Former client says Pat Lennon should pay surprise legal bill after a switch in representation

One of Pat Lennon’s former clients has revealed he was stung with a surprise legal bill, complaining the former Melbourne lawyer had ‘ghosted’ him.

Former lawyer Pat Lennon after leaving Broadmeadows Court this month. Picture: David Crosling

One of Pat Lennon’s former clients arced up after being stung with a surprise legal bill, complaining that the lawsuit he was involved in was the disgraced lawyer’s fight, not his.

The client, a handyman, complained that Mr Lennon had “ghosted” him and he had no idea a new lawyer assigned to his case would cost so much.

He complained in August last year, after Mr Lennon gave up his right to practise law amid an investigation by the legal regulator.

The angry client was involved in a bitter and complicated dispute over a deceased estate and $600,000 in cash, related to the lending business run by Lennon’s wife, Jane Lennon.

In 2022, Victorian Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Matthews ordered Mr Lennon be referred to the Legal Services Commissioner and restrained him from acting in the case over concerns about his conduct and conflicts of interest.

Jane Lennon and Pat Lennon. Picture: Facebook

The client’s case was handed over to Derek Begg of Spoke Legal in advance of Mr Lennon handing in his ticket to practise on July 14 last year.

On August 17 last year, the client emailed Mr Lennon, forwarding almost $6000 in invoices from Mr Begg.

“These invoices I believe you are not wanting to pay them,” he wrote in the email.

He expressed concern he would be chased for the money.

“If you could pay those invoices as promised that would be great,” he wrote.

Mr Lennon responded: “I agree I am unwilling to pay the invoices.”

The ice-smoking former lawyer complained that Mr Begg’s fees were higher than expected and that he had not been consulted about the proceeding.

The handyman responded: “Pat, you ghosted me after Derek [Begg] contacted me.”

He said Mr Lennon chose Mr Begg as his new lawyer and he “had no idea Dereks invoice would be that”.

“Unfortunately all I have is your word that you would pay me,” he said.

“It was never my fight mate you needed me to continue yours then you turn on your word mate.”

Pat Lennon denied ghosting his client. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mr Lennon denied ghosting the client, citing the court order preventing him from acting for him.

But the client remained unhappy.

“I’m no lawyer ... I thought you had it all covered,” he wrote.

“I’m a handyman laws not my thing.”

Mr Begg, who now works at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, declined to comment.

The client confirmed the dispute, saying he had been left “out of pocket”.

Mr Lennon did not respond to detailed questions.