Finding a good lawyer?

[ZenGum]

Gawd, what a mess.

I know NADA about your tax and IR system, but here is my two cents.

Verbal agreements are irrelevant. Lawyers and the IRS only care about what can be documented. Look at the paperwork, and ask, what does this prove? That is all you have to go on.

The amount of time and money it will take to fight this could become very big, very quickly. If it is known that BF is involved in legal action with a past employer, this could deter potential future employers.

IMHO ... like the song says, know when to hold em, know when to fold em. I think it is time to walk away. BF got burned, ripped off for 30 hours ... what, $500, $1,000? Sucks, but he'll live. Get new job ASAP and move on. And learn the lesson. Get your contract (or terms of employment or whatever) clear and straight and written and signed before you start. If they won't do this, they're probably a crook.