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25 Sep, 2024 by John k
I had a client that refused to pay for services rendered. I retained services from Allen Vellone Wolf Helfrich and worked largely with Vandana Koelsch. I was from out of state so I depended on her for the heavy lifting. At the end of the day, it was a successful outcome and appreciate their professionalism.
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27 Aug, 2024 by James campbell, jr
My experience with Allen Vellone Wolf Helfrich & Factor has been beyond great. They dug into the issues of my case and discovered things in my favor that go far beyond what other defendants in the same case appear to have missed or not seriously considered. My opinions of Jim Helfrich and Kate Sender go beyond my ability to express. The best I can say is that I trust them to do their absolute best, which I believe they have done. No bullshit.
They haven’t always told me what I want to hear, but they have always considered my opinion and that has been reflected in the things they have produced on my behalf. My case is not over, but they believe in me and have taken my side with the best they have to offer. Their rates are fair, and I have never had the feeling they were fabricating hours as so many law firms do, especially the law firm that is attacking me. I suspect I will have more to add to this review in the future.
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26 Mar, 2024 by Ande b. sejna
Shady business. Deletes & hides negative reviews of their deceptive lawyers.
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26 Sep, 2021 by Chelsea
Mike was an attorney of my friends on a homicide case and he did an excellent job and I obtained him for my drug case was pleased with his weapon representation he's a good hard-working attorney that does his best for his clients and I would recommend him to anybody that needs a good way
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14 Sep, 2018 by Carlos
Mike is an awsome criminal lawyer he helped me with my 3rd DV out of jefferson county this year helped me keep my kids and my probation revocation out of Denver i highly recommend him.... as a pass convict no one believed me when it came down to push and shove with the Da he handled it the way it should have been
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09 Sep, 2018 by Craig
Michael Root failed to provide me with adequate representation in a Retaliation Against a Judge case. The witness (alleged victim Judge) had provably lied on the witness stand, and Mr. Root, more concerned about preserving his career than seeking justice, threw me under the bus: the official Court transcript vs. the actual evidence on the record of the Court proves this. Not recommended.
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17 Feb, 2025 by Kathryn weihing
Wonderfully efficient law firm. Took care of our will, trust, PoA needs quickly.
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17 Feb, 2025 by Nancy chang
We recently had the pleasure of working with Anastasia and her team at Legacy Law Group. We have a great experience and everyone was so helpful throughout the entire process. They were clear on everything and made a stressful process less stressful by explaining everything every step of the way. We never felt rushed or pressured into anything and it was nice to not feel like every question you have is being billed by the hour. They are always responsive to every question we had. They truly care about their clients and are passionate about helping you protect your family. I would highly recommend Anastasia and her team for your estate planning needs.
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14 Feb, 2025 by Laura allensworth
We had the pleasure of working with Anastasia and her team Tatyana and Michelle, and we couldn't be more satisfied. I had done research for an irrevocable trust, and all it entails and general cost. My head was swimming, but I had a somewhat general understanding. Anastasia and her team were efficient, accommodating, and thorough. Legacy Law Group provided us peace of mind, and we highly recommend them.
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22 Jan, 2025 by Tammy bugarin
I cannot express how grateful I am to my attorney and his partners and staff! They have done well by me and represented me with professionalism and empathy which is not always the case with other practices. I would strongly recommend them with a note to keep their practice info handy for friends and acquaintances. One good turn deserves another. Should you retain their services I believe you will not regret it I most certainly do not.
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07 Jan, 2025 by Lola holdings
We do not recommend hiring anyone of these lawyers, very incompetent in our experience with them
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07 Jan, 2025 by Ooh lala
In my opinion these partners care more about their pockets than the quality of work they provide, or outcome for their clients .
Do not recommend hiring anyone from this team.
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15 Jul, 2024 by Lionzo hernandez
09 Nov, 2023 by Areli meza flores
Attorney Andres responded to all my questions/concerns in a timely manner and was very upfront/honest throughout the entire process. He also charges a flat fee so you know exactly how much it will cost. I highly recommend.
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04 Nov, 2023 by Susan
Andres helped us with criminal cases in multiple counties. He walked us through the judicial process while gathering facts and building the best possible outcome.
Andres brings extensive knowledge, patience and compassion when working with his clients. Andres was a bright spot in the very dark period. He has represented us well, and we greatly respect his professionalism and his personal commitment to these cases.
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04 Dec, 2024 by Uriah kelly
Holly at Duncan family Law isn’t just a good lawyer. She is an amazing lawyer.
I started my case with a different firm. And through a series of errors, my login shared with soon to be ex wife. So I got referred to Holly, through a friend of the family.
I explained to Holly what we were looking at and what I was trying to accomplish. We went to work. I like the energy, that we could get this done. Through no fault of Holly or myself. The case got dragged out way too long. Over 2 years of effort that took a lot of vigilance against the things that got thrown at us.
But through the entire process, Holly, did her best to stay up beat, but was always honest, knowledgeable and through. She helped me stay in line on my part of the effort. And I only worked with Holly. She did all the research, all of the filings, and through some long hours, and trying days. Holly Duncan was outstanding to work with.
I firmly and fully believe that Holly helped her every victory we had all the way to the end. And helped me get a better out come than I could have guessed at.
She is worth every single penny that I spent to get my case finished. You can go get any lawyer. Or you can go get right one. In my case Holly at Duncan family law, was definitely the right one for me. And I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of family law services. Without a doubt. Definitely an attorney I would go to without any hesitation now.
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29 Apr, 2024 by Kate martin vo
I hired Nicole Duncan as my divorce lawyer. I found her completely unsympathetic- often times giving me responses and/or remarks that pertained to my ex- partner's side/view. My relationship with my ex-wife was emotionally abusive. I didn't need to explain that to her for her to respect my wishes and remain neutral -at the very least. I insisted that I have no interaction with my ex- as I have just escaped a bad marriage- and she argued with me saying it would cost more to communicate separately and even went against my wishes and combined us on email. I would not recommend her to anyone especially those feeling sensitive or vulnerable as they go through the divorce process.
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20 Mar, 2024 by Heather natale
Holly was so helpful through the custody process. She took time to answer all of our questions and always gave us every bit of information to make this easy to get through.
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04 Apr, 2024 by Melanie lee
Katherine Reckman represented me in my divorce and she was very fair and steadfast through my proceedings. My ex husband chose very inept representative which derailed his case. In the end, he trusted Katherine to write up our agreement which he eventually signed. Divorce is ugly and stressful and in Colorado, you need someone who can negotiate with the other side to keep the cost down. Katherine did that and was able to do it with empathy. Highly recommended.
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23 Feb, 2024 by Kathy s
I found Terri when I was traumatized, alone and incredibly scared. She and her paralegal, Traci, held my hand through the process and helped me find a therapist, which ended up being a real life line for me. I'm a big believer now in the collaborative approach, and I ended up spending far less in litigation costs and got through the process quicker than anyone I know in similar circumstances. I can't tell you what a comfort it is to turn the intricacies of your life over to such a compassionate and competent, knowledgeable lawyer. It helped me keep my sanity and wits during the darkest time of my life. I'm on the other side now, and Terri and her firm played a big part in that.
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31 Jan, 2024 by Kathryn sturtevant
I highly recommend this firm, and Terri Harrington, specifically. This was the best decision I made during a very overwhelming divorce process. I hired Terri the week before my scheduled mediation, as the previous lawyer dropped the ball significantly and I had to fire him. Terri and her team were incredibly communicative (for example, I have never had to wait longer than 24 hours for a reply), empathetic, knowledgeable, and quick. Terri caught up on my case in just a few days, and she made me and my case a priority by responding to emails swiftly, walking me through the process and what to expect, and being clear on what was needed from me, and what their role was. I just recently referred Terri and team to another person, and would do it again and again.
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04 Apr, 2024 by Melanie lee
Katherine Reckman represented me in my divorce and she was very fair and steadfast through my proceedings. My ex husband chose very inept representative which derailed his case. In the end, he trusted Katherine to write up our agreement which he eventually signed. Divorce is ugly and stressful and in Colorado, you need someone who can negotiate with the other side to keep the cost down. Katherine did that and was able to do it with empathy. Highly recommended.
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23 Feb, 2024 by Kathy s
I found Terri when I was traumatized, alone and incredibly scared. She and her paralegal, Traci, held my hand through the process and helped me find a therapist, which ended up being a real life line for me. I'm a big believer now in the collaborative approach, and I ended up spending far less in litigation costs and got through the process quicker than anyone I know in similar circumstances. I can't tell you what a comfort it is to turn the intricacies of your life over to such a compassionate and competent, knowledgeable lawyer. It helped me keep my sanity and wits during the darkest time of my life. I'm on the other side now, and Terri and her firm played a big part in that.
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31 Jan, 2024 by Kathryn sturtevant
I highly recommend this firm, and Terri Harrington, specifically. This was the best decision I made during a very overwhelming divorce process. I hired Terri the week before my scheduled mediation, as the previous lawyer dropped the ball significantly and I had to fire him. Terri and her team were incredibly communicative (for example, I have never had to wait longer than 24 hours for a reply), empathetic, knowledgeable, and quick. Terri caught up on my case in just a few days, and she made me and my case a priority by responding to emails swiftly, walking me through the process and what to expect, and being clear on what was needed from me, and what their role was. I just recently referred Terri and team to another person, and would do it again and again.
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04 Apr, 2024 by Melanie lee
Katherine Reckman represented me in my divorce and she was very fair and steadfast through my proceedings. My ex husband chose very inept representative which derailed his case. In the end, he trusted Katherine to write up our agreement which he eventually signed. Divorce is ugly and stressful and in Colorado, you need someone who can negotiate with the other side to keep the cost down. Katherine did that and was able to do it with empathy. Highly recommended.
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23 Feb, 2024 by Kathy s
I found Terri when I was traumatized, alone and incredibly scared. She and her paralegal, Traci, held my hand through the process and helped me find a therapist, which ended up being a real life line for me. I'm a big believer now in the collaborative approach, and I ended up spending far less in litigation costs and got through the process quicker than anyone I know in similar circumstances. I can't tell you what a comfort it is to turn the intricacies of your life over to such a compassionate and competent, knowledgeable lawyer. It helped me keep my sanity and wits during the darkest time of my life. I'm on the other side now, and Terri and her firm played a big part in that.
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31 Jan, 2024 by Kathryn sturtevant
I highly recommend this firm, and Terri Harrington, specifically. This was the best decision I made during a very overwhelming divorce process. I hired Terri the week before my scheduled mediation, as the previous lawyer dropped the ball significantly and I had to fire him. Terri and her team were incredibly communicative (for example, I have never had to wait longer than 24 hours for a reply), empathetic, knowledgeable, and quick. Terri caught up on my case in just a few days, and she made me and my case a priority by responding to emails swiftly, walking me through the process and what to expect, and being clear on what was needed from me, and what their role was. I just recently referred Terri and team to another person, and would do it again and again.
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22 Jul, 2024 by Anthony gale
Rod saved my life and my family.
I highly recommend him and his firm.
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01 Nov, 2023 by Sierra goldstein
Dan is professional, charismatic and empathetic. Everything you would want in an attorney. 10/10 recommend
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17 Jun, 2023 by Joseph chavez
24 Dec, 2024 by Andrew off
So, I normally do not write reviews, especially for deeply personal services such as they provide, however my experience with these people was so poor I felt it particularly important to share.
If you are interested in the details I will provide them below, but I want to sum it up first as most of us do not read entire reviews. I hired these people on Monday Dec 16thand fired them 7 days later. There were two reasons: 1) Communication was worse than poor and 2) the assigned lawyer put more effort into arguing with me than he did in preparing the document I instructed him to write. They were given a chance to correct both mistakes and instead gave me a full refund of the retainer without even so much as an apology. I was left completely stunned by their utter lack of commitment, conviction, and even basic knowledge of the law. This man, and this firm should be completely embarrassed by this.
The full story:
I conducted interviews with multiple firms, this company was my second choice. I was clear during my interviews exactly what the situation was, what my expectations were and what my goals were. Every firm I spoke with all said the same thing “absolutely no problem “. I was told on on Wednesday the 11th during the interview with this firm that lawyer a would be a good fit. I paid the retainer on the following Monday and was immediately told that lawyer a was no longer available. I was assigned to lawyer b, who I immediately made an appointment with. This was Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday Mr. B called me 1.25 hours early, where we had (what I thought to be) a productive conversation. He said he would pull what he needed from public records and get back to me with the documents as well as a “strategy” within a couple of days.
At nearly 4:30 on Friday afternoon (after I complained that he had not reached out) Mr. B sent me an email where he lectured me about positioning, then he stated he was not able to pull the document he needed. In my response email I pointed out what he was arguing was not even relevant to the situation, then I asked him why he waited to ask for the document. I also pointed out that not only does the law entitles me to exactly what I’m asking for, but every lawyer I asked including his boss disagrees with his opinion of the situation. I gave Mr. B 4 hours to do what he was hired to do, with a deadline of noon on Monday the 23rd. I also called his boss and leaving a voicemail requesting to speak with her Monday morning.
Monday Dec 23 at 2 pm I called the boss, got voicemail again and told her it might be time to start talking about a refund. I then sent Mr. B, the boss and the paralegal an email saying time was up and I had seen no effort at all. I asked why I shouldn’t fire him.
I never received any response from Mr. B, his paralegal or the boss. I did however get an email from someone to process the refund less then one hour after the email sent to Mr. B. Had the money back before the end of the day on Monday.
Please do not hire these people. Mr. B was the second choice of my second choice, and I’m so thankful he showed me his incompetence before he even reached out to opposing counsel. The utter stupidity and incompetence was overwhelming to say the least. I feel so sorry for anyone who is foolish enough to hire them. The only good thing is they didn’t charge me for the 30 minute phone call or that poorly thought-out email, most likely in hopes that I wouldn’t share my story
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15 Nov, 2024 by Ryan mchugh
I used them for a family matter and things went just fine, then we wanted to utilize their services for estate planning. We met with our attorney, she ended up leaving and we were never notified. She billed our retainer for thousands prior to leaving and not only we were never notified they just sent emails requesting to replenish our retainer. Six months later someone finally calls and I explain the situation and simply ask to be made whole so we can continue the work that never started. They refused, for 4 months I was passed around between paralegals until finally requesting a refund of the remaining retainer. No invoices were provided, no work and nothing to show for the money spent. I have 4 attorney offices in retainer for other needs and never have I had such a bad experience. Find a boutique firm with a reputable track record.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Karina english-huerta
I hired Attorney Matt Patton in July of 2023 to help me with my divorce. From the very first moment I met Matt, he was not only professional and knowledgeable, but he made me feel supported, empowered, understood, and at ease. What should have taken a few months to process took over a year because of things outside both of our control. Matt was there for me every step of the way and felt my frustrations as his own. He did everything in his power to get this handled for me quickly and efficiently.
Throughout, Matt was communicative, kind, and represented me with integrity and grit. One of the more notable parts of Matt’s representation of me was whenever we had mediations or hearings in front of the Court, he stood up for me in ways that I have never been able to do for myself. To have a lawyer like that in my corner meant more to me than words can describe. I can honestly say that I would not have been able to make it through this process without him.
Matt was able to get me everything I asked for and more. For the high level of representation I received, and for the care he gave to me and my case from the beginning to the end (especially in such an emotionally charged and delicate situation), Matt was worth every penny I spent to hire him as my lawyer. I could not give him a higher recommendation.
Thank you, Matt, from the bottom of my heart, and thank you to your amazing Paralegal, Amanda, for making this process as least painful and as smooth as possible given the circumstances. You guys are truly the best!
-Karina
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24 Dec, 2024 by Andrew off
So, I normally do not write reviews, especially for deeply personal services such as they provide, however my experience with these people was so poor I felt it particularly important to share.
If you are interested in the details I will provide them below, but I want to sum it up first as most of us do not read entire reviews. I hired these people on Monday Dec 16thand fired them 7 days later. There were two reasons: 1) Communication was worse than poor and 2) the assigned lawyer put more effort into arguing with me than he did in preparing the document I instructed him to write. They were given a chance to correct both mistakes and instead gave me a full refund of the retainer without even so much as an apology. I was left completely stunned by their utter lack of commitment, conviction, and even basic knowledge of the law. This man, and this firm should be completely embarrassed by this.
The full story:
I conducted interviews with multiple firms, this company was my second choice. I was clear during my interviews exactly what the situation was, what my expectations were and what my goals were. Every firm I spoke with all said the same thing “absolutely no problem “. I was told on on Wednesday the 11th during the interview with this firm that lawyer a would be a good fit. I paid the retainer on the following Monday and was immediately told that lawyer a was no longer available. I was assigned to lawyer b, who I immediately made an appointment with. This was Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday Mr. B called me 1.25 hours early, where we had (what I thought to be) a productive conversation. He said he would pull what he needed from public records and get back to me with the documents as well as a “strategy” within a couple of days.
At nearly 4:30 on Friday afternoon (after I complained that he had not reached out) Mr. B sent me an email where he lectured me about positioning, then he stated he was not able to pull the document he needed. In my response email I pointed out what he was arguing was not even relevant to the situation, then I asked him why he waited to ask for the document. I also pointed out that not only does the law entitles me to exactly what I’m asking for, but every lawyer I asked including his boss disagrees with his opinion of the situation. I gave Mr. B 4 hours to do what he was hired to do, with a deadline of noon on Monday the 23rd. I also called his boss and leaving a voicemail requesting to speak with her Monday morning.
Monday Dec 23 at 2 pm I called the boss, got voicemail again and told her it might be time to start talking about a refund. I then sent Mr. B, the boss and the paralegal an email saying time was up and I had seen no effort at all. I asked why I shouldn’t fire him.
I never received any response from Mr. B, his paralegal or the boss. I did however get an email from someone to process the refund less then one hour after the email sent to Mr. B. Had the money back before the end of the day on Monday.
Please do not hire these people. Mr. B was the second choice of my second choice, and I’m so thankful he showed me his incompetence before he even reached out to opposing counsel. The utter stupidity and incompetence was overwhelming to say the least. I feel so sorry for anyone who is foolish enough to hire them. The only good thing is they didn’t charge me for the 30 minute phone call or that poorly thought-out email, most likely in hopes that I wouldn’t share my story
Read more
15 Nov, 2024 by Ryan mchugh
I used them for a family matter and things went just fine, then we wanted to utilize their services for estate planning. We met with our attorney, she ended up leaving and we were never notified. She billed our retainer for thousands prior to leaving and not only we were never notified they just sent emails requesting to replenish our retainer. Six months later someone finally calls and I explain the situation and simply ask to be made whole so we can continue the work that never started. They refused, for 4 months I was passed around between paralegals until finally requesting a refund of the remaining retainer. No invoices were provided, no work and nothing to show for the money spent. I have 4 attorney offices in retainer for other needs and never have I had such a bad experience. Find a boutique firm with a reputable track record.
Read more
19 Aug, 2024 by Karina english-huerta
I hired Attorney Matt Patton in July of 2023 to help me with my divorce. From the very first moment I met Matt, he was not only professional and knowledgeable, but he made me feel supported, empowered, understood, and at ease. What should have taken a few months to process took over a year because of things outside both of our control. Matt was there for me every step of the way and felt my frustrations as his own. He did everything in his power to get this handled for me quickly and efficiently.
Throughout, Matt was communicative, kind, and represented me with integrity and grit. One of the more notable parts of Matt’s representation of me was whenever we had mediations or hearings in front of the Court, he stood up for me in ways that I have never been able to do for myself. To have a lawyer like that in my corner meant more to me than words can describe. I can honestly say that I would not have been able to make it through this process without him.
Matt was able to get me everything I asked for and more. For the high level of representation I received, and for the care he gave to me and my case from the beginning to the end (especially in such an emotionally charged and delicate situation), Matt was worth every penny I spent to hire him as my lawyer. I could not give him a higher recommendation.
Thank you, Matt, from the bottom of my heart, and thank you to your amazing Paralegal, Amanda, for making this process as least painful and as smooth as possible given the circumstances. You guys are truly the best!
-Karina
Read more
24 Dec, 2024 by Andrew off
So, I normally do not write reviews, especially for deeply personal services such as they provide, however my experience with these people was so poor I felt it particularly important to share.
If you are interested in the details I will provide them below, but I want to sum it up first as most of us do not read entire reviews. I hired these people on Monday Dec 16thand fired them 7 days later. There were two reasons: 1) Communication was worse than poor and 2) the assigned lawyer put more effort into arguing with me than he did in preparing the document I instructed him to write. They were given a chance to correct both mistakes and instead gave me a full refund of the retainer without even so much as an apology. I was left completely stunned by their utter lack of commitment, conviction, and even basic knowledge of the law. This man, and this firm should be completely embarrassed by this.
The full story:
I conducted interviews with multiple firms, this company was my second choice. I was clear during my interviews exactly what the situation was, what my expectations were and what my goals were. Every firm I spoke with all said the same thing “absolutely no problem “. I was told on on Wednesday the 11th during the interview with this firm that lawyer a would be a good fit. I paid the retainer on the following Monday and was immediately told that lawyer a was no longer available. I was assigned to lawyer b, who I immediately made an appointment with. This was Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday Mr. B called me 1.25 hours early, where we had (what I thought to be) a productive conversation. He said he would pull what he needed from public records and get back to me with the documents as well as a “strategy” within a couple of days.
At nearly 4:30 on Friday afternoon (after I complained that he had not reached out) Mr. B sent me an email where he lectured me about positioning, then he stated he was not able to pull the document he needed. In my response email I pointed out what he was arguing was not even relevant to the situation, then I asked him why he waited to ask for the document. I also pointed out that not only does the law entitles me to exactly what I’m asking for, but every lawyer I asked including his boss disagrees with his opinion of the situation. I gave Mr. B 4 hours to do what he was hired to do, with a deadline of noon on Monday the 23rd. I also called his boss and leaving a voicemail requesting to speak with her Monday morning.
Monday Dec 23 at 2 pm I called the boss, got voicemail again and told her it might be time to start talking about a refund. I then sent Mr. B, the boss and the paralegal an email saying time was up and I had seen no effort at all. I asked why I shouldn’t fire him.
I never received any response from Mr. B, his paralegal or the boss. I did however get an email from someone to process the refund less then one hour after the email sent to Mr. B. Had the money back before the end of the day on Monday.
Please do not hire these people. Mr. B was the second choice of my second choice, and I’m so thankful he showed me his incompetence before he even reached out to opposing counsel. The utter stupidity and incompetence was overwhelming to say the least. I feel so sorry for anyone who is foolish enough to hire them. The only good thing is they didn’t charge me for the 30 minute phone call or that poorly thought-out email, most likely in hopes that I wouldn’t share my story
Read more
15 Nov, 2024 by Ryan mchugh
I used them for a family matter and things went just fine, then we wanted to utilize their services for estate planning. We met with our attorney, she ended up leaving and we were never notified. She billed our retainer for thousands prior to leaving and not only we were never notified they just sent emails requesting to replenish our retainer. Six months later someone finally calls and I explain the situation and simply ask to be made whole so we can continue the work that never started. They refused, for 4 months I was passed around between paralegals until finally requesting a refund of the remaining retainer. No invoices were provided, no work and nothing to show for the money spent. I have 4 attorney offices in retainer for other needs and never have I had such a bad experience. Find a boutique firm with a reputable track record.
Read more
19 Aug, 2024 by Karina english-huerta
I hired Attorney Matt Patton in July of 2023 to help me with my divorce. From the very first moment I met Matt, he was not only professional and knowledgeable, but he made me feel supported, empowered, understood, and at ease. What should have taken a few months to process took over a year because of things outside both of our control. Matt was there for me every step of the way and felt my frustrations as his own. He did everything in his power to get this handled for me quickly and efficiently.
Throughout, Matt was communicative, kind, and represented me with integrity and grit. One of the more notable parts of Matt’s representation of me was whenever we had mediations or hearings in front of the Court, he stood up for me in ways that I have never been able to do for myself. To have a lawyer like that in my corner meant more to me than words can describe. I can honestly say that I would not have been able to make it through this process without him.
Matt was able to get me everything I asked for and more. For the high level of representation I received, and for the care he gave to me and my case from the beginning to the end (especially in such an emotionally charged and delicate situation), Matt was worth every penny I spent to hire him as my lawyer. I could not give him a higher recommendation.
Thank you, Matt, from the bottom of my heart, and thank you to your amazing Paralegal, Amanda, for making this process as least painful and as smooth as possible given the circumstances. You guys are truly the best!
-Karina
Read more
16 Oct, 2024 by Fouad benqadi
I also do not recommend Jeffrey and his lawfirm after I paid the retainer there was little to no communication and I repeated myself multiple times. He completely dropped the ball on both of his appearances and failed to represent me in court along with filing court paperwork without my approval. I have fired him and will be seeking new council or maybe just represent myself!
Also I will be reporting him to the bar for malpractice as he asked me to do an evaluation with is his “buddy” and they would make it sound as if I didn’t need therapy. I do not agree with any of the statements against me and will stand firm to this so I declined the assessment.
Pretty sure it’s just another method of extracting money from you. BEWARE of this law firm and look elsewhere even though he has 30 years in Adams county court rooms.
Truly disappointed.
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05 Oct, 2024 by Maria hatch
05 Aug, 2024 by Tosha harry
The senior associate Katherine Karstetter allows her clients to violate laws and encourages them to file false government reports saying they have a right. Falsifying reports to the FBI, police, making calls to anyone who knows me and scouting USA is not okay trying to get me fired, and trying to stop my advocacy, training and support of disabled, low income, and children is not okay. Shame on you. Glad you defend people who have no defense. It is okay for your client to have my information my family's information our addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers on sticky notes in her possession.You defend and believe pathological liers who report false felony accusations, who has a personality disorders when you know they are mentally ill. Shame on you.
Abusing and neglecting your child is not okay, and continuing to affect children's and others mental health, and physical health with inappropriate interactions is not okay. Your law firm should be about facts and the truth not defending blatant liers and allowing them to stalk and abuse people. But yes you are a shoulder to cry on that obviously does not have the mental capacity or morals to distinguish right from wrong. Shame on you....
You said I court anyone has a right to file complaints so here it is. You are a guardian ad lidium Shame on you, you do not protect anyone.
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17 Feb, 2025 by Kathryn weihing
Wonderfully efficient law firm. Took care of our will, trust, PoA needs quickly.
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17 Feb, 2025 by Nancy chang
We recently had the pleasure of working with Anastasia and her team at Legacy Law Group. We have a great experience and everyone was so helpful throughout the entire process. They were clear on everything and made a stressful process less stressful by explaining everything every step of the way. We never felt rushed or pressured into anything and it was nice to not feel like every question you have is being billed by the hour. They are always responsive to every question we had. They truly care about their clients and are passionate about helping you protect your family. I would highly recommend Anastasia and her team for your estate planning needs.
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14 Feb, 2025 by Laura allensworth
We had the pleasure of working with Anastasia and her team Tatyana and Michelle, and we couldn't be more satisfied. I had done research for an irrevocable trust, and all it entails and general cost. My head was swimming, but I had a somewhat general understanding. Anastasia and her team were efficient, accommodating, and thorough. Legacy Law Group provided us peace of mind, and we highly recommend them.
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22 Jan, 2025 by Tammy bugarin
I cannot express how grateful I am to my attorney and his partners and staff! They have done well by me and represented me with professionalism and empathy which is not always the case with other practices. I would strongly recommend them with a note to keep their practice info handy for friends and acquaintances. One good turn deserves another. Should you retain their services I believe you will not regret it I most certainly do not.
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07 Jan, 2025 by Lola holdings
We do not recommend hiring anyone of these lawyers, very incompetent in our experience with them
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07 Jan, 2025 by Ooh lala
In my opinion these partners care more about their pockets than the quality of work they provide, or outcome for their clients .
Do not recommend hiring anyone from this team.
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12 Apr, 2024 by Moni coupel
The most amazing and caring people are Herr. Have hired them multiple times and referred many others who have had great experiences as well.
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09 Apr, 2019 by World travel mgt deanna ballard
This is a great law firm. Very Ethical and very thorough with every client they have.
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07 Feb, 2019 by Margaret deluca
Apparently out of business or extended hiatus. They do not return emails or phone calls after initial consultation. It's shame, because they seemed to be the perfect fit for our issues.
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24 Dec, 2024 by Andrew off
So, I normally do not write reviews, especially for deeply personal services such as they provide, however my experience with these people was so poor I felt it particularly important to share.
If you are interested in the details I will provide them below, but I want to sum it up first as most of us do not read entire reviews. I hired these people on Monday Dec 16thand fired them 7 days later. There were two reasons: 1) Communication was worse than poor and 2) the assigned lawyer put more effort into arguing with me than he did in preparing the document I instructed him to write. They were given a chance to correct both mistakes and instead gave me a full refund of the retainer without even so much as an apology. I was left completely stunned by their utter lack of commitment, conviction, and even basic knowledge of the law. This man, and this firm should be completely embarrassed by this.
The full story:
I conducted interviews with multiple firms, this company was my second choice. I was clear during my interviews exactly what the situation was, what my expectations were and what my goals were. Every firm I spoke with all said the same thing “absolutely no problem “. I was told on on Wednesday the 11th during the interview with this firm that lawyer a would be a good fit. I paid the retainer on the following Monday and was immediately told that lawyer a was no longer available. I was assigned to lawyer b, who I immediately made an appointment with. This was Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday Mr. B called me 1.25 hours early, where we had (what I thought to be) a productive conversation. He said he would pull what he needed from public records and get back to me with the documents as well as a “strategy” within a couple of days.
At nearly 4:30 on Friday afternoon (after I complained that he had not reached out) Mr. B sent me an email where he lectured me about positioning, then he stated he was not able to pull the document he needed. In my response email I pointed out what he was arguing was not even relevant to the situation, then I asked him why he waited to ask for the document. I also pointed out that not only does the law entitles me to exactly what I’m asking for, but every lawyer I asked including his boss disagrees with his opinion of the situation. I gave Mr. B 4 hours to do what he was hired to do, with a deadline of noon on Monday the 23rd. I also called his boss and leaving a voicemail requesting to speak with her Monday morning.
Monday Dec 23 at 2 pm I called the boss, got voicemail again and told her it might be time to start talking about a refund. I then sent Mr. B, the boss and the paralegal an email saying time was up and I had seen no effort at all. I asked why I shouldn’t fire him.
I never received any response from Mr. B, his paralegal or the boss. I did however get an email from someone to process the refund less then one hour after the email sent to Mr. B. Had the money back before the end of the day on Monday.
Please do not hire these people. Mr. B was the second choice of my second choice, and I’m so thankful he showed me his incompetence before he even reached out to opposing counsel. The utter stupidity and incompetence was overwhelming to say the least. I feel so sorry for anyone who is foolish enough to hire them. The only good thing is they didn’t charge me for the 30 minute phone call or that poorly thought-out email, most likely in hopes that I wouldn’t share my story
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15 Nov, 2024 by Ryan mchugh
I used them for a family matter and things went just fine, then we wanted to utilize their services for estate planning. We met with our attorney, she ended up leaving and we were never notified. She billed our retainer for thousands prior to leaving and not only we were never notified they just sent emails requesting to replenish our retainer. Six months later someone finally calls and I explain the situation and simply ask to be made whole so we can continue the work that never started. They refused, for 4 months I was passed around between paralegals until finally requesting a refund of the remaining retainer. No invoices were provided, no work and nothing to show for the money spent. I have 4 attorney offices in retainer for other needs and never have I had such a bad experience. Find a boutique firm with a reputable track record.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Karina english-huerta
I hired Attorney Matt Patton in July of 2023 to help me with my divorce. From the very first moment I met Matt, he was not only professional and knowledgeable, but he made me feel supported, empowered, understood, and at ease. What should have taken a few months to process took over a year because of things outside both of our control. Matt was there for me every step of the way and felt my frustrations as his own. He did everything in his power to get this handled for me quickly and efficiently.
Throughout, Matt was communicative, kind, and represented me with integrity and grit. One of the more notable parts of Matt’s representation of me was whenever we had mediations or hearings in front of the Court, he stood up for me in ways that I have never been able to do for myself. To have a lawyer like that in my corner meant more to me than words can describe. I can honestly say that I would not have been able to make it through this process without him.
Matt was able to get me everything I asked for and more. For the high level of representation I received, and for the care he gave to me and my case from the beginning to the end (especially in such an emotionally charged and delicate situation), Matt was worth every penny I spent to hire him as my lawyer. I could not give him a higher recommendation.
Thank you, Matt, from the bottom of my heart, and thank you to your amazing Paralegal, Amanda, for making this process as least painful and as smooth as possible given the circumstances. You guys are truly the best!
-Karina
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14 May, 2020 by Michael
I had been going through a terribly contentious divorce where my ex was totally uncooperative with the orders of the court and left me in a very difficult position. She was ordered to participate in the division of marital property including dividing the home equity, and bank accounts, savings bonds and mutual funds. My ex did her best to block nearly everything that was ordered by the court and after some good work from my original lawyer after some time this lawyer just gave up. I then hired David Gibans and it was one of the best moves I ever made.
David stepped into the breach picking up the pieces and worked to get a Promissory Note created for half the equity in my former marital home as ordered by the court. David Gibans actually had to go to the court and have the court create the Promissory Note since my ex would not do what was required.
We then proceeded to get a number of retirement mutual funds divided as was ordered by the court. Again, the ex was totally uncooperative and only with great persistence were we able to get the assets divided by the very hard work from David Gibans. After several years of legal fighting, we were finally able to get done what was ordered by the court.
Only recently did we finally complete the divorce settlement with the forced sale of the marital home and the division of the home equity. Again, my ex was totally uncooperative, and we had to take her to court via a contempt action. This was only accomplished only by the incredibly hard work provided by a lawyer the likes of which you would be hard pressed to find anywhere.
I cannot make a higher recommendation for a lawyer who will sit down with you and understand you needs and will work tirelessly to get justice you deserve. David will sit down and really listen to you and his knowledge of the law and the courts would be very hard to top. David is a true professional and is a great attorney. I would be in a very difficult situation without David’s hard work and I cannot thank him enough.
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22 Mar, 2016 by Dan mason
I had finally come to the realization that my ugly marriage of 15 years was no longer working out and that it was simply time to move on. The normal worries continued to creep up. Would I be able to see my kids as much as i wanted? How much would i lose in the divorce? I was referred to David by a friend and could not have been happier with the results, from the initial conciliation, to the final outcome. David was professional, honest, and above all else i felt that he truly cared instead of many lawyers who just see you as a case number. He kept me up to date throughout the process and was incredibly prepared for trial. I ended up with a result that my friends told me was not possible, but he his continued resilience and full-on attitude got me majority custody, with less loss capital than i anticipated. I would truly recommend David to anyone in need of a lawyer who does not want to be overcharged or go through the big corporations.
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02 Jun, 2015 by Shirley
David Gibans was totally inept in the courtroom and his preparation work before trial turned out to be equally bad. I can't know the reason why, but he could NOT complete a thought or follow his own line of questioning in court. He would ask the first question of a witness and then lose his focus and ask no further questions. He started questioning my ex by handing her the wrong document to read. He would take notes as if he had the next question ready, but then just stare at that piece of paper and never think of the question I thought he had prepared. (This was when the judge would tell him he seemed to be intentionally slowing the trial.) I fired him mid-trial after the judge accused him three times of intentionally slowing the trial and my uncle, who came from Maryland to watch the trial, told me at the first break that, "Your lawyer is inept!" Before trial, Gibans had me send him the same documents two, three, or more times when he could not remember them from other times--and, of course, he charged me for each time. He had me prepare document packets to show proof of my ex's lies. I created 20 of these packets, and he told me they were just what he wanted, but he submitted NONE of them to the court!!! When I told him I wanted a refund, he refused and threatened that if I pursued things with my charge card companies to stop payment of just some of the legal fees, he threatened to put a lien on my house--which is now being forced sold because of his ineptness. Trustworthy? NO WAY!!!!! My case involved 3 mental illnesses on the part of my partner and "gay issues," and I tried to tell him many times that it was NOT going to be the simple contract issue he thought. He would not listen to me. He didn't bother to even research the issues of this trial, so his knowledge base was very limited. He was horrid at keeping me informed about anything. When I would ask him how he was going to use those packets or what his plan was for trial, I consistently got "I don't know yet" and/or "I haven't decided yet." David Gibans is NEITHER a capable mediator nor litigator. We got one shot a mediation and I had assumed he would lead the way. He did nothing but stop me from presenting the 5 packets about lies that I had prepared at that point, saying, "Not now." I assumed he had other plans for them. WRONG! I paid him $40,000 to be totally inept! Avoid this lawyer at all costs--literally!!! I would also suggest that you always stick with a lawyer in the same town. I was in Colorado Springs and the judge had no clue who Gibans was and seemed to have that bias about "out-of-town" lawyers--not to mention the extra legal fees in driving time for every hearing and court date.
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16 Oct, 2021 by Santiago
Esta persona solo me robo el dinero me pidió anticipo y después de eso solo atrasaba mi caso después ya no contesto mis mensajes solo es una estafadora.
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13 Oct, 2016 by Joshua
My experience with Eliana was phenomenal, her sincerity & genuine concern about the case was greatly appreciated. Very professional process & a very satisfied client was the outcome.
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13 Oct, 2016 by Donald
Eliana is an excellent father's rights advocate. Her representation of my son and granddaughter resulted in the best outcome we could have hoped for. She is a true professional and a credit to her vocation. Highly recommend her for father's rights.
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03 Jan, 2025 by Lori
If your case is assigned to Ceila Harned, do everything you can to get a new CFI. This woman is biased and incompetent beyond belief. She is enamored with the men in the case. She seemingly hates the mothers and will do everything in her power to paint the mother in a bad light and put the father ina good light.
My ex-husband had a long history of domestic violence on file with the courts. But she painted out as a saint. And she painted me as a liar, who coached my kids to hate their father.
When we got to court, she walked into the room and openly hugged him, and his new girlfriend and sat right behind them waiting for court to start. Like they were best friends. She totally fawned over my ex in open court like she was a schoolgirl with a crush. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Luckily for me, her incompetence is what got her. She had my kids names listed completely wrong in her report and messed up several dates. My lawyer ate her for lunch and had her report struck from the record and she was never allowed to testify. That is what saved me that day.
Avoid this woman at all costs. She is truly terrible and should have her law license stripped away.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Rebecca moss
Such a lifesaver! Use her for all of your legal questions and needs. You are in good hands with her!
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06 May, 2024 by Samantha esparza
12 Apr, 2024 by Moni coupel
The most amazing and caring people are Herr. Have hired them multiple times and referred many others who have had great experiences as well.
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09 Apr, 2019 by World travel mgt deanna ballard
This is a great law firm. Very Ethical and very thorough with every client they have.
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07 Feb, 2019 by Margaret deluca
Apparently out of business or extended hiatus. They do not return emails or phone calls after initial consultation. It's shame, because they seemed to be the perfect fit for our issues.
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16 Jul, 2019 by Amy
I had good recommendations for Mr. Goldstein from two sources, and chose him for my divorce attorney due to his reputation for being pragmatic, and tough. To my surprise, my discussions with my husband went smoothly and we agreed on everything. We are both educated, processionals. I wished to save money, and not file unnecessary paperwork, etc.
Initially, Mr. Goldstein hesitantly worked with me, however we ultimately had a difference of opinion when I did not feel certain motions needed to be filed out of "an abundance of caution" in his words. I have been through the process previously, and have friends who are attorneys. Therefore, due to the fact that things were very amicable, I did not feel "an abundance of caution" was necessary.
The response I received was incredibly unprofessional and condescending. I could not believe that someone in his position, who deals with individuals in delicate, emotional situations daily, would speak to a client in such a manner. He browbeat me with motions passed as to how he had the right to proceed in my case how he wished, without informing me or discussing it with me. Essentially, how he had the right to spend my money how he chose, and then ask for more of course.
He may be the attorney for someone with deep pockets, who doesn't mind being insulted during a sensitive time, but not for me.
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23 Mar, 2017 by Allan
If you are in the need of the professional services of an attorney. The key to finding the right legal representation, it seems to me, is finding a person that is both expertly qualified in the field of law that is the core of your legal issue, and that you can connect with personally. A person you are going to feel comfortable with at not just from a legal perspective, but also comfortable at a interpersonal level of communication as well. In my case after years of fighting with my HOA, I have finally gotten the full support of the local sheriff department.
If this sounds at all like the kind of legal help that you are looking for, then.
I most highly recommend Peter B. Goldstein Esq.
Sincerely,
Allan L. P
Client
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22 Apr, 2024 by Heidi algha
Attorney (I feel embarrassed even calling him that) Rechard Tegtmeier frequently made excuses and exhibited a lack of diligence in handling my case. Throughout the duration of my interactions with Tegtmeier, I found his behavior to be extremely inappropriate and disrespectful. I had to tell him to withdraw and had a different attorney represent me. He consistently came across as rude and displayed a clear disdain towards individuals of color, including myself. Despite my attempts to maintain professionalism and cooperation, I could sense an underlying prejudice in his demeanor towards me.
It became evident to me, and subsequently to others in similar situations, that his representation was marred by discrimination against minority groups. I have since learned that I am not the only individual who has felt marginalized and mistreated by Tegtmeier's actions.
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01 Apr, 2024 by Jazmin rodriguez
Unethical charges when they have conversation within there own team, you as the client get charged for them talking about your case amongst them! STAY AWAY
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15 Dec, 2023 by Beans2g0
Wonderful people in a beautiful office. Staff and attorneys are friendly and happy
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16 Oct, 2024 by Fouad benqadi
I also do not recommend Jeffrey and his lawfirm after I paid the retainer there was little to no communication and I repeated myself multiple times. He completely dropped the ball on both of his appearances and failed to represent me in court along with filing court paperwork without my approval. I have fired him and will be seeking new council or maybe just represent myself!
Also I will be reporting him to the bar for malpractice as he asked me to do an evaluation with is his “buddy” and they would make it sound as if I didn’t need therapy. I do not agree with any of the statements against me and will stand firm to this so I declined the assessment.
Pretty sure it’s just another method of extracting money from you. BEWARE of this law firm and look elsewhere even though he has 30 years in Adams county court rooms.
Truly disappointed.
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05 Oct, 2024 by Maria hatch
05 Aug, 2024 by Tosha harry
The senior associate Katherine Karstetter allows her clients to violate laws and encourages them to file false government reports saying they have a right. Falsifying reports to the FBI, police, making calls to anyone who knows me and scouting USA is not okay trying to get me fired, and trying to stop my advocacy, training and support of disabled, low income, and children is not okay. Shame on you. Glad you defend people who have no defense. It is okay for your client to have my information my family's information our addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers on sticky notes in her possession.You defend and believe pathological liers who report false felony accusations, who has a personality disorders when you know they are mentally ill. Shame on you.
Abusing and neglecting your child is not okay, and continuing to affect children's and others mental health, and physical health with inappropriate interactions is not okay. Your law firm should be about facts and the truth not defending blatant liers and allowing them to stalk and abuse people. But yes you are a shoulder to cry on that obviously does not have the mental capacity or morals to distinguish right from wrong. Shame on you....
You said I court anyone has a right to file complaints so here it is. You are a guardian ad lidium Shame on you, you do not protect anyone.
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21 Aug, 2023 by Nate
Given my experience, John Tatlock, is an awful attorney. He was lazy and disengaged, combative with me when I advocated for myself, and brought no financial expertise, which is why I hired him in the first place. In hindsight and after review from a new firm it is clear that John as a shareholder is more interested in billing than representing.
I am extremely disappointed that this quality of lawyer is acceptable in the Denver legal system. Steer Clear
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23 Mar, 2016 by Wayne
John, represented me on my divorce case, where it was very litigious and complicated by the other party. He defended my with honor and saved me from some major expenses, we had to go to trial several times because of the other parties unwillingness to cooperate with the court orders, and on most of the issues was able to win many of the rulings in my favor. He is quite confident and represents his clients well in court and is very well prepared and ready to fight for what is right and just. He is also a very smart and compassionate family attorney who knows his stuff. He was always available on the phone/email and responded to my queries promptly. Above all, he is a great human being who genuinely cares for his clients. I felt I not only found an excellent attorney but a great friend as well.
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13 Mar, 2016 by Patrick
I was very disappointed with the way that the Harris Law Firm handled my case. The firm was expensive, difficult to keep on task, and the attorneys rarely dedicated the needed time to handle important things that came up. In the weeks leading up to the final hearing, the firm personnel were increasingly difficult to reach and ultimately, with only three weeks prior to hearing, they filed a surprise, uncoordinated withdrawal. This threw the case into chaos and completely changed the hearing schedule, adding months to the process with much additional emotional and financial pain. I would not hire this firm again
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29 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired this guy and he told me he would be using one of his other new attorneys to do some of the grunt work to keep the costs down. He disappeared after that and no matter how often I requested he get involved I was stuck with the young, inexperienced attorney which ended up costing me a lot more money and frustration. It looks like he was on probation the same time I hired him which was never disclosed to me. Also, they billed my credit card several times without my permission even when I told them not to and that I preferred to write a check. I finally had to cancel my card since they were obviously keeping it on file somewhere without my permission.
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23 Jul, 2014 by Thomas
Dave fought hard for me in a tough situation. I didn't do much to help him by not following the Court's Orders and not listening to his advice, but he didn't pull any punches and told me the cold, hard truth about the consequences. Because he was so honest about how my case would play out in court, I trusted his advice and things turned around. Can't say I got everything I wanted, but I can say I think I got everything I could.
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22 Sep, 2023 by Susy
She is my ex's second attorney. She came in after the CFI's work is done. Through the recent Financial Statement she made for my ex. I can tell she is far away from professional by ignoring all the facts that have presented by my ex and his 1st attorney.
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09 May, 2023 by Ann
Best attorney I have had!! She listened and went after what was best for me and my kids! She's a kick-butt attorney!!
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21 Jun, 2015 by Tammy
Ron Litvak represented me in my divorce and he negotiated an excellent settlement on my behalf. It was a difficult time, I had three young children, and Ron made sure that I was informed and he kept me up-to-date on the developments of the case. If you find yourself in need of a divorce attorney I highly recommend that you seek the counsel of Ron Litvak.
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27 Jun, 2013 by Peter
I used Ron for my Divorce case and he made so many error that I was forced to hire an new lawyer and redo the whole process. My current lawyer was shocked that anyone with a legal background would allow me to sign the agreement he drafted. DO NOT USE THIS GUY!! In addition to making huge legal error - he sent me a bill that over estimated what he was owed.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Fouad benqadi
I also do not recommend Jeffrey and his lawfirm after I paid the retainer there was little to no communication and I repeated myself multiple times. He completely dropped the ball on both of his appearances and failed to represent me in court along with filing court paperwork without my approval. I have fired him and will be seeking new council or maybe just represent myself!
Also I will be reporting him to the bar for malpractice as he asked me to do an evaluation with is his “buddy” and they would make it sound as if I didn’t need therapy. I do not agree with any of the statements against me and will stand firm to this so I declined the assessment.
Pretty sure it’s just another method of extracting money from you. BEWARE of this law firm and look elsewhere even though he has 30 years in Adams county court rooms.
Truly disappointed.
Read more
05 Oct, 2024 by Maria hatch
05 Aug, 2024 by Tosha harry
The senior associate Katherine Karstetter allows her clients to violate laws and encourages them to file false government reports saying they have a right. Falsifying reports to the FBI, police, making calls to anyone who knows me and scouting USA is not okay trying to get me fired, and trying to stop my advocacy, training and support of disabled, low income, and children is not okay. Shame on you. Glad you defend people who have no defense. It is okay for your client to have my information my family's information our addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers on sticky notes in her possession.You defend and believe pathological liers who report false felony accusations, who has a personality disorders when you know they are mentally ill. Shame on you.
Abusing and neglecting your child is not okay, and continuing to affect children's and others mental health, and physical health with inappropriate interactions is not okay. Your law firm should be about facts and the truth not defending blatant liers and allowing them to stalk and abuse people. But yes you are a shoulder to cry on that obviously does not have the mental capacity or morals to distinguish right from wrong. Shame on you....
You said I court anyone has a right to file complaints so here it is. You are a guardian ad lidium Shame on you, you do not protect anyone.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Family Law Lawyer Can Do for You
A family law lawyer provides legal services related to family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. Family lawyers help clients navigate emotionally charged legal issues, providing guidance and representation in disputes that affect spouses, children, and parents. Whether you're going through a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or drafting a prenuptial agreement, a family law lawyer ensures your rights are protected and your interests are represented.
Family law attorneys often handle sensitive matters and offer objective legal advice, helping clients reach fair outcomes either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
When Should I Hire a Family Law Lawyer?
Hiring a family law lawyer is beneficial in several situations, especially when legal matters involve close personal relationships. Common reasons to hire a family law lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: When ending a marriage, a lawyer can help you navigate issues such as division of assets, spousal support, and child custody arrangements.
- Child custody and visitation disputes: If you and your co-parent can't agree on custody or visitation, a lawyer can represent your interests and work toward a solution that benefits your children.
- Child support: Whether you’re seeking child support or defending against a claim, a lawyer can help ensure the appropriate amount is calculated and enforced.
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: A lawyer can help draft or review agreements that protect your assets in case of divorce.
- Adoption: Family law lawyers guide you through the legal process of adoption, ensuring that all requirements are met.
- Domestic violence or restraining orders: If you're a victim of domestic violence or being falsely accused, a lawyer can help you obtain or challenge protective orders.
- Paternity cases: If there are questions about the paternity of a child, a lawyer can help establish or dispute legal fatherhood.
Hiring a lawyer early can prevent issues from escalating, and they can offer you the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome in emotionally charged situations.
What Does a Family Law Lawyer Do?
A family law lawyer provides a wide range of services depending on your specific legal needs. Their responsibilities may include:
- Advising on legal rights and options: Helping you understand your legal rights regarding divorce, child custody, support, and other family law issues.
- Filing legal documents: Drafting and filing petitions, motions, and agreements with the court, such as divorce papers, custody agreements, or support orders.
- Representing clients in court: Arguing your case in front of a judge if a settlement can’t be reached through negotiation or mediation.
- Mediation and negotiation: Assisting with alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to reach agreements on issues like custody, property division, and support without going to trial.
- Enforcing court orders: Helping you enforce court orders related to child support, alimony, or custody if the other party fails to comply.
- Drafting prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: Creating agreements that protect your assets in the event of a divorce.
- Handling adoption proceedings: Ensuring that the legal process of adoption is followed, from filing paperwork to finalizing the adoption in court.
How Are Family Law Lawyers Paid?
Family law lawyers typically charge clients in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Common payment arrangements include:
- Hourly rates: Most family lawyers charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and location. Clients are billed for the time spent working on their case, including consultations, court appearances, and document preparation.
- Flat fees: For more straightforward legal services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, some lawyers offer flat-fee arrangements.
- Retainer fees: In cases that are expected to require significant time and attention, such as contentious custody battles, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers the initial costs of legal services. The lawyer then bills against the retainer as they work on your case.
The exact cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s fee structure, which should be discussed upfront.
How Much Does a Family Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a family law lawyer varies based on factors such as the lawyer's experience, the location, and the complexity of your case. Here are some general cost guidelines:
- Hourly rates: Family law lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fees: For simpler cases, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Retainers: For more complex matters, such as contested divorces or custody battles, lawyers may charge a retainer ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. The lawyer will bill against the retainer for the work they do on your case.
- Additional costs: You may also be responsible for additional costs, such as filing fees, mediation fees, or expert witness fees.
Always ask for a clear breakdown of the lawyer’s fees and any additional expenses during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Family Law Lawyer
Before hiring a family law lawyer, it's important to ask questions to ensure they're the right fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What experience do you have with family law cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's a contested divorce, child custody dispute, or adoption. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer. Ask for an estimate of the total costs involved. -
What are the possible outcomes of my case?
An experienced lawyer should be able to give you a general idea of what to expect based on the facts of your case. -
What is your approach to resolving disputes?
Ask whether the lawyer tends to favor negotiation and mediation or whether they prefer to take cases to court. This can help you determine if their style matches your goals. -
How long do you expect my case to take?
While it’s difficult to predict, the lawyer should give you an estimate based on similar cases. -
Who will be handling my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may do much of the work, so make sure you understand who will be your main point of contact.
How to Check the Credibility of a Family Law Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable family law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and reputation:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state and is in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on websites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell. Previous clients can give you insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and success in family law cases.
- Request references: Ask the lawyer for references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Review their website or professional profile: Look at the lawyer’s background, case history, and areas of focus to ensure they have substantial experience in family law.
- Look for professional memberships: Membership in reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), can indicate a lawyer's expertise and dedication to family law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a family law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- Relevant documents: Bring any documents related to your case, such as marriage certificates, prenuptial agreements, financial records, custody agreements, or court orders.
- List of assets and debts: For divorce cases, prepare a detailed list of all assets (e.g., homes, bank accounts, retirement funds) and debts (e.g., mortgages, loans, credit card balances).
- Details of the family issue: Provide a written summary of the situation, including key dates and facts related to your divorce, custody dispute, or support issue.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, costs, and potential outcomes.
- Your goals: Be prepared to discuss your objectives, such as custody arrangements, property division, or spousal support, so the lawyer understands your priorities.
Being organized and clear about your situation will help the lawyer evaluate your case more effectively and offer the best advice for moving forward.
