I hired James J Everett to represent me before the IRS in a tax dispute. I hired him in July of 2008 and paid him over $4500. during the next year. Nothing was happening on my case and every time I called with a question I got another bill for $400. or more. I finally found out that in Sept of '08 his license was suspended by the AZ Bar Assoc. and he was disbarred in Jan of 2009! He never disclosed this to me and continued to let me believe that he was still representing me as my lawyer and continued to bill me!
According to our original agreement his legal assistants were to do any routine legal work for a fee of $225. an hr and if his attorney skills were needed he would charge me $400+ an hr. Every bill I received, even if it was paperwork filing or answering a phone call question, I was billed at the maximum $400. an hr rate. He did little more than file a freedom of information act request which anyone can do for free and sent out a couple of letters.
The real crime here is that he is still out there representing himself as a tax lawyer even though he is disbarred. He is NOT in good standing with the IRS and they will not allow him to represent clients before them in any capacity.Check out the yellow pages - he has a new large ad there.I sure he has some sleazy way to get around the fact that he is not a licensed attorney in AZ. Or maybe he is just operating illegally.I have requested that he return the fees I paid him under false pretences but he did not bother to reply. It is my intention to see him out of business in AZ unless I can get my fees refunded.
Miranda
Phoenix,#2General Comment
Fri, November 06, 2009
Nancy, after reading your report, I would like to offer you some additional information. In May, 2008 Mr. James Joseph Everett was found guilty in U.S. District Court of 33 counts of false bankruptcy declarations, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering. On January 22, 2009 Mr. Everett was sentenced to 13 months in Federal Prison. By Arizona Supreme Court judgment and order, on February 25, 2009 Mr. Everett was disbarred based on his criminal conviction. All the above information was discovered by my research of Mr. Everett and all the information provided here is public record. I hope the information is helpful to you and to others.
I am sincerely sorry to hear about your dealings with Mr. Everett and I commend you for putting the information out there for other unsuspecting clients/potential clients. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you are successful in seeing Mr. Everett out of business in Arizona.