T
TessKokko
Guest
NEW YORK CITY...I retained a lawyer after I was rearended last year. A year later( oct 2001) my lawyer called asking we set up a deposition. I informed him that I couldnt leave my work without some prior notice to my boss. ( first 2 depositions were cancelled not by me ).After some persuasion I agreed. He then called me back 2 hours later, telling me instead of wasting money and time on a depostions we should settle. There was no offer on the table from the defendent, what was I suppose to settle on?..The deposition was scheduled for that coming Monday, I called on Friday and told the laywer, I couldnt possibly make the appointment, something important had arisen at work and I couldnt leave. He calls me Monday and informs me he/his firm couldnt handle my case anylonger and I should stop by his office and pay his bill. I asked that he send me a written letter stating he didnt want to handle the case and he became nasty.He refused and I told him I would report him to the Bar Association. which I have . He then tells me I should retain another attorney and he would forward my files over to them. He has put a lean on my case to collect a percentage of my settlement. I have no problem paying what he is due, but since he FIRED ME. I still have to give him a percentage?..My case is now sitting in his office collecting dust. He also wants me to pay up front before he sends the file to another attorney his out of pocket expenses. How does a lawyer get away with all this. He was the one that refused to finish what he started and yet he wants a percentage of the settlement. I have spoken to a few other laywers and even offered to pay the amount of the first laywer out of MY settlement, this way the new lawyer wouldnt have to "share". I was missinformed, spoken to like I was a 5 year old, his legal secretary became very rude and started yelling at me on the phone. He has lied to me concerning my loss wages, he wouldnt answer any of my concerns regarding the case. I have asked for copies of different paperwork everytime he called and none were ever given. I signed papers to retain him and when I asked for copies I was told they would be mailed. I havent seen anything yet!!..I want to bring this attorney to courst, but I cant find another attorney to sue him on my behave. It seems all lawyers stick together. If it was any other proffession, I would have had dozens of lawyers offereing their services. What are my options in this matter if anyone can direct me in the right direction PLEASE HELP !!