Opinion ID: 2588467
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Lawrence and Hilde Turner

Text: In September 1996, the Turners contacted Joe Schumaker to build a warehouse. Mr. Schumaker, however, failed to complete the warehouse on time, and produced poor workmanship and a leaking warehouse. Mr. Schumaker also charged more than the original quoted price. Town and Country Building Supply (T & C) supplied the lumber and filed a lien against the Turner home when Mr. Schumaker failed to pay the lumber bills. The Turners had already paid Mr. Schumaker for the lumber. On April 7, 1997, the Turners contacted Kagele by telephone to discuss the matter. They thoroughly explained the situation, including the fact that T & C was very cooperative and willing to testify against Mr. Schumaker. The Turners met with Kagele later that same day for an hour and a half. This was their only meeting with Kagele. At the meeting, the Turners signed the fully-earned and non-refundable retainer fee agreement, stating that Kagele's fee was a total minimum fee of $3,500 exclusive of costs. DP at 7. Kagele assured the Turners that he would take immediate action, and a summons and complaint would be served no later than the beginning of the following week, April 14, 1997. Kagele also promised to view the faulty construction but never did so. At the meeting, Kagele requested that the Turners produce their complete file. The Turner's daughter mailed the file and a complete chronology of the facts to Kagele, and Kagele's office signed for the package on April 10, 1997. Between April 7 and May 22, 1997, the Turners did not hear from Kagele despite the messages they left for him. Kagele did try to get in touch with the Turners on May 15 but did not reach them until May 22. At this time, the Turners expressed their dissatisfaction with Kagele's performance. Approximately a week later, they received a draft summons and complaint from Kagele. The Turners noted that Kagele listed T & C as the defendant rather than Mr. Schumaker. They contacted Kagele to again express their dissatisfaction, and Kagele admitted that communication by him had been lacking. Kagele claimed that the omission of Schumaker from the complaint was a computer error, but he had not adequately read the chronology prepared by the Turners. The Turners terminated Kagele's services on May 29, 1997 and requested the return of their file and the $3,500. Kagele responded with written excuses and sent another faulty draft of a complaint. The Turners sent a second termination letter. Kagele did not refund any of the retainer because he did not think that the termination was justified, and he did not provide a final accounting of his charges.