Court entered judgment in favor of law firm, after bench trial, in breach of contract action for client's failure to pay legal fees pursuant to a written fee agreement. The form judgment order entered, which awarded judgment plus costs and also stated that Plaintiff was awarded attorney fees and set a schedule for submission of petition and response, was not a final, appealable order, because it did not determine the amount of attorney fees that Defendant owed for Plaintiff's pursuit of the claim. The judgment became final the following year when an order awarded Plaintiff a certain sum in attorney fees. Defendant failed to file a timely postjudgment motion as to that latter order, and thus appellate court lacks jurisdiction. (McBRIDE and REYES, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Attorney Fees