Posted by Michelle/AL on 3/31/10 4:37pm
Msg #329837

Great Advice: Thread #325269

A few months ago Mung/CA, CopperheadVA, and a few others posted about collecting from a law firm. I do a fair amount of non-loan work for law firms. Overall the experience has been favorable. They pay in advance when requested. They pay on time when invoiced. However, last year I ran into a law firm that would not pay me. The invoice is dated 10/2008.

I read thread #325269 I said, "Aha!" Yesterday, I typed up a letter to the State Bar Assoc. for the purpose of filing a grievance. Faxed a copy to the law firm. Surprise. Surprise. I get my a phone call from the attorney's office today telling me "check is in the mail". For some reason I believe them this time. It sure is nice to have some leverage in order to hold people accountable.

Thanks CopperheadVA.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/31/10 8:55pm
Msg #329871

YAY! Score one for the little guy!

Glad to hear it Michelle!!!! So many times, notaries just roll over and take it. I exhaust every avenue, and this one is a good one. Congrats! (Be sure to send the letter if your payment does not arrive as promised!)

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/31/10 9:29pm
Msg #329877

<<< The invoice is dated 10/2008.>>>

Yikes!!!! As the old adage goes: Better late than never.... though that should be the exception and not the rule, as with some SSs that pay late as a matter of SOP (standard operating procedure). I too believe their response will yield payment.

Reply by rengel/CA on 3/31/10 9:44pm
Msg #329881

Yep, in California the Bar Association will get the attention of any attorney! Good for you!

Reply by desktopfull on 4/1/10 12:24am
Msg #329889

I believe that will work in any state.

Reply by Prosperity on 4/1/10 4:04am
Msg #329898

Congrats on your victory Michelle. Let us know if you actually get the check.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 4/6/10 9:07am
Msg #330490

Check arrived yesterday!

Reply by Laura_V on 4/1/10 8:27am
Msg #329914

Congrats!!!

In AL it is "Aha!"

Out west it is "Eureaka!"

In some places it is the Hallelujah Chorus.

In Notaryland, we yell
"GOOD ON YOU, Michelle!
And we hope you actually get the check and it doesn't bounce."




When I used to invoice, I always had a clause stating that a weekly fee of something modest, like $25, would apply if payment was not received by x date (usually 7 weeks out).

This way if I was stiffed and took them to Small Claims Court, that late fee would be worth hundreds. Being paid within 7 weeks looks quite reasonable to a judge.

If you choose to do add a similar clause, it is important to call it a fee and not use a percentage. There are laws about not naming a percentage over a certain amount (last I knew in Calif, it was 10%) because we are not financial / lending institutions.

As you know, I am not an attorney so check your state's and region's regulations, etc. Best of luck!