Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Michigan

unethical practice?

Condensed version - I managed a ladies house(rental) and did some work for her.had a verbal contract. She rented to my nephew. All of it ended up being a package deal. She decided not to pay me. Threatened to evict my nephew if I took her to court for my cash. She ended up evicting. So I filed my papers too. Went to a pre-trail and her attorney made the offer- she wont try suing him for damages if I drop my case. Seems like I'm back to being threatened again. Is this normal practice for attorneys?


Asked on 6/05/08, 9:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Audra Arndt Audra A. Arndt & Associates, PLLC

Re: unethical practice?

There is nothing wrong with a lawyer trying to negotiate or balance out the claims. Your nephew did not pay rent, which offsets any money that the woman owes you. As you said, the transactions and agreements were a "package" deal. If the money is about the same, I would suggest dropping the case before the lawyer tries to obtain sanctions for a frivolous lawsuit. However, since everything was verbal between the people involved, there is a factual question re: how much rent your nephew should have or agreed to pay and how much the woman agreed to pay you for your work. Do the math, and consider whether you should call it even or not.

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Answered on 6/06/08, 11:58 pm


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