OT: Anyone know a good lawyer? Options

[chunger]

hey guys,

Construction troubles. Need a lawyer to consult with about sub-contractor gone wrong. I have a solid case and am trying to settle up the small amount of money involved. . . (under $4000) but would like to consult with someone to make sure I'm on the right track and that I indeed have a claim, and indeed he violated 2 sections of California Business and Professions Code.

Please let me know if you are a lawyer and do this kind of little stuff. . . or if you have any good leads to someone I can talk to about it. This isn't a project buster, as I've already lined up my own crew to finish the job at a considerable savings, but it's set me back time-wise and is agrivating (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Yack.gif)

thanks,
'Chung

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)

[chunger]

Yup yup,

I'm definitely the one who got myself into this mess. People who know me know how laid back I am, and how I like to be accomodating and easy to work with. I tried to do the same for a nice guy who is just getting started with his construction business in the Bay Area and who gave a darn reasonable bid on the job.

But right now, I feel like my efforts to help him out even to the point of doing his job for him in terms of sourcing materials, actually doing his work, and getting employees is getting stomped on.

I've been negotiating in good faith. . . presenting my numbers and calculations up-front. . . leaving good allowances for profit on his end despite the abismal almost non-job performance.

I see it as an ethics issue. I pay a contractor to gain these key benefits:

1. increased speed/efficiency
2. higher quality work
3. peace of mind (no need to supply/manage except for timely payment)

I've realized none of these advantages and so feel I should not have to pay premium for them. Cover the costs. Definitely. Give a reasonable profit for the 3 days spent on the job.. .. yes. But gains over and above that. . . no way.

I'm in a position where the money isn't going to kill me even if I lose it all. Other future clients may not be in this position and would be forced to cave in, but I feel somewhat of an obligation to send a message that you can't operate your business with this type of mis-management and pawn your losses off on the client. That's unethical.

Part of me feels like I'd rather pay a lawyer to will work hard for me than to pay a contractor who ignores my phone calls, doesn't fullfill his contract, and demands to be paid for it anyways.

Either way, I'll see if he accepts my termination terms that I've been flexing his direction tonight. . . or if he gets back to me. And if he actually doesn't get back to me, I may have to go to the Licensing Board and enter into their dispute/claims/mediation system.

-'Chung <_<