Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Illinois

Unfair legal fees

I talked with an attorney with whom I had a casual friendship regarding my DUI case. I had an initial consultation where he advised he would attempt to obtain my police report from the states attorney in order for me to determine whether I should secure him as my attorney or someone closer to the county where I received the DUI (about 2 hours away) because he was going to charge me additional monies for travel time and he didn't want me wasting my money. I never signed anything and we never discussed fees, and I never agreed to have him as my attorney. I secured a different attorney which I think made him mad and he billed me for 2.5 hours at 175.00/hr. He had conversations with the states attorney regarding a plea bargin and charged me for that time as well. I did not give him permission to talk about the specifics of my case with the States Attorney and he charged me .75 hours for telephone conferences with the States Attorney. If I knew he was going to charge me to obtain my police report, I would never have had him do the work. Also, the visits I had with him could have been much shorter, but he charged me for time that we discussed personal information due to our casual relationship. Am I obligated to pay?


Asked on 10/25/00, 8:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jonathan J. Braverman Jonathan J. Braverman, Attorney & Mediator

Re: Unfair legal fees

Before I discuss this case with you, I have to tell you that I will charge you for my time and advice.

www.BravermanLawFirm.com

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Answered on 11/24/00, 1:10 pm


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