Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/01/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This law firm is attempting to charge me nearly $1,000, and we have no LSA.We have told/shared documents about our case about our slumlord and our problems with them to dozens of law firms across southern *********. This is the ONLY firm that has attempted to collect a payment. Other firms explicitly describe the process of obtaining counsel from them and what is needed. Bender Larson Chidley Koppes is deceptive in their practice. We got State bar referrals, and some of the attorneys charge an upfront $20 fee just to hear the case. We never paid anyone for hearing our case as we believe this is part of the process to decide whether or not a firm wants to take our case. Why would we pay $1,000? First our landlord is trying to take advantage of us, now this law firm?We will not pay and look forward to our day in court, should they decide to file a case against us. Infact, we patiently waited for replies from their staff as we had an upcoming discrimination case, and Bender Larson Chidley Koppes never even reviewed our documents in time, nearly costing us legal representation from another firm.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/09/2024

  Every new client is informed prior to the initial meeting that our firm does not offer free consultations and that the prospective client will be billed for that initial meeting whether representation is continued or not. Our website also does not state that we offer free consultations. The attorney on the file had a lengthy phone call with this client on May 13th.This meeting as well as some brief follow up work was billed on June 4, 2024.The client did not express concern about this invoice, including later conversations with the attorney, at any point.
  This matter required the review of a large amount of supporting documentation to determine whether this was a matter the firm would pursue, which the client authorized the firm to perform. An invoice for this work was sent out July 3, 2024. The client did not reach out to the firm at any point to express concern about this second invoice. If the client had expressed concern after the first invoice or at any point since, we would have been able to resolve the misunderstanding with him directly.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/14/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  hello, I did reach out after the first invoice, and the attorney stated that it was a billing error and it should not have been sent. 
  

  I did not have any signed agreement with this firm as I have with others, and I have talked to dozens of firms throughout the state regarding my case and submitting them documentation for intake.  The only firms that have told me upfront of an intake fee, I declined them all. So you think I would pay $1,000 for an intake which you were very slow to review and never took the case?
  

  If you wish to take me to small claims court, I will gladly go, as I have recorded our phone conversations, and I can disprove the things that were stated previously to BBB in this thread.

  Your choice. 

  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************