My ex-boss from hell strikes again...

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

A bit of background: this guy advertises himself as an immigration attorney when, instead, he knows absolutely nothing of the field. Which is why he hired me. In addition to getting paid the measly sum of $13 an hour for doing HIS job (this is not the best area for immigration work, but it's where I live with my boyfriend, so beggars can't be choosers), his firm was/is having severe financial problems and I had to beg for my paycheck. Finally, I found another job and I decided to establish an immigration consulting business on the side.

I told him when I left his sorry ass that I would be happy to help him at a fee as a consultant.

Yet, the slimy ass SOB keeps calling me (during work hours, no less) and/or e-mailing me repeatedly asking inane questions (a/k/a what-ifs regarding immigration law) for people who are going to see him. In other words, he asks me to do HIS job and provide him with the information he needs to look somewhat intelligent when he meets with these clients.

I have not provided any of the answers he seeks. Instead, I am thinking about sending him an email that if he wants me to answer his questions thoroughly he will need to fork over some $$$.

[MrCoffee]

1. Tell him you want a retainer

and set up a billing structure in advance.

Get it in writing.

[puerco-bellies]

2. Absolutely.

And charge well over $13 an hour to answer him. If he needs paperwork file or filled out Cha-ching!!

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

3. I've done that on something he screwed up!

But the kick is that he can't expect me to be at his beck and call to answer questions on a subject he knows nothing about, especially since I'm no longer his employee. I'm also tempted to not even respond to him at all.

[redqueen]

11. Yup - no more freebies, guy.

He's expecting free help... why?

What a jerk.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Tell him you can't give him legal advice cause you're not a lawyer

He shouldn't be asking you to break the law like that.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

5. Sure, but it's done a gabillion times in law offices

everywhere, where a paralegal may know more and/or have more experience than an attorney. In fact, a paralegal who dispenses advice to her employer (not to a client) is not breaking the law. If my boss asks me what I'd do in a situation, it's ok. Of course, it's my boss' bar license that is in jeopardy if s/he acts upon my advice and that advice is wrong.

But in this case, I am no longer his employee. I am looking for a tactful way to respond to him.

[Sanity Claws]

6. Do you have to respond?

You're a busy person. Just because a person calls, does not mean you have to take the call. If you feel a need to respond, what about an untimely response, like two days later? By that time, whatever you have to say may be too late to be of use to him.

[MorningGlow]

7. Send him a bill

Itemizing the time spent talking on the phone with him. Bet he disappears pretty fast!

[conscious evolution]

9. My first thought also

Bill him for an hour at his rate for every call he makes.

[MorningGlow]

10. Exactly--just the threat of a bill was how I got rid of a client cling-on

I edited a guy's novel--nice person, but never stopped e-mailing, asking stupid questions that he already knew this answer to ("Was this intentional, or is it just a typo?"--things like that). Finally I wrote back, "The answer is blah blah (whatever he had asked). Any more e-mails, and I will have to start charging you my hourly rate."

Never hear from him again except friendly howdies with no nitpicky questions.

[SOteric]

8. Do you have voice mail? Caller I.D...?

If so, begin screening calls. If he calls you at work and asks for advice, respond back to him at a time when you know he isn't likely to be there. -Really early or really late. Your response should be to apologise for the odd hour, citing how very busy you've been of late. Then ask him to make an appointment and to tell him 'we can discuss the fee structure during your first appointment.'