A Gardiner law firm has been cleared of legal malpractice claims brought by a former client.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court last week confirmed a lower court ruling that dismissed the claims against Farris Law, P.A., and attorneys Sean Farris and Tammy Ham-Thompson.

They had been sued in Kennebec County Superior Court by Denny M. Collyer, of Richmond, whose sex assault conviction was overturned after he spent 31 months in prison.

In the lawsuit, Collyer, now 40, says he suffered $220,000 in damages and asked for at least an additional $1 million in special damages “which he would not have incurred but for the legal malpractice.”

Collyer charged legal malpractice, breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and unfair trade practices. He was represented in the civil lawsuit by attorney Daniel Skolnik, of Portland. Skolnik did not return calls seeking comment.

The attorneys and Farris Law rejected Collyer’s claims, and were represented by attorney Wendell Large.

“I am pleased that the Supreme Judicial Court has vindicated the position of the law firm as advocated in the superior court,” Large said. “I wish a lawsuit had not been necessary, but am glad to see it end with a final judgment in favor of the firm.”

The ruling in favor of Farris Law came in the form of a memorandum of decision published May 31.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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