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24 Jul, 2024 by A r
We hired Kendall VanConas and this firm to update our estate - they initially said they'd print our documents and give return them to us in a day or two - instead they took weeks just to print copies of our estate documents and only gave them back weeks later after we had to prompt them and ask for them.
After that, we had to continually call and send emails to repeatedly ask when we were going to ever hear from them about our estate planning after our initial meeting in May, we were told their assistant went on vacation so they were behind and would try to catch up soon (but still never heard anything from them after that), weeks went by and again we reached out to ask when things would move forward and were told Kendall had surgery and had "gotten behind" on things in her recovery (We were never told she was out for a medical leave prior to that). We had to contact them again on July 1st only to be told they were all out of the office until after July 8th - this firm doesn't do work, they do billing and make excuses, that's about it.
They also refused to give us notes from the one meeting we had with them - for which we were billed $750 and told, the notes from that meeting were "privy for them" not for us so our request for a recap of our own estate planning meeting was refused.
Do not waste your time with this firm, they have NO incentive to move forward with your project or estate planning, they will take you as a client then sit on your estate planning and DO NOTHING, but bill you for any meetings, then drop the ball, and you will never hear from them again, very unprofessional and our experience with them was completely frustrating and a total waste of our time, as well as costly - as we got nothing from our $750 meeting with them, not even an outline or meeting recap of the notes they took from our estate planning meeting.
They also don't communicate at all, and never told us about the lead attorney's surgery or time out from the office for her recovery - and apparently, no one else in the firm does anything. (They take a full week off for July 4th - the entire firm apparently, as no one responded to our July 1 email as they were all "out of the office until after July 8th). After July 8th we still heard NOTHING. Kendall told us she would follow up with a timeline of our estate planning status the following week, but she never did, and that never happened.
When they had an assistant out of the office that also apparently makes all their work come to a screeching halt - all of this is inexcusable, unprofessional and is a poor representation of a firm that is supposed to be on their game helping people update their estate planning.
You will likely pass away before they ever get to updating your estate - we moved on and found a much better firm that actually does work, and would strongly recommend people stay away from this firm if they need something done in a reasonable time and feel communication is important at all, as this firm doesn't communicate, they make excuses when you reach out because if you hire them, you will be the one doing all the planning and reaching out, they do not do anything at all but sit on your estate planning and watch time go by!
From the first meeting in May until we fired them in July for a span of almost 2 months, we had one meeting, they copied our files and then absolutely nothing else ever happened in moving forward with our estate planning - they never gave us a timeline for getting it done, which we asked about for 3 weeks, but they never provided a timeline because they had no plan to do the work or had decided for some reason due to their incompetence and lack of continuity in their own office and within their staff's capability to take years to do an update on our estate planning.
This firm is not doing anything but taking business then sitting on it, doing meetings with clients and refusing to give the clients any notes or minutes from meetings clients are being billed for! There are firms that do effective estate planning, but sadly, this isn't one of them.
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02 Jul, 2024 by A g
Poor representation.
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27 May, 2024 by India smith
Great service highly recommended
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29 Aug, 2024 by John garcia
I Juan Garcia the Shermer firm highly recommended in auto accidents.they sent me to the medical doctors for my injuries.the attorney and assistances were very helpful on the case I was very pleased on the outcome thank you 😊
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22 Aug, 2024 by Nazario dorado silva
Excellent service very professional and made this whole process stress free I highly recommend the Schurmer firm.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Robert coronado
Amazing communication throughout the entire process the entire process! Met with Attorney Schurmer twice, which is something that I have never experienced, usually they are to busy. Again amazing experience
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23 Sep, 2024 by Holly barrow
Aweful experience. I was handed a folder full of "how much money and how many magazines I've been in". Then they declined our case even though a ventura doctor was the main cause of my father's sudden passing because it wouldn't make the law office millions and he told us Ventura county is allowed to hire D- doctors. Now we lost our dad, the doctor kept practicing and my mom struggled for years because my dad was the bread winner.
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15 Sep, 2024 by Nataliee bonilla
Honestly the best service i could have asked for any questions or concerns i had were addressed and handles. Highly recommend Karen.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Karie ragan
The thought of filing for bankruptcy was terrifying, feeling scared and not knowing what to do was awful. I was referred to Karen by a friend, I called and she was able to schedule a consult right away. She made me feel so comfortable and explained the whole process step by step. She made me feel like I was doing the right thing and that everything was going to be okay. She was there every step of the way and answered all of my questions. She made the process easy and painless. Her office was great and reminding me of what what documents were needed and when. She followed up after everything was done and was there if I had any questions or concerns. I would definitely recommend her.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyer Can Do for You
A lawsuit or dispute lawyer, often referred to as a litigation lawyer, specializes in handling legal conflicts between individuals, businesses, or organizations. These lawyers represent clients in civil lawsuits, helping to resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation in court. They can assist with a wide range of disputes, including contract disagreements, property disputes, business conflicts, personal injury claims, and more.
If you are involved in a legal conflict and need representation, a dispute lawyer can guide you through the litigation process - from filing or defending against a lawsuit to negotiating settlements or representing you at trial.
When Should I Hire a Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a lawsuit or dispute lawyer when you're involved in a legal disagreement that cannot be resolved informally and may require legal action. Common reasons to hire a lawyer include:
- Breach of contract: If someone has failed to fulfill the terms of a contract, a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit to seek damages or enforce the agreement.
- Business disputes: Whether it's a partnership disagreement, shareholder conflict, or a dispute with a supplier or customer, a lawyer can help resolve business-related issues.
- Property disputes: If you're involved in a dispute over property ownership, boundary issues, or landlord-tenant conflicts, a lawyer can assist in resolving the matter.
- Personal injury claims: If you were injured due to someone else's negligence and are seeking compensation, a lawyer can represent you in a personal injury lawsuit.
- Debt collection or defense: If you're being sued for unpaid debts or need to collect a debt owed to you, a lawyer can represent you in court or negotiate settlements.
- Employment disputes: If you're involved in an employment-related dispute, such as wrongful termination or discrimination, a lawyer can help you file a claim and represent you in court.
- Defending against a lawsuit: If you've been sued, a lawyer can defend you against the claims, challenge the evidence, and negotiate a settlement or represent you at trial.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help ensure that your case is properly managed and that your rights are protected throughout the dispute resolution process.
What Does a Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyer Do?
A lawsuit or dispute lawyer provides a wide range of services to help clients navigate legal conflicts and seek resolution. Their tasks typically include:
- Evaluating your case: Reviewing the facts and evidence to determine the strength of your case or defense and advising you on the best course of action.
- Filing lawsuits or responding to lawsuits: If you're the plaintiff, the lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf. If you're the defendant, they will respond to the lawsuit and build a defense strategy.
- Gathering evidence: Collecting and reviewing evidence such as contracts, emails, financial records, and witness statements to support your case.
- Handling negotiations: Negotiating with the opposing party to reach a settlement before the case goes to trial, which can save time and money.
- Representing you in court: Presenting your case in court if a settlement cannot be reached, including presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and making legal arguments on your behalf.
- Exploring alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Suggesting mediation or arbitration as alternatives to a trial, which can be faster and less expensive.
- Drafting legal documents: Preparing and filing necessary legal documents such as complaints, motions, and responses, as well as drafting settlement agreements if a resolution is reached.
How Are Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyers Paid?
The fee structure for lawsuit or dispute lawyers varies depending on the complexity of the case, the type of dispute, and the lawyer's experience. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Many lawsuit lawyers charge by the hour, especially for cases that require extensive preparation, research, and trial work. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Contingency fee: In certain cases, such as personal injury or breach of contract claims, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they win the case, usually taking a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of the settlement or damages awarded.
- Flat fee: For specific services, such as filing a simple lawsuit or representing you in mediation, some lawyers may charge a flat fee.
- Retainer: In complex cases or long-term litigation, a lawyer may ask for a retainer, which is an upfront payment to secure their services. The lawyer will then bill against the retainer as they work on the case.
Discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how fees will be handled throughout the case.
How Much Does a Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a lawsuit or dispute lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the fee structure they use. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Lawyers may charge between $150 and $500 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or cases requiring extensive trial preparation.
- Contingency fees: If your lawyer works on a contingency basis, expect them to take 25% to 40% of any settlement or court award. For example, if you win $100,000 and the contingency fee is 33%, the lawyer would receive $33,000.
- Flat fees: For less complex disputes or tasks, such as drafting a settlement agreement or representing you in mediation, flat fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the scope of work.
- Retainers: Some lawyers require an upfront retainer fee, which can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the case complexity and expected litigation length.
Make sure to ask for a detailed breakdown of fees during your consultation so you know what to expect.
Top Questions to Ask a Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyer
Before hiring a lawsuit or dispute lawyer, consider asking the following questions:
-
What experience do you have with cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has handled similar disputes and is familiar with the relevant area of law. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether they charge hourly, on a contingency fee basis, or offer flat fees, and ask for a detailed cost estimate. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case and potential challenges. -
Have you handled cases that went to trial?
If a trial is possible, confirm the lawyer has courtroom experience. -
How long will the process take?
Get an estimate of the timeline for resolving your dispute. -
Will you handle my case personally?
Understand who will manage your case and their level of involvement.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawsuit / Dispute Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their bar status: Confirm with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary actions.
- Look for relevant experience: Review their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in litigation or dispute resolution.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should provide references from past clients.
- Check for professional affiliations: Membership in organizations like the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation can indicate expertise.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting, bring the following:
- Contracts or agreements: Copies of any signed contracts or relevant agreements.
- Emails and communications: Any written communication between you and the other party.
- Evidence of the dispute: Receipts, financial records, photos, or witness statements related to the conflict.
- Timeline of events: A clear chronology of the dispute, including key dates and interactions.
- List of questions: Prepared questions about your case, the legal process, costs, and strategy.
Being well-prepared will help the lawyer assess your case effectively and provide you with the best legal advice on how to proceed.
