Reeling from a $44.6 million judgement against him in November, sports agent David Dunn has filed for personal bankruptcy protection. Still, the move has not scared away his top new client, USC quarterback Carson Palmer.

Dunn, whose split with partners Leigh Steinberg and Jeff Moorad cost him a $44.6 million jury award in a high-profile breach-of-contract suit, filed for Chapter 11 protection Monday, the same day he was denied a motion to overturn the November verdict and was ordered to pay $2.6 million in attorney fees for his former partners.

But news of Dunn's bankruptcy filing will not prompt Palmer, projected as the top pick in the 2003 NFL draft, to seek alternate representation, his father told ESPN.com.

"When you put sophisticated business disputes in front of the type of people you get in a jury pool, the results are sometimes difficult to explain," said Bill Palmer, who helped his son narrow the list of agents he interviewed before Carson settled on Dunn in January. "I would only be concerned if people in the NFL didn't want to deal with him, and that's definitely not the case. He's done a very good job of representing him, setting up meetings with teams and exploring endorsement opportunities as well."

Dunn's clients were told Dunn was filing to allow him to appeal the verdict while continuing to represent them, said Mark Humenik, general counsel for Dunn's new agency, Athletes First. Dunn needed to file for personal bankruptcy protection to post the bond for the appeal, which needs to be at least two times the amount of judgment. Humenik said Dunn personally owes more than $7 million.

Dunn was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

Louisville quarterback Dave Ragone said he, too, will stick with Dunn. Ragone, projected as an early second-round selection, and Palmer are among several high-profile players available for the NFL draft in April who are represented by Dunn. Others include University of Illinois wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser.

"It really hasn't affected our training one bit," said Ragone, who has been working out in Newport Beach, Calif., for the upcoming NFL Combine. "It was more of a personal move than a business move, and we all knew it had to be done."

Dunn still could face possible disciplinary action, including suspension, by the NFL Players Association. Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the NFLPA, could not be immediately reached for comment.

"The bankruptcy might be a problem for him, but it's not for us," Palmer said. "I don't know if it ever would affect us, unless he does get suspended, and I don't think that's going to happen.

"If he does get suspended, we'll deal with it at that point."

Darren Rovell, who covers sports business for ESPN.com, can be reached at Darren.rovell@espn3.com