Is This Discrimination Against Me as a Mom

[luvumfl]

What is the name of your state? Rhode Island

I set up an appointment to meet with a lawyer to discuss a credit card bill that I owe. I am fighting to pay the bill because they cannot validate that the bill is mine. Anyway, I explained to the lawyer's secretary on the phone (on a Thursday) that the hearing date to attached wages was on the very next Wednesday and I needed to meet with him on Monday or Tuesday. I told her I would have my children on Tuesday. If he could meet with me on Monday, I would have 1 of my children. She said he could only do it Tuesday. I said then Tuesday is fine. Mind you I had to find parking in the City - put money in the meter - walk a block - wait in his waiting room. He came out to get me and said - why do you have your children with you? I honestly thought he was making a joke....cause I said back....that's what happens when you're a stay-at-home Mom. He said I don't meet with clients with children. I said what do you mean. Anyway, to make a long story short - this went back and forth - I told him he was being discriminitory and asked him why his secretary never mentioned this on the phone. I asked for the receptionist's name who was a witness to the whole thing. The next day I get a letter in the mail from the attorney and the letter states,

"I am writing to confirm our brief conversation on September 20, 2005. I told you at that time that I am unable to meet with you with your two children. I am surprised that you would bring them to an office in the first place. . I told you that in order to effectively discuss your legal situation, we cannot do so in the presence of two young children who, naturally, are unable to rest quietly for an hour long discussion. Your baby especially needs your attention and it is simply inappropriate to meet in that context. I offered to meet with you later in the day if you could come back alone. If you would like to reschedule at any time, I would be happy to do so."

Now isn't this discrimination. I needed to meet with an attorney and unfortunately it is extremely difficult for me to find people during the day to take care of my children especially during the day. He met with "joe smo" without kids but not me with kids.

Am I wrong? Thank you.
Suzie

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Discrimination? No. not in the least. Next attorney you speak with keep the kids at home or with a babysitter.

No one is REQUIRED to act as consult AND babysitter for you. And discussing any case with the children in the room is very inappropriate.

 

[luvumfl]

I didn't ask the lawyer to be a babysitter. He made an appointment with me. When I showed up for the appointment, he refused to meet with me because I brought my children. My children shouldn't be a factor in making a decision to perform a service. Since when are children so fragile that they can't sit for an hour? Do children not do this in the doctor's office, dentist office, real estate office, restaurant, hairdresser, school office, church, accountant, etc. So why is a lawyer inappropriate....give me a break!! For Pete Sake!! It's a poor excuse!! I'm sorry and discrimination to me. He took in someone who didn't have children. Sorry, as a Mom, I feel discriminated against because he would not serve me because I'm a Mom with children. I can't leave a 4 year old and a 15 month old home alone. BelizeBreeze, are you a lawyer? Anyone else have an opinion?
Thanks.
Suzie

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

I have to agree with BelizeBreeze. A law office is no place for children. Your children, like any child, is a distraction to the business at hand. Like it says in Ecclesiastes Three, "There is a time, and a place, for everything." A law office, and bringing your children, is not the time.

In my practice, however, I have to expect it. As a Family Law lawyer, a parent sometimes brings their children; however, before I agree to an appointment, I ask if there is an adult who can come with my prospective client to watch the child(ren) during the meeting. If not, I have to waste one of my secretary's time to watch the child during my meeting, which sets back her work for other client's.

IAAL

 

[Mbarr]

Although I prefer that clients not bring their children, I have on many occasions met with them with kids in tow, but will not, however, discuss a case which directly pertains to one or all of the kids child.

That said, an attorney in private practice is not obligated to represent you and may decline to do so. In other words, the man didn't have to meet with you and isn't breaking any laws by refusing to do so. It's his business and he can choose to whom he provides services.

 

[luvumfl]

I have to agree with you. Although it is not the ideal situation to have children present, I did not have a choice. I had gotten a last minute notification to appear in court. Unfortunately, the attorney had to take me on a last minute appointment and the only time he was available was when I had my children. I did not have any other options and, yes, I tried! His secretary knew I would have my children but failed to say anything to me about this lawyer not taking clients with them. The way this lawyer reacted, she must have known he wouldn't meet with me. During the 10 mins we wasted discussing my children, my children were as quiet as could be. Right there that was 10 mins we could have discussed my case.

MBarr - I disagree with you. If someone is offering a public service and refuses to serve someone because of their race, that is discrimination. What makes a mother any different for discrimination? He also sent me a letter which indicates to me he's afraid I'm going to sue him.

This case had to do with a credit card bill and nothing to do with the children. So speaking in front of them about the case was not the issue.

My children sit in church for an hour and can't make a peep!! My kids sit in a restaurant for sometimes 2 hours. They're fine!

I AM ALWAYS LIABLE WRITES:: "In my practice, however, I have to expect it. As a Family Law lawyer, a parent sometimes brings their children; however, before I agree to an appointment, I ask if there is an adult who can come with my prospective client to watch the child(ren) during the meeting. If not, I have to waste one of my secretary's time to watch the child during my meeting, which sets back her work for other client's."

Give me a break! You waste your secretary's time - some people don't just dump their kids off where ever or whenever they like. OR have the resources to do that. My children would have sat right with me not wasting anyone's time. I met with my accountant for over an hour with my kids. They were fine! And they stayed right with me. Problem is a lot of kids are OFF the wall because their parents make them that way which ruins it for others like me. I happen to bring my kids up to sit patiently.

Suzie in RI

 

[You Are Guilty]

Look, you've received the correct legal answer whether you like it or not. "Race" and "motherhood" are two very different things.

However, since you are right and the lawyers are wrong, please go sue this lawyer for discrimination. And pass my apology onto your kids for being raised with a "victim" mentality by their thickheaded mother.

 

[luvumfl]

You people are all unbelievable. What are you all a bunch of washed up lawyer wannabes with nothing better to do than to post on this forum and insult people? God, please bless them all that they will get a life!!

AFathersSon - I really appreciate your post. It's nice to have an ADULT conversation with someone other than these immature wannabes. They can be quite comical. It's sad that they can turn someone's experience around. Now I'm a bad mother and my kids are brats!! HAHAHAHA So supportive! No wonder why they don't practice law for real anymore.

BelizeBreeze - just to answer your question - of course, I don't take my children to a pap smear....you have missed the point.....those appointments are made 3 months in advance. This appointment was a last minute squeeze in appointment for a hearing the next morning. pay attention!! Actually, my doctor loves my children! Never had a problem with my children before this lawyer....but then again....he is a man and a lawyer! Oh, that's the problem.

Now remember you have nothing better to do, so you are free to insult some more! Can't wait!! LOL
Smile! Be happy!
Suzie in RI

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

You people are all unbelievable. What are you all a bunch of washed up lawyer wannabes with nothing better to do than to post on this forum and insult people? God, please bless them all that they will get a life!!

AFathersSon - I really appreciate your post. It's nice to have an ADULT conversation with someone other than these immature wannabes. They can be quite comical. It's sad that they can turn someone's experience around. Now I'm a bad mother and my kids are brats!! HAHAHAHA So supportive! No wonder why they don't practice law for real anymore.

BelizeBreeze - just to answer your question - of course, I don't take my children to a pap smear....you have missed the point.....those appointments are made 3 months in advance. This appointment was a last minute squeeze in appointment for a hearing the next morning. pay attention!! Actually, my doctor loves my children! Never had a problem with my children before this lawyer....but then again....he is a man and a lawyer! Oh, that's the problem.

Now remember you have nothing better to do, so you are free to insult some more! Can't wait!! LOL
Smile! Be happy!
Suzie in RI

My response:

Suzie, I'm absolutely sure that little ditty made you feel good. However, it did nothing for your problem. You still have your problem!

Let us know how much you lose in court.

IAAL

 

[BelizeBreeze]

BelizeBreeze - just to answer your question - of course, I don't take my children to a pap smear....you have missed the point.....those appointments are made 3 months in advance. This appointment was a last minute squeeze in appointment for a hearing the next morning. pay attention!! Actually, my doctor loves my children! Never had a problem with my children before this lawyer....but then again....he is a man and a lawyer! Oh, that's the problem.

So, basically you're telling us it's just fine to be sexist, (i.e., your comment he is a man and a lawyer! Oh, that's the problem as long as you are not the target?

Sorry, you still have no case. The attorney refused to see you because of your CHILDREN. Even if at the remotest, there was a case of discrimination here (and there is not one) YOU would not have standing to sue. Your children would.

An attorney is a private business. There is no legal obligation to represent you. And, just like a garage who won't let you into the work bay, each business owner has the right to limit their clientile, as long as it is not a protected class. Being a mother, as you've been told, is not a federally protected class and neither is having children.

You keep barking up this tree and the next time you have a "Real" problem who do you think will help you with it. Those who have TRIED to get through to you or the Idiot AfathersSon who is trying to force his way into his father's life and who has no legal background?

YOu really want to have that decided for you?