Should I fire my attorney?

[tserenda]

I am disappointed at my attorney.

First, he didn't tell me beforehand that I would be asked to testify at my Master Hearing. I expected him to do all the talking. Otherwise, I would've been prepared.

Next, he said he would appeal to BIA. I expected to receive another court date for an appeal hearing. This time, I had all the evidences ready to present and waited for 18 months. Then one day, my attorney said that BIA had denied my appeal. I was devastated because I didn't get a chance to be heard. It was all done without my involvement through mail. He didn’t submit anything new to BIA. I suspect he was trying to screw me because I haven't paid him the legal fee upfront.

I am going to re-appeal the BIA decision. If I fire him now, does he have any leverage on me such as not giving me my file back until he gets paid in full? How hard is it to re-appeal by myself?

I appreciate all the comments from the community and lawyers.

 

[bahamas68]

I am disappointed at my attorney.

First, he didn't tell me beforehand that I would be asked to testify at my Master Hearing. I expected him to do all the talking. Otherwise, I would've been prepared.

Next, he said he would appeal to BIA. I expected to receive another court date for an appeal hearing. This time, I had all the evidences ready to present and waited for 18 months. Then one day, my attorney said that BIA had denied my appeal. I was devastated because I didn't get a chance to be heard. It was all done without my involvement through mail. He didn’t submit anything new to BIA. I suspect he was trying to screw me because I haven't paid him the legal fee upfront.

I am going to re-appeal the BIA decision. If I fire him now, does he have any leverage on me such as not giving me my file back until he gets paid in full? How hard is it to re-appeal by myself?

I appreciate all the comments from the community and lawyers.

I think you mean individual hearing. Because you're mentioning appeal, which can only come after the individual hearing, and not the master hearing.
You are expected to testify at your individual hearing, and he should have told you of such. I have an individual hearing next week, and he told me long time ago to be prepared to testify.
This is an extremely long shot to win again on BIA after having been denied. What relief did they give you, VD or an Order of Deportation?

 

[aosing]

I am disappointed at my attorney.

First, he didn't tell me beforehand that I would be asked to testify at my Master Hearing. I expected him to do all the talking. Otherwise, I would've been prepared.

Next, he said he would appeal to BIA. I expected to receive another court date for an appeal hearing. This time, I had all the evidences ready to present and waited for 18 months. Then one day, my attorney said that BIA had denied my appeal. I was devastated because I didn't get a chance to be heard. It was all done without my involvement through mail. He didn’t submit anything new to BIA. I suspect he was trying to screw me because I haven't paid him the legal fee upfront.

I am going to re-appeal the BIA decision. If I fire him now, does he have any leverage on me such as not giving me my file back until he gets paid in full? How hard is it to re-appeal by myself?

I appreciate all the comments from the community and lawyers.

Attorneys have a lien on their workproduct and don't have to give it to you until they are paid in full. That would NOT include any government documents issued to you, which he must give you on demand. If you believe you were poorly represented or overcharged then contact the state bar association, you may be entitled to arbitration regarding that. But that is probably not your main problem. Your chances of success with or without representation are probably slim at this juncture; but you may be better off with a lawyer you are more happy with.