Know a good San Francisco lawyer?

June 23, 2008 2:15 PM

I've decided to buck the trend and not ask you for legal advice and go straight to getting a lawyer. So... do you have a recommendation for a lawyer in San Francisco to help me through a business/contract/billing dispute?

I developed software for a client, client is using the work but refuses to pay the final payment and also refuses to stop using/selling the software.

I don't have a SF (in the city proper) lawyer yet and I'd like to find someone I could use as a regular resource helping me out with various unfortunate things that a small business owner sometimes has to deal with.

However for now I need someone to write the Scary Letter and maybe a cease and desist and give me advice about small claims court. (The amount due is just under the small claims $7,500 limit.)

Any referrals are deeply appreciated, though I'd be happy with hints in how to narrow the choices. So far my search has narrowed the field to merely thousands.

For private conversation contact [e-mail]

posted by anonymous to Law & Government (2 answers total)

One possible method: Call up the Bar Association of San Francisco, lawyer referral service. Say that you are looking for an attorney who has business contract and collections experience. When you have your consultation, ask yourself whether the lawyer proposed a cost effective method of resolving the dispute AND told you of possible risks. If the answers are yes, continue to use the lawyer. If not, end the relationship there.
posted by ferdydurke at 2:35 PM on June 23, 2008

That's really the best option there - otherwise you can use Martindale and find an attorney who has an AV or BV rating in contract law or collections law.

Have YOU tried writing a letter to the client saying that you will bring it in small claims court? That would be a good (and FREE) first step.
posted by MeetMegan at 5:58 PM on June 23, 2008