Cors & Bassett, LLC

This letter is in response to your letter dated January 12, to [redacted] of our officeSince I was the attorney handling [redacted] matter, thought it appropriate for me to respond [redacted] was referred to me by an attorney named [redacted] , who is a former partner of mine and who currently has an of-counsel relationship with Cors & Bassett [redacted] indicated to me that [redacted] needed legal advice relating to a non-competition agreement which she signed at the inception of her employment with her current employerApparently, [redacted] was considering leaving her current employer to work for another employer in the same industry and she needed advice regarding the enforceability of non-competition agreements in general, the enforceability of her particular agreement, and alternatives as to how to work for a competitor without getting suedI assumed [redacted] was a friend of [redacted] and was therefore generally aware of Cors & Bassett's billing structureUnfortunately, and as indicated below, that apparently turned out to be an incorrect assumptionI telephoned [redacted] ***, obtained some background information from her regarding her employment, the agreement she signed, and the job she was considering taking [redacted] then e-mailed me the page agreement she signed and I carefully reviewed itThe agreement contained a [redacted] choice-of-law provision and, since I do not practice in the State of [redacted] , I reviewed [redacted] law regarding the enforceability of non-competition agreements in that state as every state has different standards regarding the enforceability of such provisionsI also briefly discussed (a minute conversation) [redacted] situation with one of my law partners to ensure that I had discussed all alternatives for [redacted] to consider as she was contemplating making a decision which could result in her being involved in litigation and/or becoming unemployedIn short, this was a matter that could have had serious consequences to [redacted] if she did not receive competent legal adviceI then telephoned [redacted] again, discussed my analysis of the agreement and the applicable law, and gave her several alternatives on how to proceed if she decided to leave her current employer and work for a competitoralso advised her about the risks associated with each alternativeAt no time during any of our communications did [redacted] inquire as to my billing rate or regarding how much I would charge her for my servicesAgain, because she was a referral from a former law partner, I do not recall discussing my rates with her (although that is my habit) as I erroneously believed that she already had that knowledgeIn all, despite more time spent, I only billed [redacted] for hours of my time, which consisted of two lengthy phone conferences with [redacted] as well as reviewing her agreement and performing legal research on [redacted] non-competition lawI also billed [redacted] for hours for my partner's time for the conference I engaged in with himBoth of our billing rates were $per hour, which is standard, and perhaps low, for attorneys in the Cincinnati area with our level of experience and expertiseI absolutely believe that we provided [redacted] with significant value by my advice and am extremely disappointed that she is using this forum as a vehicle to obtain a refund, especially after having never addressed this issue with me when she received her billNevertheless, on January 15, 2015, after receiving [redacted] "concern" from you, I telephoned her and informed her that I would be providing her with a full refundEnclosed herein is a check from Cors & Bassett in the amount of $- the full amount [redacted] paid to Cars & BassettPlease deliver this check to [redacted] at your conveniencePlease contact me directly should you have any questions

This letter is in response to your letter dated January 12, 2015 to [redacted] of our office. Since I was the attorney handling [redacted] matter, 1 thought it...

appropriate for me to respond. [redacted] was referred to me by an attorney named [redacted], who is a former partner of mine and who currently has an of-counsel relationship with Cors & Bassett. [redacted] indicated to me that [redacted] needed legal advice relating to a non-competition agreement which she signed at the inception of her employment with her current employer. Apparently, [redacted] was considering leaving her current employer to work for another employer in the same industry and she needed advice regarding the enforceability of non-competition agreements in general, the enforceability of her particular agreement, and alternatives as to how to work for a competitor without getting sued. I assumed [redacted] was a friend of [redacted] and was therefore generally aware of Cors & Bassett's billing structure. Unfortunately, and as indicated below, that apparently turned out to be an incorrect assumption. I telephoned [redacted], obtained some background information from her regarding her employment, the agreement she signed, and the job she was considering taking. [redacted] then e-mailed me the 5 page agreement she signed and I carefully reviewed it. The agreement contained a [redacted] choice-of-law provision and, since I do not practice in the State of [redacted], I reviewed [redacted] law regarding the enforceability of non-competition agreements in that state as every state has different standards regarding the enforceability of such provisions. I also briefly discussed (a 15 minute conversation) [redacted] situation with one of my law partners to ensure that I had discussed all alternatives for [redacted] to consider as she was contemplating making a decision which could result in her being involved in litigation and/or becoming unemployed. In short, this was a matter that could have had serious consequences to [redacted] if she did not receive competent legal advice. I then telephoned [redacted] again, discussed my analysis of the agreement and the applicable law, and gave her several alternatives on how to proceed if she decided to leave her current employer and work for a competitor. 1 also advised her about the risks associated with each alternative. At no time during any of our communications did [redacted] inquire as to my billing rate or regarding how much I would charge her for my services. Again, because she was a referral from a former law partner, I do not recall discussing my rates with her (although that is my habit) as I erroneously believed that she already had that knowledge.
In all, despite more time spent, I only billed [redacted] for 1.5 hours of my time, which consisted of two lengthy phone conferences with [redacted] as well as reviewing her agreement and performing legal research on [redacted] non-competition law. I also billed [redacted] for 0.25 hours for my partner's time for the conference I engaged in with him. Both of our billing rates were $310.00 per hour, which is standard, and perhaps low, for attorneys in the Cincinnati area with our level of experience and expertise. I absolutely believe that we provided [redacted] with significant value by my advice and am extremely disappointed that she is using this forum as a vehicle to obtain a refund, especially after having never addressed this issue with me when she received her bill.
Nevertheless, on January 15, 2015, after receiving [redacted] "concern" from you, I telephoned her and informed her that I would be providing her with a full refund. Enclosed herein is a check from Cors & Bassett in the amount of $542.00 - the full amount [redacted] paid to Cars & Bassett. Please deliver this check to [redacted] at your convenience.
Please contact me directly should you have any questions.