waived fee later reinstated

[adelefishbaker]

What is the name of your state?New York State

I briefly consulted a lawyer to determine whether or not I would retain his services. At the end of the session, after telling him that I would contact him if I decided to hire him, I twice made clear my wish to pay for it on the spot. Despite my insistence, he refused payment, waiving his fee as is not uncommon for such initial consultations. I thanked him for his gesture. As should be expected, I never received any bill.​

Now--three months later--I received from his office an account statement--the first such--with a balance due. It seems to me that this lawyer was disingenuous in waiving his fee: it appears to have been a temporary tactic to gain an edge over the potential competition. And I assume that after a sufficient length of time for him to realize that I would not hire him, he is trying to reinstate that fee. After all, I am surprised that this time-dependent fee was even computed in the first place.​

The amount involved is relatively inconsequential and I was admittedly willing to pay it initially. However, a question of principle is now involved and I am miffed at what I consider to be a dubious practice.​

What is the best way to handle this matter: ignore the account statement altogether, reply with a reminder of the above-stated facts, or what?​

I thank you in advance for your reply.​

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: What is the best way to handle this matter: ignore the account statement altogether, reply with a reminder of the above-stated facts, or what?

A: Reply with a reminder of the above-stated facts