Kasowitz Benson Torres is once again defending itself against allegations of unpaid compensation to a former partner. Jay R. Deshmukh, an intellectual property lawyer, has filed a lawsuit in New York state court claiming that the firm owes him at least $264,000 in unpaid compensation. Deshmukh asserts that he was deliberately terminated in June to avoid full payment under his contract. Despite being assured a minimum annual compensation of $500,000, Deshmukh reports that he received only about $236,000 before his dismissal.
Deshmukh’s complaint alleges that Kasowitz Benson acted in “bad faith and in utter and willful disregard” of his rights. A firm spokesperson countered these allegations, calling them “meritless” and asserting that Deshmukh failed to deliver the substantial business he had promised upon his return, rendering him unproductive.
Interestingly, this is not Deshmukh’s first dispute over compensation with a law firm. His previous employer, Arent Fox, sued him in 2019 for $91,000 related to an agreement from his resignation, a complaint that was eventually voluntarily dismissed. Additionally, Kasowitz Benson faced similar accusations in 2020 when another former partner, bankruptcy lawyer Kyung S. Lee, sued the firm over compensation issues, a case that later moved to arbitration.
Deshmukh, who rejoined Kasowitz in 2023 after stints at other firms, focuses on IP and patent infringement litigation, notably Hatch-Waxman cases. His legal team at Levy Goldenberg has declined to comment on the ongoing case. The complaint underscores ongoing tensions and potential risks surrounding compensation agreements within high-stakes legal environments.
For further details, the original report can be accessed here.