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Business Profile

Lawyers

The Dorward Law Firm

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 1 complaint in the last 3 years.
  • 0 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

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The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/16/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    On 9/22/22, I paid a retainer fee of $4,050. Minimal work has been done, and I no longer need representation, so I requested a refund of my outstanding retainer balance. I was told this money is non-refundable. I am a mentally ill client, and I never would have paid this retainer fee if it had been explained to me that it is non-refundable. This business has predatory and deceptive billing practices. Please help me get a refund of my retainer balance.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/03/2023

    March 2, 2023 
    Dear *** *******: 
    I am in receipt of your letter dated February 16, 2023. It was post marked on February 17, 2023, and received in my office on February 21, 2023. Please accept the attached letter as my timely response to *** *******'s complaint. Should you need any additional information from me, please do not hesitate to contact me. 
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 
    Sincerely, 
    The Dorward Law Firm, LLC 

    Shawn *. D******, Esquire 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 03/03/2023

    [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]

     Complaint: ********

    I am rejecting this response because I maintain that I was never told by Attorney ********************************* or his associates in any conversation that the retainer fee is non-refundable. The fine print in the referenced fee agreement was never discussed. 

    I am not satisfied paying more than $4,000 for a few phone calls and minimal work being done on this case. As indicated by Attorney *********************************, there have been zero charges filed in this case, thus requiring minimal work. 

    If I am not able to get a refund, then of course I would expect the representation to continue as it should since I paid in full up front. Attorney ********************************* uses intimidation to scare me into thinking that charges will be filed in the future. I am not worried about the future. I want a refund. 

    Regards,

    ***************************




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