- Law firm’s breakup in California has officially been finalized their attorneys said
- Firm began operating as The Barnes Firm in LA, San Diego and Oakland in Sept
- Ross M Cellino Jr filed a lawsuit wanting out of the partnership in May of this year
- Cellino cited ‘numerous business disputes’ between him and Stephen E Barnes
Dailymail.com Reporter
The Cellino & Barnes law firm no longer exists in California because of ‘numerous business disputes’ between the two lawyers.
Ross M Cellino Jr filed a lawsuit wanting out of the partnership with Stephen E Barnes four months ago.
The firm began operating as The Barnes Firm in Los Angeles, San Diego and Oakland in September, according to the Buffalo News.
The Cellino & Barnes law firm no longer exists in California because of ‘numerous business disputes’ between the two lawyers. Ross M Cellino Jr (pictured) filed a lawsuit wanting out of the partnership with Stephen E Barnes four months ago
Cellino (right) and his attorney, Terrence M. Connors, have maintained that the working relationship between Cellino and Stephen E Barnes (right) has become so poisoned that the two really cannot work together anymore
A Barnes Firm spokesman said those California offices are now run entirely by Barnes.
As part of the agreement between the two men, the Barnes firm must stop using the Cellino & Barnes hotline number of (800) 888-8888 for California business.
Barnes has registered a new hotline number there, which is (800) 800-0000.
But the law firm’s offices in Buffalo, Rochester and New York City continue to be operated by the two feuding partners.
And the decision on those firms will be decided in a legal battle that started in May.
‘Mr. Cellino never had anything more than a very small role in the California offices. He has relinquished his interest. The Barnes Firm has been launched out there and is moving full steam ahead,’ Robert J. Schreck, the law firm’s managing attorney, told the Buffalo News.
‘So far, we’ve seen no negative effects from changing it to The Barnes Firm out there,’ he added.
Cellino said he envisions both he and Barnes operating their own law firms in New York State.
‘I withdrew myself as a stockholder in the California offices, and after that, it would have been unethical for them to continue using my name,’ Cellino told the newspaper.
‘I wish Steve well in California. I am happy to stay in Buffalo, Rochester and in the New York City area.’
Cellino (center) said he envisions both he and Barnes operating their own law firms in New York State
As part of the agreement between the two men, the Barnes firm must stop using the Cellino & Barnes hotline number in California
Later this month, Cellino’s attorneys will argue against Barnes’ attorneys, and the judge will hear the reasons Cellino wants to break off and start his own firm.
Cellino and his attorney, Terrence M. Connors, have maintained that the working relationship between Cellino and Barnes has become so poisoned that the two really cannot work together anymore.
In May, Cellino filed the civil action lawsuit seeking to dissolve the partnership that he and Barnes began as two little-known attorneys about 25 years ago, according to Buffalo News.
Cellino said he can no longer work with Barnes because of numerous business disputes that have arisen between the two men.
Commercials showing the two law partners together are still airing on local TV and radio stations. But no new commercials have been recorded since the lawsuit was filed.
If the judge grants Cellino’s request to dissolve the firm, the assets would be split between the two men.