Pranaitis
Dripps
Collinsville attorney John Walter Leskera has answered the amended complaint in a legal malpractice suit brought against him by his former client bar owner, Gary Lutman.
Leskera denies that he bungled two of Lutman's legal matters and offers affirmative defenses.
Lutman filed suit against Leskera earlier this year.
He alleges that Leskera's negligence and malpractice led to the dismissal of a suit Lutman filed against the Village of Maryville, its police chief and other police officers over his arrest during an on-going dispute with his ex-wife over the couple's business.
Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis dismissed that case over statute of limitations.
The other basis of Lutman's suit stems from the appeal of another matter related to the business dispute.
Leskera won the dismissal of Lutman's suit earlier this year from Madison County Circuit Judge Andreas Matoesian.
Matoesian allowed the plaintiff to amend his complaint.
Lutman filed the amended version of the suit in June.
Leskera filed his answer and affirmative defenses July 12.
In the answer, Leskera denies the plaintiff's claims.
Leskera's affirmative defenses note the role of attorney William Berry in the legal matters at the heart of the suit.
Leskera argues that after Berry advised Lutman to drop the appeal of an order barring him from his business and that on that advice, Lutman eventually decided not to pursue the appeal.
Roy Dripps represents Lutman.
Al Pranaitis represents Leskera.
The case is Madison case number 11-L-031.