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I contacted a law firm and now they wrote a blog article about my case, revealing my information (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by Any_Independent375@alien.top to c/digitalnomad@expats.zone

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I just want to tell you something important about checking reviews before you go to a law firm. I was thinking about a life as a digital nomad and needed some legal advice. So, I went to this law firm and talked about my freelance business (which I had already set up while not nomadding). They told me my business structure wasn't legal, but they were wrong.

I ended up spending a lot of money on their advice. But later, when I talked to my tax consultant and even to the government, they all said my business was totally fine.

I got really mad about losing all that money and time for nothing. I left a bad review on Trustpilot. Then the law firm wrote a blog article about me, using my name (just left out one letter of my last name) and where I was born, and they discussed my case in detail within that blog post.

I couldn't believe they did that. That's so unprofessional in my opinion. I mean, I don't mind that much. Sure, if I could I would take this blog post down but I decided to use it against them. So I shared their blog post so others could see how they treat their clients' private information.

So, long story short, always read reviews before you pick a law firm. If I'd known they had bad reviews, I would've never gone to them.

Be careful.

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[–] Primary_Ad_739@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

So they fucked up your case and then used you as a case study?

[–] Any_Independent375@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (3 children)

I wouldn't call it a case study. In their view, they are still in the right. In their blog article, I am portrayed as a 'young, dreamy freelancer who is childish and doesn't want to listen to lawyers' advice.' They also altered some facts. For instance, they claimed I said, 'I found other information on Facebook!' which I never did. What I actually said was that I found information contradicting their stance on a government forum (a reply by a government representative) and from a government employee I spoke to in person.

[–] jamar030303@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

They might think they're "anonymizing" it by altering facts.

[–] Primary_Ad_739@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What firm is this?

[–] Any_Independent375@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm not sure if I should mention the firm here, as I would lose my anonymity here. Besides, knowing the name wouldn't really be helpful..

[–] calcium@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Don't out the company's name if there's possible pending litigation against them. This link might help you out:

https://www.mondaq.com/australia/consumer-law/315518/how-to-make-a-complaint-against-your-solicitor

[–] kristallnachte@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I'm not sure I'd ever trust a law firm that had blog articles attacking their clients, even if they WERE right.

[–] Unhappy_Performer538@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Sounds illegal af Sue them

[–] FriendlyWebGuy@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Dude, if you're in a reputable country this is almost certain to get them in trouble.

Figure out what professional organization they belong to and file a complaint. Google (your country/state/province) plus "bar association" or "law society".

[–] Any_Independent375@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I will try, thank you. I believe their headquarters is in Germany and they have a subdivision in Australia. I'm not sure which government is now responsible. I have contacted the data privacy offices in both countries.

[–] ElleDarkly@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

If this happened in Aus, it doesn’t matter that they have an office in Germany, they are operating as an Aussie legal business. File a complaint with ACCC, and file a Misconduct complaint with Legal Services commission in your state. Go on the Aus subreddit and see if you can get more advice.

[–] calcium@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What language was the post written in and where was it posted? If the subsidy is in Australia and written in English it's likely it's for the Australian market which is where I would recommend you filing your complaint.

[–] Any_Independent375@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

The blog article was published on their website. In the website's imprint, the Australian subdivision is listed. The blog post was written in German, I received the invoice from their German entity.

[–] munakatashiko@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I'm not sure about in your country, but in America you would complain to the local/state Bar association. Probably for the wrong advice in addition to the article. Maybe take legal action too. I would guess there's an equivalent body in your country that governs lawyers. And Bar complaints are a good thing for Americans to know about.