Most attorneys are honest and trustworthy.  However, as in any group of people, there will be some who do not pay their bill.  The various tactics they use to avoid paying their bills can be cut off by a proper expert retainer agreement.

I get messages occasionally from experts who have had a problem with a particular attorney.  We do not give legal advice on these pages, so contact your own attorney for more ideas and a discussion on your options.

Fortunately, I am an attorney as well as an expert witness, so I have the benefit of my own training in drafting my own expert witness agreement.  It is effective in preventing unpaid fees. You can see what we do as a matter of practice here.  WARNING: DO NOT TRY to use my agreement for yourself.  First, it's copyrighted. Second, it may not legally be right for you, in your state, for your situation. Repeating: We do not give legal advice on these pages, so contact your own attorney for more ideas and a discussion on your options.

But sometimes, in spite of a good retainer agreement, you run into an attorney who simply will not pay.

If you are an unpaid expert, and the attorney is in your state, taking the matter to the local small claims court may be your most effective tactic. But use it in the first six months after you are not paid.

If the attorney is in another state than you, you might find turning the matter over to a professional, ethical, low key, collection agent to be effective. I have heard good things about Bill Plunk, 770-552-2270, who is located in in Georgia. He charges a reasonable percentage.  On your request he doesn't burn your bridges, which  means you have nothing to lose by trying him or someone like him.

Return to Home Page