Posted by Regal/NC on 6/22/06 4:52pm
Msg #127646

Non-Paying Attorney

Folks,
I completed a signing in Dec05 and was never paid by the attorney
that hired me. The attorney operates about 205 miles from my location,
therefore it is not practicle for me to travel to his home county. I
am prepared to enter a case in Small Claims Court. I have contacted
another SA that was also "Stiffed" by the same attorney and also
resides in the same city as the attorney. She states she once worked
for him, therefore she is hesistant to file against him. I offered her
half of my fee if she filed and appeared in my behalf. What would you
do? Continue to try and convince her that it is in everyone's best
interest (SA's) to file claims against him? Forget about it, write off
as bad debt?

Reply by LauriecPA on 6/22/06 5:15pm
Msg #127647

The only time this has happened to me it was with an atty. that was in another state. (NY) I filed a complaint with the District atty's office in his county and they were very helpful. I called the DA's office and they sent me a form to fill out that arrived only a couple of days later. I sent it back with copies of my confirmation and invoice. I thought I'd never hear a word about it, but one day while riding to a closing, I got a call from them! They seemed eager to bring him into court and ask him some questions. They never had to, b/c within a few days I got my check! (I guess the call they got from the DA's office was enough to put a little fire under 'im!)

Reply by Bobby Jones on 6/22/06 5:49pm
Msg #127653

Thanks 4 the info LauriecPA! n/m

Reply by NCLisa on 6/22/06 6:09pm
Msg #127655

File a complaint with the NC State Bar, and the Bar Association. That will at least get them a little reprimand. Then if they have a listing on Sourceoftitle.com, give them a negative review. The attorney I worked for in Chapel Hill took 3 to 6 months to pay the title abstractors that were independent contracters. I know everytime the bar called him he'd cut a check.

Reply by Regal/NC on 6/22/06 6:13pm
Msg #127656

Thanks 4 the info NCLisa n/m

Reply by Margaret_FL on 6/22/06 6:53pm
Msg #127661

I reported an Attorney in Florida to the Florida Bar and I also took him to small claims court and I won. It does work.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 6/23/06 10:57am
Msg #127787

Re: Non-Paying Attorney Well, I never forget when someone

owes me money and I have always collected one way or another. Once collected I write them off....