Adding to the complexity of the situation, Riley sent not one, but two additional invoices to the client, astonishingly bearing late payment fees. Even more perplexing, these fees were accompanied by an astronomical interest rate of 18%. It was a series of unexpected twists that left the client in shock and disbelief.
A Bold Move and Legal Repercussions
In a turn of events that seemed more like a courtroom drama, the client, whose identity remains undisclosed, decided to seek new legal representation. With the help of new counsel, they secured a settlement amounting to $25,000, a significant drop from their original expectations. Riley, however, did not back down. She audaciously attempted to enforce a lien on the settlement, claiming the initial $28,747 as owed.
Colorado Excessive Client Fees : Judgment Day
It was the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel that ultimately stepped in, unraveling the complex web of events. They concluded that Riley’s actions constituted a violation of Colorado’s professional conduct rules, which expressly prohibit lawyers from imposing excessive fees on their clients.
