It seems like the one who wins is the one with the money to pay for the price of a attorneys. And where are all these attorneys who really want to contribute and help people who do not have the money fight.
211097
There is nothing fair in a custody battle for anyone, regardless of who gets what ultimately someone loses out, most times its the children.  I would have to agree with you on the attorney issue though, it takes money to get a good attorney, and it can go to ungodly amounts of costs.  Every phone conversation is subtracted as well as everthing else.  I feel for my husband, because his ex is now dating an attorney who seems to have nothing better to do then take him to court.  Of course its no out of pocket expense to her so she finds anything to bring him back into court for. I guess all I can say to you is Good Luck, Do alot of praying.
324121
As long as the little guy will do the fighting the power brokers are willing to stir the pot.  Arms like drugs will always find their way to the ones that will pay.
481114
I think it is a lot of reasons.\n\n1) Jealousy-lawyers make a LOT of money.  When you break down an hourly wage, its crazy compared to the average person.\n\n2) A lawyer can take a logical reason and make it illogical.  eg A person commits a murder.  Admits it.  Then the lawyer will give all sorts of reasons to justify the murder so the person isnt penalized as severely.  Or, in the case of laws, they have to assume for so many things it jumbles up the org reason for the law\n\n3) People see lawyers as defending people that have done horrendous things.  Child molesters Murders Terrorists  Under law everone deserves a fair trial...but its darn hard to watch an inempt prosecuter "let" someone get away with something, or watch a defense lawyer defend the wrongful actions of someone and see them get off\n\n4) The bad lawyers are the ones you see most often or hear about.  The corrupt ones.  For every good lawyer, the public remembers the 20 "bad" ones.\n\n5) Lawyers, because of their education and wealth, exude a class system that those who dont have either, resent.  Some of the lawyers seem to look down on those "without" and that furthers the resentment.\n\nDo they deserve the reputation?  As with any generalization...some do, some dont.  :)
414326
They do, they get paid with a college education, which isn't free.  There is only a small percent of them who turn pro, the rest can use their education.
597476
sounds like a dream case for a hungry personal injury attorney....they usually need no money up front but will take at least 33% of anything you win.....Malls are insured, so I would definitely get a good attorney fast!!!!!
590150
He nends to perservere and find a lawyer who will represent him, and a media outlet that will report on it.  If the case has merit, and is not the figment of anyone's imagination, it will be picked up.
2137
It would depend on the legal theories asserted and the relative risk involved in the matter.  Some state laws allow for the recovery of attorneys fees when an employee's wages are improperly withheld.  Where attorneys fees are available under a statute, usually the attorney will work on a contingency basis (being paid a percentage of the recovery once the matter is settled or resolved).\n\nIf no attorneys' fees provision exists, usually the attorney would work on an hourly basis.\n\nI recommend you contact a local bar association to obtain a referral to several attorneys that can assist you.
444911
That's a lot of money to just let go.  If it were $1,700.00 then I might just whoop his a** and let it go but for $170,000...are you kidding?  Some attorney might take the case and it's free to check it out.
35402
Winning a case for a deserving client is very fulfilling.  Getting paid is also nice.
568532
In actuality it is a losing battle.  Government will do whatever it sees it its own best interests and to cover its back.  Only when enough people really get upset then goes the state start to get its act together.  One person is really not going to successfully litigate against a governmental agency.  The agency will hide behind all kinds of legal maneuvers, and privacy issues, and whatever it can.  And even if, on the far outside chance, you prevailed, what would you really get?  It is simply not worth the aggravation for you.  Instead, put this behind you, learn from it and move on with you life.  We live only once.  Spend it living not in courtrooms.
287698
The American Bar Association of the state in which you live can help you.  There are rules about fair pricing and disclosure.  They are your best bet, another lawyer will be cautious to take you on as a client when the claim is against another lawyer.  Good luck.
403955
You really need a lawyer for such a serious case like this. If you lose he could counter suit you.
272906
If there are portions of your retainer that have not been used then he is under an obligation to return the funds.  If you are contesting the attorneys' fees in general (maybe you feel that you got inadequate representation) then you should check with your local County Bar Association.  Some counties have mandatory attorney fee arbitration that provide a great and simple way for you to fight the attorneys' fees.  Otherwise, you may wish to speak with a legal malpractice lawyer in your area.  Go to www.martindale.com for a listing of attorneys in your area.
128931
You can always negotiate, it's just a matter of what the market will bear. You can't swing a dead cat in NY without hitting an attorney, so you can always try another one (or ten). However (i) ask yourself what is the incentive for the attorney to go lower than he/her peers; and (ii) do you really want to hire a cut rate or discount attorney? Would you go to a discount doctor? Would you eat bargain sushi?\n\nSympathies to you on your loss and good luck finding counsel.
253721
Doctors, lawyers, and that ilk.
311724
As much as he can.\n\nYou should probably call around and discuss your specific issues with local attorneys specializing in such cases  before deciding on an attorney, "cheap" is quite often the most expensive representation.\n\nHINT: Avoid the ones with full page ads, inflated promises or tv commercials. Who do you think is really paying for those ads?
71620
Well, a private attorney in a murder case is going to run you between 30 and 50 thousand dollars.  So if you don't have that kind of money, you might not have a choice.\n\nIn general, public defenders are decent enough attorneys.  Their main problem is they tend to be overworked.  I mean, they are buried in work.  This gives them less time to devote to even the most important cases.