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tonnie b
May 26, 2011
lawyers
how do i go about complaining about an attorney efficiently? i have recently had the misfortune of requiring legal related to custody/divorce issues, and have also had to hire two lawyers bc of one refusing to travel to the selected (by a judge-not the right call, but wasn't up to me) county. They both came with great recommendations and reputations, as well as hefty fees. I am not a rich person, so it took about all i had just to fight for what was right. The first lawyer kept a half of my money, several thousand dollars, and never appeared in court herself once-she sent an inexperienced partner who was steamrolled multiple times. I was also entitled to a '10 day hearing' that i was not aware of and didn't receive, and as this is her area of expertise and experience, i really feel that she dropped the ball big time causing my daughter months of horrible, undue stress, as well as allowing her to be separated for the most part from me for about 9 months with no cause. prior to the situation, she was with me 24/7, i provided ALL of her care, hub did not even care to interact with either of us while at home--and didn't. she is a very young child and knew no other security than being with me. she knew her dad as 'the man that comes here at night'. (seriously :( ) he'd never given her a bath, never stayed with her for more than a few minutes alone (rare!) and never even so much as bought a single diaper...but he is VERY vindictive, and doesn't take into account that she is a human being..sorry so long...so, second attorney has seemed to be more productive, but mentions the day before court was scheduled that the money i had already paid her was 'running out'. went next day, other atty. offered to settle out of court with me; which we did-so she spent maybe a few hours total drawing up papers and haggling details. now i have received a bill in the mail for an additional 4000 dollars. i have no problem paying what i owe, but i don't see how a few hours beyond 'it's running out' totals to an additional 4000 dollars. so basically, with this none atty. i will have paid about 10, 000 dollars for my case to be settled out of court. yes, she did work on the case as if it were going to court for a bit. but again, i don't understand the difference in 'it's running out' and a FEW additional hours (2-3 tops) being = to an additional 4000 dollars. can anyone explain to me what resources are available to help someone, a lay person, determine if they are being taken advantage of in this area; as well as how i go about filing a complaint that will have some effect on the first lawyer who initially dropped the ball in a VERY tragic way. anyone that cam help?? thanks in advance...
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Huesca
April 8, 2011
No True Representation
I was a dog bite victim and really had no intentions at first of doing anything to collect for expenses or lost income. I was finally convinced that I should do something. I decided on hiring Morgan and Morgan. It appeared they would get the job done. They sent an investigator who took my information about the incident. I was assigned an attorney and at first it appeared all would go well and be over quickly. Well when the owner of the dog home owner insurance denied the claim due to an exclusion which was announced three to four months after the attack another story came out that I was at fault even though the dog was loose in the platiff's front yard, which violates a dog at large ordinance in our state. Because the plaintiff said he had three witnesses that I trespassed onto his property even though I was in the street when the dog came up from behind and bit my leg, my attorney decided at that time to believe them since I was alone and had no one else to corroborate my side of the event. Even the animal services report which placed the blame on the dog's owner was not enough for my attorney to pursue the case on my behalf. The settlement offered was an insult and I turned it down. Basically I met my attorney face to face one time. All other communications were primarily with his assistant via e-mail or phone. I firmly believe because my case was not going to produce what I guess would be five or six figures, my attorney just tucked his tail and ran. He did not depose anyone from the other side to make sure their story was factual. I felt I being the victim was placed at the at fault party even by my attorney. I even complained to John Morgan with no response. I felt having a lawyer would aid in my situation. It may have, I just picked the wrong firm to represent me. I tell everyone I know, if you are looking for a lawyer do not hire Morgan and Morgan because they are out for themselves not for who they represent.
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