SARASOTA, Fla – Maya Kowalski and her family in Sarasota County are suing their former legal team, alleging the attorneys mismanaged millions of dollars from their high-profile medical malpractice settlement. The family claims in the lawsuit that the lawyers diverted funds meant for legal costs to purchase a multi-million dollar home and a yacht.
Read more Homicide investigation underway after 1 found dead, another injured in Palm River area
Sarasota County legal battle
What we know:
The new lawsuit filed Wednesday names attorneys Greg and Jennifer Anderson, along with the AndersonGlenn law firm in Jacksonville, accusing them of constructive fraud and misconduct. The firm represented the Kowalski family during their 2023 trial against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg for medical malpractice. Their story was featured in the Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya.”
RELATED: ‘Take Care of Maya’: Appeals court reverses $208M judgement against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
According to court documents, the family alleges the Andersons charged excessive fees and misspent money from a client trust account. The Kowalski family claims the attorneys helped arrange an advance funding loan totaling about $42 million for legal costs, but millions went to the lawyers instead to pay off debts and for other personal expenses, according to the lawsuit.
Florida Bar rules
The other side:
Greg Anderson defended his firm, stating that a judge already ordered a resolution on most of these issues last month.
PREVIOUS: ‘Take Care of Maya’ case: Lawyers give arguments in hospital’s appeal of $200M verdict
Read more Manatee County couple loses everything in fire — but two items survive
“We took 50 percent of $9.9 million and left over $5 million in a trust account for Judge Carroll to ultimately decide if we should get our full fee,” Anderson said.
Regarding the advance funding loan, Anderson stated that neither his wife nor his firm ever gave a loan to the family. He stated that his team has all receipts, invoices and communications, and plans to file a counter-claim against the Kowalski’s for fraud, slander and defamation.
MORE: ‘Take Care of Maya’ case: Lawyers for All Children’s Hospital file appeal
Attorney fiduciary responsibilities
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear whether Anderson met the legal threshold to charge his specific fee or if the advance funding setup violated state rules. Circuit Judge Hunter Carroll, who has been handling the case, has yet to rule on a few final issues, including whether the firm provided prohibited financial assistance.
Tampa personal injury lawyer Chris Castillo, who is not affiliated with the case, noted that the Florida Bar strictly regulates client trust accounts. Castillo explained that advance funding is intended for a plaintiff’s financial assistance, not to compensate counsel.
Read more Hillsborough County budget savings: Committee proposes $680M in spending cuts
About the Author
