The New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division has upheld a substantial award of nearly $665,000 in damages to attorney Maggi Khalil Maksoud, following an extraordinary legal battle triggered by negative online reviews from a former client. The case highlights the serious implications of online reputation harms in the legal profession.
The dispute originated from a divorce case where Maksoud represented a client who was dissatisfied with a refund of fees from a $4,000 retainer after being dismissed by the attorney for non-compliance with legal advice. The retention of roughly $1,000 for services rendered prompted the former client to engage in a series of actions against Maksoud. These included filing ethics complaints and posting defamatory reviews online, which eventually drove the attorney to seek medical help for depression.
The appellate court’s decision underscores the severe threshold of emotional distress that can result from public and unfounded attacks, particularly in the digital age where professional reputation can be easily smeared. The case illustrates how seemingly minor fee disputes can escalate into costly, prolonged legal battles with significant awards tied to emotional damages.
For further details on the appellate ruling, see the full article on the Bloomberg Law website.