Phil Spector's on-again, off-again breach-of-contract lawsuit against his former lawyer Robert Shapiro appears to be back on after a judge ruled Wednesday the lawsuit can go forward.

Shapiro had filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing Spector took too long to file his complaint. But Superior Court Judge Edward A. Ferns found Spector had filed the lawsuit within time limits.

Shapiro, who also represented O.J. Simpson in his criminal trial, was the first lawyer to speak for Spector after the legendary music producer was accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his hilltop mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

Spector's murder trial last year ended in a jury deadlock. The date for a new trial has not been set. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 22.

Spector's lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in December claims the attorney cheated him and used their personal relationship to enrich himself unjustly. Spector is seeking a refund of a $1 million fee, claiming Shapiro did not do adequate work on the case.

Shapiro has denied Spector's claims.

Spector, 68, dropped an earlier suit against Shapiro in December 2005 with the provision that he could file again later.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press