I helped my uncle in a consultant/claims adjuster way deal with his commercial real estate attorney. Over the past year and a half I have spent at least twice the amount of time on this case than his actual attorney. While my uncle said he was going to “take care” of me at the end. They mediated and settled over a month and a half ago. When I finally called him and asked about compensation he said it was family advice and didn’t want to pay me. Any advice on getting paid? He recovered 70k.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I think you’re SOL and this is why it never helps to give family members representation beyond superficial advice.

like

Take this one on the chin and move on. If he or other family members ask for advice again, tell them that if they really support you, they’ll pay your rate.

like

I think at this point I’m really just venting. We had a somewhat heated conversation where I asked for money and we actually agreed on a fair price, but it’s been two weeks since then and he has not mailed the check or responded to my text messages. During the convo he made comments along the lines of me being a greedy lawyer stereotype or I was some how betraying him. I honestly was at a loss of words because I felt I could say the same about him. My immediate family supports me in this and I make good money at my law firm job that this payday would not make or break me. I just feel like my kindness was taken advantage of. I regularly do work for friends and family for free, 2 or 3 hours here and there, but this was over a year and a half with like at least 5-6 hours every month.

like

Gotta love people who don’t pay and call professionals selfish for not rolling over. What a jerk, maybe it’s good riddance. You now know that this isn’t someone to do business with.

Unfair of uncle not to give you anything, even if no formal contract. I’d remind him of the value you provided and time you spent helping him. Compare what you did to uncle’s own attorney. Hopefully he has a heart and throws you a bone. If not, just take the L, but be hesitant the next time he asks for “family advice”, because he will ask again.

like

Under what circumstances did you start reaching into his case? Is there a contract between you and your uncle? Was he unjustly enriched by your services? Do you want to sue him?

like

Lesson learned. You should limit or almost never mix the three F’s: family, friends and finances. I’d probably add partners/spouses to that too, but didn’t have a clever F nomenclature for them. Given there isn’t a written agreement, it may be tough to prove a contract if your uncle decides to dispute he ever asked for your help. State law will decide whether you have an enforceable oral agreement and without knowing what state you’re in it’s hard to say. As everyone said, take the L and move on resolving never to step in and help family again. Especially since you don’t want to sue and are simply looking to commiserate. Luckily, I don’t live in the same state as my extended family. I have a hard and fast rule of never personally helping them with legal matters. I blame it on not being licensed in their state. I helped my family on a probate/estate matter in my state once. It took a ton of time, energy and was awfully stressful. There was also in-fighting amongst family members and I had to play mediator, which never helps. After that, I made it a point to tell them I would never assist anyone in any state. I now connect them with local lawyers and have never been happier. G’luck in the future!

like

No, no contract or anything like that and I’m definitely not going to sue him even if he refuses to pay me anything. I’m just looking to see if anyone has dealt with the same situation. I definitely provided significant value. His attorney was highly experienced but also tried to play a lot of games to draw out the suit so he could charge more. I also did a ton of research and was heavily involved in the strategizing. I was on every telephone call, at every meet and cc’d on every email. We also had phone calls before and after each communication with his attorney. It was honestly exhausting but I felt obligated to help him through it. If it makes any difference my uncle is objectively highly sophisticated and wealthy. So it’s not like he doesn’t have the cash to spare.

Your uncle may be wealthy and highly sophisticated but he's a bum.

like

I think everyone here can feel your pain and understand that this is why you should never do business with family.

It also underscores the importance of having an engagement letter signed before doing as much as raising an eyebrow.

Related Posts

Tax Calculation for Remote Jobs outside India

If I work for a UK based company remotely from India, how will the tax calculations work.
Say the salary is 26 LPA in INR, will wiring the salary from UK cost me more than what I would have to pay if it was an Indian Company ?

Please comment your thoughts. If you have experience working in such a scenario, let me know how it went.

like

Comp and raise sanity check: $10bn fund in NE (not nyc) 4 YOE including 1 in PE. Currently 120k + 100% bonus. First of all is this low, and second what’s a reasonable raise to ask for in year 2 associate?

like

Hey fishes, My cousin got an offer of 10LPA (including joining bonus of 1L) in Airbus as a fresher. Can someone let me know the base pay for the same? Also, how good is the company to work?

like

Hello guys plz help me to understand in hand salary ...........

Post Photo
like

Hi! I got an offer for a job with a little lower compensation than what I asked for. I did some research and find out that the same position in the same organization has a record of giving higher compensation. Should I ask for the originally asked compensation?

like

Assuming you are smart enough to do both (I know big assumption), are you better off being a SWE/data scientist at FAANG or equivalent level at MBB (based on YOE) from a compensation:WLB ratio?

like

Is there a job guarantee in MS and do they give a joining bonus?

What is the maternity pay policy at Barclays UK ?

like

I am currently a technical recruiter in gaming, I am actively interviewing with Amazon. I said my salary expectation was 80k, however my company just restructured and we are being offered 92K which is a significant increase for me either way.
Should I ask Amazon to match? I would love to work for them but am perfectly happy in my current role as well.

like

What are the salary bands for Managers in the ServiceNow practice at your respective firms?

like

I work at a law firm that requires 2100 in order to be eligible for a bonus. Despite my best efforts (proactively asking for work) I will miss the target by 50 hours. If my firm refuses to give me a prorated bonus, should I take that as a sign and leave?

like

Hi guys,what is the take home salary for month after deductions for the below package in TCS..need you inputs ..yoe 10.3

Post Photo

Wanted to know details on Telstra
1. Does Telstra offer work from home?
2. Does Telstra provide international relocation transfer(onsite)?
3. What would be the average salary slab for 10+ yrs exp in Telstra?
4. Does Telstra have mandatory work from office?

like

Is 19 lakhs good salary for Salesforce Senior Developer with 5+ relevant YOE and in total 7 YEO?

like

I have a question regarding taxation of joining bonus.

I recieved a joining bonus of 1 lakh from my previous employer in last fiscal year which was taxed.
I resigned from the organisation before completing 1 year... Which will be deducted from my last month salary.
How does taxation works in this case.

What does a new band 4 bonus range look like at Bank of America?

like

Hello Fishes,

Current CTC: 24 LPA

YOE: 5 years

Tech: Backend Developer - Java

I have got the below offers :

Paytm: 32 fixed + 1 Joining Bonus

Mobileum: 32 fixed + 3 Variable

Yubi: 30 fixed

Payu: 28 fixed + 4 Variable

I am confused. Please suggest which one would be a better company to join.

like

What would be a good salary range to expect as a Senior Business Analyst role in Atlanta, Georgia? Background is 3 years of industry experience in India with a MS in Business Analytics from ASU. Any inputs would be appreciated!! Thanks.

like

More Posts

Bain & Company Can any Bain & Company fish provide insight on Bain's expense policy? When WFH, at client site (outside of based city) and when working with local client...
It would also be helpful to provide insight on travel policy - first class in which flights, always 5-star hotels? Etc.
Thank you!

like

How come we haven’t unionized our jobs? I don’t think 100% of it can be outsourced to India, Mauritius, etc. and given the number of hours we’re required to put in, I don’t believe we have very good working conditions. Just curious in thoughts.

like

Any insights into the Canada renewable energy market? Seeking to make a transition from US & Latam markets

like

I’m a Senior Project Manager at an engineering consulting firm - I don’t have my PE as of yet and my compensation is $100k + bonus. Just a bit of background, at my firm a Senior PM is someone with 8+ years exp. I have 10 years experience and on track to making Principal in a couple of months. I seriously think I’m on the low end of the salary range as a Senior PM. What’s a typical Senior PM or Principal compensation in your firm?

like

Anyone know why OIS tanked today? Also, are you buying more?

like

Hey all I have an opportunity to buy a vacation home as a private sale from my parents (they are buying a new house in that area and need to sell the old one), it is waterfront property in NH 10 minutes from Mt Sunappee. I am concerned that making this purchase may make me a little cash poor in the short term, but still manageable. Would it make more sense to rent out the property through a rental company that included insurance and cleaning or to put it on airbnb?

like

Disappointed by the lack of diversity of Atlanta

like

Accenture fishes, could anyone help me a with referral please? looking for a role as a technical consultant.

Research leads, how do you keep your team motivated?

like

Which career pathway to take, if I reside in BC (Canada)
1) Clinical Psychologist
2) RCIC (Immigration Consultant/ Lawyer)

I’m open to pros and cons or any insights if you work in either of those industries?

Thank you in advance ☺️

like

I'll be joining Deloitte in 4 weeks. The background check asks for my current supervisor's contact information. But, since I have not given my notice yet, how should I fill this out? I would like to get the background check completed asap before I give notice so I have peace of mind that the Deloitte job is locked down. Any advice?

like

What a joke was the town hall in Chicago. Great job dodging the questions.

like

Despite solidarity emails, the many vitriolic posts on here shows that our firms still have a long way to go to grapple with systemic bias. How will leadership reconcile this to take concrete action?

like
like

Hi Recruiters,
Let’s talk cover letters.
What do you think makes a good one? Length? Content? What should definitely be in there and definitely be left out?
What’s the biggest mistake you see people make?
Who is actually reading them? You? The department heads?
Bonus points if you can give insight into the way this works with the Creative Department. (I’m a Copywriter.)

Thanks in advance!

like

Is this true currently demand for data engineers is much more as compare to data scientists?

like

Shopper marketing is boring! Who cares about your coke and deli partnership or about get a free chotchkie when you take a pic of your receipt. What a sales guy told me 10 years ago is true ...displays

like

Thoughts on specialty life insurance? I don’t have my LLQP. This is based in canada. They are offering paid training

like

Any other agencies have official work times of 8:30-5:30?

I thought it would be good to have a bowl where we can post book reviews / recommendations.

likehelpful

Additional Posts in Litigation & Arbitration

I recently started my own firm. We primarily do ID. I want to give our attorneys flexibility and a work life balance so I’m considering giving them a higher % of every hour billed/collected as the basis of their compensation rather than a set salary. This would eliminate any billing pressure and give attorneys the freedom to decide how much they want to work/earn. Anyone have any thoughts on whether this would be fair and/or a good idea?

like

I want a book to help me think more critically about structuring sentences, paragraphs, and legal arguments - and to eradicate poor grammar. I want to improve my legal writing. Any recs? I’m a litigator.

like

Is there a page limit for motions in Florida state court? I know federal is 20 but can't find a rule for state. TYA!

like

Do you put all your legal and record citations in footnotes or within the body of the brief? Which do you think is better for the judge?

likesmart

When OC is rude/aggressive/uncivil in an email (and the behavior is unprovoked), what’s the best way to respond? I usually ignore it and respond normally, but I won’t allow older attorneys to think that, just because I’m a young lawyer, they’re going to walk all over me. I’m still a lawyer with the same degree and younger lawyers know A LOT of stuff that many experienced attorneys do not (technology, doc management systems, how to edit and mark docs without cutting down the Amazon etc.)

like

Any recruiters here? I'm a FL L&E attorney looking for a reduced hours role. Any insight is appreciated.

I would appreciate any advice on how to stay on top of non urgent tasks. As a 2nd year, I’m often tapped to handle tedious tasks that need to get done quickly. Tbh, I like urgent matters. It motivates me and helps me focus. I admittedly struggle to care about checking in on DWQs, record requests, OC’s discovery, scheduling matters, etc. Especially with so many cases. I definitely rely heavily (maybe over rely?) on the paralegals for these sort of things. Any tips?

like

In a tiny (only $52,000 in damages) litigation matter that should have been a simple trial on a simple issue (breach of contract), OC has filed 9 unsupportable motions, 7 of which had prayers for fees, including one claiming an ethics violation by me. All overruled. OC's latest brief in opposition to our motion to compel is a 13-page, babbling, word-salad mess with 126 pages of exhibits. It does not address our arguments and any 1L could have written a better brief. Judge should punish her!

likefunny

At what point do you begin to feel numb (if ever) when you’re done trial and prepping for another trial in a span of 3 months, while mains full caseload of other active litigation cases? Should I be worried that I’m going from engaged and stress to numb and slightly indifferent? Or is this what it feels like to power through? I can’t gauge it anymore? And can’t impose judgment one way or another either.

like

Just started at a new firm today. Yearly billables are 1900. Since I started 2 months into the year, do I need to hit the 1900? To recoup the first two months of the year means billing 190 a month.

like

I feel bad because I think I left money on the table. I demanded something (as a plantiffs PI) and the OC actually thought it was reasonable. This why we come in so high sometimes. Ugh.

likefunny

Any insight on Amundsen & Davis? Salary, billable requirement, culture? Specifically looking at the Chicago office.

like

Anyword on whether ny courts will be limiting jury trials? Nj has already issued an order.

like

I’m a sr litigation assistant at a boutique firm. I have been task to recruit, interview and hire new talent. I am shocked to hear that non-attorneys are seeking hourly rates and annual salaries higher than post-bar law clerks and first year attorneys. Is this the new norm???

like

Chewing Out New Guy - I got chewed out today because a disclosures deadline was not calendared in one of my cases and although I don’t handle the calendar, it’s my job to be aware of all deadlines and procedures. I got lectured for about 20 minutes. For context. I live in Texas and we just had a hell of a week. Is my management awful or am I sensitive rn?

like

Junior litigators, how are you all doing? Am I the only one finding it impossible to manage my own caseload, take on new urgent assignments from partners, and not be burnt out right now? Getting to the point where I’m so behind that I sometimes feel too overwhelmed to even start on my task list. Doesn’t help that partners take forever to review my work so i can get the product to the client. Looking for commiseration & encouragement that things will look up lol!

like

Anyone taking the ride share (Uber, Lyft, etc.) misclassified as Independent Contractors mass arbitration cases? I have 150+ people to refer. I need to find a home for these folks. 😑 Thank you!

like

Exit opportunities for litigation associates?

like

I love a sassy email, especially if I’m only copied because attorney-client privilege attaches 😝

likefunny

Anyone know a firm that’s still taking the ride share arbs (workers being misclassified as independent contractors)? I have approx 150 potential clients and have no home for them. States include IL, MA, CA, NJ, and NY. Called LLR in MA but they aren’t calling me back. 😑 Would love to refer these people to someone. Thanks in advance! 🚗

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal