I hired Lawyer1 from FirmX because he had the charisma, speech, etc, etc of a winner, and I thought with someone like him, I'd get a dismissed case. Well, I paid his outrageous asking price because I wanted the best. I sign for his services, was put on a payment plan where I paid half up front and have two payments left. The thing is, he never even showed up to court, but instead sent his associates to handle my legal preceding. I never signed a contract with the associates. Must I pay?
*Signed Contract with Lawyer1 from Firm for $5000.
*Paid / Received Receipt for $2500.
*Represented by an "Associate" (for First Appearance) and Lawyer2 from same Firm (for Pre-Trial Date {where I accepted a plea}).
*Never Signed Contracts with "Associate" or Lawyer2.
I feel I was "sold" an A+ Lawyer1 and instead delivered a B+ Lawyer2. Given this bait and switch, am I legally obligated to win? Would it be an easy or even likely to be filed case at all? I'm very concerned, because I have a payment due very soon for $1250, and I am not happy with my results or service. If I don't pay, what is the absolute worse he can come back at me with? If he sues me, how much more than the $2500 I owe him would that end up costing me? What are my real options / consequences here? Thanks a million!
*Signed Contract with Lawyer1 from Firm for $5000.
*Paid / Received Receipt for $2500.
*Represented by an "Associate" (for First Appearance) and Lawyer2 from same Firm (for Pre-Trial Date {where I accepted a plea}).
*Never Signed Contracts with "Associate" or Lawyer2.
I feel I was "sold" an A+ Lawyer1 and instead delivered a B+ Lawyer2. Given this bait and switch, am I legally obligated to win? Would it be an easy or even likely to be filed case at all? I'm very concerned, because I have a payment due very soon for $1250, and I am not happy with my results or service. If I don't pay, what is the absolute worse he can come back at me with? If he sues me, how much more than the $2500 I owe him would that end up costing me? What are my real options / consequences here? Thanks a million!