High-Handed Attorneys

I approached Hildebrand Attorneys to write up an independent fact-finding report. They established that, inter alia, I was owed R2.3 million by my past employer, a Church. However, this report was more than 150 days in the making—and this had me worried. The standard is said to be up to 30 days, for a complicated report, including delivery to recipients. Then, after completion of the report, Hildebrand took well over 100 days to (not) deliver the report to recipients. And from start to finish, Hildebrand broke clearly agreed time-lines. I said to them that this had run on “abnormally” long, and I would lodge a complaint. At this, Hildebrand terminated my mandate. However, according to legal and moral guidelines, this apparently is “invalid” behaviour on their part. In fact, Hildebrand should rightly have taken their ill-disciplined employees to task—not turned on the client. In the end, there was no courtesy, no kindness, no humility, no sympathy with my near-endless patience, but an irate and accusatory lawyer Jan Hildebrand who appeared to lose his composure at 00:27 am and terminate me. He accused me of ************, too—which would be an offence. I sought an opinion on this, on the basis of our full correspondence. The answer was no, not at all. No ************. He was making it up. Further, artificial intelligence judges, for what it is worth, that “your response (to Hildebrand) was appropriate", throughout. I have said to Hildebrand: let us re-set, and try again. Among other things, it is no small matter to drop an issue of R2.3 million, possibly within days of wrapping it up. A little kindness, a little patience, would surely have been warranted.

Hildebrand's own advertising states: "We are proud to serve the German community, offering personalized legal assistance with a warm and welcoming approach. Our clients’ needs and interests are at the forefront of our practice, and we strive to create lasting relationships built on trust and understanding." This does not match my own experience.

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is for you. From all my transgressions deliver me.” Psalm 39:7-8.