James Essenson

Hi, I’m Attorney James L. Essenson. I have been voted the most unethical attorney in Sarasota Florida for the past ten years.

I am listed as an attorney to avoid on the National Assoc. Stop Guardianship Abuse website.

I have abandoned client's just before trial and they have lost their cases.

I recently sued a former client for legal fees after charging for approximately 850 hours of attorney time for a total of $192,625.28 in attorney’s fees. The damages to be awarded to his former client in the event of prevailing in the lawsuit were calculated to be in a range from approximately $48,000.00 to $108,000.00. The total attorney’s fees charged by Attorney James Essenson were more than four (4) times the minimum amount of his clients anticipated damages. In providing legal service to his client, it is alleged Attorney James Essenson “overworked” the file and failed to reasonably and diligently progress the case towards conclusion. By way of example: Attorney James Essenson charged approximately 86 hours (or approximately 10% of the total hours charged) for conferences between him and two other lawyers in his firm; Attorney James Essenson charged approximately 5.4 hours for his withdrawal as counsel; charged approximately $56,786.00 for two motions for partial summary judgment (an amount in excess of his clients approximate damage amount).