Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2017/06/01) */
4011 Parnell Avenue Fort Wayne, IN XXXXX
Re: Case Number: XXXXXXXX — [redacted]
To Whom It May Concern:
In response to your letter/complaint processed May 23, 2017, our response is as follows:
We were shocked to hear of this...
complaint, not only because of the duration of time that has elapsed since we worked for him, but because we had a good relationship with Mr. [redacted]. As a matter of fact, I enclose a copy of my last communications with Mr. [redacted]. I reviewed same to ensure there is no confidential/substantive information.
Mr. [redacted] spent [redacted] with our firm-not [redacted] Moreover, there were many things we did not charge Mr. [redacted] for because of certain things we knew about him. Furthermore, •we extended him a special/reduced rate, which we don't do for clients, as an additional way to help him,
I never lectured Mr. [redacted] nor in any way intimated that he shouldn't dispute anything. I never knew Mr. [redacted] was displeased with our office because I never received a complaint or dispute from Mr. [redacted]. It was only until recently when he posted an unfavorable comment on AVVO that I learned of his feelings-which has been baffling.
After checking the procedural, public record of his case after he left our office, it confirms the inaccuracies contained in his letter.
Our office initiated and conducted a substantial amount of work on his behalf that he benefited from, We laid an incredibly impressive foundation for his case. It would've been simple for a subsequent attorney.
No person from this firm ever said [his] case is "over with," or "[he] would never have his day in court," or anything synonymous with that. We informed Mr. [redacted] we were unable to perfect service upon [redacted] and that we are unable to have a hearing until we secured due process notice upon her. Also, we informed him of the strengths and weaknesses of his case, and the pros and cons of proceeding from a legal and financial perspective. It's always the client's choice whether or not to proceed, not ours,
If you will have Mr. [redacted] sign a Release, we will fully respond to his complaint, Otherwise, we responded to the extent we feel comfortable given our duty to preserve his confidentiality.
It would be my pleasure to discuss this further, if necessary. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rosswr f 11W
[redacted] y L [redacted]
[redacted]
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2017/06/12) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
I ran my numbers and the number they have provided is correct. Now, Mr. [redacted] speaking down to me telling me my question was "emotional drivel is completely unethical and at the very least unprofessional. Yes, there is risk in any case-however the exact words from Lierin Rossman was "I would never have my day in court" and that "the judge would never hear my case". At that point I was dropped as a client. I had to then find another attorney who told me that I would be heard and in fact, I went to court on the final date where I would be heard but both parties ended up settling. I would never received the result I wanted if I had listened to the advice given to me. That exact advice was "there is nothing more that can be done". I still have the email where Mr. [redacted] was scolding me on a simple question I was asking for clarification on. His conduct was uncalled for and this firm should accept my honest and fair review. This is how I experienced this firsthand. I did not record this conversation but all records will show after that phone call I was dropped by this firm. With consent of the attorney in question I have no issue making copies of the email communication between myself and Mr. [redacted].
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2017/06/20) */
At the request of the client, we withdrew from further representation because he said he couldn't afford to pay for our services any longer. However, prior thereto, in an attempt to accommodate his financial circumstances, we made concessions for him by charging him a lower attorney rate than what the attorney charges as a standard practice, and we also used a different attorney who charges an even lower hourly rate.
We also did not charge him for some of the services we provided, including but not limited to the receipt, review and handling of court pleadings, and motions, the preparation of court pleadings, and motions, Paralegal time in sending certain documents to him, for some postage, and copies. We did this as a pure courtesy to him. We gladly refunded his remaining Trust Funds to him.
The client thanked us for being so helpful to him in this manner, he expressed that he was grateful and said he would refer us to others because of what we did for him.
Lierin Rossman did not say the client would never have his day in court, the Judge would never hear his case, or anything similar to that or which could even reasonably be mistaken for such statements. We did inform him that a hearing wouldn't occur without perfection of service upon the mother of his children. The addresses he provided were insufficient.
[redacted] gave the client sound legal advice, but it was advice the client did not like. The client was given advice by the Attorney, man to man, in a very frank conversation.
It's the Attorney's responsibility to provide sound advice, not present a position more or less favorable than what the situation presents nor to coddle the client.
On July 22, 2015, at 12:45 p.m., when [redacted] L. [redacted] discussed [redacted]'s advice with client, the client understood, agreed, and acknowledged his unreasonable emotion, and stated that this has been a long-standing problem he has with blowing up, and not taking accountability for his actions. The client offered that his wife has told him this on many occasions.
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2017/06/23) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
I never stated I would recommend them to anyone and if I did I said this because I was still stuck in a billing cycle with them and wanted to tell them what they wanted to hear so they would not continue to charge well over the price that we were under contract on. The matter at hand is the fact Mr. [redacted] acted unprofessional and was unethical in his dealings with me plain and simple. No matter how many conversations were recorded or what I said was "my behavior in the past" the fact remains that I was treated terribly by Mr. [redacted] and furthermore was given terrible advice which ended up costing me even more money than the [redacted] I spent because I then had to find a new attorney. I mean if any "normal" person would read what Mr. [redacted] wrote to me they would instantly realize this individual was speaking down to them. Totally unacceptable in any environment. The only "agreement" was to simply play along with this firm because they continued to charge me billing rates where Mr. [redacted] who charges a much higher rate kept charging me when I NEVER agreed to accept these higher rates. My only option while still working with this firm was to "agree that MY behavior" was at fault. Purely untrue and simply a way for me to avoid having more and more ridiculous charges continuing to devastate my account. Let it be known the only reason I agreed to say it was my "emotions" was because of the blantant disregard for proper billing. Charges I continue to dispute but understand I signed a contract but did not sign a contract for a Mr. [redacted] to work on my case -especially at a much higher rate than what was agreed upon.
Mr. [redacted] appears to further his cause believing he is above the law and beyond ethical guidelines on what is appropriate. I hope the attached document will further clear this matter as the question asked is clearly stated and Mr. [redacted]'s reaction is also clear- he feels above his clients and does not have any ethical duty to professionalism. Since the attorneys wish to use a recorded phone call or exact wording from previous conversations I am assuming they are waiving the attorney client priveledge in order to save their "reputation". Anyone in a professional setting no matter what should have the candor to speak professionally and not "call names" or say that my question was "emotional drivel". I simply had a question and if Mr. [redacted] thought I was "emtional" I can assure all involved in the matter that I am clearly stating my point of reference in the after action review. This is how I was treated by this attorney and the attached document should prove this fact.
The first message is Mr. [redacted]'s exact response to this question:
I said, "I could just use an explanation of what this all means..."
Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2017/06/01) */
4011 Parnell Avenue Fort Wayne, IN XXXXX
Re: Case Number: XXXXXXXX — [redacted]
To Whom It May Concern:
In response to your letter/complaint processed May 23, 2017, our response is as follows:
We were shocked to hear of this...
complaint, not only because of the duration of time that has elapsed since we worked for him, but because we had a good relationship with Mr. [redacted]. As a matter of fact, I enclose a copy of my last communications with Mr. [redacted]. I reviewed same to ensure there is no confidential/substantive information.
Mr. [redacted] spent [redacted] with our firm-not [redacted] Moreover, there were many things we did not charge Mr. [redacted] for because of certain things we knew about him. Furthermore, •we extended him a special/reduced rate, which we don't do for clients, as an additional way to help him,
I never lectured Mr. [redacted] nor in any way intimated that he shouldn't dispute anything. I never knew Mr. [redacted] was displeased with our office because I never received a complaint or dispute from Mr. [redacted]. It was only until recently when he posted an unfavorable comment on AVVO that I learned of his feelings-which has been baffling.
After checking the procedural, public record of his case after he left our office, it confirms the inaccuracies contained in his letter.
Our office initiated and conducted a substantial amount of work on his behalf that he benefited from, We laid an incredibly impressive foundation for his case. It would've been simple for a subsequent attorney.
No person from this firm ever said [his] case is "over with," or "[he] would never have his day in court," or anything synonymous with that. We informed Mr. [redacted] we were unable to perfect service upon [redacted] and that we are unable to have a hearing until we secured due process notice upon her. Also, we informed him of the strengths and weaknesses of his case, and the pros and cons of proceeding from a legal and financial perspective. It's always the client's choice whether or not to proceed, not ours,
If you will have Mr. [redacted] sign a Release, we will fully respond to his complaint, Otherwise, we responded to the extent we feel comfortable given our duty to preserve his confidentiality.
It would be my pleasure to discuss this further, if necessary. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rosswr f 11W
[redacted] y L [redacted]
[redacted]
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2017/06/12) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
I ran my numbers and the number they have provided is correct. Now, Mr. [redacted] speaking down to me telling me my question was "emotional drivel is completely unethical and at the very least unprofessional. Yes, there is risk in any case-however the exact words from Lierin Rossman was "I would never have my day in court" and that "the judge would never hear my case". At that point I was dropped as a client. I had to then find another attorney who told me that I would be heard and in fact, I went to court on the final date where I would be heard but both parties ended up settling. I would never received the result I wanted if I had listened to the advice given to me. That exact advice was "there is nothing more that can be done". I still have the email where Mr. [redacted] was scolding me on a simple question I was asking for clarification on. His conduct was uncalled for and this firm should accept my honest and fair review. This is how I experienced this firsthand. I did not record this conversation but all records will show after that phone call I was dropped by this firm. With consent of the attorney in question I have no issue making copies of the email communication between myself and Mr. [redacted].
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2017/06/20) */
At the request of the client, we withdrew from further representation because he said he couldn't afford to pay for our services any longer. However, prior thereto, in an attempt to accommodate his financial circumstances, we made concessions for him by charging him a lower attorney rate than what the attorney charges as a standard practice, and we also used a different attorney who charges an even lower hourly rate.
We also did not charge him for some of the services we provided, including but not limited to the receipt, review and handling of court pleadings, and motions, the preparation of court pleadings, and motions, Paralegal time in sending certain documents to him, for some postage, and copies. We did this as a pure courtesy to him. We gladly refunded his remaining Trust Funds to him.
The client thanked us for being so helpful to him in this manner, he expressed that he was grateful and said he would refer us to others because of what we did for him.
Lierin Rossman did not say the client would never have his day in court, the Judge would never hear his case, or anything similar to that or which could even reasonably be mistaken for such statements. We did inform him that a hearing wouldn't occur without perfection of service upon the mother of his children. The addresses he provided were insufficient.
[redacted] gave the client sound legal advice, but it was advice the client did not like. The client was given advice by the Attorney, man to man, in a very frank conversation.
It's the Attorney's responsibility to provide sound advice, not present a position more or less favorable than what the situation presents nor to coddle the client.
On July 22, 2015, at 12:45 p.m., when [redacted] L. [redacted] discussed [redacted]'s advice with client, the client understood, agreed, and acknowledged his unreasonable emotion, and stated that this has been a long-standing problem he has with blowing up, and not taking accountability for his actions. The client offered that his wife has told him this on many occasions.
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2017/06/23) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
I never stated I would recommend them to anyone and if I did I said this because I was still stuck in a billing cycle with them and wanted to tell them what they wanted to hear so they would not continue to charge well over the price that we were under contract on. The matter at hand is the fact Mr. [redacted] acted unprofessional and was unethical in his dealings with me plain and simple. No matter how many conversations were recorded or what I said was "my behavior in the past" the fact remains that I was treated terribly by Mr. [redacted] and furthermore was given terrible advice which ended up costing me even more money than the [redacted] I spent because I then had to find a new attorney. I mean if any "normal" person would read what Mr. [redacted] wrote to me they would instantly realize this individual was speaking down to them. Totally unacceptable in any environment. The only "agreement" was to simply play along with this firm because they continued to charge me billing rates where Mr. [redacted] who charges a much higher rate kept charging me when I NEVER agreed to accept these higher rates. My only option while still working with this firm was to "agree that MY behavior" was at fault. Purely untrue and simply a way for me to avoid having more and more ridiculous charges continuing to devastate my account. Let it be known the only reason I agreed to say it was my "emotions" was because of the blantant disregard for proper billing. Charges I continue to dispute but understand I signed a contract but did not sign a contract for a Mr. [redacted] to work on my case -especially at a much higher rate than what was agreed upon.
Mr. [redacted] appears to further his cause believing he is above the law and beyond ethical guidelines on what is appropriate. I hope the attached document will further clear this matter as the question asked is clearly stated and Mr. [redacted]'s reaction is also clear- he feels above his clients and does not have any ethical duty to professionalism. Since the attorneys wish to use a recorded phone call or exact wording from previous conversations I am assuming they are waiving the attorney client priveledge in order to save their "reputation". Anyone in a professional setting no matter what should have the candor to speak professionally and not "call names" or say that my question was "emotional drivel". I simply had a question and if Mr. [redacted] thought I was "emtional" I can assure all involved in the matter that I am clearly stating my point of reference in the after action review. This is how I was treated by this attorney and the attached document should prove this fact.
The first message is Mr. [redacted]'s exact response to this question:
I said, "I could just use an explanation of what this all means..."