My worst experience with an attorney was with David W. Showalter. Someone from McAllen told me that David was interested in a case I had in court and suggested that I go see him. I drove five hours to meet this lawyer.
He received me and listened as I explained my case. He let me talk for about 45 minutes and tell him the full story. While I was speaking, he just kept yawning and looked very tired. He then had me sit with his assistant (who was very kind, by the way).
After I finished explaining everything, the attorney simply told me: "I do not recommend that you do what you want to do, because your lawyer will get upset and you will not gain anything. That will be $1,000."
I was shocked. I did not even bring that amount with me. He never warned me that he was going to charge $1,000 just to listen to me--neither did he, nor the person in McAllen who referred me there. In fact, I later realized that person was probably receiving a commission, because the lawyer gave me a form asking for the name of whoever had recommended him.
At first, I thought he was joking and was going to say something like, "Just kidding, that was to break the ice," and then either take my case or tell me he was not interested. But no--he made me pull out my credit card and pay him $1,000 just for hearing me out. I felt used. It was one of the worst experiences I have ever had.
To make matters worse, he then told me that if I wanted him to review my case, he would charge me $7,000 to read it, and only afterward would he let me know whether he wanted to take it or not.
It was terrible service not to warn me beforehand that there would be a charge--especially one of $1,000 just for listening. I will never forget this awful experience with this attorney. Very disappointing. read more