Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Re: Attorney Ripping me off

Ask in writing for the attorney to provide you with a written accounting of where your money has gone. (If it's an ongoing case, the attorney should have been doing this all along.) If the "rip-off" is in connection with a settlement, your attorney should provide you with a breakdown of the funds. You might reread your written retainer agreement to see how much of the money you and the attorney agreed to pay upon settlement, etc.

Ultimately, if you're dissatisfied with the explanation, you may seek non-binding arbitration with the local or state bar association, and subsequently bring a small claims (or civil) lawsuit against the attorney if you're dissatisfied with the result. If you have knowledge that the attorney is doing something unethical, you can file a complaint with the State Bar, which is different than requesting arbitration.