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As many of SPI’s members will remember in a thread started by Roots in November 2008 on Spanish Bank Guarantees one of our legal articles on BGs was being praised until JJB-Mijas decided to hijack the thread and criticise viciously both the article and our law firm out of the blue. We were then forced to intervene in the thread fending ourselves from the seriously offensive and unfounded accusations of JJB-Mijas. Not happy with this he in fact went as far as starting a new thread exclusively for the sole purpose of attacking and “exposing” Lawbird.
At no time has this person ever been a client of our law firm nor does he know anyone who we’ve caused any harm to. Yet he posted and started threads with the sole purpose of tarnishing our good corporate reputation without providing any factual evidence whatsoever as we’ve repeatedly requested from him and he’s failed to provide. Always sowing doubts on us albeit not substantiating them.
This is not something new. Mr JJB-Mijas has a track record of starting threads in SPI or contributing posts with the sole aim of belittling Spanish law firms as well as other financial advisors based in Spain. Yet he has never been a client of these companies, admittedly in his own words, or been harmed by them in any way yet he viciously criticises them in an unwarranted manner.
E.g.
But why would anyone do such a thing? Surely there must be a reason. And there sure is, the oldest one possible. JJB strives to give an image in SPI that all Spanish professionals are corrupt except for this one and only dual qualified lawyer he always recommends which in his own words is honest and highly competent. Yet he is careful to never post publicly the name of such a superb lawyer, he always PM’s his contact details in SPI. He admits to know this lawyer through his own professional dealings in Spain. So basically JJB posts belittling all professionals, except for his protégée, and has carved a forum niche self appointing himself on a purported moral highground from which he delivers supposedly unbiased advise on Spanish legal and financial affairs.
JJB has repeatedly claimed he is not a lawyer, albeit an Irish Chartered Financial Advisor based in Mijas as written on his forum profile, with no links to Spanish lawyers. Again always stressing how independent he is which undoubtedly adds great value to his forum advice on advising to hire this mysterious dual qualified solicitor he’s always recommending. He’s often victimised himself on how he’s often been threatened and hounded by Spanish lawyers that didn’t like how good and fair he was in business dealings. Yet the only attacks we’ve read in SPI have invariably come from him. No one has ever threatened him on SPI.
Quoting ourselves as we posted in a reply to his unwarranted attacks on this thread:
The criticisms we (Lawbird) receive from time to time on forums are never from clients. They are from developers, estate agents and occasionally from some colleague.
He claimed to be neither of the above. Nor an agent, nor a disgruntled developer nor a jealous colleague (lawyer). And he was right, he’s neither of the three.
As we posted in this other thread:
We (Lawbird) know who we are, thousands of people know who we are. Who are you JJB I ask?
Well it’s about time we expose who this gentleman really is.
JJB is Mr John J. Byrne partner of Spanish lawyer Paloma España Ramos in the law firm they run jointly, Malaga Law Solicitors. This is the link to his public corporate profile:
John J. Byrne
John is from County Wexford in Ireland and is a graduate of University College Galway and also a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
Prior to joining Malaga Law Solicitors John was an executive in Rouse Legal Solicitors and Rouse & Co. International Limited, a global international intellectual property consultancy business head quartered in London and prior to that practised as an accountant in Dublin.
John with an expert knowledge of international tax ensures all tax angles are covered and clients are correctly advised on the impact of UK & Irish double taxation agreements and most importantly that any scheme or structure being considered is both tax efficient and cost effective.
As a Chartered Accountant John is on hand to communicate with clients UK/Irish tax advisors thus ensuring all tax planning is seamless.
Tel: +34 952 11 95 75 Mobile: +34 670 476 429 email: john@malagalaw.com
Everytime this gentleman has recommended this mysterious dual qualified lawyer though PM’s in SPI it has been for his own personal gain. We now know he was in fact recommending his own business associate in the law firm they run jointly, which incidentally is included in SPI’s list of recommended lawyers. In the process of seeking his own selfish financial interests he has not hesitated to criticise every colleague, safe for her, which he’s recommended at every opportunity. But always making sure on posting he distanced himself from this one and only recommended lawyer without having –supposedly- any strings attached to her. Now we know just how false these claims are. Not only does he work in a Spanish law firm, he’s a partner of one!
Moreover, not happy with this despicable attitude, they’ve also plagiarised a legal article from us copying even the name of the legal service which we created.
- Our original article on Dissolution of Joint Property Ownership published on the 14th November 2007 and signed by its author.
- Their plagiarised legal article on Deed of Dissolution of Joint Property Ownership published posted very recently on their website, unsigned and undated.
Still not happy with the above, they are additionally using some of the same corporate stock photographs we use on our websites, which we carefully choose from a portfolio of hundreds of thousands, and for which we have paid for. What a coincidence…
- Our web page with our original photograph paid for.- http://www.gettoeurope.com/european-immigration/
- Their webpage with the same photograph.- http://www.malagalaw.com/legalservices/legalservices.asp
Now we know who you are JJB and most importantly what you are. Now we know why you posted such harsh things on our law firm and on other companies which are your direct business competitors.
Yea or Nea?
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@Lawbird wrote:
John J. Byrne
John is from County Wexford in Ireland and is a graduate of University College Galway and also a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
Prior to joining Malaga Law Solicitors John was an executive in Rouse Legal Solicitors and Rouse & Co. International Limited, a global international intellectual property consultancy business head quartered in London and prior to that practised as an accountant in Dublin.
John with an expert knowledge of international tax ensures all tax angles are covered and clients are correctly advised on the impact of UK & Irish double taxation agreements and most importantly that any scheme or structure being considered is both tax efficient and cost effective.
Now that you magnificently deconspired JJB-M, could you please also tell us your name and credentials? 😀
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criticise viciously both the article and our law firm out of the blue
…. asking who is behind lawbirds, etc… is not particularly vicious in my opinion. Also amking a comment that the administrator of lawyers of spain, is a partner in the firm and how this could create a conflict of interest does seem to be a valid point.
This is not something new. Mr JJB-Mijas has a track record of starting threads in SPI or contributing posts with the sole aim of belittling Spanish law firms as well as other financial advisors based in Spain.
well…. he seems to belittle marbella legal firms more than spanish. Unfortunately many legal firms in marbella (as i’m sure you would agree) have not been a positive influence on the profession.
Would not make sense belittling spanish legal firms, when he’s part of one.Yet he is careful to never post publicly the name of such a superb lawyer, he always PM’s his contact details in SPI
no comercial posts allowed
Moreover, not happy with this despicable attitude, they’ve also plagiarised a legal article from us copying even the name of the legal service which we created.
* Our original article on Dissolution of Joint Property Ownership published on the 14th November 2007 and signed by its author.
* Their plagiarised legal article on Deed of Dissolution of Joint Property Ownership published posted very recently on their website, unsigned and undated.they plagiarised the idea of writing an article on the subject. the content is quite different, and they have missed out a few points that you covered.
This seems as bad as an reporter setting up a site revolving around spanish property and having a forum on it and then another reporter doing something similar.Still not happy with the above, they are additionally using some of the same corporate stock photographs we use on our websites, which we carefully choose from a portfolio of hundreds of thousands, and for which we have paid for. What a coincidence…
* Our web page with our original photograph paid for.- http://www.gettoeurope.com/european-immigration/
* Their webpage with the same photograph.- http://www.malagalaw.com/legalservices/legalservices.aspI don’t know about this. Are all the photos on their site hte same as yours or just this one? Might be worth contacting the photo company and finding out if they paid for it? this seems very minor.
Lawbirds, if anything in most of the forums where you were mentioned little negative was said, although maybe there was an attempt to create doubt about yourselves. Infact several poster had positive comments.
I don’t know if JJB has recommended his partner/lawyer, which if he has withought specifying their relationship, then yes you are right, it is a bit under-handed.
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From Fuengi’s blog:
“I have recently had to protect my articles from theft with Copyscape protection. It appears that several other website, a few owned by agents based on the Costa del Sol or Southern Spain have been misappropriating my articles for their own gains without permission. They should at least have had the decency of crediting the author and the source of the article”.So it looks like you’ve also been a victim of this ‘nicking stuff’ nonsense.
“But I guess there is no honour amongst thieves”.
No honour indeed, it seems!Excellent blog by the way. Got so engrossed reading it, my cup of tea went cold. 🙁
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Whether they have paid or not for the photo is irrelevant; it’s just gives further proof on where they get their inspiration from.
they plagiarised the idea of writing an article on the subject. the content is quite different, and they have missed out a few points that you covered.
This seems as bad as an reporter setting up a site revolving around spanish property and having a forum on it and then another reporter doing something similar.This would be a good point if it wasn’t because the name they have given ‘their’ service was invented by me. Google it and you’ll see it’s not too popular (just ourselves and our imitators).
It looks like we may need to start setting-up trade marks to protect ourselves from our own “colleagues”. We have recently started using copyscape, just like you do on your own blog, but it isn’t of much help I’m afraid.
Lawbird has all the right to be displeased with JJB-Mijas’ attitude.
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@charlie wrote:
So it looks like you’ve also been a victim of this ‘nicking stuff’ nonsense.
“But I guess there is no honour amongst thieves”.
No honour indeed, it seems!Excellent blog by the way. Got so engrossed reading it, my cup of tea went cold. 🙁
I was. article was stolen word for word. I was very angry. But I got their site banned, after they were unwilling to give credit.
Thanks for the complement, means alot.@flw wrote:
Whether they have paid or not for the photo is irrelevant; it’s just gives further proof on where they get their inspiration from.
This would be a good point if it wasn’t because the name they have given ‘their’ service was invented by me. Google it and you’ll see it’s not too popular (just ourselves and our imitators).
It looks like we may need to start setting-up trade marks to protect ourselves from our own “colleagues”. We have recently started using copyscape, just like you do on your own blog, but it isn’t of much help I’m afraid.
Lawbird has all the right to be displeased with JJB-Mijas’ attitude.
All valid points.
question: is not Deed of dissolution of joint property ownership a direct translation of the spanish term? The reason I ask is of the top of might head i can’t think of another way of say this.Use copyscape, you will see the benefits in time.
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A direct translation of “Extinción de Condominio” would be “Condominium Extinction” 😯 … err, okay, let’s leave it “Condominium Dissolution”.
So unless I am yet to discover my telepathic powers, I believe they must have read our written material before creating ‘their’ service 🙄
I guess we ought to be proud of being copied. Why would people copy us if they didn’t think our work was worth it? We feel flattered, and all that we are asking for is a little credit for our hard work. If this is not possible, at least copycats should refrain from trying to ruin your reputation! Not very ethical, is it?
Thanks Fuengi for the advice. I hope Copyscape does the trick in the long run!
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Where on earth is Frank with his Tin Hat when somebody needs it…!
I think people are entitled to their anonymity on forums such as this, I came on here as myself two years or so to answer some questions that were being asked, and don’t mind remaining so.
Surely JJB can’t be getting that much business through PM’s, I haven’t had any PM’s save from the odd agent about something entirely different than the topics raised and I think the PM box has a total of 4 in it.
But perhaps that says something about me. And would say more if I was anonymous and then turned out to be touting for business after all.
I think Lawbird should relax just a little really, either that or have borrowed Franks Tin Hat in the first place and just ignored what didn’t seem to be that harsh in the first place.
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Chris –
Frank has been banned from SPI for being a naughty boy, Fuengi owes me an Earl Grey teabag for making his blog so enjoyable, and I’ll send you a pm so you can say “I have nearly half a dozen pm’s”. Doesn’t sound so sad as your PM box only having 4 in it.
Think that just about wraps up this daft thread……
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If true, just because JJB is a helpful poster here, it does not justify his actions.
Attacking other law firms while not coming clean about his own involvement in one is a pretty despicable, underhanded thing to do.
I understand that he is “one of the boys” here, but I am still surprised at people trying to defend him.
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Attacking other law firms while not coming clean about his own involvement in one is a pretty despicable, underhanded thing to do
Couldn´t agree more AJ. Like you I can´t see why others are jumping to defend him.
Also, I can´t be the only one here thinking that as JJB hasn´t come on here to refute Lawbirds claims they must have some validity.
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I think almost everyone here has some kind of alterior motive for posting (think about it)
For those who have been bitten, they are here to attack and damage those who bit them, nothing wrong with that I might add.
Those who talk down the market want to buy a cheap property.
Those who talk up the market have a property to sell (vendor or agent)
There is nothing wrong with critiscising your fellow professionals where they have been a tad remiss. There is also nothing wrong with defending ones reputation either.
Those who keep their side of the argument sane and plausible tend to be seen as fairer, those who cry foul too often “do protest too much” methinks!
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I called this thread daft because it is just hypocritical.
A couple of years ago on this forum some members may remember flw (alias Inigo) ‘attacking’ a certain law firm (we’ll call it **) with the words “This lawyer is not only dishonest but also rather unintelligent”.
He posted annonomously at the time.
It was only by flw being somewhat indiscreet by also mentioning a certain conversation at a wedding that gave the game away, that he indeed did work for Lawbird which he admitted afterwards when queried.Anyway surely it should be for members to consider the validity of another member’s comments as and when they post, at least JJB doesn’t do self-promotion in the form of a professional signature at the end of each post. I find threads dedicated to solely putting down a member for whatever reason rather infantile and distasteful, especially when they’re hypocritical.
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This lawyer is not only dishonest but also rather unintelligent.
Absolutely. I uphold those claims. This opinion is probably shared between 99% of the users of this forum (very likely you too, I don’t believe you are willing to get in business with the “most elusive” of them all).
I made those comments independently as an individual, and my opinions don’t reflect those of the company I work for. Spanish lawyers, following strict Bar rules, are not allowed to criticise other colleagues, and the lawyers at Lawbird are very respectful with these rules. As a non lawyer, I can do whatever I wish, provided I don’t represent my company when making these sorts of comments. Therefore I won’t be signing this post either.
As Chris says, people are entitled to their anonymity on forums like this. Nothing wrong with that. However, using this anonymity to appear in front of us all as someone independent and unbiased, “administering justice” by attacking competitors and praising business partners is indeed despicable.
The main purpose of these forums is defeated with this sort of behaviour. Many people come here looking for help, many times in the form of a recommendation, from someone they can trust as being 100% independent. Apparently this is not always possible, but I guess there are people who can live with this and don’t mind sharing these forums with members who behave unethically.
Please don’t forget that this thread was started by someone else than me, and it was in response to a thread started with the sole purpose of “putting down a member”.
By the way, there is absolutely nothing wrong in using forums to promote your business (provided it’s not against the forum rules). The key is using the right approach: You answer questions for free and in exchange you are allowed to place your signature. I see no harm in this. On the other hand, there are multiple benefits:
- It’s good for the enquirer, who gets information for free.
- It’s good for the forum, which generates traffic.
- It’s good for the law firm, who is able to promote its services and generate its own business, remaining independent.
You might be interested in reading 10 Rules for Driving Traffic Using Forums.
I remember some years ago there were plenty of lawyers writing on these forums. I wonder why they left! Perhaps people should decide carefully which law firms deserve lawyer-bashing and which don’t.
Inigo (alias flw)
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@flw wrote:
By the way, there is absolutely nothing wrong in using forums to promote your business (provided it’s not against the forum rules). T
Inigo (alias flw)I think in the US, the legal profession is synonymous with the term Ambulance chasing.
Many Spanish lawyers were contemptuously happy with taking UK clients money for low-rate services, now they want to take their clients money again to claim against the very developers they were negligent in protecting their clients against. No bank guarantees, no building licenses etc. etc.
I have a low opinion of amateur property agents, they were untrained opportunists, but Spanish lawyers are a breed unto themselves. They acheived a degree in their profession yet ply it badly.
There is no excuse for the crass level of service Spanish lawyers have scantily given to their UK clients who have paid exceptionally high fees for obviously uneducated and shoddy services.
Now, they ply their shoddy services in the gutter, trying to earn a living putting right all they have done wrong, and at an ever higher fee.
Shame on you all.
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I think in the US, the legal profession is synonymous with the term Ambulance chasing.
“Ambulance chasing” is not equivalent to “forum educational marketing”, it’s something totally different, believe me, and it’s forbidden by the Bar rules. However, you do see lots of ambulance chasers on the forums nowadays. The firm I work for has been online for 10 years, and we’ve never had to resort to these sorts of practises.
Unfortunately I cannot disagree with the rest of your post.
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Back to the “outing” of a member. Of course Forums are anonymous but if someone is making claims about their own profession without revealing their own job well it is probably fair game to post about it (sounds cruel, and makes me uncomfortable), I would probably do it myself.
Supposing after all my posts I was actually living in Manchester (eg.) and was selling property in Florida. Wouldn’t you want to say 😆
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@katy wrote:
I agree with you re.service from Lawyers, however, you as an Agent should be aware that you were all selling shit!!
Katy, do not tar everyone with the same brush. In almost 10 years as an agent, I have never sold an unregistered, illegal property. I have not had a single client leave my offices without complete satisfaction and I have never sold property that I did not think was fair value.
I have refused around 80% of resale properties that were offered to me for legal or pricing issues, other agents have taken them on and sold them, I have made thousands less than I could have due to this policy and I’m happy with that. I have always charged the vendors 2% commission from the beginning and only ever sold a small selection of new build that I was happy with. All have been built, certificated and moved into.
You too Goodstitch are too quick to deflame the reputation of someone you have no experience or knowledge of, there are too many forum fortune tellers.
I would not be prepared to label those clients who were badly advised and cheated as all stupid and poorly researched, and therefore those who lost money should have a certain discernment towards those agents who are professionl and honest. It’s a simple case of decency.
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Peter, your conduct may have been above reproach. I speak from experience having known many Agents over the years both professionally and personally. When we have put property on the market I would say 98% have never asked to see the escritura, or proof of ownership. Many people who I know who have bought on the CDS were not shown any resale property (or when they were it was purposely chosen as it was crap). The Agents then showed them a spanking new showhome….because they got more commission!
Some very nice people who I know were Agents and they all had the same properties on their books. Most of them had the same attitude “buyer beware”. A few years ago when the off-plan fiasco was in full swing it was difficult to get an Agent out to value and list a re-sale. The Agents who were basically honest were negligent by default, they were new to the job, did not speak Spanish and knew little of the system. I don’t think one can criticise Lawyers without including the majority of Agents. It is pot calling kettle black!
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@katy wrote:
you as an Agent should be aware that you were all selling shit!!
I have no control over what happens in other companies, but your remark above was very definatley aimed at me personally and I don’t like that one bit! 👿
Goodstitch, there were far more careless and unscrupulous agents than there were good ones, I am in full agreement with you on that. And I accept your apology humbley.
I chose to not grow too large purely to be certain I could vet every property I offered for sale. I speak good Spanish and read and copied all title deeds to every property, incl utility bills and IBI, in fact everything was kept filed. Then those title deeds were passed on to our lawyers to be individually confirmed in writing before I then allowed them to go into my windows and onto my website. If there was an illegal extension over 4 years old, I would probably offer the property for sale only if the window board description highlighted it and the build area stated did not include it.
There were many agents in my plaza that ridiculed me for my property descriptions and some of my staff, I would not allow the words Large Lounge or Beautiful views for example as those were opinions and not fact. Vendors who asked me to flower up their property descriptions were told NO!
I never held any clients money, they were told to find a lawyer and express their interest in writing before contracts and deposits were exchanged. I never allowed vendors to have their 10% deposits, they were to be held by their lawyers until the Notary. I did not want vendors to get divorced during the sale and one partner run off with the clients deposits!
In short if there were any pitfalls I would put in place a proceedure to ensure it never happened, in my opinion, to ensure everything goes well, these things have to be done.
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