Have you talked with any others who have already started the legal process? I wonder if we can learn anything.

The lawyer might consume money, but as was explained by someone else here, this is actually customary.

The fact HF will not even reply is very bad. I believe they are excusing themselves from any kind of responsibility. Worse, while I think they demand arbitration, it might take a court case to get them there.  Those folks are starting to sound like BFL.