Michael T Melani

I hired Mr. Melani to defend me for a case on 07/01/2022. As per Mr. Melani contract: "Initial Payment: The Law firm will begin work on your case upon receipt of $1500.00. IF this matter is NOT resolved in (3) court/zoom appearances of if I am indicated by a Grand Jury and have to stand trial in eit...her Supreme Court or Municipal Court, there shall be an additional retainer of $3000.00" 07/15/22 -pd cash - $700.00, 07/22/22 - pd cash $800.00 = PD - TOTAL $1500.00 - 1st Superior court/zoom appearance 07/19/22 - NO court appearance, charges were dropped down to Township. - 2nd Township court/zoom appearance 09/16/22 - Mr. Melani advised the Township Court that we will go to trail because we would not settle on the Prosecutors offer. On 09/23/22 - Mr. Melani send me an email: "Pursuant to our retainer agreement, you need to immediately pay the sum of $3,000, preferably on Monday. This trial will be conducted live and in person in Court. 09/26/22 - Pd CASH $1700.00, 10/22/22 - PD Money order $650.00, 01/11/23 - Pd cash $650.00 = Total Paid - $3000.00 - *** 3rd/FINAL Township court/zoom appearance 01/16/23 - I explained to Mr. Melani to go forward with the trial, Mr. Melani felt it would be in my best interest to settle for the minor misdemeanor and not go to trial. I approached Mr. Melani PRIOR to appearing in court and requested a copy of the amount of hours, he refers me to his Legal Fees agreement above. I asked Mr. Melani:"Since THERE WAS NO TRIAL and we only had (3) court/zoom appearances, per your contract, when will Mr. Melani be refunding me the $3000? Mr. Melani advised me he will not be refunding me the $3000.00 fee. **** I advised Mr. Melani I would be reaching out to the "NJ Bar Association Fees Arbitration Dept" to dispute the $3000 and he had the gall to contact my Ex-sister-in law (12 years divorced). What happened to attorney/client confidential?