Donald Dee vs CA

GR No. 77439
August 24, 1989

FACTS:
Petitioners questioned the resolution of the Respondent Court about the affirmed decision that the
services given by the Private Respondent was on a professional basis. The records show that the
Petitioners and Private Respondent contracted for P100,000.00 for the latters services which was to
resolve Dewey Dees debt. After the Private Respondent resolve Dewey Dees debt to Caesars Palace, a
gambling casino at Las Vegas; the Petitioners refused to pay for the unpaid balance of legal fee due to
the alleged conflict of interest when the Private Respondent acted as an agent and consultant of
Caesars Palace against Ramon Sy, who was the real debtor of Dewey Dees debt.

ISSUE:
Was there conflict of interest?

DECISION:
No, there was no conflict of interest because, generally, an attorney is prohibited from representing
parties with contending positions. However, at a certain stage of controversy before it reaches the
court, a lawyer may represent conflicting interests with the consent of the parties. Even indulging
Petitioner in his theory that Private Respondent was during the period in question an agent of Caesars
Palace, Petitioner was not unaware thereof, hence he actually consented to and cannot now decry the
dual representation that he postulates.