What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? illinois
We engaged an attorney to prosecute our suit with our wife's employer and defend us in their countersuit. We had issues with him immediately because of what we perceived as a dissmissive attitude toward the validity of our case. Early in our discussion he indicated that with the complex nature of the issues (a discrimination component, his specialty, and a contractual component), he would refer the aspect not in his area of expertise to another attorney. After the initial contact with the opposing attorney, they refused to respond to our attorney in any way. Later, through contacts still inside the company, we learned that our attorneys comments to the opposing counsel, regarding the merits of our case, had led them to believe that we were not seriously pursuing the issue. We were referred to the additional attorney for the contractual issue by our first attorney. He indicated that he felt that the issues had merit and were actionable. In our discussions we indicated that because of the way that the first attorney had compromised our position (with respect to possible negotiation or litigation) with his comments we would not be retainng him to pursue the discrimination aspect of the issue. His response was that the first attorney "was his good friend" and without his participation neither of them would be willing to represent us! Both of these attorneys had been given $4000 retainers for the initial consultation. With what we felt to be coercive conditions for representation and a less than vigorous advocate, we declined the services of both attorneys.
They took no further action on our behalf, and we have had no further contact with them. Several months (4) later we were contacted and informed that we were being presented with bills for an additional $4000 and $5000 dollars. This seems outrageous to be charged a total of $17,000 dollars for no actual activity beyond discussions with us, and fewer than 4 letters from the initial attorney to the opposition (which were not responded to). The attorney for the contractual dispute has not taken any action other than discussion with us.
Before I contact the ethics committee of their respective firms and file a complaint with the bar association, I would like to hear some comment as to where this behavior lies on the ethcal spectrum.
We engaged an attorney to prosecute our suit with our wife's employer and defend us in their countersuit. We had issues with him immediately because of what we perceived as a dissmissive attitude toward the validity of our case. Early in our discussion he indicated that with the complex nature of the issues (a discrimination component, his specialty, and a contractual component), he would refer the aspect not in his area of expertise to another attorney. After the initial contact with the opposing attorney, they refused to respond to our attorney in any way. Later, through contacts still inside the company, we learned that our attorneys comments to the opposing counsel, regarding the merits of our case, had led them to believe that we were not seriously pursuing the issue. We were referred to the additional attorney for the contractual issue by our first attorney. He indicated that he felt that the issues had merit and were actionable. In our discussions we indicated that because of the way that the first attorney had compromised our position (with respect to possible negotiation or litigation) with his comments we would not be retainng him to pursue the discrimination aspect of the issue. His response was that the first attorney "was his good friend" and without his participation neither of them would be willing to represent us! Both of these attorneys had been given $4000 retainers for the initial consultation. With what we felt to be coercive conditions for representation and a less than vigorous advocate, we declined the services of both attorneys.
They took no further action on our behalf, and we have had no further contact with them. Several months (4) later we were contacted and informed that we were being presented with bills for an additional $4000 and $5000 dollars. This seems outrageous to be charged a total of $17,000 dollars for no actual activity beyond discussions with us, and fewer than 4 letters from the initial attorney to the opposition (which were not responded to). The attorney for the contractual dispute has not taken any action other than discussion with us.
Before I contact the ethics committee of their respective firms and file a complaint with the bar association, I would like to hear some comment as to where this behavior lies on the ethcal spectrum.
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