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18 May, 2023 by Anonymous
My case was very simple and straight forward and so were my expectations with Tammy. Unfortunately, even the customer service provided by high school kids at in-n-out who are paid $15 hourly, is far better than the way Tammy and her assistant Jessika treated me as their client. I tried to be extra respectful to her since she is my grandmother's age, but Tammy was always very cold, rude and disrespectful to me from the beginning. There was no warmth, empathy or kindness about her, and the way she handled my case makes me highly doubt her qualifications. The first day I met her during consultation she appeared very clumsy when she was dropping things all over including spilling water all over her very ghetto office table and scribbling notes on paper (who does that nowadays?) but she still bullied me into retaining her with her very clever smart-talk technique. She even said "can you believe someone as smart as me can be clumsy as well?" Errrrrr.....I still chose to overlook her clumsiness and wanted to give her a chance and expected her to guide me in my very simple & easy divorce case but she was lazy, arrogant, unprofessional and incompetent. Based on her very high hourly charges, I expected her to guide me a bit after hearing my case, discuss expectations and/or strategize my case but she kept snapping at me any time I discussed my goals with her. She also told me that unfortunately moms have to compromise and my ex can do whatever he wants. At all times, I felt like she is trying to please the opposing counsel and the opponent instead of having my back. Her tone and attitude were always condescending. There were several times she missed responding to me regarding action items and each time I would try to follow up with her, instead of being polite she would snap back at me rudely. I could not believe this is the kind of representation and customer service someone would provide at $600 per hour. She then very clearly emailed me that "she does not care about the way she communicates with me". This was the final straw for me. If you value your time, self-respect and hard earned money, do not hire useless Tammy.
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28 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
I highly recommend Tammy-lyn Gallerani for your family law needs. She represented me through a tough divorce and was outstanding throughout the process. She is an expert in the law and compassionate in guiding clients through an emotional and stressful time. I always felt that she was on my side, incredibly responsive and 110% dedicated to the best outcome for me - including making recommendations that kept her legal fees to a minimum.
If she has time, would suggest you schedule an introductory meeting and you’ll experience first hand her caring approach and legal talent.
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15 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Divorce is hard. Divorce is messy, heart breaking and life changing. I've worked with Tammy and her associates for more than 5 years with a challenging case and she has always gone up and above what is expected and needed.
She intently listens to your needs and is realistic about your obstacles. Her enduring compassion helps you swallow the realities you may not always get what you want or what is fair but she is 100% on your side and fights for you every step of the way. In challenging situations, she thinks outside the box and doesn't miss a beat even with, in my case, with the most unethical, rigid, heartless and cruelest of opponents. She is realistic, keeps you up to speed with your case and is honest and practical with expectations.
To Tammy, it goes far beyond making a living and she does the extra things you sometimes need expecting nothing in return. She truly cares about enhancing her clients' lives, always has their backs and gently guides them through the ugly stages and transitions of divorce.
I always feel well-represented, respected and important. It goes without saying she brings your case home with her 24/7 and is always strategizing to get you your fair shake when possible.
She gets things done and is always a few steps ahead of her opposing counsel. Tammy's tenacity, compassion and above average intelligence gives you the peace of mind that it's not all for naught. The way she treats her clients makes the process of divorce just a little less messy, a little less ugly and you walk away you hired the best to represent and support you as you merge forward to a better quality of life.
Life for most after divorce is different, often times less money, more downsizing and dreams initially crushed to the ground. But with an attorney like Tammy and her team of associates, it gives you hope you may not have had without them that you can rebuild your life for the better and you had the best support team beneath you to start your new journey, despite the aches and pains of the past which eventually passes. Hiring Tammy and her team was life changing for me and I will always be eternally grateful for their help.
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21 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
I worked with Mrs. Vaughan over a year ago and she was very down-to-earth, yet professional. I noticed what a hard-worker she is when she did so much to try to fight for my case. She was relentless. I am so grateful for what she did for me and my case. When I would call to see what was new with my case, they would calm my worries with an honest response. Mrs. Vaughan is a very reasonable, humble lawyer and I would recommend her any day of the week.
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05 Oct, 2022 by Jennifer blackmore
If I could, I’d humbly provide Tammy with the Universe of stars. Tammy Mercado is a miracle-working Super Hero! She did in less than 10 days what my four prior “top rated” greedy, patronizing lawyers could not even comprehend over multiple years.
Unlike all of my other attorneys, she didn’t take advantage of my massive distress to treat me like an ATM. I never say this kind of thing but, I truly felt like she was a best friend, a sister even, in lock-step who fought fearlessly for me when I had no fight left to give. My goals and her goals were One. She clearly and kindly reminded me of my real goals when I got blind-sided and upset. She kept everyone in line including my ex’s devious attorney and got the job done faster than Flash, the Marvel character who travels faster than the speed of light.
The other “top-rated” attorneys just patted me on the head, some offered thoughts and prayers. All of them told me to basically do nothing and wait. despite that my health and credit score - due to their abuse and exploitive fees - were rapidly collapsing.
Tammy achieved more with me in our first quick call than a allegedly super star attorney took $45,000 in fees and over 9 months to Not Comprehend, despite that divorce should have been easy, it was just assets, no children.
After 2+ years of pure hell with those “top-rated” thieves, I was panicked, traumatized and often inconsolable. Tammy handled me with the greatest of care both efficiently and highly effectively. She was tough on me when I really wanted to fight losing battles. She always had the perfect and reasonable quip to say to inspire me when I succumbed to doom and gloom. She had more compassion in one sentence then all of the other $700 attorneys did with their endless, expensive and exploitive proverbial pats on the head, with no sense of direction or purpose.
The fact that Tammy could do all that and get conceptual agreement with the devious other side in less than a week was ecstatically surreal. My ex’s attorney usually took weeks to acknowledge receipt of an email. Then at least another four weeks to hurl epithets, throw tantrums and chip away agreements that were already made. Him doing the red lines was like a very hot walk starting in purgatory.
None of that stopped Tammy from bringing him to his knees and tackling him him so we can get the deal done! He was so caught off guard that he had to take a sudden vacation to drag it out and come up with new tricks. Not only was she running circles like Flash Gordon around him, she also runs circles around any of the best attorneys you can find in San Francisco, East Bay, South Bay and Marin.
To my own shock, with her representing me now, I honesty want and am confident enough to restart the entire process because I know I would get a lot more benefit, relief and joy going through this with her.
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28 Jul, 2021 by Lani jackson
I would like to express my appreciation to Whipple, Mercado & Associates LLP. I knew I was going with them as soon as I hung up after our consultation. The whole thing was so scary just because I don't know anything about family law and the whole process can be completely overwhelming and intimidating. Every time I spoke with Tammy or Mary it was reassuring. All interactions with them and the paralegals were encouraging. The court process was the best. That was so scary and Mary totally nailed it. She said all the right things at all the right times. I'm incredibly grateful and highly recommend Whipple, Mercado & Associates LLP. I'm. Because of their hard work, my brother has a shot at happiness and might have saved his life.
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13 Nov, 2020 by Don serratore
Tammy Mercado made a huge mistake when she was in with her mother’s vindictive rampage against me! She wrote my mother’s will then, thru instruction from her mother (my sister) tried taking money from my inheritance by claiming there was no will! A bold face lie!
Immoral, unethical and ILLEGAL! If Tammy would purposely lie about her own uncle for finiancial gain, what other crimes would she commit? They lied because they didn’t think I could prove it. WRONG! I am submitting a complaint with the Legal Board against Tammy Mercado after the court finds the truth in this matter! Good advise is, STAY AWAY FROM UNETHICAL ATTORNEYS such as Tammy Mercado!
Don S.
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01 Aug, 2022 by Amanda
Attorney's fees were found to be unconscionable so much as the judge wrote it in herself and initialed it on the FAOH. Once the request for fees were dismissed by the court, Cristin's office got busy and started calling me daily to collect. I paid them for every overcharged penny they billed for. They even billed me for time spent to attempt to remove the "unconscionable" note from the judge from the FAOH in which they were unsuccessful. Also, they were constantly changing staff and charging me hourly to update them on my case. Please run from the offices of Cristin Lowe, they are crooks and she couldn't care less about you and the vulnerable situation you are in.
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01 Jun, 2022 by Sarah
DO NOT USE CRISTIN LOWE...EVER!
I hired her in March 2021 for an extremely simple, non-contested, EASY Legal Separation from my husband. (We're still married but not "been together" for over a decade but live part time. get along, vacation together, raised our boys, and a fantastic platonic fun relationship).
She did an initial consult for 400 an hour. I hired her. I literally NEVER HEARD from her again! Not even being exaggerated.
She filed the initial separation in S.F. Superior Court and there is a 6 month wait period in CA. Early November 2021 (6 month wait period ended). Did I get my Legal Separation Agreement that I needed so I could then get the QDRO's done and all filed to Superior Court? NO. Mind you this was a NON CONTESTED, AGREEABLE Legal Separation. All we needed was the Agreement so then QDROs could be completed by a QDRO Attorney I already consulted with.
Tick Tock...month rolls on....I tried contacting her. She committed CLIENT ABANDONMENT!
December. 2021...January 2022...still NOTHING.
February 2022...nope...March 2022...nil.
In meantime, my Separation Agreement could've been done MONTHS ago.
I would've already been paid out by the retirement 401/457 of my husband as my settlement for 21 years of marriage. I wasn't going after any spouse support, there's no custody issue, no CALPERS pension so this was quick.
My husband is getting more impatient as months pass because of the legal separation, there is "hold" on the accounts so he can't contribute to his retirement accounts which brings his "net" TAXABLE income bracket higher. Her long delay not doing anything, we both have lost THOUSANDS (15k combined) in our accounts which impacts me greatly since its MY FINAL SETTLEMENT with my husband and I would've had the cash before all the losses if she DID HER JOB I HIRED HER FOR!
She NEVER RESPONDED to ANY email after initial hiring. Her paralegal kept saying I have it on her calendar to "catch up" and hopefully you'll get your agreement soon.
March 2022 rolls by and I had enough! It's already been a YEAR since the initial filing of our separation in Superior Court. All I need is the Legal Separation Agreement. This isn't rocket science! There aren't lawyers involved on both sides, there's no arguments with my spouse. VERY AMICABLE.
I waited 5 MONTHS for a simple painless, non-complicated Legal Separation Agreement. I terminated her at end of March 2022. Did she apologize? NO. Did she even bother to try to explain herself? NO. Just crickets as usual from her.
I hired another attorney April 1, 2022 who completed my Legal Separation Agreement in 3 DAYS! Got my QDRO's done right after and within a week I had everything needed.
Cristin Lowe didn't even KNOW that my husband's 401/457 company Mission Square are managers just like Fidelity or TRowe. They aren't even CALPERS or have anything to do with CALPERS which I already told her I wasn't going to touch his pension, so her filing a joinder in Superior Court for CALPERS in 2021 was stupid and unnecessary and cost me fees I didn't have to pay to begin with.
She will initially give "great advice" and be good in the consultation but after that? You'll never hear from her again.
NOT ONE UPDATE about your case, not one email to let you know the progress or next step. She should've had my Legal Separation Agreement READY TO GO and COMPLETED right when the 6 month wait period was over.
I had to call her office to make an appointment just to discuss the financial arrangement my husband I agreed upon. That is HER JOB TO CONTACT ME TO GET THE DETAILS so she could FINISH the legal separation agreement she didn't even bother to start. Junk attorney.
Cristin Lowe is the absolute worst and too expensive for the little she did. Charging for every email or phone call that you're forced to make to try to get any answer on the progress of your case. Horrid. DO NOT HIRE HER. YOU WILL REGRET IT.
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25 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Cristin is a true professional in the family law business. She’s on the expensive side, but specializes in the field and was totally worth the fees paid. Prompt answers to phone and email messages.
Please remember attorneys can not guarantee results, and they’re not responsible for the circumstances of the case. All they can do is act within the law and advocate your position in a court hearing. Family law judges have a lot of discretion, it’s not always the attorney’s fault if it doesn’t go your way.
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14 Jun, 2021 by Judith porter
Scott put together my trust quickly when I needed. I highly recommend him.
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02 Sep, 2020 by Angel ventura
01 Apr, 2019 by David watson
Ken is an expert in trusts, probate, and wills.
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23 Jun, 2023 by Steve
Ms. Leong crafted my parents' trust documents in 2000 as well as amendments and restatements over the next 18 years. Then, in July 2022, due to a financial emergency, Ms. Leong was very responsive and timely in effecting the necessary paperwork to allow for a change in trustee. All was good until it was time to administer the trust following my mom’s passing in February.
Two main issues arose during the trust administration. First, according to Probate Section 16061.7, the trustee is required to notify the trust’s beneficiaries within 60 days of the death of a settlor and provide specific details as well as a copy of the trust. Ms. Leong advised that this notification seemed unnecessary, and the notification, meeting the requirements of that code, was the first order of business of the attorney I hired to replace Ms. Leong. Second, Ms. Leong promised to respond to client communications “promptly” and took up to five business days to respond, even with follow-ups from the Client. When challenged, she did not accept responsibility and instead offered insincere apologies.
The subsequent attorney I hired not only handled the legally required notification, but he also suggested drafting a waiver of a formal accounting to preserve the trust’s assets from large legal and CPA fees that would be required if a beneficiary insisted on that detailed accounting. Ms. Leong made no such suggestion.
My goal was to bring this trust matter full circle, as Ms. Leong had drafted all the documents and knew the history. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this matter did not get the attention that it deserved, thus motivating me to change attorneys and incur additional expense that could and should have been avoided.
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20 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
my mom used this lawyer and was happy with her. cant say exactly how my mom would rate her, but i'd hear it if she had any complaint.
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22 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
She assists sexual predators in continuing to sexually abuse their children and lies on declarations as she has NO knowledge of reality.
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11 Aug, 2014 by Anonymously
You can tell that she just got out of law school. She literally had little to no knowledge and I immediately seeked counseling elsewhere. Avoid her like the plague. She cares more about doing a job poorly and fast rather than doing it right.
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22 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Jennifer was extremely unknowledgeable and unprofessional. She was ridiculed by all the other lawyers in front of me, and had to be constantly corrected by the other lawyers. She double billed many hours, had phantom billings, and had no clue about the case. After $35,000 in legal fees (on a $60,000 meritless case) another law firm settled the case in about 4 hours. Jennifer would send a fax asking for some information that we sent prior. When we called and told her she already had it, she would say that she found it, and then bill me for the second fax and the phone call. It took over 2 months for her to tender the case to the insurance, leaving me extra tens of thousands in legal fees
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