Lawyer-Legislator Ronald E. Reynolds has another lawsuit coming his way

Attorney and State Representative Ronald E. Reynolds in yet more legal trouble: Client turns tables, gets another lawyer, and sues Reynolds   

State Representative Ronald E. Reynolds, who is battling charges of barratry, more commonly known as ambulance-chasing, in Montgomery County, just got another case added to his active docket. This one, too, is a case in which he finds himself as the defendant, albeit in a civil suit, rather than a criminal one. Reynolds, a personal injury attorney, is being accused of having injured a client, -- injured a client financially -- that is. The client is now suing Reynolds and his lawfirm. Not for barratry, but for allegedly settling her auto-PI case without her knowledge or consent, and for keeping the settlement funds. That, according to a lawsuit filed January 15, 2015  in Harris County District Court alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and legal malpractice.

The plaintiff alleges that her signature was forged on the settlement check issued by the insurance company in the amount of $7,350, and that she did get any of the money. In her petition, she seeks punitive damages in addition to actual damages, and asks for a trial by jury.

The case is numbered 2015-02344 and was assigned to the 189th District Court, which is presided over by Judge Bill Burke. The plaintiff is represented by GALOW & SMITH, P.C., an Austin-based lawfirm. A junior attorney, Justin Studdard a/k/a  Justin Eugene Studdard, who received his law degree from Texas Southern University in Houston in 2012, signed the petition.

NOTE: This is a report of the filing of a civil lawsuit and the allegations made in the petition. The "facts" stated in legal pleadings are merely allegations. Although facts must be pleaded in good faith, it is the purpose of the court proceeding to find out if they are true, and whether they entitle the plaintiff to a remedy, typically in the form of money damages, and if so, in what amount.