Banned_Princess...Thank you so much for explaining more in detail! You've certainly been so helpful and it's very much appreciated!
The lawyer from the firm we've contacted called me yesterday. He was nice, asked questions, and wanted to find out if these former tenants indeed owned this restaurant so he could see if it's likely that judgment could be collected should we win. I felt they were, but wasn't 100% positive, so he said he had a friend in that restaurant network and could find out. I simply went on the web to the Manta business listing site and see that they are indeed listed as manager and principal. I called the office back and was asked to fax them a copy of that page...which I did.
Now I have another question. : ) What would be reasonable lawyer fees? (We still would like to call a few more firms). This one says $250 an hour. Seems a bit steep to me. (He said he had a lot of overhead.). I'm sure fees vary, but we were thinking $150-$175 an hour. And...since we have a narrative typed up and outlined of the events of what took place...a list of the damages...all receipts gathered, etc...how much time would you "guesstimate" that a lawyer would have to spend on this? When I asked him about the repairmen as witnesses, he did say "that's a must" and that he'd want to subpeno (sp...don't laugh...lol) them. And he spoke of two...the one who had to repair the roof and the plumbing co. that had to do repairs and then end up replacing the motor on the septic system due to all the debris/garbage in it that ruined it. Sorry so long again. Just wondering when we "shop" for a lawyer what's reasonable so we'll know and wanted your thoughts on the time amount? Wondering what kind of things they would need to do to prepare for this 5K court? Do we have most of the things done with our list of things and narrative? Thanks bunches. If you don't have time to reply here, it's OK. You've been very helpful...all of you. I'll definitely let you know the outcome when it's over. Court date is end of April. Thanks again!
The lawyer from the firm we've contacted called me yesterday. He was nice, asked questions, and wanted to find out if these former tenants indeed owned this restaurant so he could see if it's likely that judgment could be collected should we win. I felt they were, but wasn't 100% positive, so he said he had a friend in that restaurant network and could find out. I simply went on the web to the Manta business listing site and see that they are indeed listed as manager and principal. I called the office back and was asked to fax them a copy of that page...which I did.
Now I have another question. : ) What would be reasonable lawyer fees? (We still would like to call a few more firms). This one says $250 an hour. Seems a bit steep to me. (He said he had a lot of overhead.). I'm sure fees vary, but we were thinking $150-$175 an hour. And...since we have a narrative typed up and outlined of the events of what took place...a list of the damages...all receipts gathered, etc...how much time would you "guesstimate" that a lawyer would have to spend on this? When I asked him about the repairmen as witnesses, he did say "that's a must" and that he'd want to subpeno (sp...don't laugh...lol) them. And he spoke of two...the one who had to repair the roof and the plumbing co. that had to do repairs and then end up replacing the motor on the septic system due to all the debris/garbage in it that ruined it. Sorry so long again. Just wondering when we "shop" for a lawyer what's reasonable so we'll know and wanted your thoughts on the time amount? Wondering what kind of things they would need to do to prepare for this 5K court? Do we have most of the things done with our list of things and narrative? Thanks bunches. If you don't have time to reply here, it's OK. You've been very helpful...all of you. I'll definitely let you know the outcome when it's over. Court date is end of April. Thanks again!