Attorney Barry M. Kaufman Stole my money and left me with no representation in court tamarac Florida

 I paid a total of $683.00 to Attorney Barry M. Kaufman’s office on 10/04/2012 for him to handle a case in Broward County Florida. I had a total of four (4) court dates Mr. Kaufman had one of his associates show up to one out of the four. That was my first appearance in front of Judge Mardi Levey Cohen on the 21^st of February 2013 were they asked for a defense continuance which was granted for the 21^st of March 2013.

On March 21, 2013 I arrived to the court and after several attempts to contact Mr. Kaufman to no avail I was called in front of the judge with no representation Judge Cohen did give me some time to try contacting Mr. Kaufman and after several calls to his office none of his office officials had no idea where he was. After relaying this to the Judge she granted me with a final continuance. Once I left the court I called Mr. Kaufman’s office one last time and then his secretary stated that he was ill and that is why he did not show so I informed them of the new court date that was issued by the judge and was told that someone will be there to provide representation on the new date of April 25, 2013.

On the 25^th of April again I showed up for court and again no Attorney and no explanation on why he is not there my court appearance was set for 9 am and the judge gave me until 2pm to get in contact with Mr. Kaufman again none of his office officials had no idea where he was or if he was going to show up. By this time the Judge as well as I was getting aggravated at the lack of communication from Mr. Kaufman so the Judge set a status date for the 17^th of May 2013. On May 17, 2013 again no attorney and no explanation on were Mr. Kaufman is, so I requested that the Judge remove Mr. Kaufman from my case which she granted(exhibit A) as well as I had to settle my case that day.

After contacting Mr. Kaufman’s office and letting them know that I would like to have my money refunded due to lack of representation I was told that Mr. Kaufman was the only one that can authorize a refund. I made many attempts to contact Mr. Kaufman still with no return communication. I have a contract (exhibit B) with Mr. Kaufman that states “There is a $250.00 fee if a client fails to appear in court when noticed and court date has to be reset.” I feel that this should also apply to the attorney as well.  Altogether I am filing this complaint due to the lack of representation I received from Mr. Kaufman as well as him now pirating my funds and refusing to refund my money for the work he did not do.