The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC

I have used this firm for years, because I felt like Kristy truly had my best interest in mind in all our dealings. A recent interaction dramatically changed my mind. I engaged the firm to write a Terms and Conditions Document as well as a Privacy Policy for an app I was developing. The app developer I was using told me that they had used a local attorney, and similar policies cost upwards of $2500-$3500 to get produced. I told them, I had an attorney that I trusted. I engaged Kristy for the project. A couple weeks later, Kristy informed me that the “research was taking longer” than she would have thought and wanted to give me an update. That sounded costly….So, I asked how much research she was anticipating. She responded with 40-50 hours of research and another 10-15 hours to write the document. WHAT?????? For a terms and conditions policy that I can go to Legal Zoom and get for a few hundred dollars???? I immediately asked her to stop research. I told her I needed to get on the same page with the developers and that I would get back with her about the project. She stopped researching, but continued writing the document. About 2 weeks later, she delivered a document that she said was only valid in 15 out of 50 states because she hadn’t researched them. At the time, my Father in law was in hospice. When I received the document, I told her I would review it after his funeral, etc. I was extremely angry, but didn’t want to address the fact that she had continued writing a document after I told her to stop and then delivered a document that is completely useless for 3-5X the cost of what I know another attorney would have done it for. I waited for the bill so that I could professionally discuss the miscommunication after dealing with our personal family issue. There were over $6000 of fees for work done prior to me asking her to stop. And there was another $3630 of fees after I asked her to stop. At this point, I addressed the miscommunication, expressed my frustration about there not being any communication on the front end about how much research it was going to take, and I asked if we could negotiate the bill because of the miscommunication. Kristy’s response was 100% lawyer speak. Rather than taking responsibility for her portion of the miscommunication, she only defends her actions. She explains why it was necessary. Then lawyer speak about “you said stop research. not stop writing.” The actions are deplorable. Anyone with a brain would understand that when I say, “Stop the research”, my intent is to halt the project. It is absolutely beyond me how anyone could take those words and then continue to do $3600 worth of legal work. I take responsibility for my portion of the miscommunication. That’s why I ask if we could talk about the bill. Rather than acknowledging that she made a mistake, she would rather throw away a decade long relationship over $3600. In addition, clearly, she did not have the knowledge to write the document I needed without doing 40-50 hours of research. That’s not normal. I’ve talked to other legal professionals. It’s not normal. Legally, you’re right Kristy. I owe you the money. The check is in the mail. Humanely, your actions are deplorable. If you take this line with a client that has been loyal to you for nearly a decade, how are you going to treat others? I lost all respect for you over this. I understand a difference of opinions. I understand a miscommunication. I do not understand your unwillingness to acknowledge your mistakes and do what’s in the best interest of a long time client.