Kaufman Englett Lynd KEL, Law firm with bad practices Orlando, Tampa, Florida
Kaufman, Englett, and Lynd runs a tremendous amount of advertising that clearly states that if a client contacts KEL, they will speak with an attorney.I contacted them with that expectation.On my initial call, I stated that I would like to speak with an attorney for a consultation.I was transferred to Kirk Collier and explained my issue (final stages of a short sale, challenges negotiating my deficiency with the bank leading to my decision to file bankruptcy).
He stated that I should not file for bankruptcy as I did have some legal options, so I asked to make an appointment for a consultation with an attorney in the Tampa office the next day.When I came for my appointment, I met with Kirk Collier and Lacie Beck, who introduced herself as a paralegal.Mr. Collier offered specific legal advice (do not file for bankruptcy, do not apply for the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program, etc.) which I considered in my decision to hire KEL to represent me and the actions to take going forward.
I have since learned, by contacting the Florida Bar Association, that Kirk Collier is NOT an attorney.Per the Bar, Mr. Collier should not be dispensing legal advice, should not be conducting a legal consultation, and, if he was speaking in general about legal matters as a non-lawyer representingthe firm, should have specified that he is not an attorney.I was under the impression from their advertising and from the fact that I requested a meeting with an attorney and that Kirk Collier subsequently conducted my legal consultation that he was, in fact, an attorney.This misrepresentation alone is cause for negation of any agreement that I entered into with KEL.I have requested a refund from KEL and they have not obliged.
In addition, long story short, I was in the final stages of a short sale. I had a one week deadline to respond to the bank to negotiate my deficiency - I could not get anyone at KEL to return my calls in a week, much less prepare a response. I had to file a response myselft. Again, you would think that a reputable company would just acknowledge that they dropped and ball and give me a refund - they have not!