James J Williams

Jim Williams represented me from Dec 2017 to Aug 2018 for legal divorce proceedings. He requested a retainer payment of $5000.00, which I paid through a colleague of his, since he did not accept credit card. I was referred to him by the same colleague. My situation was complicated, so Jim assured ...me his expertise, and requested additional money be added to the retainer in the amount of $10,000.00, which brings the total retainer sum to $15,000.00. I had to replace him in August 2018, because he had done nothing substantial, and almost had me placed in legal default to the initial divorce compliant. Fast forward to March 2019, Jim Williams never provided a breakdown of costs, and took advantage of my vulnerable position during a tumultuous divorce proceeding. During this time, Jim authored but 3 documents. • Motion for Parenting Time. • Response to initial divorce complaint, 5 months later. • Response to a motion. I was compelled to replace Mr. Williams for more responsive and dutiful legal divorce representation. On 4 separate occasions, in August 2018, September 2018, and February of 2019, I requested an invoice and breakdown of services, and wanted money back. No invoice of any kind had been received. After I notified Jim that he would be replaced, he stated he was owed additional money and an itemized bill would be forthcoming. He said, just pay the $2300, and an invoice could be provided later. He claimed I owed him money via text message, but did not substantiate amount. No further funds have been flowed in direction. An update as of 3/8/19, Jim Williams, was informed that legal action would be pursued to his non-action, and was given a final attempt to reconcile. He provided an invoice the next day, and placed it onto my parent’s house behind a sign on the porch. This is the first and only invoice he provided. He asserts he sent one back in August 2018, when he was replaced. He now substantiates a bill for over $17K, which is erroneous, and I challenge his assertion of the time and effort placed in the breakdown of his bill. None of the discovery, interrogatories, or any substantial work was completed or even started. I had to hire another attorney to begin the real divorce work. Further, he is attempting to change the narrative that he sent the invoice in the past, claiming I am being dishonest with him. He back-dated his letters to fit his dishonest narrative. “Various phone calls, conference meetings” unsubstantiated line items are now in his invoice. They are nonsense and intellectually dishonest, claiming 3 or 4 hours of work for simple errands. Again, Mr. Williams composed 3 documents, and was given warning that if he did not reply to the original divorce complaint filed in Dec 2017, I would be placed in default. He finally responded five months after the original complaint. Moreover, Mr. Williams is prone to make cancellations and postponements due to convenient and likely bogus claims of ailing health issues, with multiple heart attacks, concussion, car accidents, funerals, as evidenced during the divorce proceeding as well as just recently when he was asked for a cost breakdown. The only motivation that apparently worked was the threat of legal recourse. I will be aggressively following up with the Grievance Board in Michigan with retained legal counsel.