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07 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Dishonest, bogus charges, totally dropped the ball with my case. Don't waste your time or your money.
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15 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
In my experience I personally have witnessed this company help the community and women in DV as far as utilizing resources for the community such as speakers ,live events and updated and always expanding strategies.
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15 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Horner was referred to me by legal shield. I Hired her March 1st 2018 she did not actually appear in court 1 time for me and did not do anything to help me while waiting for court set (trail) feb 2019 she then informed me Jan 2019 she needed more money to continue to be my lawyer for trail (feb 2019) after sending me a invoice (after me asking multiple times for invoice) of bugus fees she withheld from my retainer needless to say I was very angry and decided to take my “extra” money to a new lawyer which helped me get everything I wanted and what was owed to me in a matter of 27 days! worst experience ever and really feel ripped off to be honest
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24 Nov, 2015 by Michael
Contrary to the two reviews I have read on this site Mrs. Forwood has been there in every step of my case. I believe she has the knowledge and compassion that is required in such legal cases as my own. Mrs. Forwood is a constant guardian in my definition and a great lawyer, and I would recommend her to anybody I know that needs such representation. Her tenacity and presence in court is unparalleled by anyone's standards and believes in the right thing for the case. Even if it is not in favor of what "the client wants" it will be the right thing to do. This I trust, and am willing to say it with confidence and conviction. In a nutshell, I am more than pleased with the services rendered thus far in an ongoing case and am pleased to have been referred to Mrs. Forwood by a very well known practice in the athens area.
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09 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Was not available once to assist me with details of my case, despite repeated attempts to contact. Saw her the first day (when I paid my upfront fee) and the last day (after I negotiated my own settlement with no legal input). Seemed knowledgeable, but provided little to no service.
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14 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
I was not happy with my experience with Ms. Forwood. I increasingly felt less confident that she was a strong advocate, efficient, and effective. Her lack of knowledge is apparent, and she drags on her case in order to increase the cost of her services. I felt that she presented options for me that were detrimental. Additionally, I thought she treated the paralegal poorly, talked behind the paralegal's back. She doesn't realize that she is a fool, and appeared that way in front of the judge and the opposing council. Choosing her was an embarrassment.
She is simply a failure at her work.
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20 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
She’s a crook, she’ll take your money and you won’t hear from her for weeks, no update, no communication absolutely nothing.
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29 Jan, 2024 by Karen
Stephanie was amazing on my case. She knew what she was doing and she did what was best for me and my kids. I was able to get my kids back thanks to her. I would highly highly recommend Stephanie for any family law matter!
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04 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
This lady has no comprehension of returning communication in a timely manner. You should never have to wait weeks to hear back from a hired professional, not to mention she has a very crappy attitude. If I had it to do over I would have saved the money I wasted on her just to fire her and hire another attorney. God forbid this is where the legal world is going!
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13 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
ABSOLUTELY INCOMPETENT!! Does not respond, does not do proper research, does not care about clients best interest, and refuses to do the work that she is hired to do.
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30 Oct, 2021 by David
So we’ve been dealing with court for over 10 years and have already had multiple lawyers. When we hired Melissa and saw her in court we were absolutely Amazed! Not only did she do so much research on our case she seemed to know more about it then us but she attacked every issue without hesitation and with pure confidence!
I literally got giddy watching her and actually enjoyed being at court. I didn’t believe any lawyer could actually be this incredible.
I would strongly recommend her for anyone who’s having trouble in court.
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30 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
this Law firm was hired to represent My brother. After they were paid to cover three felony's. they dropped him after representing him on one. And now say they don't do criminal law.
So now my brother is sitting in the state pen, for harboring a felon, and the man that he is in there for has not even been found guilty of the felony. so if you value your self at all don't use this law firm Ms sawyar it was your firm .in hobbs nm
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07 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Garbage, trying to start a name for herself. She's in cohoots with the judges , especially judge boham. Do not hie her, she cares nothing besides herself, and money.
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07 May, 2022 by Jackie
Debbie was my attorney for my 1st trial. I didn't know the law like I do now. I feel ripped off by her. She forced me to settle the day if trial. The ex didn't file anything for trial, forced me to go all the way to trial, and still walked away with a settlement that Debbie wrote up that was fair for him, not me. He got half custody walking out that day with no attorney, and he filed nothing with the court for trial. She even charged me $20,000.00 and said she prepared for trial. I regret having her as my attorney. She said she would fight for me, but I felt I got the short end of the stick. I would not recommend her.
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13 Nov, 2015 by Nan
Debbie was my life saver. She came into the case after a bad attorney, and she got what I feel was a great settlement. She fights hard for you, and more importantly, she cares for her clients. She is fast to respond to calls and emails, and she was there for me at the hardest point in my life. She was firm in telling me what she believed she could get for me. She is a trustworthy attorney, and this this business- that is hard to find. She was worth every penny! I would highly recommend her for anyone going through a divorce and having custody issues.
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20 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
I wish I could forget his name for the rest of my life. After going to court, and not winning, he did not have the nerve to even call me and tell me that we did not win the case. He had his secretary call me and do that part. Bill gave me some of the worst advice during the case and looking back, I wish I would have listened to my friends and family about him thousands of dollars later. I ended up hiring a lawyer out of Amarillo to fix as much of the damage that he caused, which was life-changing. Stay far away from this guy. There are plenty of other lawyers in Lubbock.
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12 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
We paid $250.00 to get laughed at and told we were lucky we got what we got? Our grand daughter now gets to suffer court ordered mental abuse and yet another Lubbock lawyer keeps his friendship with the self proclaimed gods among men aka judges. Best interest of the child,,,I didnt wait to hear the excuse of his definition. I could have wasted $250.00 in so many better ways.
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13 Sep, 2013 by Benjamin
I'm not sure how Bill ranks in expense vs. other lawyers. Divorce is expensive, but it pays to have the best on your side. Bill and his staff took very good care of my needs and I got the result I wanted. He is honest and will tell you the hard truth about your situation. Never the less he will fight hard for you in court. He is very organized and comes fully prepared to argue your case. I would look no further and would certainly use this firm again if the needed, hopefully not needed.
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10 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
Hired back in February 2022 had a court date in December he failed to appear now won’t return phone calls emails even stop by his office vehicle is there but won’t answer the door will be going to the bar association to file a grievances
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17 Jun, 2022 by Anthony staton
Handled a custody case beautifully, but the mother of my child has decided to literally take her again, I've returned to Mr McMeans to handle it again and he has acted very swiftly and concisely. This would be the second time I've returned to his services and noticed his one star.
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02 Jun, 2022 by Ray
A complete baffoon.
Hired him for a matter with a deadline. The deadline came and passed and he did nothing. When I confronted him about it he told he he would no longer represent me. After doing nothing to further my cause, he refunded a portion of my retainer claiming the remainder was for the creation of the file to my case. What did he need a file for if he wasn't going to do anything?
Stay away from this guy. Hire an attorney who knows how to practice law, not just brag, "That's my real name."
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20 Oct, 2022 by Roger brown
20 Oct, 2019 by Joshua wheaton
03 Oct, 2019 by Amber seiling
BEWARE!
Complaints can be filed with the OK Bar Association.
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20 Oct, 2022 by Roger brown
20 Oct, 2019 by Joshua wheaton
03 Oct, 2019 by Amber seiling
BEWARE!
Complaints can be filed with the OK Bar Association.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Cory clark
This law office should be investigated and fined to the highest extent of the law. Know your rights when they call you, because they will try to pressure and violate you out of them. Stand your ground and report to the state. EVERYONE should be held accountable, especially attorneys.
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25 Jan, 2024 by D. l.
C. Martin gouged me for my money out of my deposit i paid. It was a simple case, i just asked him to look over the proposal and then help me mediate the terms. It was a short process but yet used all of my deposit. Straightup gouged me. Do not go to this guy. I dunno who shaw is, but i would completely avoid hiring any lawyers from this office.
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25 Jan, 2024 by Magnus “admin” blickensturfer
Martin will rip you off and try to get as much money out of you as they can. I put a deposit down for family law dispute. He kept asking me the same questions over and over amd then worked on it longer than i told him too. He was supposed to mainly mediate it and check things over for me. Straightup ripped me off.
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08 Nov, 2021 by Sean king
Under construction. Awful signage. Had to ask 3 people where to park.
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02 May, 2018 by Sean
Attorney Compston was great! He replied back to me whenever I reached out to him. He gave me the best advice and effectively had a felony dismissed after a long strenuous appeals process! I am now able to start a career that was put on hold for 4 years! Thank you!!!! And no, just like I use to think, this is not a fake review...this is an actual satisfied client that appreciates an attorney working hard to help change someone's life!!
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16 Nov, 2017 by Chris
04 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
wouldn't return calls. Charged me an outrageous amount and did NOTHING. Cost me my house and half of everything I owned. Stay away!
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20 Nov, 2015 by Jennifer
Bryan has helped me out many times in the past 6 yrs. On different cases. He has always pulled through & got what I wanted done. He also works with you on making payments. Which is helpful in times of hardship.
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22 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Bryan was able to assist me in getting full custody of my daughter and an emergency hearing the day after christmas. As a father it is hard to get custody of your child in Arkansas but Bryan can get the job done if it is at all possible for you to get custody. He has been very helpful in many other instances where I needed quick legal advice and very reasonable with his cost compared to his competition in the area. If you are in a bind and need a quick & reliable lawyer Bryan is the guy you need to call.
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31 Jul, 2019 by Evelyn
John Murphy is a nice guy but his ethics need some work. He handled my case for almost a year. He never returns phone calls unless you repeatedly call his office. We’re talking weeks not days. Never answers your emails. Tried to get a petition filed right away but due to his poor communication it was filed 4 months later. Told me the filing was done in December, not record with the court house. Wasn’t done till January after I made multiple calls to his office. If you want a lawyer that’s passive, he’s your man.
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09 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
Even though my case was quite a few years ago, I am still paying fees for extremely poor representation. If I could have seen reviews like this before hiring John Murphy, the outcome and my bills could have been very different. I feel obligated to post to help someone else needing an attorney in the future. This is not the one to hire. Communication did not exist. I made so many phone calls that were not returned, and not provided interrogatories and therefore contempt charges were filed. Luckily the legal secretary called me at the last minute on a Friday asking for them when they were due on Monday. I was still charged with contempt of court, but then cleared when I pointed out my attorney failed to deliver. He was not prepared for court dates, and even failed to notify me of one that was scheduled. This man should not be practicing family law. With so many bad reviews that are consistent stories, I don't understand why he is. I was also charged for things that did not happen at all. Phone calls that were not made, work that was not completed. Very disappointing.
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17 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired him to represent me in a family matter the initial meeting went over okay however after the first court hearing it became obvious that John Murphy was only in this for a paycheck he's very disorganized and does a very poor job with client follow up during the process it became obvious John Murphy is more focused on building alliances and relationships with his fellow attorneys than looking after the best interest of his client this guy took my money never called me back withdrew motions that I had open in court
John Murphy allows his personal beliefs to guide him through a court case not what the client has hired him for he decides what he wants to do and never consults you additionally he absolutely will never return a phone call I personally called him 15 two 25 times over the span of two months and he never returned my call
Specifically custody and visitation is what I hired him for in addition to child support as it stood Walworth County child support department said that I owed in excess of $25,000 in child support arrears
As it turns out he did nothing and what ultimately happened was on my own after going to court for five years it was proven Walworth County child support have been collecting child support for years and not crediting it to the proper account and I was issued a $25,000 credit for past-due child
Whether or not John Murphy believed me when I retained him and told him I didn't know any past due child support is it relevant clearly he didn't believe me however he still should have provided me at least a rudimentary level of defense for the baseless assertion that I owed this child support and he never did
I had to face a contempt of court hearing on myown
hiring John Murphy was like hiring another attorney to work against me in the process of fighting for custody and try to straighten out the mess of Child Support
John Murphy provided me the worst possible experience a client could get from an attorney I would not recommend him to anyone
I'm so extremely disappointed that I wasted my money my time and my efforts on this attorney
I was nearly put in jail for contempt of court for not paying child support that I never owed he sold me up a creek to the child support attorney and I was left to sort the mess out on my own after I paid him ultimately as stated earlier I did receive a $25,000 credit for past-due child support that I did On My Own by continually going to court and defending myself after I paayed john Murphy
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25 Mar, 2021 by Sidney kirby
This business literally took a large retainer from my mother as he is saying he can absolutely help her with her case. Then turns around and does absolutely nothing. This is pitiful. How are these men still in business?
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23 Mar, 2021 by Kristy prather
Took our money and did nothing for us!! They will not even respond to our phone calls!! Ignoring the whole situation! Do not hire these people!!
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22 Nov, 2019 by Tracy chapman
Worst place ever I’ve been calling for a month I called was told they would call me back in a few mins nothing called a month later same issue they said are attorney will call you right back never Hurd back
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23 Jun, 2023 by Paulette
Cara is an amazing attorney! She listened to all of my concerns and provided such comfort and awesome legal advice represent. She provided such support and her confidence made me more confident in my case. She is my go to lawyer for any future issues on my case and I would trust no one else when it comes to my babies. If you want to have a component, confident and informed attorney, choose Cara Rowe!
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11 May, 2023 by Anonymous
I did not hire this attorney, but my wife did. I am not an attorney, I do not even do reviews like that. I watch a lot of Law and Order, Dateline, 20/20, a big murder mystery buff. I never seen a professional so unprepared in my life. To add insult to injury, I personally made sure my wife sent pictures of an incident that took place to Mrs. Rowe's office. We get to court and she does not even have the evidence THAT WE PROVIDED!!! While we were in court it was like she did not even know why we were there. We asked for clarification on charges that we received from the office and no one could explain why there was a lack of communication on billing WHEN NOTHING HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. She guaranteed a win and we continued to lose on a simple matter with tons of evidence in my wife's favor. She still got paid though. If you would like to throw away your case, by all means please hire Mrs. Rowe.
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23 Nov, 2020 by Marco
I'm a father and I hired Cara to help me get custody of my 6yr old son and that is exactly what she did.I had been told over and over that a father would never get primary custody of a child and that it would be impossible.
Thanks to Cara,today I got primary custody of my son.
Cara's a phenomenal attorney! I highly recommend you to hire Cara if you're looking for a lawyer that will really fight for you!She is well organized, experienced, and tough. If you want to win your case,you should definitely hire Cara.
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31 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Absolutely RUN FROM HIM, John Collar!!! He has a vindicttive, anti-female relationship to his clients and an "old boys school" you-help-me, I'll help you relationship, Go anywhere else but here!!!
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28 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
He is the worst! I asked the firm to switch me from him and they would not after wasting $50,000 on my still litigating divorce. He ran the bill crazy up, was very disrespectful, dud not tell me to postpone my divorce until 2019 in order to not pay taxes on alimony I'd receive and totally bungled my divorce. $100,000 later, I've had to hire another attorney to fix his legal mess.
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07 May, 2019 by Anonymous
Awful at communicating and just dropped the nail in negotiations. Would not recommend.
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23 Feb, 2024 by Jennifer bragg
If your smart. You definately will find another attorney. Ed did nothing for me but make my case worse
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26 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Non responsive except to send the occasional email. She was appointed to me for a case. The case stretched to a year. Then an appeal case she waited until last minute to file for me. She told me that I couldn't file a re appeal which supreme court told me I could due to me not being notified of anything involving the case. I found out that she had dismissed me while I was waiting for the Supreme Court case. She was appointed to me for another court case. She was still sending stuff to an address that was not my address I had provided her with multiple times. Her and her secretary lied to me and said I never gave that information. I was provided no information and she outright refused to honor anything she was supposed to file on my behalf. She was supplying information to the other side and she outright called me a liar and accused me of being on drugs and told me I needed psych meds. She refused to use any evidence and kept trying to get me to not speak in court. Battling court for 2 years becuz of her lack of professional and ethical actions.
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10 Jun, 2022 by Hanah broadwater
15 Dec, 2021 by Jane meginnes
I still have a open adoption case and not getting anywhere. I have paid the money and wont return my calls or texts.
Jane Meginnes
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07 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I have met this attorney once with my daughter who has been in an abusive marriage for some time now. He was payed a retainer, but it seems my daughter has done the work. She has had a lot go on since this attorney has been hired and it just seems like nothing can get done. She has called, messaged him and I have also messaged him with no reply back. It seems to me that if it was his daughter he would want something done as I do. This needs to be over. I would not recommend hiring Saleem unless you have the time to wait forever.
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04 Jan, 2018 by Susan
Salem simply stopped working on my case because it was going to involve doing some research in another state. He stopped returning emails or calls.
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16 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
Brian Gabor and his secretary are very unprofessional!!! I hate that I even hired him as a lawyer!!! Brian never return calls and he’s not on top of his game. Brian doesn’t even deserve one star I was better off representing myself . I would never recommend him for lawyer Ever!!!! I’m highly disappointed
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24 Nov, 2016 by James
I am working with Mr. Gabor on a divorce case and I am extremely pleased with what he is doing. Yes Mr. Gabor is very busy but he always gets back with me and let's me know what is going on. Would highly recommend Mr. Gabor
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18 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr Gabor started out with the best interest of the estate, but that quickly changed. He was never available when he said he would be. He didn't return our calls in a timely matter...more so ... not at all. When the house in the estate was finally sold, the signing of those papers had to wait until after Mr. Gabor returned from vacation. Things didn't happen when he said they would. When everything was done with the estate and all papers were turned into him on Dec 28th, for closing of the estate, it took many phone calls from us and three months for a court date to be set and that only got done when it did because his secretary took charge and set up the court date only after talking to her and telling her that we looked into hiring another attorney to get the estate closed. I informed her that on the Friday before presidents day, Mr. Gabor told my husband that the court house was closed on Monday because of the holiday and so Tuesday would be the earliest he could get something set up. He gave us plenty of excuses! Going into the third month of waiting and talking to his secretary about our frustrations and concerns... all his secretary would say is " well, im not the attorney". She was nice about the whole deal, and understood how frustrated we were at closing this estate. Once the court date was set, and all reports were completed and sent out...we discovered, from my accountant, that mothers 2014 taxes should have been filed and that our attorney should have told us that. when asked mr gabor about it...all he could says was "well...." . ALSO, when I was going through the final report, I noticed that part of the will was missing. Section two that stated an entitlement of an item was left out. I asked Mr. Gabor about that section and how that was to play out. He responsed... " oh, I guess I didn't pay attention to that. I must have overlooked that." I HAD TO HIRE ANOTHER LAWYER TO GET THIS SECTION OF THE WILL COMPLETED!! MR GABOR SEEMED TO NOT CARE OR NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE ....I THINK BOTH!! we had to hire another attorney!!! we were told by this other attorney that if this issue was not addressed before closing, things would have been a big mess and potentially caused legal problems down the road. Fair warning to all who need things done in a timely manner, without excuses, and done COMPLETELY...THE RIGHT WAY! IF it wasn't for all my questions and inquiries....my husband and I would be out MORE than the $600, out of our own pocket, it cost us to fix things and get them done like they should have been!
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14 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Referee Baker oversaw my divorce case. Right from the beginning she showed extreme impatience, and favoritism. There was a double set of standards whereas one side consistently violated the stipulations, yet when brought to her attention, no enforcement was taken. Yet when the opposing side was simply late on filing and contested, she immediately ruled in favor and gave short timeliness. Tens of thousands of dollars were wasted in legal fees in providing undeniable facts, yet she took the position of it no longer matters. It was simply unbelievable to see how consistently she would make rulings on minuscule issues of little concern, yet turn a blind eye to other huge financial issues of squandered resources by the opposing party. I have dealt with many referees in settling many small claim actions regarding unpaid client accounts over decades of business management, and by far she has clearly displayed bias regardless of the facts presented. One thing for sure, you will win or lose simply based upon one thing right from the beginning. Which Attorney & Client does she favor. The facts otherwise are irrelevant.
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14 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Gail told me I did not have to take off work for the court date, she would be there to handle everything.
She didn't even show up and of course I lost.
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27 Sep, 2013 by Robin/kesha
No communication throughout the process, Never tried to protect my child even though abuser was charged with felony. Worked against me with all issues. Was late twice to court leaving me very anxious at the start of the court proceedings. Would not listen to my concerns. Always seemed to be for the other side. Very disorganized and seemed nervous when opposing attorney presented lies against me.
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13 Mar, 2024 by Michael
Find someone else! She is horrible with communication and fighting for you. During the divorce process, she was more concerned with taking notes than doing the best for her client. We had a third-party financial person with our divorce. Sometimes it felt like five against one. Hardly four against two. But definitely not two versus two and an impartial third-party. before the divorce was final, she mentioned she had something for me to sign which I was going to take about five minutes. After going to her office and her fumbling through her phone for over 45 minutes, my address was changed. That’s all it was. My address.
After my divorce was approved by the judge, I was notified by my ex-wife that we were officially divorced. Six days later, SIX, I called my attorney to find out what the deal was. She said she “just received the paperwork.” So I called her out on it and asked what day she received the email from the other attorney. It was the prior week. But no correspondence to me saying hey, we need to talk about something and finish up signing some paperwork, or hey, you’re divorced. No phone call. No text. No email.
At the end of this same conversation, she said that she would mail me a hardcopy of the divorce. Decree for my files. It is now been three weeks. I have yet to get my divorce decree in the mail.
Do yourself a favor, get someone else. Someone who will fight for you and be on your side and has the decency to communicate with you. It’s your life! It’s your divorce!
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13 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Julie wrote up separation paperwork incorrectly by using the incorrect dates. This is causing agreed upon spousal support to end a year sooner than it should have. When error brought to her attention she refused to correct her error.
Her response was to “sue” me. Tells you what kind of attorney she is that she refuses to be held accountable for her error. She is obviously not working in your best interest but her own!
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10 Jan, 2021 by Vivi
Julie was a fantastic advocate for me and my children during the collaborative law process. She was flexible with her schedule to work around times when i needed consultation and explained all aspects of collaborative as we went through the process and i had questions. I truly felt like I had a partner to help me navigate this difficult part of my life. For anyone who thinks Collaborative could be a route for them, I would highly recommend you work with Julie.
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29 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I had a excellent experience working with Mr. Kakassy. Amy was very helpful to help me when I really did not understand what was really needed. I was a easy smooth experience and I would go to Mr. Kakassy again for any additional legal help I might need.
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09 Sep, 2020 by Charles
He represented me in case where I needed to modify my parenting plan. He sat in another room with my ex and giggled and seemed to be more a friend to my ex's attorney than my representation. He kept calling me by another name because he couldn't even remember mine. He was nice until it was game time and didn't care about my case or what was best for my child but rather to just getting it done quickly. I'm still dealing with visitation interference and he did a horrible job with the parenting plan. I absolutely would not recommend Mr Kakassy to any parent who is dealing with co-parenting issues. He's the worst I've ever experienced.
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25 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
He was hired for a custody issue and made me look like an idiot and made copies that wasn't legible. Lucky I had the originals in court and the Judge saw what he was trying to do!! Sabotage His own client!!! I would give him 0 stars if possible!!! He is by far the worst Lawyer ever!!
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23 Aug, 2024 by Sharon
He is a fraud. Worst lawyer ever! Rude, nasty and unprofessional!!! He will not represent you as he says he will. Save your time and money and find a good attorney!
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24 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Like most lawyers, initially told me everything I wanted to hear, then would tell me that I was hurting my own case over extremely trivial events … because he was softening me up to settle and not go to trial.
A predator, preying on his clients emotions, naïveté and fear in order to take as much money as possible while doing as little as possible and minimizing risk of a loss going on his official record by sabotaging my case in order to avoid trial and push towards a settlement with me having less and less leverage the longer he was my lawyer.
I did far better representing myself at a tiny fraction of the cost.
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11 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
I was in shock and in a bad place financially and emotionally as I entered a new divorce, and Mr Palmquist was recommended to me from a friend, as I was told that he would fight for me and be my advocate. Needless to say, Jim came through plus some. He was attentive to my wants, reminded me of my needs, and with his help we were able to position ourselves into an upper hand for a beautiful settlement that fell heavily in my favor. I couldn't have imagined a better outcome or a more phenomenal attorney. When he is busy , Rebecca, his co-council, was always available to ensure that I was taken care of. His staff is efficient and never missed a call I made, and they were friendly and aware of my constant "millennium generation" mentality of impatience . They never showed annoyance or complained, even on my bad days. Jim would come in for me on weekends and evenings. He would text me to check on me, and remind me that I was in good hands. He and his team had my back. I felt strong walking into court with Jim by my side. Especially if you are in Medina court, you would be exceptionally wise to use Palmquist law. He is what a laywer should be, and sets the bar for all other attorneys in the area. I was positioned in a way where my X had a financial gain due to his income and my lack thereof, however despite he and his legal teams attempts, no one messed with me because they were in turn messing with Jim. It goes to show that money is meaningless unless your attorney knows what he is doing. I owe him my sanity. Jim and his team were the only support I had in Medina, and that was all I needed. Highly Highly recommended any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.
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23 Jul, 2014 by Todd
Very up front about cost and expectations. Delayed my case until retainer depleted almost exactly. When I negotiated a settlement with opposing party, Ms. Vicari proposed another settlement that upon scrutiny, was worse than the one I secured and negotiated. She didn't appear to remember what was discussed at prior meetings, delaying the progress.
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07 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Giving Jane 2 stars as she has the potential to be a good lawyer however when she represented me in 2022 as a Keffer-Hirschauer attorney I was disappointed on many occasions . Jane completed a lot of work last minute, which might have been the result of Keffer-Hirschauer overloading their attorneys with too many cases. Regarding spousal maintenance, Jane wasted months before asking the court for a hearing on spousal maintenance, and Jane did not follow through with the request once filed. Jane recommended signing certain financial agreements without communicating the possibility that future hearing dates may be rescheduled or extended, which lead to me being left without funding for many months. Lastly, a few weeks before a scheduled mediation and final hearing date Jane was either fired from Keffer-Hirschauer or left Keffer-Hirschauer on her own, (I have not been given a reason for her departure from either side) which then extended my mediation and final hearing, left me in a desperate financial situation and resulted in an exorbitant amount of legal fee's as I had to start over with a new lawyer.
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06 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I initially hired Katie after meeting and feeling a positive connection with her, as well as knowing she had the full backing of Rebecca Long Okura, who has a good reputation. I was in a 20 year marriage that had become controlling and quite rapidly deteriorated.
My then husband and I had made the decision in 2001 that I would stay at home with our daughter when she was born. I had no income of my own whatsoever. I had spent time helping out with my dad when he moved here to Utah in 2014, and became his main caretaker after a stroke in 2016 when I was given his power of attorney until his passing in late 2018. Our daughter graduated high school in 2019.
I was given an ultimatum and forced into being the one to file for divorce in early 2020. At the time that I hired her, I felt that Ms. McLain was really going to go to bat for me, as a 20 year unemployed, 55 year old woman, facing off against a husband who made an average of $25,000 per month and had been with the same company for 25 years, and would continue to have that earning capacity.
There are a lot of things that did not play in my favor, the pandemic being one of them, and an attorney that wasn’t aggressive and assertive enough to fight for what was really right for me is another. In the middle of April 2020 we attended 9 brutal hours of mediation and I was convinced to settle for nearly $100K less equity than what a mortgage broker’s comps placed the value of the marital home at, half the monthly alimony asked, no equity in several marital assets, no accounting for my future, my health, my children. Basically, I got hosed. My ex was having the best month of his career to date (I found out later from a co-worker) while he told the mediator that he was going to lose $150K of income in 2020 and was not made to show proof of current income. The best month of his career to date meant something like $40K. In April of 2020, mid pandemic. He had probably the best year of his life, and I paid Ms. McLain nearly $15,000 to walk away with so much less than I deserved. And now, to top it all off he just bought, in August of 2021, a nearly million dollar house without even having sold the previous one. Clearly he has had a change for the better, while less than 1 1/2 years ago he claimed he would not be able to afford to pay alimony and survive himself. I feel that if Ms. McLain had really gone to bat for me, she would have advised me to wait for mediation to take place, even though it was to the point where I just wanted it to be over. Or at least advised me to call his bluff and say I wanted to go to trial and see what might have happened. All of the hours that I spent going over finances, bank and credit card statements, etc, just for her office to charge me to go over the same things, nickel and diming me over emails and phone calls with me and his attorney, even months after the divorce was final.
I am absolutely devastated. All I want to do is get healthy and buy my own little home, start fresh, but I’m still paying medical bills from last year, and am struggling with financing because I don’t make enough. I am left feeling like I should have hired a different attorney, and maybe will have to now, even though I can’t afford to, to get what I should have gotten in the first place if Ms. McLain had lived up to what she had promised from the start.
Bottom line, I would not hire her again, and I really would not recommend her or her firm, as I was told that everything ultimately went through Ms. Long Okura, if you really need someone to fight for you. I feel like there are better attorneys and better firms out there.
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10 Feb, 2011 by Georgette
I think Tricia would like to do a good job, but lacks experience and doesn't listen to the client. Hurt our case more than helped. Wish I could say that she was great.
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20 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
I contacted Rosemary on a Friday and she got back with me a few goes later via email. I didn't get a chance to speak with her that day (busy day), but she contact me via phone that Monday morning. Although I didn't get a chance to use her services she seemed very prompt and helpful.
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24 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
She was my lawyer and we had a falling out the day before we went to court. I was told she was not going to show up if I didn't pay more money after giving her thousands of dollars. I could not afford to give her more and thought that we were covered for more time so I was scared and was told she would not show so I became upset and let her firm know how I felt. But she did show, I was relieved but she told me to wait outside while she would go in and handle things. While I waited outside, she went in and decided to ensure I got the maximum amount of child support possible and then come out and told me to have a good life as she walked away laughing. This is not someone I would ever consider using nor would I ever trust this person to do what is best for you.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Jen h
21 Mar, 2024 by Karmia williams
The following is my personal experience and opinion: Adult man was witnessed by two adults flicking my 15 year daughter’s skirt back in 2019. DA refused to file charges. Since then this same man has sent a completely nude photo to a 14 year old and seems to have possibly done something else similar because he currently has a case pending in court. If the DA had done their job the first time to stop this predator then maybe there would not be more victims! The DA has known he’s a predator for years!
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14 Jan, 2024 by Shannon mccormick
Just watched "Accused: guilty or innocent" documentary episode on Rebecca Hogue trial. I was so Absolutely appalled by Oklahoma state , the above D.A/ office & residing judge I had to say something. They completely victim shamed & labeled a traumatized grieving mother, completely abusing tax payers money prosecuting this woman on a complete farce case, completely manipulating the jury but not allowing crucial evidence that would've had the case thrown out. I am absolutely Disgusted that this is how our system actually works. I truly believe we the people need to push for more serious laws on accountability & punishments for elected officials, judges and/or their office whom abuse and manipulate our justice systems in this way. It is out of control in every state and this documentary shows just how deplorable it is no matter the case.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Adoption Lawyer Can Do for You
An adoption lawyer specializes in navigating the legal complexities of the adoption process, ensuring that the rights of all parties involved - the adoptive parents, birth parents, and the child - are protected. They assist families through the different types of adoption, such as domestic, international, foster care, stepparent, and private adoptions. Adoption lawyers ensure that the adoption process complies with state, federal, and international laws, and handle any legal issues that may arise during the process, such as terminating parental rights, conducting home studies, and finalizing the adoption.
If you're looking to adopt or if you're a birth parent considering placing your child for adoption, an adoption lawyer can guide you through the legal requirements and ensure the process goes smoothly.
When Should I Hire an Adoption Lawyer?
You should consider hiring an adoption lawyer in the following situations:
- Private or independent adoption: If you’re adopting a child directly from the birth parents without the involvement of an adoption agency, a lawyer is essential to draft and review all legal documents, including consent forms and parental rights termination agreements.
- Foster care adoption: If you’re adopting a child from foster care, a lawyer can help navigate the legal process, ensure the child’s eligibility for adoption, and represent you in court to finalize the adoption.
- Stepparent or relative adoption: If you’re adopting a stepchild or a relative, a lawyer can assist in terminating the parental rights of the biological parent and ensure the adoption is completed legally and efficiently.
- International adoption: International adoptions are complex, involving multiple layers of laws from the U.S. and the child’s birth country. A lawyer can help navigate immigration requirements and ensure compliance with international treaties like the Hague Convention.
- Contested adoptions: If a birth parent changes their mind about the adoption or there is a dispute over parental rights, a lawyer can represent you in court and ensure that the adoption proceeds legally.
- Adoption for same-sex couples: If you're a same-sex couple looking to adopt, a lawyer can help ensure that your adoption complies with state laws and that both parents have equal legal rights to the child.
- Birth parent representation: If you’re a birth parent considering adoption, a lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected, help you understand the legal implications of terminating parental rights, and ensure that your decision is legally sound.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help avoid legal complications and ensure that the adoption is legally finalized as smoothly as possible.
What Does an Adoption Lawyer Do?
An adoption lawyer provides a variety of legal services, ensuring that the adoption process is completed in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing legal paperwork: Adoption lawyers handle all the necessary paperwork, including petitions to terminate parental rights, consent forms, and final adoption decrees. They ensure that the adoption is in line with state, federal, and international laws.
- Conducting home studies: Some adoptions require a home study to evaluate the prospective adoptive family. While a social worker usually conducts the study, a lawyer can ensure that the process complies with legal requirements and that the report is submitted correctly.
- Terminating parental rights: Lawyers assist in terminating the legal rights of the biological parents, either voluntarily through signed consent or involuntarily through court proceedings if necessary.
- Representing clients in court: Adoption lawyers represent adoptive parents, birth parents, or other parties in court hearings to finalize the adoption or resolve disputes.
- Navigating international adoption laws: For international adoptions, a lawyer helps ensure that all legal requirements, both in the U.S. and the child’s home country, are met, including securing the child’s visa and citizenship.
- Providing legal advice: Adoption lawyers guide clients through each step of the adoption process, advising them on their rights and obligations, as well as any potential legal issues that may arise.
- Drafting post-adoption agreements: In some cases, especially open adoptions, a lawyer can help draft post-adoption agreements that specify the level of contact between the adoptive and birth parents.
How Are Adoption Lawyers Paid?
Adoption lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the adoption and the time involved. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many adoption lawyers charge a flat fee for handling the entire adoption process. This is common for straightforward adoptions, such as stepparent or foster care adoptions, where the legal work is relatively predictable.
- Hourly rate: For more complex adoptions, such as contested or international adoptions, some lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: In cases where the adoption process may take longer or involve more legal work (e.g., termination of parental rights or court disputes), a lawyer may require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that is billed against as the lawyer works on the case.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront, so you understand the total cost of the adoption and any additional expenses that may arise during the process.
How Much Does an Adoption Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an adoption lawyer depends on the type of adoption and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:
- Stepparent or relative adoption: Legal fees for these types of adoptions typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on whether the adoption is contested or requires a court hearing.
- Domestic private adoption: The legal fees for a private adoption usually range from $5,000 to $10,000, including drafting documents, terminating parental rights, and finalizing the adoption in court.
- International adoption: International adoptions are generally more expensive, with legal fees ranging from $7,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the adoption and the child’s country of origin.
- Contested adoption: If the adoption is contested and involves court disputes, legal fees may range from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the length and complexity of the court proceedings.
In addition to lawyer fees, adoptive parents should also be aware of additional costs such as court filing fees, home study fees, and travel expenses (for international adoptions).
Top Questions to Ask an Adoption Lawyer
Before hiring an adoption lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the experience and knowledge to handle your case effectively. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with adoptions?
Ensure the lawyer has experience with the specific type of adoption you’re pursuing, whether it’s domestic, international, foster care, or stepparent adoption. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or hourly rate and ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in your adoption. -
What are the legal requirements for my adoption?
Ask the lawyer to explain the legal steps involved in your adoption and any specific requirements that may apply to your case, such as home studies or parental consent. -
How long will the adoption process take?
Adoption timelines can vary depending on the type of adoption, so ask the lawyer for an estimate of how long the process will take, including any potential delays. -
What are the common challenges in adoption cases?
Ask about any potential legal challenges that could arise during the adoption process and how the lawyer plans to address them. -
Will I need to go to court?
Depending on the adoption, you may need to attend court hearings. Ask the lawyer whether your presence will be required and what to expect during these hearings. -
Can you help with post-adoption issues?
Ask the lawyer if they can assist with any post-adoption issues, such as obtaining the child’s birth certificate, finalizing the child’s U.S. citizenship (for international adoptions), or drafting post-adoption contact agreements.
How to Check the Credibility of an Adoption Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable adoption lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Look for adoption experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in adoption law and have experience handling cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on adoption cases.
- Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for lawyers who are members of adoption-focused organizations like the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA), which can indicate their expertise in this field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with an adoption lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Information about the child and birth parents: Provide any available information about the child you’re adopting (e.g., age, country of origin, current living situation) and the birth parents, if applicable.
- Adoption preferences: Be clear about the type of adoption you’re pursuing - whether it’s domestic, international, foster care, stepparent, or private - and discuss any preferences you have regarding the child’s age, background, or special needs.
- Legal documents (if applicable): If you’ve already begun the adoption process or have signed any agreements, bring copies of all relevant legal documents, such as consent forms or agency agreements.
- Questions about the adoption process: Prepare a list of questions about the legal steps involved in your adoption, potential timelines, and any concerns you may have about the process.
- Financial considerations: Be ready to discuss your budget for legal fees and any additional costs, such as home studies, court fees, and travel expenses (for international adoptions).
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice for your adoption journey.
