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16 Nov, 2012 by Anonymous
I wouldn't recommend this lawyer even to my enemy.
He deliberately misleads and hides information from the client,
maybe to keep food on his and his family's table and to safeguard
his secure federal government job.
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19 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Around July 20XX, I retained Mr. Simpich to represent me in a federal civil rights lawsuit, titled, XXXX v. YYYY in the US District Court for Northern California. I paid him an initial retainer of $XXXX and any potential subsequent recovery on a contingency-fee arrangement. Shortly after taking the case over, in which I was originally self-represented, Mr. Simpich promised me that he would file a reply brief to a pendent motion for a protective order as well as an opposition to opposing counsel’s request for expenses. Mr. Simpich did not file any reply brief nor did he ever file an opposition to opposing counsel’s request for expenses. This was obviously a breach of his promise to me as well as a breach of his fiduciary duty. Fortunately, for me, the court’s ruling was favorable. Mr. Simpich never provided me with any explanation for his failure to file a responsive pleading in this matter.
In December 20XX, there was a court-ordered mediation conference in the above-entitled case before Magistrate XXXX in San Francisco, CA. Mr. Simpich represented me. An oral agreement was consummated in open court with the terms of the settlement consisting of the defendant paying $XXXX to me. The defendant also insisted that I pay restitution to the State of California of approximately $XXXX. I agreed. About two weeks later, I discharged from parole in California. I learned subsequently from an acquaintance named Derek, that when I discharged from parole in early January 20XX, the defendant lost jurisdiction to take restitution from me. In other words, there could no longer be specific performance by the defendant on the original settlement agreement. This fact was even corroborated by an experienced parole attorney named, D. G., Esq. I informed Mr. Simpich of this information and carefully explained that it would indeed be illegal for the defendant to take restitution after I paroled. I implored Mr. Simpich to file a motion for modification of the settlement agreement with the federal court. I even discovered a published decision right on point that strongly buttressed my argument to Mr. Simpich. Moreover, Derek also contacted Mr. Simpich to further explicate how the defendant no longer retained jurisdiction nor had any statutory authority to collect restitution from me. Derek informed Mr. Simpich that a settlement agreement could not usurp statutory law. That is Black Letter Law. However, despite all of these compelling arguments, Mr. Simpich was unmoved, and strongly adamant that I had to sign the federal settlement agreement, which would have illegally allowed the defendant to collect restitution from me. Mr. Simpich soon became very angry and upset that I would not sign the settlement agreement based on my firm belief that the restitution clause of the agreement was illegal. In fact, I was shocked at Mr. Simpich’s behavior, which was extremely unprofessional. Mr. Simpich never respected the fact that as his client, I was the ultimate decision maker. Mr. Simpich threatened that he would walk out of my case if I did not sign the release. His strong-arm tactics were particularly unnerving. The duress I was under by Mr. Simpich was substantial.
During the course of Mr. Simpich’s employment with me, he substituted himself in two related state tort actions. On September XX, 20XX, there were Case Management Conferences in both of these cases. Mr. Simpich failed to provide the required CMC Statements in both of these cases pursuant to California Rules of Court. In addition, on September XX, 20XX, without conferring with me and without seeking my prior authorization, Mr. Simpich illegally and unilaterally dismissed Mr. D. T., one of the defendants in my lawsuit. It is quite clear in California, that an attorney needs his/her client’s
permission before dismissing any party to an action.
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05 Aug, 2016 by Jf
A few years back I had hired Marylon with a workplace harassment issue. She was great in the beginning but when she felt I wasn't going to make her any money by twisting the facts around to my favor when things didn't take place like that, then she just dumped me. I gave her $5000 as a retainer and could never get her to call me back nor could I obtain the previous information from her to continue pursing my case with another attorney. She put a bad taste in my mouth about attorneys!
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04 Nov, 2018 by Eric
I hired Jody. I fired Jody for getting poor results. I took up the case on my own and got an offer for 12 times more (literally). When the offer came back the defendant's attorney communicated it my ex-lawyers first (Jody being an ex-lawyer at that point in time). They acted as if they were still my lawyers which confused me. I should have questioned the situation. They took 30% of my results and not 30% of the lousy results they were able to get (a significant amount of money). Judge for yourself. I suggest avoiding this firm (the firm being Siegel, LeWitter Malkani). I get disgusted every time I think of them and what they did.
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18 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Dan Siegel to represent me for a complex employment related issue with a major research university, where I am tenured faculty. I hired him upon the recommendation of a friend who is a successful litigator in San Francisco and a former student of mine. Of course, I trusted her implicitly. She said Siegel was known to be fearless and tenacious. Siegel failed on the first round of my difficulties. When it came time to make a plea before a university committee he wrote a two paragraph, luke warm request for review that could have been drafted by a highschool senior. Clearly, he wasn't trying. I then realized that I should have filed the petition myself. But it was too late. Siegel did not pursue several aspects of my case that, later, proved to be critical in my getting a positive response, in which I was represented by Dale Brodsky. Brodsky settled the matter in one single meeting and with results that were astonishingly positive. She charged next to nothing. Seigel was always very clear, as most are, that the retainer needed to be constantly replenished. I did this. However, he never gave me any itemized bills for any of the work he was charging me for. I was just told when the account needed to be replenished. Once I moved to Brodsky, I asked him for a couple of thousand dollars I believed to have been in the account from the last retainer payment. He responded by email, saying that I was suggesting he had "unearned" fees for my case. He didn't explain. He got angry and indignant. Most lawyers have egos the size of China, wallowing in insecurity and anxiety. Siegel is no different. But the quality of the "appeal" he sent, his decision to not pursue an aggressive policy, and the low quality of the appeal he sent set him apart in the large brotherhood of bad lawyers. I feel absolutely confident in warning anyone who needs serious representation to find someone who is more engaged with defending his clients than pretending to be a leftist activist.
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07 Nov, 2016 by Jeremy
We hired this guy to do terms and conditions for our site. He billed us a high retainer, then took ages to answer. The answers were underwhelming, and when we had a real problem requiring attention, did not answer our calls or emails. STAY AWAY
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21 Jul, 2023 by Michael lucia
I had Lonnie on retainer for over two years. I felt he was not a good listener and inefficient. He was insulting, and difficult to work with.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Is rude
No empathy or knowledge of many facets of body ailments
Dznt care
Makes mistakes
The whole firm makes huge mistakes causing prolonged suffering or entirely unhelpful unlike website description
I was referred to a different attorney originally at boxer n gerson
That attorney left ! They wouldn’t say y . I
Fell through cracks somehow then was assigned her not knowing who she was, I agreed
I assumed I’d get the best attorney since they already failed me
But I believe they are not the best or fighters
Just wam bam …… easy is what they like
If it’s too hard they don’t have answers nor do they try or they are working WITH work comp
Like da makes plea deals with defense
The whole system is a joke
The firm needs auditing
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Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer
When meeting with a lawyer for the first time, it's important to ask the right questions to understand their expertise and determine if they're the right fit for your legal needs. Here are some top questions to consider:
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What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
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What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
Are there alternative ways to solve my legal problem?
Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer
Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:
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Verify Their License:
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Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association. -
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Awards and Recognitions:
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Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
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How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:
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Hourly Rate:
Lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on experience and location. -
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For routine legal services like drafting a will or handling an uncontested divorce, lawyers might offer a flat fee. -
Retainer Fee:
An upfront payment against which the lawyer bills hourly fees. -
Contingency Fee:
Common in personal injury cases; the lawyer receives a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or award. -
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For ongoing services, businesses might pay a monthly fee for a set number of hours or services.
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Hourly Rate:
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Factors Affecting Cost:
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