Firm sues over Better Business Bureau rating

By Correy Stephenson Dolan Media Newswires BOSTON, MA--A Florida law firm is fighting back against what it is calling an unfair rating from the Better Business Bureau. Last year, the BBB awarded Orlando-based Kaufman, Englett & Lynd a grade of "F" based on a pattern of unresolved client complaints. The firm, which primarily practices in the areas of foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, family law, personal injury and debtor workout, later resigned from the BBB's accreditation program. But in a suit filed in Florida federal court, the firm argues that the complaints represented only a "tiny fraction" of its 25,000 cases. "The current number of complaints lodged against KEL in the last three years represents approximately 0.001 percent of the total file count handled by the firm in the same time frame," according to the complaint. "Many of the complaints forwarded to the BBB were baseless in nature and only lodged as an attempt by clients to harass KEL for situations in which the clients had unreasonable expectations." The grade damaged the firm's reputation, resulting in a loss of "both prospective and existing client base," the suit contends, calling the BBB's rating system "inconsistent and biased." The firm is seeking compensatory, special and punitive damages for false advertising and disparagement or business defamation. Entire contents copyrighted © 2012 by The Dolan Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly forbidden. Published: Thu, Mar 15, 2012