Hire this attorney or move on with next?

[Tina Lee]

Hi all, try to get an local eviction attorney, they are very hard to find. I called about 30 on the list only 5 of them return my call.

I talk to one today and likes his approach, he basically told I don’t have to offer lease renewal with my tenant on my town. ( while all other 4 mention I can’t not renewal with a good cause)

Here is the catch, I had more question and he didn’t want to answer so I had to pay him half hour of consultation fee to ask more details which he agree and told me if I would hire him he would use those consultation fee on the case. So I paid him $100.

At end the notice to quit he need to send will cost $300. So he mention he give me a courtesy discount of $50. I would be charged $250. We hang up the phone. So I follow up with email ask it should be $200 because he mention the consultation fee would be on used on the case. He reply back say no the $100 will used for consultation and $50 as fourth discount he gave me. ( is only $50 I don’t really care that much)

Is the way he handle his business makes me worried about his dignity. Would you hire this attorney or move on to next one? ( his fee is about $100 cheaper than others attorney) and he is the only one told he could do a non renewal lease for the town while other all say I can’t. ( is this a good thing or should I see as red flag?

First time working with attorney is a time consuming and confusing experience.

[Jake Wiley]

I know this is frustrating because you want to work with someone you can trust and this has created a question on integrity.   I am sure that history has proven out that its a lot of work and much harder to get paid on eviction work, thus probably why it is so hard to find someone to help, and when you do they are looking to get paid up front.   

The other issue and I am not exactly clear on the point being communicated about "( while all other 4 mention I can’t not renewal with a good cause)", is that it sounds like the other 4 attorneys said that you couldn't do what this last one proposed.   That would be more worrisome than the fee. 

With all of that said, if you think he can get the job done, and it's a $50 issue it's probably the best use of your time to make it happen and move on.    

On the other hand, if you are looking for a longer-term relationship and someone that will support you when you need to execute on the terms of the agreement that is being drawn up, it is worth the time up-front to make sure you are really comfortable.