Playbooks / Law firm
How to complain about a law firm
Fee disputes and neglected cases go to the state bar, which has its own fee arbitration programme in most states.
What goes wrong most often
- Retainer billed out with nothing filed
- Calls and emails unanswered for months
- A missed deadline that damaged the case
- File not released after termination
The evidence that decides it
- The engagement letter and fee agreement
- Billing statements
- Docket records showing what was filed
State the retainer, the hours billed, and the filings on the docket.
The regulator most people never use
State bar association
Most state bars run free fee arbitration and a separate discipline track for neglect. Both create a record you can reference in a review.
Your state's channel is listed in the state complaint guides.
Where to post it
- GoogleEveryone who searches the business by name, plus everyone browsing the map for a nearby alternative.
- YelpLocal shoppers comparing several nearby businesses at once.
- FacebookLocals, and the business's own followers.
- Better Business BureauCautious buyers who check a company before spending money, and BBB pages rank strongly in search.
Wording that survives moderation
Start from a review template, keep every claim tied to a document, and read the wording rules before you post. If it comes down anyway, there is an appeal path.