Unwanted Client
I worked legal aid for a while. Every day was “outrageous” and goes something like this – But I have a restraining order on my first ever “client”: The very first person I ever spoke to in a legal capacity was a woman who wanted to sue her contractor for $250,000 for an unfinished job and emotional distress.
First, being upset at an incomplete job isn’t emotional distress. Second, The contract was only for about $100,000 and upon further questioning I learned that this contractor had actually completed all terms of the contract.
This woman eventually admitted she was suing him because he was “Rude and always late.” I informed her that we would not take this case. Additionally I warned her that a failure to pay the contract would most likely result in the contractor suing her.
She found this idea ludicrous and began to yell at me in my office – first person on my first day – about how she had a right as an American that I act as her lawyer. So I handle that, we are not helping her in this case.
Two days later, I get a call from the Contractor’s attorney stating that this woman has cited me as her attorney and threatened a hailstorm of suits upon the contractor from me. It took all of 5 minutes for the other Attorney to realize what was going on.
Heck, they even made sure to remind me of the steps I should take to protect myself from any related suits this lady might bring upon me. Actually… I still talk to this attorney, so silver lining on the first day I suppose. About a month or two passes (foggy on timeframe).
Woman comes in again, furious because the contractor sued her and was able to get a lien on the property. She said this was my fault because I didn’t help her. I manage to talk her down.
She then immediately gets fired up again because “they are trying to scam her into giving them all her documents.” Turns out, trial on the matter was coming up in about a week, and they had requested photographs of allegedly unfinished work, damages, etc…
As well as the original contract and payment receipts. Basically – all stuff very very typical and reasonable to request and that she is obligated to provide.
She (and nearly every client I worked with in this capacity) thought that evidence was supposed to be a “surprise” at trial and that sharing this information would hurt her case. Of course it would hurt her case because she is a liar.
Anyways, again. Not her lawyer. Actually make her sign a paper signifying she understands this. She leaves. Months pass, I’m no longer at Legal Aid. Lady finds me at my school. I get a call from the dean asking me to swing by.
Says he just met with a disgruntled client of mine who says I cost her her home, marriage, and children (apparently things went downhill fast). She claimed she would do everything in her power to make sure I never did anything again.
Anyyyways, dean is a nice guy and helped me with my restraining order paperwork. Story credit: Reddit / RogerDeanVenture