Ethics
Lawyer sued for charging consumer for 34.5 hours of labor in 1 day
An Australian lawyer has been sued for billing a consumer for 34.5 hours in a single day. (Picture from Shutterstock)
An Australian lawyer has been sued for billing a consumer for 34.5 hours in a single day.
Keith Redenbach, the principal of Redenbach Authorized in Sydney, billed the town council of Damaged Hill in New South Wales, Australia, $10 million in Australian forex ($6.9 million in U.S. forex) after representing the group in a dispute with an architectural firm, Law.com experiences.
Amongst his costs, Redenbach claimed to work 34.5 hours on Sept. 19, 2019; 31.12 hours on Dec. 6, 2018; and 25.5 hours on April 18, 2019.
The town council sued Redenbach within the Supreme Court docket of New South Wales for grossly overcharging for his providers, which had been claims that the lawyer denied, Legislation.com experiences. He stated in courtroom he was truthful in regards to the time labored and attributes his lengthy workdays to worldwide time zones, his use of a U.S.-based billing system and clerical errors.
When requested particularly about Sept. 19, 2019, Redenbach advised the courtroom that he remembered placing within the hours from dwelling as he recovered from surgical procedure.
“I used to be on my sick mattress, doing it with packing containers being delivered to my dwelling. I do know all about it. I keep in mind that time vividly,” Redenbach stated, in keeping with Legislation.com.
He additionally talked about that it was a tough time for him as a result of his canine died.
Justice Elisabeth Peden stated Redenbach was a “completely unimpressive witness” who supplied “proof which I take into account was false,” Legislation.com experiences.
The justice present in favor of the town council and stated the group was entitled to compensation from Redenbach and his legislation agency.
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