David L. Moss

During my initial consulting, this attorney told me that he would handle the dispute with our landlord till our case went to the court in future. I hired his firm. After following our tenant-landlord dispute case for six months and charging us a 1.5k lawyer’s fee, this firm told us that they are u...nfortunately not able to represent us because they are not qualified to represent us because we live in upstate, and also they don’t have time to dedicate to my case. The reasons given are self-contradictory. If the first reason is the truth, then the second reason is redundant. If they have known that all along for six months, why not tell us in the beginning? Why waste our time? Why gives us the expectation that you would represent us in court if the dispute worsens? I hope they could give us legitimate reasons like “not expecting us could afford the representation fee.” That would make me feel better. But “not qualified to representation” and “not having enough time to dedicate”? What? You are saying that after knowing all the facts and evidence for six months, you finally “found out” that you are not qualified to represent our case, and you have NO TIME to prepare? I take them as a total lie and pretext. I was expecting my lawyer would be honest with me. But this experience totally shatters my expectation of what a lawyer would be like. After I received the court’s hearing document weeks ago, I contacted this firm immediately because they have followed my case till now, and I expected them to be well prepared for this case. First, they told me to adjourn the hearing, which I totally understand because perhaps they needed more time to prepare. However, they remained in total silence for ten days! If I had not contacted them today, they would not tell us that they could not take our case! Does it take ten days to find out you ARE NOT QUALIFIED and NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME? Or are you just not competent in the landlord-tenant case? Now, with the hearing to take place soon, I have to take my case to another lawyer. I am frustrated and disappointed! I would consider reporting this firm to the Bar Council and Judicial Agency.