Posted by Larry Emsweller on 2/26/13 11:53pm
Msg #458077

Arrogant Attorney

I recently had a purchase, where the buyer and I meet at the seller's attorney who had seller's POA. When I arrived at the attorney's office, I was immediately advised by the attorney that I was not needed, as his secretary was a notary. He was not all that pleased when I asked if she also had a title producer's license which is required in my state. Next, I asked for the attorney's ID, and for him to sign my notary journal.......(coud insert a long story here - sufficiet it to say I woud not accept a business card as ID).......
After signing the journal, he threw it about chest high across the table at me. He then proceed to tell me that I needed to change my attitudee, and give him the respect a person of his letters deserves. I pretty well had to kiss his royal ring, in order to accomplish my primary goal of making the deal happen. The transaction took 2 1/2 hours, but was successful. As a reward, the attorney, and the buyer complained about me to the Title Company, and I lost one of my best customers. I'm trying to place this behind me, as holding a grudge is destructive, but it's still on my mind. My first instinct was to just walk out. Any thoughts?

Reply by CJ on 2/27/13 12:19am
Msg #458080

When things go badly for me, I write my side of the story and get it to my boss as fast as possible. But I think signing services are more understanding than title companies. I don't see that you did anything wrong and you didn't even have a bad attitude.

You were hired to do a job according to the law. He did not want you to do YOUR job, by saying he wanted his notary to do it, and he wanted to use his business card for ID. Since YOU were on the job, YOU did what title hired you to do: get the job done correctly. If he used his own notary, who knows what shenanigans he might have pulled. Plus you had that special certificate. I would nicely point out all these things in a letter to the title people. If you are already fired, what can you lose? I'm sure he didn't mention that he tried to use his own notary and did not want to produce ID. So because you did the job correctly, he got you in trouble. They should be glad that they had a notary who could stand up to him, but instead, they fired the notary that got the job done correctly.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 2/27/13 12:27am
Msg #458081

Well. FWIW..... it's hard to believe that one of your best customers would dump you on the word of a couple of people from one signing. But maybe not! Did they even ask you for your side of the story? In any case, if you want to try to get back in their good graces, you could write a letter to the TC similar to your post, describing the situation and pleading for your day in court.

Also, how do you know they complained and what did they say? Was it their opinion of you or did they lie? If you can prove they lied and prove you lost business because of that, you could sue. But that's a loooooong shot.

You may have to just give it up. We've all been there. There is no loyalty in this business. People will say and do anything to get out of paying a notary fee (after the docs are notarized, of course). We've all been victimized or know of someone who has, and sometimes it's not worth it to try to set things right. Other times it is worth it. You just have to decide for yoruself.

And, yes, anybody throwing my notary journal back to me in that manner (without saying "heads up" or "catch") would soon be looking at an empty chair. I would have left.

Reply by Mung/CA on 2/27/13 12:35am
Msg #458082

I would've told him to f**k off and left! n/m

Reply by Roger_OH on 2/27/13 12:39am
Msg #458083

I had a similar situation recently, where the attorney attempted to take the documents, if I didn't mind. I took him aside, looked him straight in the eye and said that yes, I DID mind.

"I am responsible to the title company for the presentation, accurate execution, and delivery of the documents; you're more than welcome to review the documents and advise your clients as you see fit, but it's my closing". With a rather astonished look that anyone would dare challenge him, he took a seat and we got it done. One of those situations where my having gray hair is definitely an advantage.

It's sad that an otherwise good company released you on the whim of an isolated incident, and without hearing your side. I hope you take it to the top of the company.

Reply by HisHughness on 2/27/13 12:57am
Msg #458086

"Arrogrant Attorney" is redundant n/m

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 2/27/13 9:00am
Msg #458129

absolutely true Hugh...LMAO! n/m

Reply by Karla/OR on 2/27/13 3:54am
Msg #458092

Roger please DO write that letter, you owe it to yourself. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Sorry you were treated so badly - he is the kind of attorney that give all of them a bad name. There really are some good ones out there - my last job was with three that restored my faith in that profession - sorry you saw the worst of it. There is bad in EVERY profession out there. Those two do not deserve any more of your attention.

Take care.

Reply by BobbiCT on 2/27/13 6:47am
Msg #458094

The attorney wanted ...

Nothing personal. The attorney wanted to pick up YOUR fee. He has his own salary paid notary. Markets to the title company to send mortgage work to him direct because "just a notary" doesn't know anything.

Remember: He is looking at the closing fee and settlement costs and ASSuming that you, the notary, are getting paid 100% of the purchasers' settlement fee listed on the HUD-1.

Be polite. Politely state the facts to the title company ... and wait. If you don't hear from your contact at the title company with any work before month end, call your contact just simply ask how things are going and that you miss his/her calls.

Reply by ArtG/KS on 2/27/13 7:07am
Msg #458096

Re: The attorney wanted ...

From your account of this it would border on conflict of interest for his own secretary/notary to do this. Further his actions in my state would cross the line of reprehensible libel and slander. I would get the facts and then complain to your states law licensing agency.

Reply by 101livescan on 2/27/13 8:14am
Msg #458110

Re: The attorney wanted ...

Exactly, one good turn deserves another.

Reply by Roger_OH on 2/27/13 8:52am
Msg #458122

Agree - report his unprofessional conduct,

and interference with your attempt to discharge your official duties.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 2/27/13 8:59am
Msg #458128

I would've walked right from the beginning because I knew

I would lose that TC or SS even if I've stayed...its their word against yours and we ALWAYS seem to lose no matter WHAT the circumstances are. So now, in situations such as this, I really do not waste my time. I speak from experience.

Chalk this one up as lesson learned and move on...

Reply by janCA on 2/27/13 9:58am
Msg #458134

some legal secretaries, not all, know nothing about loan doc

A few years back I had a lender from the Bay Area call me to please go to the law firm of a relative of his, here in town. They had sent the docs to the law firm, the secretary there, also a notary, had done the loan signing and didn't have a clue as to what she was doing. The docs were redrawn, sent to me and I conducted the signing at the law firm and it was the secretary that greeted me and seemed nice, until I told her who I was. I gave her my card, and said it was a pleasure meeting her. I'm sure she didn't know that I knew what had gone on behind the scenes.

Reply by Eva75Eva on 2/27/13 10:05am
Msg #458136

This is why I won't do purchase closings anymore. The

potential for being put in an abusive situation increases tenfold. I've only had one or two purchase closings that ended up being a positive experience. Overall I got sick of dealing with the array of haughty buyers, sellers, real estate agents, attorneys, and other extended parties that unexpectedly show up.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/27/13 10:20am
Msg #458140

I would have asked him if he was a pilot and when he answered no then would have countered, "then your sxxx won't fly."....Arrogant THAT! then walked out.

Reply by Buddy Young on 2/27/13 1:12pm
Msg #458182

Re: 99% of attorneys make the others look bad n/m