Of lawyers, bills, and possible ethical issues

Improvolone

I've been going over a couple bills and finding some shit that doesn't sit right. I'm doing what I can to understand what the retainer agreement has allowed them to do and finding legitimate things to have an issue with while perusing the ethical guidelines I'm reading on-line, but I feel fucking lost.
Is there someone that I could speak with in person about this, maybe someone who works for the state or the bar association and won't charge me (much) for it, or maybe there is an actual billing section of the ethical guide lines I've missed.
I don't even know how to ask for help with this.

edit: Florida.

Jasconius

That's a tough one. The only regulatory entity that I am aware of for lawyers is the Bar. They might have some sort of contact for suspect activity.

That's a tough nut to crack though.

That's basically a gentleman's club, did you see the shit that Jack Thompson had to pull before he even got a bad note from the Bar?

He was in Florida.

Serpent

You could always ask the lawyer in question. You are their client, after all.

Improvolone

"No, we always charge $10 to send a fax to the court house. Standard practice."
I will of course be asking for consideration on the bill, but I'm looking to have as much before hand going in there. I only get one shot at this.

Grid System

Depending on what that fax was, it could well be standard practise.

Improvolone

Well yes, thats kind of why I'm looking everywhere for as much information as possible.
But also, lets consider that a $10 fax isn't my main issue.

Simpsonia

Just ask for a detailed accounting of the bill. You can challenge any charge made (though most likely not clerical stuff like that $10/fax, because even if it is ridiculous you agreed to it by retaining the lawyer.) However you can challenge time spent by the attorneys or clerks on matters. Like spending 2 hours before a court date "preparing" only to ask for a continuance, that's something you might want to challenge. Etc.

Serpent

Improvolone wrote: »

"No, we always charge $10 to send a fax to the court house. Standard practice."
I will of course be asking for consideration on the bill, but I'm looking to have as much before hand going in there. I only get one shot at this.

I agree, doing your own research is important!

Try to get two shots to gather information and argue -- ask what is going on, then say 'Thank you for your help. I will review this and get back to you'.