The court had previously awarded interpleader funds to Olimpia Pena Tejera but granted Pressman fees only for initiating the interpleader. This decision evaluates Pressman's fee request, scrutinizing the specificity of charges and disallowing costs unrelated to the interpleader's commencement, such as those for accounting actions or earlier defenses. Ultimately, the court significantly reduced the requested amount, awarding Pressman $2,719.11.