Anelli Xavier, P.C.

My name is [redacted] and I am writing you today because of a dispute I am having with the law firm Anelli and Xavier. On July 17th 2011 I was charged with a DWI in Alexandria Bay and a few days after I retained the firm as my counsel with a $500 dollar deposit. Over the course of time between the date I retained them and the date I relieved them I received multiple phone calls and emails explaining to me that they could not move forward with my case until I signed and returned the contract that I had received in the mail. To my understanding they would not be working on my case until I signed and returned the contract, which I never did.

After hearing extremely negative reviews from previous clients of theirs I decided against using their firm. I then sought out new counsel and relieved Anelli Xavier on the date of 9-6-11 with a voice mail at their office. The following day I received 2 phone voicemails which I returned and explained to them that I did not need their services any longer and to not appear at the DMV hearing on my behalf, to which they all agreed. That morning I also emailed them and spoke with their main office confirming that I no longer was in need of their services again they agreed not to appear. Later that day they sent an attorney to Watertown to represent me at the DMV hearing without my knowledge. On 9-13-11 I received a voicemail from a [redacted] he stated they went on my behalf to inform the judge I was not his client. The firm is now stating that the only way I could have cancelled their services without them going is by sending a fax to the Watertown DMV even though prior to the court date I was told multiple times that either a phone call or an email was sufficient.

I spoke with one of the attorneys, I believe [redacted], and he was unwilling to work out a different price. The attorney then informed me that there was an additional $708 in fines and penalties The firm is now stating that after I gave them the $500 deposit I still have a bill for $2,360 and with financial penalties in place it totals $3,068.00. I feel this number is extremely high for what minimal work was performed and hope to have this issue resolved. Thank you for your time and your consideration on this matter.

Sincerely, [redacted]