How can I squeeze blood from a rotten turnip?

April 29, 2008 3:28 PM

My shady ex-boss hasn't paid me what I am owed. What to do?

I worked for an attorney from December 2004 until May 2005. It was my first job out of law school and I was naive. The attorney and I had an agreement that I would get a small base salary and a percentage of any case settlements that came in.

May rolled around and the firm wasn't doing well financially. So, I left to pursue other opportunities. Prior to leaving, I did sign an agreement with my boss to get paid on the cases I had worked on.

Suffice it to say, I get checks here and there, but not before I harrass my ex-boss and hound him with calls and e-mails.

Is there any recourse I have besides suing him for what he owes me? This all occurred in Missouri and the statute of limitations on written contracts is fast approaching.

posted by reenum to work & money (5 comments total)

most states have laws that mandate you get paid in X number of days. Every state is different, in NY if you leave a job they are required to pay you by your normal pay day ( at least it was last time i had a situation like this)

you actually might be able to get more than he actually owes you. Call your state employment office or look up online
posted by Mr_Chips at 3:52 PM on April 29

Try maybe the Mizzou Dept. of Labor. Or even call the State Bar to get advice.

IANAM(issouri)L
posted by jabberjaw at 4:41 PM on April 29

On the Kansas side of the border I advise people all the time to file a wage claim with the Kansas Department of Labor, but I am not convinced that it does them any good. I am still waiting for the KDOL to take basic action on several cases that are about 3 months old at this point.
posted by jlowen at 5:48 PM on April 29

I assume that you received your small base salary. Thus none of the suggestions made above are helpful.

You are apparently a lawyer. That means, I think, that you already know the answer. Here it is:

>Is there any recourse I have besides suing him for what he owes me?

No.
posted by yclipse at 7:55 PM on April 29

Definitely contact the state Department of Labor. I was in a similar situation in Illinois, and filing a report with the DOL got me my back pay. I'd advise calling them to get information, rather than trying to do it all online.
posted by penchant at 11:12 PM on April 29