So my girl friend is here illegally and her lawyer is ripping her off what can we do?

You have not provided enough information to make suggestions relating to possible immigration legal steps, but the problem you described with the billing is alarming. Before you contact your local State Bar to inquire about billing dispute resolution processes it may provide, and before engaging another attorney for seeking a passport, I suggest that a letter be sent to the attorney via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, saying something along the lines of the following: *** *** *** *** May __, 2009 Dear Mr./Ms. __________ I received a billing statement from your office that appears to me to be erroneous. When I inquired about the bill on the telephone, I did not receive an explanation or a detailed itemization of legal services, but instead I received a new and higher bill. I am also concerned about being informed that my passport twice has been lost in the mail. I request that you schedule an in-person meeting with me to discuss both: (1) the loss of my passport and steps that can be taken to overcome this problem, and (2) a clear and detailed explanation of your firm's billing. I request that we meet to address these issues without your firm charging an additional fee for the meeting. It is my hope that a resolution and plan promptly can be accomplished in this way. May I please hear from you within one week of your receipt of this letter? Sincerely, ___________ *** *** *** *** I anticipate that the attorney will not ignore such a letter. A client is entitled to expect a complete understanding of the billing arrangements and a full explanation of problems that have been encountered. Often a face-to-face meeting is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and to reach mutually acceptable resolutions. [Note: consistent with policy, this communication is intended as general information and not as specific legal advice, and this communicaiton does not create an attorney-client relationship.] David N. Soloway Frazier, Soloway & Poorak, P.C. 1800 Century Place, Suite 100 Atlanta, Georgia 30345 404/320-7000 877/232-5352 [email protected]

If she is here illegally, it is unclear how she can apply for a passport since only a US citizen can get a passport. If she was applying for a foreign passport, this is not usually something a lawyer would get involved in. Are you sure you are dealing with a lawyer as the facts do not seem to add up.