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19 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
The only interests this woman represents are her own. Even my child asked if he could ask the judge to replace her.
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08 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
She favors one parent, in this case the father, and will do anything to make sure the the parent she favors gets time with the child. Even if the child’s life is in danger.
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11 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
This woman was retained by the court on behalf of my son (keep in mind my son is a minor so I am a client on behalf of my son) who is a minor to visit with me. This woman is to represent the best interest of the child and be bi-partisan in her decisions of mother and father, she is pro woman, beyond un sympathetic.....the woman cares nothing of the childs best interest specically she states things like "it is my opinion as always that a child does not need a father" I almost fell out of my seat when I heard her say that...better yet the judge agreed verbally?
They want you out of court in NYC and if having two parents is to much work for the courts its easier to side with the woman. Specifically she refused to talk to me, and I am the father she is retained by the court to talk to, communicate with she refused. She is not nice, warm, friendly towards men at all...she obviously is pro women, and just not right. I had seen other reviews denied as they were stated not from a client, but my son who is a minor was appointed this lawyer and on his behalf I give her zero stars under my parental rights.
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24 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
- Charged for every little thing, from the regular contract, to 2 contract changes, to difficultly dealing with the buyer.
- Cannot answer or advise on legal proceedings, had to ask a different lawyer instead.
- Did not re-type the Contract of Sale. In the end, the contract looked like a C+ graded paper.
- Constant yelling and screaming on the phone.
- Cannot argue or defend client effectively. We were sellers and we ended up yielding to close at the buyer's title office.
- Exposed the confidential papers to the buyer which effectively lowered our price. Then complained in the email that she wasn't notified even though there was an email trail.
- Charged $500 to Uber to the closing because she lost the argument to close in her office. In the end, she hitched a free ride from one of the brokers.
- Filled out the 1099-S duplicate form wrong to the title company and said it's not her job later and to them to go contact the accountant.
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21 Aug, 2023 by Cynthia
This lawyer's office constantly overcharged for filing fees. Only accepted Zelle $380 payment to begin divorce proceedings. I found out the actual cost should have been about $215. They didn't have a working fax # although the fax # was on every email. They didn't inform me that a stipulation I requested to remain on health insurance was not legal. They filed the paperwork with the courts BEFORE confirming with both parties. Refused to refund any of that inflated fee. Lied about not receiving information about the other lawyer although I had emails to prove I sent it. They would omit important information ie: There is a fee for a discontinuance (no mention of what the fee amount is).
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02 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
I went through a heartbreaking two years with the firm at Blank Rome. I was represented by Judge Silbermann and then by Richard Adago. I went to this firm because Silbermann had been a judge in marital court and a mediator. It seemed like she had all the credential and experience i was looking for. And, I paid a tremendous amount of money for her expertise and services. I did not want to be adversarial with my x, so I thought someone who had been a mediator would best serve my needs. It was a sacrifice for me to pay her hourly fees, but I thought there was a correlation between whopping hourly fees and expertise. I also did not realize that being a Judge did not necessarily lend itself to litigation and that was a completely different skill. I also did not realize that all those years on a bench made for interesting relationships with other attorneys for example my ex husbands.
I was a novice at this. I never did get a stipulation that provided me while I was going through the process of divorce with a monthly amount of money, always having to beg for money. Oddly, she sent me back to my x to negotiate my own divorce, each time getting deeper into trouble, because he kept taking my information and manipulating it with his own attorneys. But she kept telling me to go back to him to negotiate. Things kept getting worse and worse. Finally an "agreement" was reached, not an agreement i agreed to, and Adago and Silbermann told me that I was "lucky i was getting what I was being offered, and if i didn't sign it would only get worse". It told them that I needed to see proof of the pre marital asset claim, and they never showed me this. Why? Because it did not exist. They were relying on my x's paperwork and his attorneys proof, never doing due diligence in my behalf. I kept telling them that the information they were getting was not actually the statements from the financial institutions but they were spread sheets that he had created himself. They never believed me. One day the stars looked down upon me completely coincidentally meeting a woman who had used Silbermann (how lucky it had come up randomly in conversation) and told me that all the chaos and extended time to accomplish this divorce was not my fault that this had happened exactly to her. From this conversation i gathered all my courage to move to another attorney. It was terrifying to do, but I knew instinctively that something was really wrong. And my life changed! My new attorney could not believe what she was seeing. We deposed my x and found all the misrepresentations. And, ultimately I was divorced within that year! The settlement was exactly fair and the experience was 180 degrees different from the previous two years. I learned a lot, and if I can give any advise to any one reading this it is this: divorce is painful enough, with good representation it can be made easier; go with your instinct: if you think your attorney isn't doing the right thing, they probably aren't; and don't be afraid of your attorney...I got so lucky in the end, If I had stayed with Silbermann and Blank Rome it would have been a very different story for me...and I would be angry about all of this. I do wish I could recoup the tens of thousands I spent on the worst kind of representation, but I cannot, there is a deep wall around firms protecting their money, but you know I chalk it off to a good education. No attorney is smarter than truth, and at the end of the day the truth with good representation can prevail. It did in my case, it can in yours. Beware this large firm. Make sure your attorney not only says they have your best interests at heart, make sure they work for you, listen to you, and advocate for you. Unfortunately Judge Silbermann did not know how to do this.
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06 Oct, 2009 by Anonymous
Ms. Silbermann was negligent, harmful, irresponsible and lacked fundamental knowledge not only of my case, but of legal ethics, procedure, and matrimonial law itself.
She charged for things prior to even meeting or speaking with me, charged for documents she then passed freely to opposing counsel, and tried to charge for court time over two weeks after being fired.
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03 Nov, 2016 by Kathryn
Retained this attorney for corporate trademark registrations. He charged us his full hourly billings for the work yet we found out a paralegal submitted the applications. When another employee parted ways with the firm, we received a solicitation to hire that other firm which meant this attorney was not securing our information securely. Not happy with how this all turned out.
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23 Mar, 2015 by Pablo
Went to this attorney for 5 PTO registration filings. Was told it would cost $7,000. They did the work and then billed more than double what they quoted. Had to go for arbitration to reduce their excessive invoice, for which the First Department ruled in favor of the client. We hired a P.I. who provided proof the filings cost only $2,000 and change.
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11 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
This attorney a Public Defender was assigned to me by Brooklyn Defenders to represent me at a Supreme Court.
My first encounter with Attorney Ms. Shaidad was very negative on her part, Ms. Shaidad was not prepared when in court she never met with me, introduce herself or attempted to contact me while I was inside the court, I only became of her presence when my case was called in front of the Magistrate.
During the hearing Ms. Shahidad distracted me from what magistrate was saying, she refuse to explain what was going on and refuse to refute the demands on the other parties attorney.
After the hearing Ms. Shahidad lied to me that she called out my name and falsely claimed that I was not at the hearing, I immediately met with her Supervisor,I was informed by said Supervisor Mr. Baum Esq. Any further incidents to bring it to his attention, During our second meeting Ms. Shahidad, did not send my case documents that my other Public Defender who did an excellent job representing transfer the case documents to her which she falsely claim she never recieved, Ms. Shahidad later stated she had sent it to my mailing address then later she sent it to my regular address that she knew I had no access to. Ms.Shahid was untruthful claim that she did not have my information of the mailing address, when her colleagues had confirmed to me that information Ms. Shahid already had it, When I enquired about my case as it was progressing thru the courts, Ms. Shahid, would dismiss me on everything refused to talk to me about the case instead complained to me that I reported to her Supervisor which she made it clear when we had a important meeting with the D.As Office when I informed Ms. Shahid that Its already been resolved over a month ago and of moving forward Ms. Shahid continued to complianed angrily by threathen me of walking away from my case and from the meeting with the D.A.
Our last encounter Ms. Shahid intentionally delay my case for 2 months When we last met, I had sent Email of concerns and questions about my case since Ms. Shahid was none responsive in our meeting she refused to discussed the case and wanted me to agree on an unrelated matter, when I enquired about the case and press to discuss of an important dismissal. Ms. Shadid falsly accused me of harassing her, since we where in a privated meeting room, I immediately walk out and I informed the receptionist, I requested to speak to the Supervisor Mr. Baum, when he was unavailable I informed Ms.Shahid that I would report her conduct and retribution. Supervisor Ms. Burke a direct suoerv. met with me, I had agreed to give Ms. Shahid a 2nd opportunity even thought I had requested for the 2X a replacement due to Ms. Shahid extreme bias, as per Ms. Burke she told me that we where going to work things out and asked me to give her another chance, there was no other attorney that specialises in my case.
Ms. Shahid direct Superv. Ms. Burke mislead me to believed that things where going to be fine with with Ms. Shahid by sending me a Email detailing information of the case also of sending me my court case documents. ( which I never recieved)
A month an a half later on my Court date Both Ms. Shahid and her Direct supervisor Ms. Burke showed up and Ms. Burke with out previous notification nor did she informed me, abrutly recused Ms. Shahid under the false pretence of alledge lack of communication, when I asked Ms. Burke why she did not notifying me of her recusal, Ms. Burke stated it was the Emails I had sent, the actions taken by Both Brooklyn Public Defenders Ms. Shekera Shahid and her Direct Superv. Ms. Burke whom mislead me to believed that I would have legal unbiased representation their actions created further delays and jeopardize the case.
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07 May, 2013 by Anonymous
I retained Cynthia to represent me in a divorce proceeding on the recommendation of another lawyer that I knew. The initial consultation went well but it was a disaster after that. She refused to answer my emails, text or voicemails until I had left 5 or 6 of them. She turned out to be very disorganized and did not take notes. She kept asking me to produced the same things I gave her over and over and kept charging me for redoing the same documents. She appeared totally clueless to the finer points of divorce
law and at times I felt that I was representing myself. Issues like taxes and child support were mishandled. Terms of settlement were a complete and utter disaster. She turned out to be a poor negotiator and will advise you to take whatever is offered. Appearing to to know that she should make a counter offer. My advice to anyone considering hiring Mrs Lee for any legal matter, is to look elsewhere. I can assure you that you will not be satisfied with her representation.
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12 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
He would often show up late, sometimes not at all. Refused to submit my evidence, did nothing to prepare me for my testimony. “Forgot” to ask for an extension when I was sick. Very disappointed!!
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21 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
The purpose of any lawyer is to help. This lawyer won't even respond, this is just rude and unprofessional.
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02 May, 2013 by Daniel
on september 30 .2011 i terminated legal services from storobin&spodeck group which they accepted and was confirmed VIA email. on october 4, 2011 Lidia Dorota Sykisz the day of my custody trial comes in with a custody agreement which i clearly told her i was not interested in, to make matters Lidia Dorota Sykisz was not even supposed to represent me because i fired the law firm . she pressured me with bad advice and had Me sign the agreement. since 2011 i have not seen or heard from my children nor am i able to appeal my case because of this attorney betrayal.
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09 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
She is not interested in getting what you are due, but taking the path of least resistance and will encourage you to do so too. And not because it will save you money in the long run, or your case is weak, but because she does not have the intelligence, the energy, the time or the interest to work hard. She will be content to allow your case to keep a 5-6K stream of income coming in, delays getting documents from the other side, and looking over your documents. After changing lawyers I realized how much I had given up because of her poor lawyering, but luckily I found a good lawyer who could save the case and successfully fought for the support and custody I was due.
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31 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
A lovely person but who is not mature and enough poised for handling divorce matters and fight for her client. She made many mistakes that could have damaged my settlement if I did not decide to discharge her and hire a more reactive and proactive lawyer.
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09 Dec, 2008 by Marilyn
Lishomwa Henry is fraud. This lawyer took my retainer and did nothing. He showed up late for court on the first day. Did not research my case and showed an awfully disgusting lack of knowledge on the proceedings the second day. He did not keep me informed, even upon my questioning him and ultimately did not show up for court on the tihird day causing a ruling against me. I had to fire him and retained another lawyer who had the case dismissed. Lishomwa kept all of my retainer without any explanation and after a couple of nasty phone calls by me and ultimately a letter demanding and explanation, he eventually sent the worst calculation anyone has ever seen to justify his keeping all my money he did nothing to keep. He is a thief.
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03 Oct, 2023 by James
THIS WOMAN IS MENTALLY ILL! SHE HAS SUED THE LAST 3 JOBS IN A SCAM SHE HAS GOING. SHE IS NOW A SOCIAL WORKER FOR CHILDREN AND IS VERBALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE TO THEM. SHE HAS BEEN DIAGNISED WITH BI-POLAR 2 AND IS A DANGERPUS PERSON TO DEAL WITH ON A PERSONAL AND BUSINESS LEVEL. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS WOMAN! SHE IS A NIGHTMARE!'
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28 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I retained Stephanie after I was served divorce papers. The worst child custody/ divorce lawyer I’ve seen and experienced. Missed court dates/showed up two hours late my case was thrown out and had to file new petitions because of her negligence. Was forced to pay $1,100 a month in child support and I wasn’t working. Worst experience! Wouldn’t recommend her to anyone . Was forced to retain new counsel, who did a very good job
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05 Oct, 2022 by Frank losquadro
Represents clients who steal from start ups. Hired multiple freelancers and start ups for their soccer projects and then they don't pay for services rendered.
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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.
