My experience with Bluestone Law Group

[Allen Tracy]

This is my experience with Bluestone Law Group in Columbus, OH.  I'll leave it up to you if you'd like to use them or not.

My lawyer at Bluestone Law Group was very responsive when we first started communicating.  They decided to take on my case to help me work out a deal on back taxes that the school district had filed against me with the county.  I had a meeting set up with my lawyer when there was an issue with the check that I had sent them due to a bank mishap (they do not take any form of digital payment).  I was informed that they were immediately stopping all work on my case and my meeting was canceled.  I was able to fix the problem with the bank and wire over the money, they started communicating with me again.

They listed that I would pay them a certain amount to help me with the year 2020 and another amount for 2021.  When we found out that it was only going to be for 2020 they said they list the payments separately by the years but it's not really that way and they would keep the full amount.

We were negotiating with the school district and I was trying to figure out my options with my lawyer at Bluestone Law Group but they have since nearly cut all communication with me and it's been six weeks now since they've given me any clear information about my case. Too much time has passed and the county ruled against me so now I have to pay the county on top of what I have already paid Bluestone Law Group.  Hiring them cost me more than doing nothing at all.  My lawyer says "they are very busy" and keeps promising he'll reach out to discuss my case but here we are six weeks later with no communication about my case. I should mention they have my full payment already.

[Bruce D. Kowal]

Quote from @Ed W.:

What follows is speculation from a non-attorney.  Common sense would suggest that if they were too busy to do the work, they should return the fee.  Assuming you are being accurate and left no pertinent details out of your account, the fact that they kept your money, did not do the work and, in essence, placed you in a position of getting a judgment against you might rise to the level of malpractice something they could be sanctioned for and for which they may have insurance coverage for.  I strongly urge you to discuss the matter with one or more organizations that can hold attorneys to account.  I'm not sure which of these is the right one for this but if you call one they can direct you to the correct one.  Ohio Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, Ohio Supreme Court (Office of Disciplinary Counsel).  I'd personally call the last on the list first but, again, that is with me having no special knowledge in this area.

 Make a complaint with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.  Why?  Because the lawyers will have to respond. Which is a PITA.  Also file complaint with AG Consumer Protection for the State.  And even the City of Columbus. Responding to complaints takes time and is no fun for professionals.