Complaints

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/25/2024

  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.

  I contacted the law office on 11/27/2023, spoke with Attorney ****** Johnson who advised I could file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case with his law firm. Over the course of the 5 months that I was working with Attorney Johnson, I only heard from him three times. My first meeting of the creditors with the Trustee was postponed due to his office not providing my documents to the Trustee in a timely manner. Attorney Johnson would never return emails or calls, and he was never available when calling his law office. My case was dismissed because he failed to do anything regarding my case. Once the petition was filed in December I did not hear from him. His brother, ***** Johnson sent me blank documents requesting a signature from an AOL.com email, as that is very unprofessional and concerning. I was told by several clerks at the bankruptcy office my case needed serious attention, and I needed to contact my attorney. After several attempts to contact him with no response, I filed a motion to dismiss my case. I am seeking a full refund as this law office did nothing to assist me.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/25/2024

  Added email sent to Attorney ****** Johnson for review. 

  Business Response

  Date: 06/10/2024

  ******************** hired me to represent her in a bankruptcy proceeding. She agreed to pay our firm  a nonrefundable retainer in the amount of $1,200.00 for this case. The written agreement required Johnson and Johnson PC to provide the following services:  "...Our services will include consultation concerning bankruptcy, preparation of all pleadings, necessary to commence the case, preparation of schedules (with your assistance), attendance at the 341 meeting of creditors and discharge hearing (if required), and routine hearings for reaffirmations and lien avoidances...."  

  Simply put, we performed the services required. we prepared her petition and filed it on 12/28/23. the meeting of creditors was continued from its first setting and was set for 2/7/2024.  She attended and this was concluded. We were asked by the US ***************** to present some additional information about her expenses, and we were in the process of doing this when she indicated that she wanted to dismiss her case.  She had sent an email requesting information on 2/15/24.My office responded to this request for information that same date. On 2/27 she advised that she wanted to dismiss her case. She said that I told her after the meeting of creditors that the trustee wanted additional information which is correct, and she was upset that she had not received it yet.  She also appeared to be under the impression that a motion to deny her a discharge had been filed. It had not. 

  while I understand that she was concerned about this, I had discussed with her BEFORE FILING that there could be an effort to deny her discharge, as we went over her "means test" extensively.  Furthermore she was aware that if such a proceeding were filed this would be separate matter, and not covered by her retainer agreement.  The agreement states "Our services will not include any other matters which may arise in the case, including, but not limited to, representing you in connection with objections to exemptions, objections to discharge, and complaints to determine dischargeability of debts. Our representation in any matters arising and not covered by this agreement will be subject to a separate employment agreement. Unless we enter into a separate agreement in writing, it is expressly understood that this agreement does not obligate the Firm in any way to represent you in any matters other than described in Paragraph 1 above."

  While she may have been concerned about this objection, we performed under the terms of the agreement for which we were paid. Furthermore as no objection to discharge had been filed, her complaints simply had no merit. 

  I understand her issues, but these are not based in our contract, nor our efforts which were undertaken exactly as the contract required.  I hope this answers any questions regarding this case. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/18/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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 September 30, 2022, I contact the law office of *********************************************** for information/free consultation on filing bankruptcy and spoke with a lady by the name of ****. The lady took my information and said someone would get back to me to do my consultation. I received a text message from ****** Johnson on Saturday, October 1, 2022, advising that he received my message and that he could file my bankruptcy in ********. After further email correspondence, I completed the application on October 14 and contacted Mr.********************** explaining my financial hardship again and the inability to pay the fee without further putting myself behind in my bills. I advised that I would sacrifice if he could assure me that my bankruptcy would be filed immediately. He reassured me that it was a quick process, that he had my information, advised me to immediately take the debtor course for the certificate and to he sent me the information for payment. Nearly a month later Navy ******************** started auto taking my paycheck for my past due credit card and car. Which were not initially behind but Mr *********************** assured me everything would be fine. I later found out he had never filed my bankruptcy and that I had no recourse. After a dozen unreturned calls and several emails to his firm. I requested a refund. He never returned my call and some man named ***** told the bank that I had retained them but didn't do what I was required to file my bankruptcy which is why no filing has been completed. I called the firm one last time and **** said Mr ********************** is aware and he would call me after court. A week later no calls or refund, no filing, I emailed again asking my case be closed and to return my money again so I can hire a lawyer who will file my bankruptcy. No response from the business. If he was unable to file in ******** or unable to take on my case he should not have taken my money. I would like a full refund and a letter stating they failed to do what he was hired to do for my creditors.