No. They are billing at $1300/hr. But $800/hr should get you a very good lawyer. Also, the $800/hr lawyer will probably discount his rate if you press the issue.

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Posted by Putty

Member since Oct 2003

25486 posts

Posted on 10/24/16 at 11:14 am to Wortivi22

quote:
If this is something that will likely be settled, I would think $800/hr would be too high.

Except the $800/hour guy might very well get your $2mm claim settled for $80k in legal fees as opposed to a $400/hour guy who might take it to trial and "win" at a cost of $280k in legal fees.

Plus, don't forget the $800/hour guy isn't doing all of the grind work on the file. He has associates doing that and he's basically running strategy, hearings, meetings, etc.

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Posted by GenesChin

The Promise Land

Member since Feb 2012

37706 posts

Posted on 10/24/16 at 11:24 am to Statsattack

quote:
My experience with lawyers is good ones are honest and say you aren't a fit

My neighbor is a lawyer, made a passing comment that what he loses in billables he makes up in favors/relationships when he refers bad fit clients elsewhere.

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Posted by Cold Cous Cous

Bucktown, La.

Member since Oct 2003

15047 posts

Posted on 10/24/16 at 11:38 am to dabigfella

PMPA is a highly specialized act and there are a small subset of lawyers who really know it in and out. Billing rates for specialists are always higher than for generalists.

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Posted by Wortivi22

Land of Mini Vans

Member since Dec 2007

855 posts

Posted on 10/24/16 at 2:26 pm to dabigfella

quote:
Ya they're not suing me for anything and Im not suing them, yet, I had him look over my lease and basically the letter they sent me was a courtesy from the attorneys representing my landlord, that when my lease is up in 8 months they will not be renewing it. The attorney told me this is happening to lots of dealers now and basically there is a petroleum marketing practices act in place where you can't just be terminated, they have to make you a legitimate offer to buy the place first. I've been trying to buy it before but have been declined for year, so I just need an attorney to handle whatever is going to happen, I have no idea how many billable hours are required or what will come of it. I just wanted someone to let me know what will come of the letter I received. My tax attorney is the only attorney I pay on a regular basis and he's reaching out trying to find me someone else but this petroleum marketing act is such a small niche of business law that he suggests I just go forward with this guy.

Just out of curiosity, does the contract you have with the Jobber run congruent with your lease? I would find it strange if they didn't, but I was just wondering.

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Posted by dabigfella

Member since Mar 2016

6687 posts

Posted on 10/24/16 at 9:51 pm to Wortivi22

Actually the jobber owns the store, I have a contract to buy fuel from them. This particular location is super high traffic, super high sales and they've never wanted to sell it, I bought it as a business for sale and paid 7 figures for it, I have been after them for a long time bc I would love to buy it and stop paying an extremely high rent. It's my only store I do not own. I have 1 year left on my lease till next august, and they sent me a courtesy letter that they wont be renewing it. I actually paid a nice chunk of change to add this store 4 years ago so I dont understand how they can just take it away, but from my understanding of the PMPA, they cannot just terminate the lease as the letter says. It seems they have offer it to me in sale first, which would be perfect for me. I really dont know whats going to happen yet we shall see shortly but their lawyer sent me a letter so I figure I now have to get one of my own to discuss all the options i have.

This post was edited on 10/24/16 at 9:57 pm

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