Attorney obtained a dismissal of a Complaint filed by a property adjusting company against the attorneys who represented the property owner in an underlying fire loss litigation

Attorney obtained a dismissal of a Complaint filed by a property adjusting company against the attorneys who represented the property owner in an underlying fire loss litigation.  In the underlying action, the attorneys represented the owners of the property which was totally destroyed in a fire.  The attorneys brought suit against various parties, including the adjusting company who handled the loss.  The public adjuster was eventually successful on a motion for summary judgment in the underlying litigation.  However, two years after obtaining the order for summary judgment, the adjustment company filed suit against the attorneys, alleging that the underlying litigation was frivolous, and that the attorneys engaged in fraud, conspiracy, aid and abetting, and spoliation of evidence.  The attorney successfully argued that the action filed by the adjusting firm against the attorneys was barred under New Jersey's Entire Controversy Doctrine and R. 1:4-8.  This is the first case in which the Entire Controversy Doctrine was applied to bar a frivolous action claim.