Larry Birkhead Attorney's Assets Frozen

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HOLLYWOOD - Anna Nicole Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead has won the first round of his court battle against former attorney Debra Opri--ensuring her assets are temporarily frozen.

Birkhead accuses Opri of defrauding him out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also claims Opri promised to represent him free of charge in his custody battle for Anna Nicole's daughter Dannielynn earlier this year.

But Opri argues Birkhead refused to pay $650,000 in legal fees following the court case.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charles C. Lee on Thursday granted Larry Birkhead's request to freeze his former attorney's client-trust account, adding he will decide by next week whether the pair will be ordered to enter arbitration to settle Birkhead's alleged late legal bill.

Opri's lawyer David Owen insists his client welcomes the news, saying, "We look forward to the court's forthcoming final rulings."

Opri petitioned for court-ordered arbitration in May, claiming Birkhead owes her more than $600,000.

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