After researching several firms I selected Fleming Law Group because of their supposed professionalism. I consulted with the firm and the principal, Lucas Fleming, stated that for them to represent me would be an exorbitant amount of money – he quickly cut that amount in half after his staff pointed out that I had already done much of the research, and after all, the firm had close ties to the State’s Attorney’s office which would make an investigation on their part much easier.

I paid Fleming Group $750.00 towards the retainer fee and went about attempting to raise the remainder. Because the staff was acquainted with the State’s Attorney’s staff and procedures they were able to determine that there was no case against me anyhow – and just within a few hours and 1 – 2 phone calls!!

I returned the next day for a debrief and was advised of this. I was then told that Lucas Fleming himself would need to decide what amount, if any, of my fees would be returned to me.

The next day I was contacted by the firm’s secretary that a refund check had been prepared for me. I returned and found that a check in the amount of only $250.00 awaited me.

I wrote Lucas Fleming an email asking him if he really thought $500.00 was quantum meruit – that is, was it reasonable to charge me $500.00 for them to make 1 – 2 phone calls - only to find that there was no case against me in the first place.

After not hearing from Lucas Fleming or his staff for 2 days I called his office to speak with him. Instead, his secretary put me on hold, and when she returned she me told me that Lucas said that someone from the staff would call me about the matter.

I have yet to hear from them.

While $500.00 may not be a large sum of money to Lucas Fleming or the Fleming Law Group, it is certainly a large amount to me. Being unemployed for several months now, with no relief in sight, as I explained to Lucas Fleming, money is difficult for me to come by, I am facing foreclosure and am having difficulty paying my utility bills as it is.

Careful that you don't become part of an Economic Stimulus Package for Lucas Fleming, as I was.