KEL Law Firm
Complaint 316037 Details

I hired KEL in Feb 2013, in Mar of 2014 I severed ties with them and I cannot get them to refund my remaining retainer monies.
I would like to bring to your attention a sequence of events that has transpired between KEL attorneys and I. I entered into an agreement with KEL to represent me in a family law matter in February 2013. On Wednesday 19 Mar 2014 I received an email from the Seventh Judicial Circuit notifying me that my attorney, Jennifer Schulte was no longer with KEL and that my new lawyer was M. Cochrane. I immediately called KEL and was only able to speak to the receptionist about my concerns. I then sent an email to all of the KEL parties on the email from the court asking why I was never notified of this change by KEL but had to find out from the court. On Friday 21 Mar 2014,I was ultimately called by an attorney named Brett Norvig from KEL who told me he was now my attorney but was not comfortable going forward because he knew nothing about the case, he recommended to me that I leave KEL and go with my former attorney who had left the firm. I told him I would consider it but that in the meantime I had a hearing on Monday morning before the court. He was unaware of who would be in court with me on Monday. I asked him to please find out and to send me a complete statement of my account and all debits/credits. I received the billing statement later that day along with an electronic version of the original letter but still no answer as to who would be with me. The only number I had to call was the office number which was worthless to me after business hours and throughout the weekend. I continued to email attorney Brett Norvig and the head of the family law department, Shelley Hogue throughout the weekend asking for info or for one of them to please call me. I received absolutely no response. On Monday morning I showed up at the courthouse not knowing what to expect, I had called KEL 3 times Monday morning and once again was not able to speak with anyone above receptionist. I repeatedly asked to speak with Shelley Hogue and repeatedly was sent to her voice mail. Roughly 15 minutes before my hearing Brett Norvig showed up to the courthouse without a clue about my case. My original attorney, Jennifer Schulte received permission to show up and explain to the judge what was going on. The hearing was postponed thankfully and I signed papers severing my relationship with KEL. I sent the papers to Shelley Hogue and explained to her that based on the billing paperwork I received, I would like the $2,635.00 I still had on account returned to me as soon as possible. She emailed back that the billing wasn't complete and there was more to add. I tried calling her and again was sent to voicemail. At that point I sent her another email noting that the statement I received clearly says " Statement as of March 21, 2014", it goes on to state that to date I have paid KEL $13,500.00 and was charged $10,865.00 for services rendered. I had no legal dealings with anyone from KEL after 21 Mar 2014 so I struggle to understand how they can attempt to "add" more to my billings. I continue to call and write Shelley Hogue, I get the read receipt back but never a response and I have never been able to talk to her. What options do I have to have my money returned to me?