Alright so i have a Lawyer and hired him to represent me and the facts of the case?

This bottom feeder took my money and said (his words not mine) this case is pretty easy math, lets just go to Mediation present the case and be done..(HELL YA) my words, so after my check cleared and the Landlord sent my Lawyer a background check done on my showed I have a conviction for a crime that was committed and over with 16.5 years ago and has absolutely nothing to do with this stupid eviction, the lawyer started singing a different tune, telling me that because of my past, as far as the Judge, Courts, and Jury are concerned I have already lost the case, His words, I lose and it doesn't matter what proof or explanation i have its a done deal. Is this seriously the case?? Also my Jury is set for 7/21/2011 and this Lawyer has been pressuring me to sign a paper stating that i will move out by 7/15/2011 and agree to pay what the Landlord wants with no regard to my receipts and claim? The landlord also just in the last two weeks has contacted my surrounding neighbors and told them all about our situation and been slandering my name and character to them, she also said alot of untrue things trying to to make my neighbors get on her side with regard to her claim. My neighbors are actually the ones that told me in this situation i really need to pursue a Defamation suit with Slander attached to it, because she was doing it out of pure Malice and Harment with the intent to Embarr Thanks for you Help