kevin47881
Final Approach
Due to personal circumstances I had the use of a law firm for about 2.5 months, ending mid-May.
The signed contract stated that the rate for the attorney would be $www.ww and $xxx.xx for the paralegal. All rates would be billed in quarter hour increments. No issues with the contract.
Here's the rub...the paralegal sent me an email sometime around early April indicating the hourly rate was increasing from $www.ww and $xxx.xx to $yyy.yy and $zzz.zz. I sent a responding email stating the increase was unacceptable and would not be honored as the contract did not have a provision for increasing the hourly rate.
While reviewing the final bill, the increased rate was the multiplier. How is it recommended this be addressed? Due to my perceived poor representation (calls/emails not returned timely, arguing about who said what even when written proof provided, general poor attitude, etc) the bill really puts a burr under my saddle. In the big picture the increase adds only a couple hundred dollars but the entire situation just doesn't seem appropriate if not an attempted breach of contract.
Thank you for your input.
P.S. thank you to one of the attorneys on this board who provided valuable guidance on another issue with this same firm.
The signed contract stated that the rate for the attorney would be $www.ww and $xxx.xx for the paralegal. All rates would be billed in quarter hour increments. No issues with the contract.
Here's the rub...the paralegal sent me an email sometime around early April indicating the hourly rate was increasing from $www.ww and $xxx.xx to $yyy.yy and $zzz.zz. I sent a responding email stating the increase was unacceptable and would not be honored as the contract did not have a provision for increasing the hourly rate.
While reviewing the final bill, the increased rate was the multiplier. How is it recommended this be addressed? Due to my perceived poor representation (calls/emails not returned timely, arguing about who said what even when written proof provided, general poor attitude, etc) the bill really puts a burr under my saddle. In the big picture the increase adds only a couple hundred dollars but the entire situation just doesn't seem appropriate if not an attempted breach of contract.
Thank you for your input.
P.S. thank you to one of the attorneys on this board who provided valuable guidance on another issue with this same firm.