Law Office of Derek Cordier Stole $1,800 From Me Harrisburg Pennsylvania

I paid this lawyer $1,800 to file personal bankruptcy for me in mid-June of this year. At that time he told me it would take him"about a week" to get everything ready. He said he would email me  the finalized form for my review and would then file. That was the last time I saw or spoke to him. Four weeks went by and nothing, so I sent him a very nice email on July 11 "just touching base, was wondering when we would be able to file, hope you are well, etc." I waited another week and nothing, so I called him and left a voicemail asking him to call me. Nothing. I called and left messages three times. No response. By now I'm getting p***** off! I sent him another email on July 25th, this time more pointed and annoyed, giving him until July 31st to hear from him. Nothing. On August 1st  I tried to send him a third email, firing him and demanding my money back, and found I was blocked from contacting him.  Enraged, I called him and left a message, telling him exactly what I was going to do (but making no threats, I'm not stupid). So, here I am.  I'm not optimistic about this. 

A few more points for clarification purposes. I live in a very rural area and, since I'm gay, I decided to have a gay attorney handle my bankruptcy. He advertises on several gay lawyer sites. He's 90 miles away from where I live. Now for the part I'm kicking myself for. He has no office, he works from the first floor of his home. He has no secretary, no actual person to speak with. He has no assistant, he says he does but I never saw evidence of one. His office is squalid and has only a cheap printer in it, not even a desk, he uses his dining room table. He and his partner reside on the second floor (and third floor?). I wasn't up there so I can't be sure. He also told me he was in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. Does AA meetings, the whole bit. I wonder if he relapsed. I know, I know, I know! I ignored the red flags and it is my own damned fault! I checked for criminal records and disciniplary actions and found none. I can't believe I'm the first person this man ripped off. I actually believed people deserved second chances. Big mistake. I should have gone with my instincts and run from this guy as fast as possible. 

I know the drill: Dauphin County Bar Association, small claims court, get a legal malpractice attorney and sue. I'm pessimistic about all of them. He is, after all, a member of the Dauphin County Bar, apparently in good standing. His word against mine and documents can be faked very easily. Yes, the bankruptcy did not occur and I have the cancelled checks but I'm still feeling very gloomy about the outcome. I will not go quietly but I'm pretty sure I'm f*****. But I am determined to let others know what this little "swish" is about so they don't lose money, too. I hope you read this, Derek. Where did the $1,800 go, up your nose? I now have to file bankruptcy pro se because I don't have another spare $1,800 to pay another lawyer. And I'm not really certain how to do that. But I have no other choice. Evidently, you needed the money, Derek and you decided you needed it more than me. I hope it made your life a little easier because it sure as hell made mine a lot harder. 

To all who read this, Derek Cordier is a pathetic man. I've since spoken with several Harrisburg lawyers who openly snickered when I mentioned his name. Please do not make the same mistake I did and go to this guy for legal help.