How Can a Law Firm Apply a Retainer Fee to Bills and Costs

[ciaowen]

My question relates to legal practice in the state of: all states

I signed a contract with a law firm with $75,000.00 retainer fee. The contract lasted for 2 months. During the 2 months, I received 2 hard copy (from USPS) invoices for each month. After I received the second invoice, I found it was very suspicious. So I asked the firm to stop charging any fee in my account, terminate the contract and refund the balance. But the firm did not respond my request. After 2 weeks, I called them and found out that I have not only no balance but also owe them $50+. The first 2 weeks after contract was signed they've charged me more than $55,000 and sent me 2 invoices which I never received. Actually, there were total 4 invoices during the 2 months, the very important first 2 invoices I never received during the contract period. Their finance person said he sent the 4 invoices to a wrong email address got kicked back and did nothing further. They said they sent the first 2 invoices thru USPS but I never receive them. The first lawyer assigned to my case left the firm at the 4rd week. The 2nd lawyer assigned to my case left the firm at the 6th week. Both of lawyers assigned to my case rarely responded my emails. Sometime, they even did not reply my questions. I am so miserable to lose my job. Now, I feel I was robbed by my lawyer. I was a federal employee. I could not find a local firm in my area for federal employee case. This firm is far away from where I live. Is that the reason they can charge me whatever they want? Please advise me what I can do. Thanks,

[Mr. Knowitall]

You can read your retainer agreement for any deviation from normal practices, but I expect it's pretty standard: The law firm can apply the retainer to work it performs and expenses it incurs while representing you.

You're not in "all states". If you have a fee dispute with your firm, you can explore whether the state bar in whatever state you're in offers fee dispute resolution, or consider other options under the laws of your undisclosed state.