If you are considering hiring Lewis &…
If you are considering hiring Lewis & Lewis, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, you should carefully consider my experience. My experience with Andrew Lewis includes the following: 1.
He represented both the executor and me, a beneficiary of the estate. After I later learned this dual representation should not have occurred, he terminated my representation while continuing to represent the executor, who remained his client for approximately five years. Although he stated in writing that my $1,500 retainer would be returned, he has refused to refund it despite repeated requests. 2.
He agreed to notify my attorney before the executor accessed the estate's safe deposit box so that the contents could be properly monitored and protected. He failed to provide that notice and, according to documents in my possession, intentionally misled both me and my attorney regarding the access. 3. He prepared and provided the legal documents that enabled the executor to obtain access to the estate's safe deposit box.
The executor subsequently accessed the safe deposit box without notifying me or my attorney, removed the estate's gold coins, and later sold them without my knowledge. 4. He later represented to both me and my attorney that he was not involved in obtaining access to the safe deposit box. My attorney has a written statement documenting those representations, and I possess documentary evidence establishing his involvement.
5. He disclosed documents I had provided to him as my attorney to another attorney, who then used those documents in support of a sanctions motion against me after I sought the executor's removal. Those documents were confidential and protected by the attorney-client relationship. 6.
I gave Andrew Lewis multiple opportunities over an extended period to resolve these matters amicably, including returning my retainer as he had promised in writing. He has refused to do so. These events occurred while Andrew Lewis continued representing the executor. The executor was ultimately removed by the probate court after findings that included breach of fiduciary duties, gross misconduct, misapplication and/or embezzlement, fraud, and defalcation.
I intentionally did not initially present these concerns regarding Andrew Lewis to the court because I wanted to resolve the matter in good faith and without litigation. Unfortunately, despite numerous opportunities, no good-faith resolution has occurred. I will now be seeking appropriate relief from the court, requesting any relief or sanctions the court deems appropriate, and filing complaints with the appropriate regulatory and consumer agencies, including the Texas State Bar. I was also advised to file a theft report, because I can show intent and this would be a felony based on the amount.
I will provide supporting documentation demonstrating both the facts described above and my repeated good-faith efforts to resolve this matter before pursuing formal remedies.
If this was an honest firm, they should just have honored their agreement to return my retainer as opposed to getting to this point! I hope my experience helps you make an informed decision before choosing legal representation.
Update: Andy Lewis responded to my demand by offering to refund my retainer only if I first removed my review. I did not view that as a good-faith effort to resolve the dispute, as it conditioned any refund on removing my public review before payment was made, since had already agreed in writing once.
His response also included a bad faith act of a threat: If I did not agree to the terms, I should expect a demand letter followed by a defamation lawsuit.
I interpreted this as an indication that, absent acceptance of his conditions, he intended to pursue legal action against me. Everything stated in my review is based on my personal experience and is supported by documentation that I have retained, including photographs, correspondence, contracts, and other records. I stand behind the accuracy of my review and believe it fairly reflects the facts as I experienced them.