We received a summons, and facing a no-cause eviction so we gave Ms. Powell a call. We also emailed a 2-page detailed document explaining our situation. I believe she did not read or understand our situation as stated in the document, as her advice was absolutely horrible.
First, she said our landlord could take it to trial, and it will “tank” our credit. Well, it would not tank our credit, as it had nothing to do w/ non-payment of rent (we were up-to-date and current with our rent) - this was a NO-CAUSE eviction.
Secondly, when I asked about the landlord putting the wrong address on the lease, she said the incorrect address would have "no traction at all." However, this played a huge role in our defense as the landlord was committing bank fraud by claiming our rental was owner occupied. The address on our lease was his physical address (across the street) so he could misrepresent our rental as his occupied residence.
Thirdly, the lease was never properly executed. The landlord emailed us a copy, we signed and emailed it back but never received a signed copy in return. (We did not know at the time the address was different as we lived out-of-state.)
Our case had a lot more to this (as stated in my 2-page detailed document), but I only highlighted a few of the issues that Ms. Powell responded to with her “advice”. In addition, we were only asking to stay in the rental 2-3 more months until our new house was built.
Ms. Powell also advised that “it would be better” to just move out before we could be evicted. This would mean finding temporary housing, moving our 4-bedroom house into storage and then moving it from storage into the new house, and boarding 3 pets.
We hired another lawyer who listened to our story and was extremely confident we had a strong case. He turned out to be a godsend and we won with flying colors.
Do yourself a favor, if you have a case with a variety of twists & turns like we had, find another lawyer who can handle something more complicated. Perhaps this was above Ms Powell’s capabilities or she did not care, as after our first call and a couple of email exchanges, she never bothered to return any further calls from us.
I typically use an unnamed attorney out of Bellevue, who at this point knows me so well, he makes my decisions as he knows what I am after. I called him (as I was waiting for my ticket) because this guy was not, did not and had not locked me in - I won't call him a liar, but he knows. When you start of findings with and I quote, "I observed the vehicle at a high rate of speed. As I saw him, my radar locked in at 80. No. Incorrect. Listen, with my record, you just start to work it when you are on the side of the road - because lets just say the last attorney was 7 for 7. BUT after all of that, our ongoing relationship over the years - he didn't call me back, didn't have the decency to just say I don't handle the area, when I know he will handle any and all for me except "Chelan".
I thought to myself, wow. So i said, "let me try something new." When a route I thought was interesting came across, thought lets try it! Well, after the ease of setting up, paying, etc. I was lucky enough to get this spitfire! And can provide pitbull within that as well.
Elizabeth is not only pleasant to work with, she was open to ideas, we discussed made a plan. It doesn't always turn out exactly how you want, but people - look at the entire picture! Moving violations - points, money!
I was hit doing 80 in a 60. I was not and a certain municipality has an officer who literally just flat our lied. We bounced a few ideas and game plan.
Based on my overall record, yes tickets in pretty much all counties, but only one speeding on my record. Although we got the PA to slap me with a expired tabs ticket, take it! Yeah, you may pay a bit more initially, but I promise you should fight each and every ticket. Most know I run some things that provide adequate alerts, not one as I passed and why I didn't slam on the brakes. But, pulled me over. Probably not great telling an officer he is wrong, but hey... It is a fact!
This professional, well rounded, think out of the box attorney, call her. My first experience, 5 stars isn't enough!
Fact - Ticket, $190 - Elizabeth $250 - but wait. $250 hand ticket and walk. She will handle the rest.
I thank her for her guidance, I know how it was going to play out (although I wanted to see what she had - test). She not only tried to figure out ways to find ways around things, she was also open to anything from me as suggestions to make or figure some out of the box way of looking at things to test them! LOVE THAT. Pay the money and walk. She handles the rest!
Although I thought about challenging, in this state of our country, my expectations were hit right on the head!
Thank you Elizabeth!!!! You are AWESOME!
