Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

How to claim money back from my lawyer

My lawyer screwed up my E2 application and i already paid in full. I would like to claim my money back from my lawyer.

1. how much do i have the legal right to claim back

2. can i report to the Los angeles attorney union (is this the correct name of their union?). If i have the right to report, how does the procedure goes? and what is the website to file a claim?

3. I have hired a new lawyer to re-do my E2 application. the new lawyer informed me that my old lawyer is not even a certified lawyer. is there any way i can research on the previous lawyer and find out if she is a ''real'' lawyer or not?

thanks,


Asked on 7/18/09, 2:43 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
Alice Yardum-Hunter Alice M. Yardum-Hunter, a Law Corp.

Re: How to claim money back from my lawyer

1. In small claims court you can recover up to $15,000.

2. The correct name is the State Bar of California in San Francisco. They have a complaint procedure.

3. You can go to the State Bar website, calbar.org to see if he's licensed in California. Unfortunately, you would have to search each state to see if he is licensed in any state (and District of Columbia). In immigration law, since it is a national law, an attorney can practice in any state, pretty much as long as he's licensed in one.

I would be happy to help you out if you contact me offline. Check me out at http://www.yardum-hunter.com, fill out a consultation request there at http://www.yardum-hunter.com/Main/Consultation.asp or email me at [email protected]. Until then, please don't rely on this as legal advice.

Alice M. Yardum-Hunter, Attorney at Law, Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, State Bar of CA, Bd. of Legal Specialization

ST: 15915 Ventura Blvd., Penthouse #1, Encino, CA 91436

EM: [email protected] WEB: http://www.yardum-hunter.com

A �Super Lawyer� 2004 � 2009, Los Angeles Magazine

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Answered on 7/20/09, 11:05 am
Armen Tashjian Law Offices of Armen M. Tashjian

Re: How to claim money back from my lawyer

First, you've got to review your contract for refunds, promises or guarantees.

Second, you can ask to go to LA County Bar Association's fee arbitration program.

Third, in order to practice law, the lawyer must be licensed. Being a certified specialist is not a requirement. In fact, many really good lawyers avoid becoming a certified specialist in order to avoid high malpractice premiums.

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Answered on 7/18/09, 5:23 am
Daniel Hanlon Hanlon Law Group, P.C.

Re: How to claim money back from my lawyer

Dear Inquirer:

Go to www.calbar.org to determine if this person is a licensed attorney in California. If he is, then you could file a complaint and request for fee arbitration. The forms are available on the website.

I recommend that you email me directly or visit www.hanlonlawgroup.com if you would like to schedule an appointment for a confidential consultation to discuss this matter further.

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Answered on 7/18/09, 1:52 pm


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