I hired this attorney on August 13 paying her a $1,500.00 "non-refundable" retainer. During my initial consultation, she came across as someone who would work for me and protect my interests. At that time she informed me that she would have the paperwork filed no later than August 18th. On August 20, I sent her an email asking that someone call me as I had left several messages at her office and was receiving no call back.
She replied finally at 6:06 that evening and informed me that they were closed until Friday due to the weather and that she would call me on Friday. However, on that Friday her office remained closed and she did not call me. I was baffled by this as I saw no reason she could not have at least called me at home as all I wanted was a status on the filing of the paperwork.
As of August 25 she still had not called me or had she filed the paperwork. At that point I wanted to terminate our relationship but after being informed that she would not refund me any of the $1,500.00 I had to reconsider.
Therefore I gave her another try to see if she could perform. I provided her my husband's address in Orlando on August 27 so she could have him served. Then I waited. I received an email from her on September 8 acknowleding that it was a shame my husband writes such nasty emails to me. Then she tells me to call her the following day. I had already left a voicemail at her office that day to which she did not respond so I was hopeful that the next day would be different.
It wasn't. As of September 10, I still had not received any call back from her. Therefore at that time I simply had to terminate the relationship as she was simply not performing on my behalf. During this timeframe she also had her office closed for three days with no one there to answer calls. Out of town on a conference or seminar of some type but still not returning calls nor filing paperwork on my behalf.
I have reported her to the Florida Bar/ACAP and am hopeful they will make her return at least a portion of the retainer. I have never received one bill from this firm so have no idea of what she is stating she has done on my behalf. I also filed a complaint with the BBB against her.
I have done a lot of research on the internet and it is interesting that most firms hold that belief that while they say it is non refundable, if they are unable to represent a client in a timely fashion, they also stated that they would not hesitate to return the money. It was strictly an ethical standard some hold and this one does not.
0 comments