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19 Jun, 2024 by David k. griffith
Tom Atkinson is a horrible divorce attorney. He will not work in your best interests, he's not trustworthy and I can clearly demonstrate he violated my trust and confidentiality after I fired him.
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16 Oct, 2023 by Nick jarmak
This office was responsible for my mortgage paperwork, and largely messed up the amount to be held back for school taxes and then emailed me a couple months later to just casually send them a check for over $1500, as if I didn’t just purchase a house and expect that they had already taken care of the tax amounts properly.
Horrible experience and now I am not financially sound right before the holidays. Not sure how a law office that manages mortgage paperwork was not aware that STAR credit is no longer applied directly to tax amounts…
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07 Aug, 2023 by Lily corathers
Had my mortgage paperwork through this firm. Very kind, patient, knowledgeable, and transparent. Easy to get a hold of with questions afterward, and kind!
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19 Jun, 2024 by David k. griffith
Tom Atkinson is a horrible divorce attorney. He will not work in your best interests, he's not trustworthy and I can clearly demonstrate he violated my trust and confidentiality after I fired him.
Read more
16 Oct, 2023 by Nick jarmak
This office was responsible for my mortgage paperwork, and largely messed up the amount to be held back for school taxes and then emailed me a couple months later to just casually send them a check for over $1500, as if I didn’t just purchase a house and expect that they had already taken care of the tax amounts properly.
Horrible experience and now I am not financially sound right before the holidays. Not sure how a law office that manages mortgage paperwork was not aware that STAR credit is no longer applied directly to tax amounts…
Read more
07 Aug, 2023 by Lily corathers
Had my mortgage paperwork through this firm. Very kind, patient, knowledgeable, and transparent. Easy to get a hold of with questions afterward, and kind!
Read more
19 Jun, 2024 by David k. griffith
Tom Atkinson is a horrible divorce attorney. He will not work in your best interests, he's not trustworthy and I can clearly demonstrate he violated my trust and confidentiality after I fired him.
Read more
16 Oct, 2023 by Nick jarmak
This office was responsible for my mortgage paperwork, and largely messed up the amount to be held back for school taxes and then emailed me a couple months later to just casually send them a check for over $1500, as if I didn’t just purchase a house and expect that they had already taken care of the tax amounts properly.
Horrible experience and now I am not financially sound right before the holidays. Not sure how a law office that manages mortgage paperwork was not aware that STAR credit is no longer applied directly to tax amounts…
Read more
07 Aug, 2023 by Lily corathers
Had my mortgage paperwork through this firm. Very kind, patient, knowledgeable, and transparent. Easy to get a hold of with questions afterward, and kind!
Read more
19 Jun, 2024 by David k. griffith
Tom Atkinson is a horrible divorce attorney. He will not work in your best interests, he's not trustworthy and I can clearly demonstrate he violated my trust and confidentiality after I fired him.
Read more
16 Oct, 2023 by Nick jarmak
This office was responsible for my mortgage paperwork, and largely messed up the amount to be held back for school taxes and then emailed me a couple months later to just casually send them a check for over $1500, as if I didn’t just purchase a house and expect that they had already taken care of the tax amounts properly.
Horrible experience and now I am not financially sound right before the holidays. Not sure how a law office that manages mortgage paperwork was not aware that STAR credit is no longer applied directly to tax amounts…
Read more
07 Aug, 2023 by Lily corathers
Had my mortgage paperwork through this firm. Very kind, patient, knowledgeable, and transparent. Easy to get a hold of with questions afterward, and kind!
Read more
06 Sep, 2024 by Mike
Posted By. Michael M.
Subject: Kathryn M. Festine, attorney out of Utica New York
Every Attorney must list the clients’ rights prominently in their lobbies or waiting room that consist of the rights possessed by their clients when taking on their cases.
The main one is communications within a reasonable amount of time.
Kathryn M. Festine takes on a client’s case and then once taken she starts to fall short on returning phone calls and letters to the client.
When you complain about that, she then makes up a story and tells you that she’s got other clients to deal with and you are just a small one in her private practice.
She does not study your files, and she ignores the list of witnesses you seek for your case.
She came to visit me several times, and just sat across from me staring at me, doing nothing until she had to leave.
I informed the Judge of her actions (or to be precise inaction), she got upset and told the Judge she had other people on her case load. Claiming that she can't return every call until she got to work on your case based on a hearing and that’s it.
Conveniently disregarding her duty to be prepared for said hearing.
Always keep an eye on attorneys you hire and always watch over their shoulder, those that object aren’t working in your best interest.
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19 Jun, 2024 by David k. griffith
Tom Atkinson is a horrible divorce attorney. He will not work in your best interests, he's not trustworthy and I can clearly demonstrate he violated my trust and confidentiality after I fired him.
Read more
16 Oct, 2023 by Nick jarmak
This office was responsible for my mortgage paperwork, and largely messed up the amount to be held back for school taxes and then emailed me a couple months later to just casually send them a check for over $1500, as if I didn’t just purchase a house and expect that they had already taken care of the tax amounts properly.
Horrible experience and now I am not financially sound right before the holidays. Not sure how a law office that manages mortgage paperwork was not aware that STAR credit is no longer applied directly to tax amounts…
Read more
12 Feb, 2025 by Veronica sessa
10 Oct, 2024 by Colby wold
I sought Mr. Hobika's help to look into suing a local department over some tickets that were issued to me for an error that was not my fault.
Mr. Hobika not only acted like he couldn't be bothered with it, when I explained that I was not looking for help with the tickets but wanted a lawyer to look into suing this particular department he responded with "Oh you can handle the tickets? Good luck with that." and proceeded to hang up on me.
Well I got out of court today and guess what? I got my tickets dismissed without any attorney's assistance.
What Mr. Hobika is unaware of is that I own two companies and they are both getting large enough that I need a legal firm on retention.
Had Mr. Hobika not been such a jerk to me on the phone, his legal firm would have been one of the first ones I spoke with regarding retaining them for my businesses.
He quickly made sure that not only do I not want him ever for a personal lawyer, but I would not want his firm to ever come within ten feet of my companies.
There are better options out there from lawyers that don't act like a consultation is beneath them and your seeking help is bothering them.
First and last time I ever seek their assistance with anything, and I recommend looking elsewhere.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Heidi werner
12 Feb, 2025 by Veronica sessa
10 Oct, 2024 by Colby wold
I sought Mr. Hobika's help to look into suing a local department over some tickets that were issued to me for an error that was not my fault.
Mr. Hobika not only acted like he couldn't be bothered with it, when I explained that I was not looking for help with the tickets but wanted a lawyer to look into suing this particular department he responded with "Oh you can handle the tickets? Good luck with that." and proceeded to hang up on me.
Well I got out of court today and guess what? I got my tickets dismissed without any attorney's assistance.
What Mr. Hobika is unaware of is that I own two companies and they are both getting large enough that I need a legal firm on retention.
Had Mr. Hobika not been such a jerk to me on the phone, his legal firm would have been one of the first ones I spoke with regarding retaining them for my businesses.
He quickly made sure that not only do I not want him ever for a personal lawyer, but I would not want his firm to ever come within ten feet of my companies.
There are better options out there from lawyers that don't act like a consultation is beneath them and your seeking help is bothering them.
First and last time I ever seek their assistance with anything, and I recommend looking elsewhere.
Read more
26 Apr, 2024 by Heidi werner
28 Aug, 2023 by Chris b
25 Aug, 2023 by Billie schadt
I hired them to represent me in a personal injury case, but instead of acting in my best interest, they only seemed to care about their own agenda.
The lawyer assigned to my case was rude, incompetent, and lacked any sort of empathy for my situation. He failed to communicate with me in a timely manner, ignored my concerns, and repeatedly missed important deadlines. Despite my numerous attempts to get answers and receive proper representation, the firm failed to deliver.
To make matters worse, their billing practices were outrageous and seemingly designed to fleece their clients of as much money as possible. They billed for every single phone call, email, and minute of work, even if it had no bearing on my case. The bills I received were inflated and did not seem to reflect the actual work being done.
In addition, the firm was unprofessional in their communication with other parties involved in my case, often causing unnecessary delays and further frustration for me as a client. The firm was also unresponsive to my requests for documentation, such as itemized bills and court filings, making it impossible for me to understand the progress of my case.
I would strongly advise anyone considering Finer & Fanelli to choose a different firm. They lack any sort of ethical standards, take advantage of their clients, and do not provide the level of representation that one would expect from a law firm. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the state bar association and hope to prevent others from having to endure the same experience that I did.
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13 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Was thinking of hiring, but when I looked up his status online said he was Delinquent for over 2 years with his renewal licensing requirements in NYS
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21 Jul, 2021 by Sead pjanic
Very bad, it should be 0 stars up there. I wouldn't recommend this guy to anybody. He will just take your money and nothing done. I had to sue him to give me money back. Very BAD 😁
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13 Mar, 2021 by Lisa holeck
14 Apr, 2019 by Karen sloma
28 Aug, 2023 by Chris b
25 Aug, 2023 by Billie schadt
I hired them to represent me in a personal injury case, but instead of acting in my best interest, they only seemed to care about their own agenda.
The lawyer assigned to my case was rude, incompetent, and lacked any sort of empathy for my situation. He failed to communicate with me in a timely manner, ignored my concerns, and repeatedly missed important deadlines. Despite my numerous attempts to get answers and receive proper representation, the firm failed to deliver.
To make matters worse, their billing practices were outrageous and seemingly designed to fleece their clients of as much money as possible. They billed for every single phone call, email, and minute of work, even if it had no bearing on my case. The bills I received were inflated and did not seem to reflect the actual work being done.
In addition, the firm was unprofessional in their communication with other parties involved in my case, often causing unnecessary delays and further frustration for me as a client. The firm was also unresponsive to my requests for documentation, such as itemized bills and court filings, making it impossible for me to understand the progress of my case.
I would strongly advise anyone considering Finer & Fanelli to choose a different firm. They lack any sort of ethical standards, take advantage of their clients, and do not provide the level of representation that one would expect from a law firm. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the state bar association and hope to prevent others from having to endure the same experience that I did.
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24 Sep, 2021 by Don mochrie jr
This law firm gives you 110% and more, and isn’t afraid of getting the truth and justice for you.
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28 Aug, 2023 by Chris b
25 Aug, 2023 by Billie schadt
I hired them to represent me in a personal injury case, but instead of acting in my best interest, they only seemed to care about their own agenda.
The lawyer assigned to my case was rude, incompetent, and lacked any sort of empathy for my situation. He failed to communicate with me in a timely manner, ignored my concerns, and repeatedly missed important deadlines. Despite my numerous attempts to get answers and receive proper representation, the firm failed to deliver.
To make matters worse, their billing practices were outrageous and seemingly designed to fleece their clients of as much money as possible. They billed for every single phone call, email, and minute of work, even if it had no bearing on my case. The bills I received were inflated and did not seem to reflect the actual work being done.
In addition, the firm was unprofessional in their communication with other parties involved in my case, often causing unnecessary delays and further frustration for me as a client. The firm was also unresponsive to my requests for documentation, such as itemized bills and court filings, making it impossible for me to understand the progress of my case.
I would strongly advise anyone considering Finer & Fanelli to choose a different firm. They lack any sort of ethical standards, take advantage of their clients, and do not provide the level of representation that one would expect from a law firm. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the state bar association and hope to prevent others from having to endure the same experience that I did.
Read more
24 Sep, 2021 by Don mochrie jr
This law firm gives you 110% and more, and isn’t afraid of getting the truth and justice for you.
Read more
28 Aug, 2023 by Chris b
25 Aug, 2023 by Billie schadt
I hired them to represent me in a personal injury case, but instead of acting in my best interest, they only seemed to care about their own agenda.
The lawyer assigned to my case was rude, incompetent, and lacked any sort of empathy for my situation. He failed to communicate with me in a timely manner, ignored my concerns, and repeatedly missed important deadlines. Despite my numerous attempts to get answers and receive proper representation, the firm failed to deliver.
To make matters worse, their billing practices were outrageous and seemingly designed to fleece their clients of as much money as possible. They billed for every single phone call, email, and minute of work, even if it had no bearing on my case. The bills I received were inflated and did not seem to reflect the actual work being done.
In addition, the firm was unprofessional in their communication with other parties involved in my case, often causing unnecessary delays and further frustration for me as a client. The firm was also unresponsive to my requests for documentation, such as itemized bills and court filings, making it impossible for me to understand the progress of my case.
I would strongly advise anyone considering Finer & Fanelli to choose a different firm. They lack any sort of ethical standards, take advantage of their clients, and do not provide the level of representation that one would expect from a law firm. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the state bar association and hope to prevent others from having to endure the same experience that I did.
Read more
24 Sep, 2021 by Don mochrie jr
This law firm gives you 110% and more, and isn’t afraid of getting the truth and justice for you.
Read more
28 Aug, 2023 by Chris b
25 Aug, 2023 by Billie schadt
I hired them to represent me in a personal injury case, but instead of acting in my best interest, they only seemed to care about their own agenda.
The lawyer assigned to my case was rude, incompetent, and lacked any sort of empathy for my situation. He failed to communicate with me in a timely manner, ignored my concerns, and repeatedly missed important deadlines. Despite my numerous attempts to get answers and receive proper representation, the firm failed to deliver.
To make matters worse, their billing practices were outrageous and seemingly designed to fleece their clients of as much money as possible. They billed for every single phone call, email, and minute of work, even if it had no bearing on my case. The bills I received were inflated and did not seem to reflect the actual work being done.
In addition, the firm was unprofessional in their communication with other parties involved in my case, often causing unnecessary delays and further frustration for me as a client. The firm was also unresponsive to my requests for documentation, such as itemized bills and court filings, making it impossible for me to understand the progress of my case.
I would strongly advise anyone considering Finer & Fanelli to choose a different firm. They lack any sort of ethical standards, take advantage of their clients, and do not provide the level of representation that one would expect from a law firm. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the state bar association and hope to prevent others from having to endure the same experience that I did.
Read more
24 Sep, 2021 by Don mochrie jr
This law firm gives you 110% and more, and isn’t afraid of getting the truth and justice for you.
Read more
03 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Mark invest loyalty in his clients. I admire his work ethic and great reputation.
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09 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Very helpful and there when I needed him. His fees are fair for his experience. I would high recommend Mark as attorney.
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08 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I am sorry to say - Mark is not a good attorney at all - he is old school - no computer to email, no fax, very disorganized, not there when he tells you to come down, you never hear from him, gets snippy when you ask questions, $1000 to retain him for what - does nothing for you - no paperwork sent out - I call the court for my answers. Definitely not a person I would recommend. Very poor in communication. Seems to get cranky when you ask specific questions to him - $300 an hour - stood in his office while he talked on the phone - I got up and left - he was not charging me for sitting there while he was on the phone - my time was as precious as his - I am not sure if he liked it but I sure did not. I have not been back since - no need as he has nothing to say.
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06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
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06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Dino nuggie
Very pointless all the lawyers and even the manger is terrible they don’t help people at all
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Carmela garcia
Very pointless they sell you a dream then crush your whole heart then try to act like they helped all about the money not about the rights
Read more
03 Aug, 2024 by Jodi carnright
Didn't help me at. Lost my home and kids because I was a stay at home mom and couldn't get a lawyer. He cheats and I lose because of no help.
Read more
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Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association. -
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Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints. -
Pro Bono Services:
For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
