Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Requesting Unused Portion of Payment

After an initial consultation for a family member's case, the attorney suggested that I provide a downpayment and that we would ''play the case by ear''. I expected a detailed description of services, but was only given a receipt. Since the attorney said he would be at the arraignment in order to get a better idea of the case, I figured he would provide one after doing so. He asked for a continuance at the arraignment but then expressed to me that he really didn't want to take on the case. He told me to call him but didn't return any of my calls. I then found a different lawyer. When he found out about the other lawyer he seemed relieved. He then claimed that he'd done several things for the case but did not provide me w/ any paperwork detailing them.He said he'd left the paperwork for the new lawyer which turned out to be false.He said that he'd spoken to my brother's (2) parole officers but didn't know or remember either of their names when asked. My ?'s are:

What is the ethical way to request any differnce from my payment? Do lawyers only provide a receipt? I do not want to be disrespectful w/ my correspondence but feel that I've been taken advantage of.I was only acting on his disinterest. Thx, any help is truly appreciated.

1 Answer from Attorneys

Related Questions & Answers

More Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility questions and answers in California

Looking for something else?