Ronald L Sperry III

I hired this attorney to negotiate a settlement, as he said his involvement would make a difference and he would be able to settle the matter quickly. He asked for $300.00 to write a letter, and to settle the matter. He said it shouldn't cost more than that but if it did, he would contact me and let ...me know before hand to get my approval. I have a witness to this, as my neighbor was with me when I met with him. He asked that I bring the money back that day, as he said he wanted to send the letter that afternoon. When I contacted him a couple of days later, at the end of the week, I found out the letter had not been sent yet, this when he knew the other attorney was going to take a default on Monday (therefore, I would need to file an answer before that time). I had given Mr. Spangler permission in an email to use his discretion to offer an amount that was fair to all parties. He sent the letter for the amount I owed before the claim was served, as I hadn't received notice of the pending complaint, and the complaint was served after I contacted the attorneys for the management company, asking to work out a payment plan. Mr. Spangler forwarded me an email from the other attorney, Kevin Harker, agreeing that they would would accept a settlement offer, as if he hadn't seen the offer letter sent by Mr. Spangler. During this time Mr. Spangler reviewed my answer to the complaint. He made changes that gave me less to prove my defense and protected the opposing attorney. Furthermore, Mr. Spangler did not add a counterclaim. When I brought up the matter in an email to him, he didn't respond. He then didn't respond to my question as to whether we should make a higher offer, so I suggested a higher offer amount, since he was not taking the initiative to do so. After the higher offer was made, Mr. Spangler sent me another email that my offer had been rejected, so I asked him what amount they wanted to settle the matter. He said they countered with the offer they made me before he got involved which was the full amount owed.He then forwarded an email from the other attorney that suggested I make another offer. That email contradicted what he told me prior so I contacted his office and asked to speak with the principal attorney, Roland Johnson. I was first told Mr. Johnson was in, then after being placed on hold for approximately five minutes I was told he wasn't in-- so I decided to email him as to what was going on, and forward all email correspondence between me and Mr. Spangler. Mr. Johnson did not respond in anyway, though I copied him on all further correspondence to Mr. Spangler as well. Mr. Spangler did respond but was not honest, so I emailed him back with quotes of what he said in his earlier emails to me. I received no response but did receive a bill in the mail that my $300.00 had now been used up and I owed him an additional $60.00. Moreover, nothing had been resolved. Mr. Spangler charged me for our initial 1/2 hr. consultation, which I was led to believe was free. I was also charged for my email to him regarding the offer made, when I should not have had to contact him. My last emails to Mr. Spangler were on 5/3 and 5/4, asking that he let me know if he was going to be able to do the right thing moving forward. Otherwise, it would be foolish to continue on with him. When he didn't respond promptly, I got my lender involved. I received no response from Mr. Spangler until 5/10 just after their involvement, and after they contacted the opposing attorney re a settlement. Ronald Spangler's letter stated that he was withdrawing as my attorney. I then received a copy of a letter from Mr. Spangler to the opposing attorney postmarked 5/15, that he was withdrawing as my attorney--the same day my lender copied me on me on an email to the opposing attorney that someone from the bank would be contacting them to pay the money. I consider Mr. Spanglers actions unethical. I would not recommend him, and would warn anyone I know to avoid him.