We bought a house, and used the funds from the sale of our previous house to pay for it. however we had to bridge finance our home, and the lawyer short paid the bank. now they won’t answer calls or letters to explain what happened. what can we do?
What do you do when your lawyer screws up, and won’t answer for it?
7 Responses to What do you do when your lawyer screws up, and won’t answer for it?
make copies of your paper work and file a complaint with the Bar association, police, and BBB cc’ing the bank, consider suing (get advice from Bar and another lawyer)
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The best thing you can do is contact your local bar association and report his screw up…they will tell you how to handle it or handle it for you most likely
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You need to call the Office of Disciplinary Council for your state. If you call your attorney and threaten the ODC they will probably return your call. It’s a pretty big deal to get reported to the ODC.
In the meantime, document the problem in writing to your lawyer and send it certified mail, and send a copy to the ODC.
You have a right to an explanation. If something unethical happened, the ODC will take care of it.
Good luck!!
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Go to your state (State bar) and file a (Attorney Complaint)
Here’s California’s, hit public services then theres a list, but this is Cal’s
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member.aspx
Good Luck
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Look in your phone book for the American Bar Association. They will investigate your claim and make a decision on it. Make sure you include all documentation with your complaint (copies only, you keep originals).
If you can’t find a listing in your area phone book then call the Attorney General’s Office or Consumer Protection for guidance.
Do something..don’t let the lawyer get away with it!
Personal experience
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File a grievance against the lawyer.
Ultimate authority over lawyer discipline in each state lies with the supreme court of that state.
Please consult the following list for the appropriate agency at http://www.abanet.org/cpr/disciplinary.html.
FYI: The ABA is a national, voluntary professional association. Lawyers are not required to join the Association as a condition to practice law. Our only role in lawyer discipline is to provide general recommendations and guidelines to state disciplinary authorities and courts for improvements in the disciplinary process.
The ABA has no jurisdiction and no authority over state bar associations.
ABA’s website.
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The most serious thing that you can do is to leave him a message telling him that you are considering reporting him to both the American Bar Assoc. in your state and the STATE police, and will if your calls remain unanswered. Make sure that you briefly state the grounds on which you would be making the reports (i.e. “Highly Unethical Behavior” and “Suspecion of Embezzlement of Funds” to the Bar Assoc. and “Grand Larcency” to the State Police).
If he still refuses to return your calls, first contact the State Bar Board to schedule an initial complaint meeting with an ethics advisor. Likely, this is the point where the lawyer will initiate contsct, as he will be informed that such a complaint has been levied, and what the potential consequences could be. Otherwise, keep the heat on with the Bar, and consider pursuing recourse with the police.
Note: The American Bar doesn’t handle any disciplinary functions, and will not be any help. However, the State Bar’s do sometimes have the ability to take actions, but all can help you figure out what your best recourse is.
Check this link to see who you can contact in your state to report the attorney:
http://www.abanet.org/cpr/regulation/scpd/disciplinary.html
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