Besides filing its own suit seeking $1.2 million in fees fourdays after Bank One did, Jones Lang LaSalle says allegationsagainst the company are without merit. "I am deeply disappointedthat a company of this stature would seek to impugn others, throughlitigation and blame, and to avoid paying compensation for servicesprovided," chairman Stuart L. Scott says in a statement. "We standbehind the quality of our work and the advice of our people. At theend of the day, we are confident that our reputation for puttingour clients' interests first will prevail."

Jones Lang LaSalle's financial analyses suppressed expectedincome and boosted expenses to make the sale-leaseback benefitsappear more attractive than they were, the bank says. For details,see Sale-Leasebacks ProveCostly, Bank Alleges.

"Jones Lang LaSalle plugged numbers into its financial analysesthat a proper inquiry into the actual conditions and circumstancesof each property would have revealed were inaccurate andunsupportable," Bank One's suit alleges. "Jones Lang LaSalle'sconduct demonstrates either a negligent disregard of Jones LangLaSalle's professional obligations or a reckless and/or intentionaleffort to make the transactions go forward whether or not theybenefited Bank One."