Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP (BCLP) has filed a lawsuit against Miss America Competitions LLC and Miss America IP LLC in Florida state court, seeking nearly $1 million in unpaid legal fees. The suit, filed on September 5, 2024, comes after years of litigation surrounding the fees owed to the law firm.

BCLP sued Miss America Competitions : Details of the Lawsuit

BCLP claims it is owed $926,248.31 in legal fees and interest from Miss America Organization Inc. entities, stemming from a 2022 court ruling that awarded the firm the amount. According to the complaint, Miss America Organization transferred assets to Miss America Competitions LLC and Miss America IP LLC, making them responsible for the outstanding payment. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and fraudulent transfer.

The law firm first won an arbitration award in March 2021 for $851,061.56, which included $717,485.19 in unpaid legal fees plus interest. The award was later certified by a lower court in April 2022, bringing the total amount owed to $926,248.31.

Asset Transfers and Non-Payment

BCLP claims Miss America Organization’s failure to pay has lasted over 17 months. The firm alleges that Miss America IP LLC, formed in December 2022 to manage intellectual property, acquired all assets and interests from Miss America Organization, including its debts. As a result, BCLP contends that the new entity is now responsible for the legal fees.

The lawsuit also states that Miss America Organization and its entities have been unresponsive to subpoenas related to post-judgment discovery. In September 2023, BCLP sought to enforce the judgment in Delaware Superior Court, which granted the firm’s motion to compel responses.

Legal Representation

BCLP is represented by partner Ezequiel J. Romero in the lawsuit. Miss America Organization has yet to comment on the ongoing litigation, and counsel information for the defendants was not immediately available.

BCLP sued Miss America Competitions : Background

The nature of the legal services BCLP provided to Miss America Organization has not been disclosed. However, the firm previously represented the organization in a 2018 case in New Jersey, where Fox Rothschild LLP sought to recover its own legal fees from the pageant entity.