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27 Sep, 2024 by Ben edwards
Only giving one Star because I'm really just using this to try and get ahold of someone. Everytime I call it says my call can not be completed. Someone said y'all help with local tyrants. I need that help. Please contact me.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Knox foodie
Attorneys are who made it so that it is so incredibly difficult to represent yourself or sue anyone else and so exceptionally expensive to obtain an attorney, creating defined lines between the Capital and Districts.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Amanda hamlin
This is such a great service. When you find yourself in a situation where an attorney is needed, it is very overwhelming. I called around Knoxville for two days trying to find the right attorney that could help me. I contacted the Knoxville Bar Association and within a few hours I received an attorney referral. It was that easy! When I contacted my referred attorney, I panicked when I found out it would be a couple of weeks before we could meet due to scheduling conflicts. I contacted Tracy Chain at the Knoxville Bar Association. She is amazing! She understood my panic and assured me the referred attorney was the best attorney for my situation. She was very helpful and offered a few other suggestions to help.
After speaking with my referred attorney, I couldn’t be more pleased with the referral. He truly was the best attorney to fit my situation. He was patient, kind and very knowledgeable of the law regarding my issue. I felt like he really understood me and my unique situation. Most notably, I found him to be extremely honest. He explained everything in great detail so I had a better understanding of my options. I couldn’t have found a more perfect fit.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I thought he was going to be my attorney then he handed me off to a less experienced attorney. She was good but not relatable or empathetic.
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22 Jun, 2022 by Tommy dowden
Do not go to trial with this lawyer. The opposing party ran away with the show and I lost my child. Any objections we're disregarded by the da and the judge let it happen. Other times I told lawyer to object and she didnt. 3 days trial over 10 grand later and the results don't add up. Sorry kayla, but im deeply unsatisfied with you overall.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Annie
Believe what the review says about rebecca and brian!! They are horrible they deserve no star in 2017 i was referral by another attroney and paid retaining fee and never used them since then! They just take your money and when called to get information the evil rude rebecca would answer for phone with attitude!!! If you want to loose your case, throw away your hard earn money, and have headache from your own lawyer hire this firm! If not run away as fast as you can!!!!! For those whom have bad experience with them come warn others!!!!!
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15 Sep, 2023 by Robert
He just wants to take your money, he never returns calls. His assistant is a rude sociopath. Dont let him represent you. Stay away.
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16 Apr, 2023 by Stephanie
Mr Baron was assigned to my case for a contempt that he never investigated. Dragged out case for 2 years and gave the parent who's been alienating me away from our more time! Never returned my calls, and only called me one day before final hearing
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20 Feb, 2023 by Terry pitt
Rude
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10 Feb, 2023 by Loni huerta
Won't help was to busy.
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25 Jul, 2019 by Leanna johnson
26 Mar, 2024 by Hayley hanna
If you want a lawyer who does shady business practice and works with direct conflict of interest then here’s your guy. If you want someone who’s going to try to take advantage of you after the death of your loved one then look no further. BUT … if you want a real lawyer who’s going to be a shark and go to battle for you and actually knows how probates and estates work- then go to Seattle and hire a big dog attorney. Sometimes you just need to leave the island to find quality service.
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26 Mar, 2024 by Chantal firman
Save your money. If you want a lawyer who Is condescending, rude, hard to reach, and constantly out of the office then this is your guy. Made my fathers probate a nightmare.
He’s knowledgeable but that’s about it. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else on island
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24 Apr, 2023 by Innocentlee young
Do not waste your time and money. An experienced only in it for the money do not fight for you. They drag things out and don't know what they're doing.
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27 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Talks down to me like a small child, belittling and patronizing. But didn't really. Hire her , she was appointed. So .........
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18 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Absentee, judgemental; not very personable. Book smart , but lacks empathy. I have worked with three lawyers in the community and Lisa is the least responsive. Frankly, I wouldn't trust going to trial with her at all. Never even called when the judge asked her to..... twice. I always have to call her. She makes me feel not worth her time; unless I reel her in. She maty not like me but we're not in a college sorority!
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28 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Lisa took on our case after another attorney dropped the ball. We were on a strict time crunch and she was persistent with all matters pertaining to filing in time. She was friendly, helpful and empathetic about our case. We appreciate her expertise.
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02 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Gilley because he sounded professional when I first talked to him.He quoted me one price.Then when he found out my assests,he charged me a lot more.He didnt keep me informed about what was going on.I had to go to his office to find out.,after I paid him in full from the start.A divorce that should have been over quick took nine months.I had three different phone numbers for him to reach me and he wouldnt return any of my calls. He acted like he was working for my ex instead of me.I wouldn't recommend him to anyone.
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19 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Very rude secretary/paralegal/ whoever- very UNhelpful- always requesting things at last minute and acting as if I should have known all along. Didn't inform me that I did not need to show in court on a particular day, so I paid to have a sitter watch my kids so I could be there- IN VAIN!!! So frustrated, definitely DO NOT recommend you to hire these people!!!!!
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14 Sep, 2024 by Karma
It was quite scary and hard for a 14-year old trans kid to face their rapist and not cry. The process was long and grueling but getting to meet my lawyer and judge before having to testify in front of a group of random people and to tell what he did to me made it much better. I don't think I could bare to do this ever again but the process was worth it.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Jason rudd
The feds need to come here asap totally ineffective. How are we fighting crime when they just let these criminals out without facing any consequences. I'm ashamed that I unfortunately live in this hell hole.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Dillon crone
My Rating is Zero!!! This office should be ashamed... It's a No Wonder these Criminals are Running the streets. 18 year old gets caught breaking into cars and gets a $1000 bond... I guarantee you he had his $100 to bond out.... Right back on the street!!! SMH...
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04 Oct, 2023 by Elizabeth camacho
They will twist the story around and let you do a very very long maximum sentence in prison over a very very very serious accusation that was so dam false to begin with. Even a dummy could read the fine print and have common sense. Beware! Just keep it moving and hire yourself a real good professional. But…“Instead they should be called the criminals and of the state for allowing such behavior of a dirty trial from the officers, detectives, to the jury and then to the judge….not to mention the cross examiners and cross examination they did was very questionable how can you allow such verdict without sufficient evidence let alone a minor was interviewed without permission of a parent. They will violate your constitutional rights from left to right but they will fight to keep themselves standing innocent at the cost of what?? An innocent man’s life. I’m sure this isn’t the first time they do something this dirty but I do believe more proper investigation shall be given in any case given that will jeopardize someone’s impeccable life…to be exact this all happened in the city of Montgomery County Texas to be Exact….
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25 Oct, 2020 by Lucille briles
Negative answers..
Attorney was late do to a video call.
Was not happy on court date . Was explained the contract an then word was not turn after judge signed papers. Don't like words o. Paper being twisted very un professional. Will not use them again. Unless the fix the problem.
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13 Apr, 2023 by Kelita 0027
03 Aug, 2021 by Axelle touchard
#justiceforariel !!!
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03 Aug, 2021 by Cael low
#JUSTICEFORARIEL
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30 Aug, 2022 by King
Asking a monkey to take care of your case would be better than this individual. No responses to any form of communication while hiding behind the receptionist. Don't waste time. money or your effort on this tool.
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07 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired Angela L Olsen to do my Divorce. It has been a year, and I had to get another attorney to take the case. She did nothing on my case, except collect money from me. She did not keep me inform, she charged for my emails, but would not reply to them. While the case was in her hands it almost got dismissed from the county due to inactivity! She is not on top of her game! If you hire this lawyer you might as well walk into your bathroom and flush your money down the toilet!!
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11 Jul, 2011 by Jeff
Angela Olsen mishandled our case so badly that we were compelled to file a complaint with the Washington State Bar. She was uncaring and unprepared and, as a result, served a contempt motion on the wrong party, and then failed to insist that a waiver be granted because the opposing attorney asked for service on behalf of her client. Any experienced attorney should have known better. In addition she was unable, because of her lack of preparation, to argue the case with the opposing attorney or direct the judge. She bungled the facts badly, and had no case law to support her limited attempts at rebuttal.
Angela Olsen failed/refused to maintain communications with us, claiming that her caseload and personal matters, such as a field trip with her daughter, and a vacation, were more important than the lives and future of our grandchildren, which hung in the balance.
Angela never disclosed to us that her caseload was such that she could not competently handle the case, which was brought before the court as an urgent matter. As a family law attorney she has a moral imperative to protect innocent children who are helpless, and have no other advocate, which was the reason she and her firm were retained.
Further, Angela Olsen failed to file a motion for reconsideration, when the judge refused to appoint a guardian ad litem. This was negligent
and irresponsible, given that there are health issues and child molestation involved. Ms. Olsen also ignored the urgency of the matter to go on vacation and then had the audacity to tell us more than 10 days later that she was too busy to respond to our telephone calls and
e-mail inquiries because "we were not her only client." When I criticized her handling of the case by e-mail her partner responded within 5 minutes, advising us that his firm was withdrawing -- never addressing the issues. As matters now stand Angela Olsen may have completely destroyed our son-in-law's only remaining chance to get his children and our grandchildren out of harm's way.
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03 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired joe Spratt for a custody issue when moved from beaver county to Allegheny with my son that i had custody of 2 hearings were held in a week without me knowing he never called me the notice was sent to the wrong address. When I asked him what happened he said nothing Not to worry, the next week i found out they ordered me to move my son back to beaver and that i lost custody. He lied about everything tried to blame my old attorney and then shut me out, I wouldn't recommend him to anybody for anything when i went to the bar association about it they also shut me out and said he was a nice guy. He is the worst as far as i'm concerned
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03 Oct, 2022 by Jacob
Joseph Spratt does not work in the 20th century. He does not have a receptionist or legal aid. He refuses to use email or fax, return phone calls, or take payment in any form other than cash or check in person or by mail. He will ignore both your communications and wishes as a client. He actively worked against the interests of our case in closed-door sessions with the opposing counsel and the judge. His advice and judgement cannot be trusted.
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03 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
I had a consultation with this lawyer that lasted 30 minutes. I was charged the full fee and told within the first 10 minutes he would not represent me in a very clear cut case we could have easily won. He just seemed more interested in talking about local politics. My ex is in rehab and clearly a neglectful parent. He is a danger to our child. The delay in filing an emergency petition for custody exposed our child to even more abuse and neglect. I would avoid this lawyer at all costs.
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30 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Doesn't give two caps about your case will do everything opposite of what you want used him a few months ago and super disappointed definitely not getting my 500 back
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25 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
I wish I had done more research, felt like he was working for everyone but me. Gave no guidance, was rude at every meeting, talked down to me, did not fight for anything I wanted, only advice he gave was to end my divorce case and return to the relationship. Over charged for what he did and under delivered.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Absolutely no help at all and very rude when trying to speak with him regarding your case. This man does not care about helping you! I'd give 0 stars if I could
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16 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I have nothing good to say about this attorney. Could not argue his way out of a paper bag.
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16 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I have nothing good to say about this attorney. Could not argue his way out of a paper bag.
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29 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Poor communication skills about my case. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone. He doesn't return calls, and he doesn't stand up for my child in court either.
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14 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Christine's service is disappointing. She is anything but helpful. She does not return phone calls or emails. I've been waiting a month for a response. Her staff is not friendly either. They make you feel as if you are bothering them when you try to reach Christine. If you're looking for a divorce lawyer..keep looking!
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07 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Worst experience with a professional I've ever had. Similar to other reviews, she took extended amounts of time to respond to important matters and simple questions after she insisted that she was easy to reach. She was incredibly hard to reach or speak with! State filing documents were rejected after she had completed them. When we tried notifying her of the rejections, she completely blew us off. She stopped responding to emails, returning phone calls, and wouldn't even schedule a face to face meeting. Very, very unprofessional! Do not hire!
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29 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
She took over 6 months to write up our agreement which was already agreed upon. Then made several spelling errors and didnt even get MY address right. Its been 8 months since i hired her and still have not see results! She is impossible to get a hold of and NEVER once returned a single message ive left her! The whole time she made me feel as though she has sides with my ex and doesnt seem to care about what is best for my child at all. She is very rude and hasnt fought for me even though she is MY lawyer. Currently looking for a new one as we speak!
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02 Dec, 2020 by Alley
It's funny to me because with this being such a important case to me I feel like he did not take it serious and then going on to this website I see that you've been doing the exact same thing over the course of years here I am paying you money to be my lawyer and I haven't even so much as seen a smoke signal from you you will not answer the phone I have talked to your little receptionist or whoever he is an answer the phone more than I have spoke to you not a good image for yourself I wish I would have read this before I came to your office.
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20 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
My complaint is the same as the 2 reviews that are already on here. Paid upfront, doesn't return calls or emails and hasn't been in his office any of the times I've gone by. Very unprofessional service. Do NOT Recommend.
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29 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Very poor rating would have given him 1/2 a star if it would have let me. I paid Nima the full amount that he had asked me to pay and after almost 4 years I'm still waiting on my divorce, A simple divorce kids are grown now so no child support asked.He fails to file paperwork with the courts on time,That is if he files them at all. Doesn't answer calls or return them. That is IF you can leave a message due to his voicemail always being full. He never answers your emails.I've dropped by his office to attempt to contact him in that manner; hasn't been there. Not easy to fire a guy you can never reach.I DO NOT RECOMMEND!
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29 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Retained him in December 2012, have not spoken with him since March and only 4 times between December and March. Supposed to go to court soon. Have not heard from him and am told by the secretary at Kidwell, South & Beasley that she does not handle Brandon's calendar and he makes his own appointments. NO contact, no way to get copies of my files and he took my retainer... and I have no atty to go to court with.
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27 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
We fell for this attorney’s smooth talking and he seemed to know what he was talking about and it sounded great to us what all he was going to do for us. So we hired him and started paying him. After that day he never returned our phone calls or texts that we would send him. He was never in his office. We had arranged to meet up with him 3 different days and times and something ALWAYS came up or he would just avoid us. So we fired him only to find out he lied to us about delaying our response that was due and he knew when it was due when we hired him. He never called the clerk’s office like he told us he did and he made us miss our deadline for filling a response. So now we are in desperate need of finding another attorney FAST to fix his mistake and for us not to loss everything WE worked for. DO NOT hire this attorney. He will take your money and you will never hear from him again. He should have told us he was too busy to take our case instead of just taking our money and wish we would just let deadlines go. The ONLY good thing he did was refund the WHOLE amount we paid him for doing NOTHING!!!
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19 Nov, 2012 by Unsatisfied
I have been going through a divorce for nearly a year and he doesn't return my phone calls, emails, or text messages. I schedule phone conversations with him and he seems to always reschedule claiming to be tied up in court. I am very unsatisfied with his practices. I am now in the process of settling my divorce myself!!
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31 Oct, 2023 by Dawn
She was appointed by the court to be a Gardian adlitem for my son when he was 16. She was paid for services (we had 30 days to complete entire payment). She interviewed me 1x and kept just pushing it off. MY SON TURNED 18 & she still hadn't/hasnt filed ANY reports Not 1. I wish I could tell the courts ABSOLUTELY do not appoint her to b a child's only defense because the court system & Her both FAILED my son so miserably.
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10 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I'm extremely disappointed in this attorney. She showed little interest in my case, never filed a single motion, or provided any legal advice of importance. She was unresponsive but gladly accepted my payment. I had to fire her and hire a new attorney. What a waste.
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19 Sep, 2020 by Ashly graham
Yes, I hired her and one year later I fired her. Why? Good question. I gave her over $3000.00 and to this day she NEVER EVER FILED A MOTION FOR MY CUSTODY. Al she did was lied to me and kept taking my money. So I had to hire another attorney. Yes I was told to sue her.
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19 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Attorney Dorsam some years ago for a new paternity/child support case. As other reviewers have noted, I chose attorney Dorsam because of her credentials as a guardian ad litem and because I wanted a smaller office vs a larger firm. When I hired attorney Dorsam I believe the office consisted of Attorney Dorsam, her legal secretary, and her paralegal. She was fine during the consultation and the initial filing seemed fair. Once she got in contact with the opposing attorney she became completely unresponsive. I would call her office and she or her paralegal would not return call the call. She would forward documents to me from opposing counsel with no guidance and in some cases unopened. While her hourly rate was reasonable she will grossly overbill as other reviewers have stated. My ex told me that the opposing counsel and Rhea Dorsam were good friends so I just assumed that was the reason but it appears that other reviewers have also had the same experience. My experience with every attorney reviewed on Avvo so far has been excellent. Unfortunately, Avvo reviews were not prevalent when I hired her. Her rate may seem attractive but I would not recommend hiring Attorney Dorsam.
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17 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Rhea was my attorney. She was outrageously expensive. She ruined my family. She picked sides in my divorce and did all She could to distance my children from me. Rhea makes judgement calls that are not grounded in evidence. If you use Rhea Dorsam as your attorney you will end up poor and heartbroken. I really wish I could rate her the zero rating she deserves.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Rhea was my attorney for almost an entire year. It was the most frustrating year on my life. Rhea never informed me that I could ask for a 215 evaluation for my prescription drug addicted spouse. She did not put in an order for child support. Rhea never attempted to obtain my ex's mandatory financial disclosure statement. She had me waiving my right to financial disclosure and would not change it even though I asked her repeatedly. She had the wrong addresses and cars in the initial agreement as well. Rhea rarely would return calls and when she did, she would bill me $75 for a three minute conversation. The final straw came when she made changes to the marital settlement agreement without my consent or knowledge. I retained another attorney that finalized the divorce in only 10 weeks. I choose Rhea because she is a guardian ad litem and thought she would have our best interests at heart. I'm posting this review as a public service. I wish Ms. Dorsam the best, but I can not recommend her as a divorce attorney.
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06 Mar, 2021 by Randy
I paid this man to review my documents to see if I could achieve my goals. He told me that I could, so I paid him an additional retainer fee. I called him a month after he cashed my check, and he neglected to return my call. I finally reached him by phone and he said there was a problem, some clause, that might prevent the attainment of my goal. He said he would look into it. Why didn’t this come up when I first paid him to review my documents? I spoke with him once more, and he told me that he was still looking into it. From that time on, he never returned my calls or letters, nor did I receive any refund of my retainer. Purely unprofessional behavior. If someone makes a mistake, they should own up to it.
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23 Jul, 2020 by Tony
When I initially went into Joe's office I was taken back by his confidence and charisma, and though I was skeptical of hiring a lawyer, he put my mind at ease telling me that my case should be easy. I explained to him that the last time I hired an attorney, it cost me close to 14k and he reassured me that it shouldn't be close. Well my horror began after receiving my first billing statement, He had somehow blown through my entire $2500 retainer and an additional $850 without even setting foot in a court room. His fee agreement clearly outlines, that the costs for paralegal services at $125 an hour, but not once during the ten months I had him hired as counsel did I see a charge on my bill to reflect this. He wrote motions that were never addressed as promised, He charged me repeatedly for sending and reviewing similar and same documents. He told me twice, once on the phone, and once via email that this would be the final bill, and neither time was it. I eventually had to give up on my original reason for entering his office because the costs of modifying my child support, which he assured me would be a no brainer, became staggering. I started to feel like him and the other attorney were working together to run up our bills. I would have rather given that money to my ex. At the end of the day, it cost me $15,000 to save about $4,000 in child support. So I feel like I threw a staggering $11,000 into a paper shredder. Oh, but unlike other attorneys he'll return your calls.
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07 Jul, 2013 by Sue
He returned about 10% of my calls, he asked me for numerous documents that I spent countless hours on providing and he basically did nothing with them. I feel he did not inform me on my options and did what he felt. I am the one paying the bills, so I certainly wanted to make the calls after being properly informed, which didn't happen. He did not follow my directions as I plainly indicated via email or directly handing them to him. I document everything! So, if you hire this guy......save all your emails. But, at that point....when you realize he is just stringing you along for the long haul.....it will be too late :( Mine was a simple divorce that took over 2 years, I was strung along thinking it was about over till I finally got smart and got another attorney and we had a trial withing 2-3 months. She was very good and listened and acted to my concerns.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
She took my money and did do any work, months and months I waited for write ups and questions DO NOT HIRE bad communication too. She would not return my calls or text
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21 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I could have written the email below. When I first hired her she was so kind and would always say god bless. After I hired her she would speak to me so rudely and treat me like an idiot for not understanding things. Like duh that’s why I hired an attorney. I wasted money and a year to get joint custody and no child support from my ex who doesn’t even see his children all because Candice didn’t file things or didn’t file things on time. She would tell me she filed things and I’d call the court and guess what they weren’t filed. She never responds to texts, emails, or phone call unless it’s to ask for more money. When we went in front of the commissioner she couldn’t even tell the commissioner how she came up with the amount she got. I sent her my ex husband’s W2s and she didn’t have them. There are so many more things that she messed up on. But I’ll leave it at that. Don’t let her niceness in the beginning and cheaper prices fool you. I wish I would have spent more money because now I have to start all over and spend more money. Good Christian people don’t do this to people let alone a widow of five children barely getting by.
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25 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
She never returned my calls, emails, or text. She wasn't prepared for court and did not read anything I sent her and yelled at me every time we spoke. But after a year I finally had to do stuff for myself and that's the only time she called to yell more and after I told her the facts and why I had to do stuff on my own she dropped me and hung up. I wasted money trying to get temporary alimony and she did not represent me and so the judge gave me the smallest amount. So please don't waste your money or time hiring her.all she likes to do is yell when you are trying to tell her what you need, and hides behind Christianity ,when she doesn't practice it at all and is just rude. So please just find any other lawyer so you can get what you need.
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09 May, 2024 by Afraid
GINGER WEST JOHNSON supports and promotes domestic violence towards blk women. As long as you have the money she will lie to Judges and put our lives at risk. She’s DANGEROUS and most definitely in cahoots with Judge Kathleen they both need to be investigated. My family member was choked and beaten up for years and finally had the courage to leave. Ginger Johnson told the Judge because of my family members’ profession she should have known to just leave. That’s completely RIDICULOUS but what’s even more RIDICULOUS the Judge denied the protective order and refused to take 15 guns from a Convicted Felon. If my family member my mom my son those children or myself are killed our blood will be on BOTH their hands.
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20 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Unfortunately there is no option for a negative star rating for this lawyer.
She was paid to represent me in a divorce case. During this case, she provided little to no usable legal advice and did not keep me advised as to the status of the case during negotiations or appear to have my interests in mind.
The required check for spousal support and all property agreed upon during the hearing was delivered to the opposing attorney before the divorce documents were finalized. This created a situation which allowed the opposing attorney to add additional demands after I understood this this fiasco was done.
I had to employ a second lawyer to adequately finalize the legal work Ms. Ginger West Johnson was apparently unable to complete.
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16 Jul, 2015 by Doug
Ginger Johnson of Shreveport, LA was paid $6000.00 up front for a child support Not a custody case. Which she delayed the court hearing because she wasn't ready resulting in support going up and back dated to when she postponed the first hearing which cost me another $7000.00, She burned up all the money researching information that did not pertain to my case. In court she was the biggest failure possible did not show the judge any of the paperwork she should of, she wouldn't speak up and represent me as I had paid her for her duty. Then she sends me a bill stating I owe more money and if I did not pay in full by end of month she would send to collections.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Tricky guy...blowhard w contempt for his clients.. Agreed upon upfront simple letter price not honored....Extremely self important and arrogant...his reviews are spot on...There are nicer lawyers in
Kingston.
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05 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Rod badgered me pver the phone.Then shared very innacurate information with others. I would urge Anyone contemplating to use this man as an attorney buyer beware. He will work against you and for himself only! Rod and one of his partners are dangetous to clients well being.
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19 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Failed to properly research title and failed to communicate this, causing chaos and underserving clients
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22 Aug, 2024 by Joe
She recently had a mental health episode and defecated on all over the courtroom, during a hearing.
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24 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
This attorney represented my sons father in court and then was released. The man went to court and told the magistrate he never received the documents that were sent to her. I have proof she received them.
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29 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
Hired her at this fancy over priced law firm, paid her way too much money for her to only waste time and money. I thought she might be able to handle my very difficult case ( she assured me she was up for the task) but it turns out she was no match for my ex nor his lawyer. She crumbled and failed miserably. She was flustered during depositions, lost and often appeared clueless or unprepared in court and often got into petty email wars with the opposing counsel. She was fired after the case went no where. She should look into another career. She’s just not cut out for this.
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17 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
Had me sit in jail for one whole month and said the DA had video evidence of me committing the crime. Was filed as a misdemeanor then changed to a felony? Marty said if I wanted to fight it that I’d have to sit in jail for three more months before the Pre-Trail date then another six months before the trial starts. Then claimed I’d be found guilty and go to prison for years. He recommended I plead guilty to everything I was charged with so I could get out of jail, so I did. Right after I got out I called him and asked to review our discovery and the “evidence” the DA had, mainly just wanted to see the video that I didn’t think existed cause I didn’t commit this crime. Well it turned out there was no video!! I sat in jail for 30 days with absolutely no evidence against me and this pos Attorney had me plea guilty! I withdrew my plea and was never charged again. You couldn’t pay me to have this incompetent man represent me ever again.
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22 Feb, 2022 by Tommy m.
He will cash your check immediately but he doesn't care about doing his job.
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25 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
He doesn't care about the story or facts about your case, so long as he gets paid and he will mess up anything or anyone that you want. Especially if you're the mother. Mothers here you go, fathers be wary.
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20 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
He doesn't know what he's doing and is going to get people hurt or in trouble. Lo barato sale caro.
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18 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Es muy mal abogado pues me comenzó mi caso,me cobro y después el junto a sus secretarias no me contestaba el teléfono,la verdad muy mala experiencia no lo recomiendo si no quiere ser estafado
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29 Mar, 2024 by Jamie
My ex-wife and I enlisted Robin to assist with the dissolution of our marriage. We brought documentation that had been the result of our mediation and handed it over per the mediator's instructions. Robin was recommended to us as someone who would work efficiently and take care of the rest of the process for a flat fee. That was not the case. The paperwork returned to us was clearly not prepared by an attorney. We were billed at attorney's rates for barely paralegal work. As a layperson I was able to identify problems with the documents. Whole paragraphs started over mid-sentence. Negotiated provisions from our mediation were missing. It was a mess. Then she literally billed me for her time to answer the question "How much will the rest of this work cost?" We finally walked away and took what she had done to a _FAR_ more reputable firm in Ithaca. Our attorney at that firm initially resisted taking the work because Robin had done such a bad job. That firm required a separate agreement to take on our work that specifically held them harmless from any potential litigation arising from the enforcement of the horrible agreement Robin wrote up. That was nearly 14 years ago. I'm disappointed to see she's still practicing. Run, don't walk, to any other attorney in town.
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28 Aug, 2018 by Barb
Robin handled a possible home purchase. I was young, naive and inexperienced. She barely looked at the purchase agreement, allowed me to put a 5000$ deposit The deal eventually fell thorough and when I asked about the 5000 deposit she shrugged her shoulders. I learned later that if the deal falls through for lack of the ability to finance the deposit should be returned. But the worst part of all was that she and the sellers attorney kept arguing while myself and the seller actually got along. AND she charged me 3000$ for all the phone calls they had arguing about something that was not arguable- I couldn’t get the financing!!!!! Terrible!
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12 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
1500 dollars up front then 400 per month took her 3 months to draft a petition in my family court case and why not? I was still paying her. Finally signed the petition which took another 2 months to file with the court, again still paying 400 bucks a month. After the first court appearance (which she was late for) could not get a return email or phone call from the office unless it was to collect payment. Finally got sick of her and hired new counsel that actually helped me. I have now been waiting a year for an itemized bill (was never provided one the entire time she was my attorney) and refund of any over payment. Hire with extreme caution!
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11 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired this woman in July 2016 for a divorce. I haven't heard from her since October 2016 even though I have called her multiple times. Personalized service My ass don't hire her if you actually want to know what is going on while still making monthly payments which by the way Anissa started taking monthly payments from my bank account without permission!! Hire at your own risk cheap definitely isn't better!
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23 Apr, 2015 by Bill
She was fairly knowledgeable on divorce law, but did not send opposing counsel our settlement offers. She was not very well organized and became harder and harder to contact and get a response from her. Did not receive my first bill until about 45 days after I retained her and I was way over my retainer at that point.
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18 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Did not communicate, rarely answered calls , did not have details of my case correct when we were before the judge, very rude, accepted payments then said she never agreed to them and wanted to be paid in full or she would not go to court for me. Court was in 5 days. When I did manage to meet with her she didn't know why I was there and said I needed to spoon feed her. Overall do not hire her , you will end up in debt and wondering if she presented your case or someone elses to the judge.
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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.
