WOW, Just WOW!

Haha well I cannot say that I am surprised. I apologize for having a laugh at your expense.

I commend you for asking. Unfortunately this was a worst case scenario, where they said no. But that is the worst they can do. It never hurts to ask and if you never ask, then you will never receive.

By the way, what did he say when you asked?

Thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck!
-Mike Hutchins

Thanks for sharing your experience. What was the forbidden question that you asked...price, terms, etc.? Good luck with the next attorney. ~ Carpe Diem. :0) Mrs Indiana-Joe

I believe he was referring to asking the attorney if they would be willing to help with contracts, while waiting for payment until after closing his 1st deal.
To which I'm sure you can imagine the response lol.
-Mike Hutchins

I think the question was "can he help me refine my contracts until I can get my first deal done and then I can pay him." I guess he said YOU CAN PAY ME NOW! I see where he's coming from though unless you KNOW the person why would he provide free service for his type of work. When theres no guarantee of him getting paid. but VIG_RealEstate it was worth a shot maybe the next guy will do it.

I thought this was a legit question, cause i was wondering the same thing. At least i don't have to ask that question to an attorney lol.

He told me, and I am paraphrasing here:

We don't do pro-bono work here! We represent sophisticated real estate investors! You can go asking 20 different attorneys that question and pray you get a yes, and if you do you will have a sh*ty a** attorney! I will look over your information and see if I even want to represent you!

After that, I got the feeling he would probably be a good attorney to have on your side, but he just needs to tone down the ego a little. He also got back to me and said he would start work on my contracts, but I needed to pay $350 DEPOSIT. Well, that last word tells me that $350 is not the only sum of money coming out of my pocket so I told him thanks but no thanks and I would get back in touch with him in the future.

Youch! I felt that! Like you said, he'd probably be a good one to have on your side. lol
I would ask around of other attorneys as far as rates go. I found a great attorney here who is very reasonable as well as knowledgeable. (and he actually never sent me a bill til like a month after he did the work for me. lol)
Ask what their payment policy is, and then maybe once you establish relationship, you could work out some kind of deal for future services.

Good luck, and don't let that one response make you gun-shy.
Thanks for sharing with everyone.

Rina

Haha that is about the response I expected he gave you. I agree tho, he is probably a good person to have on your team. He seems to be a "No BS" type of guy. But you will find that attitude common amongst lawyers. Not to say that makes him a bad guy, but not to say it doesn't either.

The $350 fee is referring to would be a retainer fee so that you can "retain" his services. He will probably charge you 2-3 times that amount per contract, depending where you live.

Rina gave you some good advice (as usual), I would follow it.

Good luck!
-Mike Hutchins

Sounds like you have an excellent attorney! I can't believe he did not bill you for that long! And no retainer fee?

I haven't yet begun searching for an Attorney but hopefully I can find one similar to yours when I do. Thanks for the insight, always appreciated!
-Mike Hutchins

Thanks for the advice. You are right, I can't let one bad apple spoil it for me. I intend to keep looking.

I will be praying to find a attorney like the one you have.