Complaint Review: KARL NORGAARD Esq. of Norgaard O’Boyle law firm

This is my story and opinion. Originally, I engaged an associate of the Norgaard firm named Cassandra, An Attorney who has been practicing for around six or seven years. The matter is a foreclosure defense. Cassandra was efficient, straightforward, candid and honest.

I paid a retainer of $2500 and three subsequent payments for a total of $6500 over a few month period. After the representation began, I was informed that Cassandra was pregnant and was soon to take leave for maternity. This was a bit upsetting because despite comprehensive notes left for the succeeding attorney, the new lawyer still needed to be brought up to speed on the strategies and nuances regarding the case.

Had I known from the get-go that the original attorney would be leaving in midstream, I probably would have either not hired the firm or requested a different attorney who would stay with the case. when Cassandra took leave, my case was turned over to senior partner Karl Norgaard.

I found him to be excitable, controlling and moody, however, I assumed that his experience would out weigh what I felt to be a lack of compassion and understanding. In addition, Karl’s rate was $75 per hour higher than that of Cassandra's and he started billing me at $400 per hour as opposed to $325 per hour.

Cassandra had told me that winning a foreclosure case was very difficult if not impossible for a defendant. Just a way to ease the process Of losing your home. However, when Karl took over, he started to reinforce that my defenses were valid and would be taken seriously by the court.

Several other attorneys have now verified that this was his exploiting my desperation to save my home and incur legal fees. In addition, after Cassandra left, my monthly itemized invoices stopped coming despite my requests. Now, I allege that it is because Karl did not want me to see his billing practices.

Despite my requests. Each time I would request taking more economically feasible routes in my case, Karl would convince me to proceed otherwise. But, I had no idea of what was about to come. I should also mention that every effort that was taken on my behalf lost miserably.

Here is a outline of what was and was not done: First, I answered the foreclosure complaint myself. Mr. Norgaards firm did not assist in or submit a modification package for me. There was no trial. There were no depositions. They did file a relatively easy motion to add to my answer and motion to have the case dismissed.

Asked the plaintiff for discovery which was completely ignored except for my basic loan documents. He answered/objected to my adversaries cross motion for summary judgment, drove to my county once and attended one hearing which lasted for about an hour. We lost miserablyat that hearing.

Conversations with me (a good deal of which were spent rehashing the same information with Mr. Norgaard as originally presented to Cassandra) Some other basic tasks aided by a paralegal. Before hiring Mr. Norgaards firm I had consulted other attorneys. One quoted me a flat rate of $1500 for a foreclosure defense. The other one quoted me a flat rate of $4000 for a foreclosure defense.

I chose the one in the middle. I never originally expected to exceed the $’2500 retainer asked by the Norgaard firm. On many occasions, I related to Karl Norgaard that we were losing horribly and to simply make a deal with the mortgage company so I could give up the property amicably and resume my life. I had suffered a heart attack and other vascular issues which led me to fall behind in the mortgage. But, despite these requests, Mr. Norgaard always suggested reasons to delay.

He stated that he had lenders that may step in or investors that may buy the property and re-mortgage it to me. He never produced anyone. The mortgage company offered to reinstate or to discount reinstatement but Mr. Norgaard never contacted them to determine the option, despite my request for him to do so.

Well, then came the blow that led me to write this review. Today, after insisting that I be apprised of my bill, I was told that my balance was $22,000 but discounted to $17,000. This is in addition to the $6500 already paid in. I called and complained and he hung up on me. $24,000 for a partial foreclosure defense And the little things he did do, he lost. Now I am losing the home.

I could’ve hired a reputable attorney for $4000 from start to finish. Instead, it is my opinion that I hired a scam artist. I allege mr. Norgaard is perpetrating a fraud on a senior citizen who is desperately trying to save his home. Mr. Norgaard is fully aware that I suffer from Insulin-dependent diabetes, triple vessel coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension and have survived two heart attacks.