Have you contacted another lawyer? If you can prove ioncompetency then there shouldn't be an issue. I would report the lawyer to the bar association specifying your complaint. I don't know about lawyer fees. I thought they had to split the fee. You can only be charged a certain amount by law, regardless of how many layers are involved ( I think).

I would try threatening the lawyer and see if they would drop the case. (Just an idea). On the bright side 72% of people are approved at the hearing level.

Good luck!