A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Heir Sues Lawyers for Representing Mother: Oil heir Howard B. Keck Jr., scion of an eminent philanthropic family, filed a malpractice suit against his lawyers, claiming their representation of his mother in her divorce is likely to dilute his expected inheritance. The Los Angeles Superior Court suit stems from the divorce battle of Elizabeth Avery Keck and Howard B. Keck Sr., whose father founded Superior Oil Co. The suit seeks unspecified damages because the Los Angeles firm of Trope & Trope, in representing Mrs. Keck, allegedly used “confidential information” it learned while representing Keck’s son for 20 years. The younger Keck says his inheritance could be reduced if his mother prevails in her divorce battle. The firm denies a conflict of interest. (Filed April 30, 1990. Case No. C759915)