former lawyer withholding case record needed for appeal/overbilling
What is the name of your state? New York
Is it unlawful for a lawyer to withhold my case record, which is needed for an appeal? This lawyer was supposed to send me itemized bills monthly. He never did, despite my many requests. He was also supposed to give me the case record as the case developed. He never did, gave excuses.
This case ended 4 1/2 years ago. I have sent this attorney dozens of written reguests for an itmized bill during these 4 1/2 years. None was ever sent.
Now, when I requested my case record for an appeal, he now says--4 1/2 years later- -that I owe him money. I paid him a lot of money over 4 1/2 years ago.
I again requested an itemized bill.
He finally sent me for the very first time in March 2005 an itemized bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The case ended in 2000. He has not represented me since 2000.
This is unbelievable overbilling.
He won't give me the case record (which by law in NY I think he is supposed to give me) until I pay him.
What is the applicable New York statute and number (if any) regarding a lawyer withholding former client's case record needed for appeal? What about legal ethics?
What is New York statute on lawyer overbilling?
What can I do about this?
P.S. This lawyer has been in trouble before for overbilling. He has been taken to court for overbilling and the client won. He does not run a law firm; he runs a billing firm.
Is there any way to find out his client list such as through court records?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
What is the name of your state? New York
Is it unlawful for a lawyer to withhold my case record, which is needed for an appeal? This lawyer was supposed to send me itemized bills monthly. He never did, despite my many requests. He was also supposed to give me the case record as the case developed. He never did, gave excuses.
This case ended 4 1/2 years ago. I have sent this attorney dozens of written reguests for an itmized bill during these 4 1/2 years. None was ever sent.
Now, when I requested my case record for an appeal, he now says--4 1/2 years later- -that I owe him money. I paid him a lot of money over 4 1/2 years ago.
I again requested an itemized bill.
He finally sent me for the very first time in March 2005 an itemized bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The case ended in 2000. He has not represented me since 2000.
This is unbelievable overbilling.
He won't give me the case record (which by law in NY I think he is supposed to give me) until I pay him.
What is the applicable New York statute and number (if any) regarding a lawyer withholding former client's case record needed for appeal? What about legal ethics?
What is New York statute on lawyer overbilling?
What can I do about this?
P.S. This lawyer has been in trouble before for overbilling. He has been taken to court for overbilling and the client won. He does not run a law firm; he runs a billing firm.
Is there any way to find out his client list such as through court records?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Last edited: