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mgoblue101415

mgoblue101415

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Okay... So back in the first week of June I gave a $1000 retainer to this POS lawyer. When I talked to him originally, I was told the entire thing would take around 8-9 months at the most. It has now been 8 months and absolutely nothing has been done.

A couple weeks after I'd given them the check I called, just to get an update. Left 8 messages over a two month time and never got a call back. I finally got a hold of his assistant, which is who I'm dealing with, only because she actually answered the phone. No, she hadn't heard anything, they should have gotten something, she'd resend it. Call back about the middle of Oct... Again, I have to leave like 7-9 messages over a couple weeks time before I get a call back, finally in the first week of Nov. She just got off the phone with the state... Mix up with my married and maiden names... Whatever. She told me that the state was sending it out within the week. It is now fricken February and I still haven't heard back from them. I've called and left a couple messages, haven't heard anything back.


What I'd really like to do is take my fricken retainer back and go to another fricken lawyer. The only problem is I need this fricken finished by July, beginning of August at the absolute latest, and I really don't want to start over with another lawyer.

Okay, so it really isn't the lawyer's fault, it's his assistant. Although, she's his assistant, he hired her, he's keeping her, so maybe it is his fault.

So, anyway... A question to our lawyer friends around here... Would I be better off just going to a different lawyer? Or is there some threat I can give to my present lawyer? What would be my best course of action?

Because my current choice of course would be to off the damn bitch assistant, but then that would just lead to more lawyers and that's just too much. ;)
 
I'm not a lawyer, but I would contact your state bar association.
 
I think I'd march down to his office, demand to see him, not leave until I DID see him, and demand my money back.

Then go find yourself a GOOD lawyer. This guy is obviously a loser.

Although, even if he hasn't done any actual work, he'll probably still charge you for the phone calls and assistant's time, which means your retainer is prolly gone.

So, eff him - chalk it up to lessons learned - and find yourself a reputable lawyer.
 
And then send SOKB over there to :bang: the place up. MD will defend him. :rockon:
 
I'm not a lawyer but I insure them. I would do as PFL said and contact the bar.

In MA, they have the board of bar overseers where you can submit complaints against attorneys. Most bar associations that I am familiar with have them.
 
Being that unresponsive to a private client is not good form. Generally, I don't call clients until there is something to tell, and if they have a lot questions I try to get back to them early.

What I'd typically tell them is what's been done, the reaon for any hold ups, and that I'll always call when there is a substantive update. I'll also remind them that the reason I'm not making the phone calls is because I bill for them. I don't want to burn through a retainer on plesantries each time we get on the phone. I'd typically make a joke that I'm perfectly happy to talk about football or fishing...but it's'on the clock. That's a much nicer way to pay my bills than actually practicing law, after all.

But the real answer depends on what the underlying issue is. Different areas of law are very different. This is especially true in dealing with government agencies. In the end...not enough information to tell you.

But you can feel comfortable assuming that he's scum, since he's'a lawyer. :toast:
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Flagg the Wanderer said:
I'll also remind them that the reason I'm not making the phone calls is because I bill for them. I don't want to burn through a retainer on plesantries each time we get on the phone.
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yeah but you tell them all of this in advance it seems like MGO didn't get anything like that

and I do know you prefaced all of that with it was bad form
 
mgoblue101415 said:
Okay... So back in the first week of June I gave a $1000 retainer to this POS lawyer. When I talked to him originally, I was told the entire thing would take around 8-9 months at the most. It has now been 8 months and absolutely nothing has been done.

A couple weeks after I'd given them the check I called, just to get an update. Left 8 messages over a two month time and never got a call back. I finally got a hold of his assistant, which is who I'm dealing with, only because she actually answered the phone. No, she hadn't heard anything, they should have gotten something, she'd resend it. Call back about the middle of Oct... Again, I have to leave like 7-9 messages over a couple weeks time before I get a call back, finally in the first week of Nov. She just got off the phone with the state... Mix up with my married and maiden names... Whatever. She told me that the state was sending it out within the week. It is now fricken February and I still haven't heard back from them. I've called and left a couple messages, haven't heard anything back.


What I'd really like to do is take my fricken retainer back and go to another fricken lawyer. The only problem is I need this fricken finished by July, beginning of August at the absolute latest, and I really don't want to start over with another lawyer.

Okay, so it really isn't the lawyer's fault, it's his assistant. Although, she's his assistant, he hired her, he's keeping her, so maybe it is his fault.

So, anyway... A question to our lawyer friends around here... Would I be better off just going to a different lawyer? Or is there some threat I can give to my present lawyer? What would be my best course of action?

Because my current choice of course would be to off the damn bitch assistant, but then that would just lead to more lawyers and that's just too much. ;)
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1. Depending on your claim, the particulars of your situation, etc., there may just be nothing that needed to be done/no news to report. It doesn't excuse the unprofessional conduct, but different people hold themselves to different standards. That level of nonresponsiveness is not a good indication of that lawyer's responsibility and I'd be wary of his ability to properly advocate for me if I were you. I deal with all sorts of plaintiff's attorneys and behavior like that (inability to return simple phone calls) is common with the bad ones.

2. If you feel there are underlying ethical issues or your interests are not being served and his conduct borders on malpractice, in Illinois here are your peeps: https://www.iardc.org/index.html

3. I'd just do what I could to let them know that they are not meeting your legal needs, and you would like to seek other counsel.
 
patsload said:
yeah but you tell them all of this in advance it seems like MGO didn't get anything like that

and I do know you prefaced all of that with it was bad form
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If she gave a retainer, she likely (hopefully) signed a retainer agreement.
 
I was told they would call me when they had something. I was also told the time frame for when that should happen.

So the first time, when they said a month, I called when I hadn't heard from them in two months. And that time it was... Oh, yeah, we should have gotten something by now. Let me resend it. Now, if I hadn't called, would they have ever done something??

The second time I called, was after another two months. That time I was told that yeah, they should have gotten something by now. She calls the state finds out there was some screw up with the names. Again, if I hadn't called, how long would they have waited before following up? Oh, and I was told it was being sent out within the week... 3 months later.... Still nothing from them.


This is for a frickin reinstatement of a license. Since June, 8 months ago, we are waiting on getting paper work from a past hearing. That's it. That's what is taking 8 months. I still have to do the stupid ass evaluation, and crap before he can even apply for a hearing, which will take at least 2-3 months to get a date... I start school in August. I NEED my license by then.

Silly me thinking that 15 months would be enough time to get that done. :rolleyes:
 
I was a paralegal for 5 years. My boss never would have done this.

I'd send a certified letter demanding proof of activity on the case, a detailed expense report, etc. Give them 5 days from receipt of the letter to respond. Cc the letter to the Bar Association. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with the Bar and find another attorney. In the complaint packet to the Bar demand a refund. Since it appears that you only heard from this attorney when YOU called, this guy will find it hugely impossible to show what effort in your case was expended and that you were contacted. Therefore, if this guy has half a brain, you should get your funds back.

If you are running out of time, move on. But keep the grip on the short and curlies.

Dammit it pisses me off when theives run loose.
 
Pyxis said:
I was a paralegal for 5 years. My boss never would have done this.

I'd send a certified letter demanding proof of activity on the case, a detailed expense report, etc. Give them 5 days from receipt of the letter to respond. Cc the letter to the Bar Association. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with the Bar and find another attorney. In the complaint packet to the Bar demand a refund. Since it appears that you only heard from this attorney when YOU called, this guy will find it hugely impossible to show what effort in your case was expended and that you were contacted. Therefore, if this guy has half a brain, you should get your funds back.

If you are running out of time, move on. But keep the grip on the short and curlies.

Dammit it pisses me off when theives run loose.
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My mom has been a paralegal for 25 years. She pretty much does every thing and he just signs his name. Actually, she might even sign his name for him. :blink: She went to Lawyerin' school a few years back, but then realized she hates most of the mother f*ckers, quit halfway through. A damn shame, she knows everything possible. I actually don't like going to her for advice because she tells me all the bad things that can come from it, lol.
 
Jh said:
My mom has been a paralegal for 25 years. She pretty much does every thing and he just signs his name. Actually, she might even sign his name for him. :blink: She went to Lawyerin' school a few years back, but then realized she hates most of the mother f*ckers, quit halfway through. A damn shame, she knows everything possible. I actually don't like going to her for advice because she tells me all the bad things that can come from it, lol.
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I signed his name and went to court for him. But, it was with his pemission. We actually worked cases unlike this guy that mgo mentioned.
 
Pyxis said:
I signed his name and went to court for him. But, it was with his pemission. We actually worked cases unlike this guy that mgo mentioned.
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Always with permission. Actually, that might have been one of the requirements, lol. But he shows up to work and nails it, so whatever works!

mgo's problem is unacceptable. I am surprised she hasn't gone all karate on his ass yet.
 
4 words.

Board of Bar Overseers

It's the lawyer police. Each State has this.

Those 4 words are like Kryptonite to shady lawyers.

Call leave a message again and the message is simply BBO.

I guarantee you get a call back within 1/2 hour.


That'll be $500.00 and yes, i take plastic though i prefer cash...casino cash.
 
My uncle (an electrical contractor) once told me an interesting thing. Apparently lawyers, while happy to bill you for time they spend in casual conversation, express outrage at having to pay additional money for additional work they ask you to do.

It might be more accurate to say that ONLY lawyers (but not all lawyers) are guilty of this
 
sonsofkraftybob said:
4 words.

Board of Bar Overseers

It's the lawyer police. Each State has this.

Those 4 words are like Kryptonite to shady lawyers.

Call leave a message again and the message is simply BBO.

I guarantee you get a call back within 1/2 hour.


That'll be $500.00 and yes, i take plastic though i prefer cash...casino cash.
Click to expand...

I already gave her that advice you earned 0.00
 
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