Troubling attorney news..

Avatar for susieyippin
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Troubling attorney news..
7
Sat, 07-28-2007 - 1:03pm

I've decided to pursue legal action against my divorce attorney, Atty. B. She really mangled my case, and then charged me 25K in fees-- and she only gave me an itemized statement of services for the 1st 5 months she was on my case-- in December 2005. That statement was for less than 2K; she won't tell me how the other 23K was used in my case.

I was advised by my new attorney, Atty F., to dispute her fee, and to call the Fee Arbitration Board. I called them, and the person I spoke with said that there were a TON of red flags, and it will be upon Atty B to prove that she actually DID 25K worth of work on my case.

Anyway, I have a home-based business, and I recently did some work for a lady who turned out to be the SISTER of Atty B. I didn't realize it until I had agreed to do some work for her. So, when she picked up her item today, as she was leaving she said, "I'm sorry things didnt work out between you and my sister." I was floored. I never mentioned to this lady that I'd had issues with her sister-- it was none of her business, and there was no reason to bring the subject up at all. It was so strange, and it happened so quickly, that I didn't even say anything to the lady, just to take care, and I was happy to do business with her. She then left, and that was that. But, is this a violation of attorney-client privilege? Obviously, Atty B must have said something to her, because *I* certainly didn't.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any input.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2007
Sat, 07-28-2007 - 1:09pm

I would notify the state bar association. It sounds to me as if she has (in addition to the other problems) violated attorney/client privilge. I would also notify them of the other issues while disputing the fee. The only reason I would do this is to prevent this attorney from taking advantage of the next person who comes along (I would have wanted someone to do this for you and spare you this pain and trouble.).

Best of luck - you deserve better than this treatment!

Avatar for susieyippin
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Sat, 07-28-2007 - 5:05pm

I will call the bar association Monday morning. I got a note from my new attorney, referring me to another lawyer for part of the legal malpractice suit... he said for me to mention the old attorney's name-- maybe she's been sued before?

Yeesh, I was stunned when her sister made that comment.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Sat, 07-28-2007 - 5:18pm

I am no lawyer, but my first thought is holy cow, yes! There is no way your client should know you were her sister's client!!! Wow!

Gl pursuing your case.

M

Avatar for susieyippin
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Sat, 07-28-2007 - 5:28pm
I don't mind her knowing that I was her sister's client... I live in a small town, and I advertise my business in a local weekly paper. So when the sister called, I had no idea that she was my attorney's sister-- they have different last names. When she came to my house to drop off her item, she asked if she reminded me of someone... I said, yes, you remind me of my lawyer. She responded that she had told her sister that she was having a piece of furniture fixed, and since I'm the only one in the area that does this particular type of repair, my attorney knew who she was going to to have it fixed. That doesn't bother me in the least. What bothers me is that now the sister knows that I'm dissatisfied with her sister, and I never mentioned a word to her about it. So, my attorney must have said something to her sister about me being unhappy with her work. I wonder HOW much she told her...
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 07-30-2007 - 4:59pm

Yeah..... tell Attorney F so that this can be included in your "case" against Attorney B!!!!


Good grief, girl!.... does it ever stop for ya????????


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

Avatar for susieyippin
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Mon, 07-30-2007 - 6:15pm

Hi Karen--

Jinkies, I'm exhausted! No, really... all this stress and going back to work has caused my CFS and fibromyalgia to get extremely bad. I've been flat on my back for over a week with severe fatigue. I had to quit my job early, but that's fine with me. However, I'm moving in with my mom in a few days, so I'm hoping that things will calm down soon.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 07-30-2007 - 10:55pm

Oh my.... during all my "analysis" to figure out that I had reflex that was creating all kinds of issues, I experienced a flare-up


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~