Reviews

I should have read these reviews before hiring Mr. Silverstein for an unlawful detainer, because I had similar issues with him as these reviewers mention. I manage an apartment complex, but am also in my final year of law school, so I've learned a great deal about what to expect from attorneys. Mr. Silverstein did not comport with my expectations of a good attorney: 1. Mr. Silverstein did not send a retainer agreement, even when I requested a formal statement of the proposed fee and what services that would entail. His paralegal instead told me that we would be sent an invoice at the conclusion of the case. As a result, I was disappointed to learn after paying for his services that his fee for an unlawful detainer did not include a request for money judgment. 2. In addition, he did not send me anything he filed without me requesting it from him. In fact, he did not update me on the case at all unless I specifically followed up with him, and even then, he (or his paralegals) would only answer one of my questions in an email with multiple questions. It was frustrating. Potential clients of his should note that California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4(a)(3) creates an affirmative duty for the attorney to keep the client reasonably informed of significant developments relating to the representation. His failure to update me on what he filed with the court is arguably a violation of this rule. 3. Lastly, while this may not matter to some people, I found his email etiquette to be atrocious. My professors would probably reprimand me for composing emails as dismissive and informal as his. No salutation, no sign-off. Sometimes I had no idea who I was communicating with. I suppose he got the job done (though I have no proof, as I never saw a judgment or writ of execution, and the tenants being evicted vacated before the lock-out), but I would appreciate more effective, polite, and professional communication. I think I could find another eviction attorney who is more affordable, comprehensive, and professional.

I am a landlord. Unfortunately I allowed my tenants to move in to my rental property without their move in deposit paid in full. My tenants than proceeded to reside at my property and never paid rents nor the remainder of their deposits owed. This carried one for 3 months. After I paid Mr Silverstein’s office the correct fees in full ... I never heard from him again nor did he ever returned my phone calls or emails. I was in the dark as to what his gameplan was or is. Day of court date he showed up an hour late and told me he is having a colleague of his stand in for him. I TOLD HIM UNACCEPTABLE. ON MY COURT DATE... I REALIZED MR SILVERSTEIN NEVER EVEN TEVIEWED THE FILINGS OR THE CASE THEREFORE MY CASE FILED (by Silverstein) WAS INVALID. WHAT KIND OF ATTORNEY IS HE REALLY? AND NOW HE WILL NOT REFILE HIS MISTAKE AND BLAMES ME FOR DISMISSAL. I’m not the attorney nor do I have a law degree and this is why I hired an attorney. So that someone with knowledge of the law as well as knowledge of what is to be filed and NOT FILED. Mr Silverstein failed me in every possible way and has refused to re-file nor accept his mistakes in my case. Even the judge stated that my case was dismissed due to my filing. I will be filing a complaint against Mr Silverstein. He should jot hold a bar license.

I used his firm a few years back to help with an eviction. While it was a stressful situation for me, the law firm's communication and handling didn't make it much easier. They sent someone to help represent me in court, and it was the first time I had ever met that particular individual. Though the outcome was satisfactory, it felt like they did the minimum to complete my case.

I have known Steve for years. He gives good professional advice. His office has represented Citywide in hundreds of cases. Steve always prevails. Does not let the California Court system take advantage of his clients. A good friend when you need one.

Attorney Silverstein was requested to do two money judgments on evictions he had done prior. After more than 8 months with no feedback and several dozen calls to the office and not a single returned call we pulled the files and gave them to another attorney. The files returned were incomplete and showed that no work had been done on finding the tenants. He could have just said he wasn't going to do the cases up front so we would not lose the time in tracking the tenants.

Attorney Silverstein represented us in court in a UD case, failing to protect our interest in the security deposit we held that could be applied to past due rent. We were then successfully sued by the tenants later for the balance of the security deposit we withheld to cover our repair expenses. Lazy, arrogant and incompetent is the best way I can describe Silverstein. So outrageous was his conduct I filed a complaint with the State Bar of California (case # 10-27503).