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22 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
I was sent to Mr. Fried for a very simple case. Robert handed the case off to another lawyer at his firm saying that he would “oversee” the case. That lawyer then handed it off to another lawyer saying that “he would oversee the case” That apparently means that you pay for 3 lawyers while nothing happens on the case. They completely botched the case, and apparently had no idea what they were doing. It took them over two months to tender the case to my insurance, in the mean time running up over $30,000 in legal fees for me to pay. Not ethical at all. The new lawyer settled the case in under 5 hours, and wasted neither time nor money. Complete waste of time!
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02 Jan, 2019 by Robert
I hired Steve to defend me in a landlord tenant case. He is a very kind person and appeared to know the law when we met in person. In my experience from working with him for nearly a year, I came to the opinion that Steve was non consistently responsive. I also came to the opinion that I was unprepared for trial.
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08 Dec, 2013 by Angela
Mr. Chan is very personable and has great analytical skills. He had represented my daughter in a case that her high school altered her gpa information on her transcript up to the final week of her high school. Mr. Chan during the meeting was very energetic. He had accomplished nothing but to compromise with her school administrator to help her high school to persuade my daughter to accept the co-valedictorian status they had already offered to my daughter. All my daughter had wanted was to stop the school administrator from messing with her transcript. She needed an accurate and consistent final transcript to submit to her college. He had embarrassed her for compromising with the school administrators. My daughter had made it very clear to Mr. Chan during the meeting that she was not concerned about her ranking.
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08 Sep, 2018 by Shelley kolina
23 Sep, 2021 by Leslie d
Overpriced and inexperienced lawyers. Do not fall for their sales pitch! If you are a newer or smaller client, prepare to be ignored and disappointed.
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20 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
As other reviewers have mentioned, Ms. Brauer charges high fees, but did very little. She is hard to reach. I don't think she needs new clients, or it's a strategy to make her seem important. In any case, when I asked why they are recommending that I withdraw the case at the end of my ordeal, she (or her assistant) told me that it is because they did not expect the other attorney to do so much research and build such a strong case. Really?
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04 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Laurel Brauer and her partner Colleen Hemingway have absolutely no business practicing family law. They present horribly in the courtroom, Ms Brauer stumbles and fails to articulate minor points. Their fees are exorbitant, and they are judgmental, rude, and lazy---they never arrive in the office before 10, and they are never in court either. Ms. Hemingway was buddy buddy with my ex husband, and was blatantly taking his side even though he violated a number of court orders regarding custody. If they had an issue with me, which they did, they should have made their bias known, and I would have sought other counsel, which I did ultimately, but $60,000 later and too late. They refused to represent my interests, and were clearly only experienced in financial issues regarding family law, not custody issues, In a 3 month time frame, they collected over 60k and resolved almost nothing. They were so late in filing emergency orders when my ex husband decided to move against court orders it proved disastrous to my children. They attacked me, my parenting, my personality, my clothes, and my relationships with every person in my life. Ms Hemingway has no children, but dispensed more parenting advice than legal advice, I was mocked and ridiculed by them for taking my kids out for fun weekend events, rescuing and keeping a stray dog, and having big birthday celebrations for the kids. They were supposed to fill adverse interests on the 401k and did not, enabling my ex to move funds and deplete the account. I don't know how they stay in business, but if you are going to pay $500 an hour I suggest you contact an a phenomenal female attorney in Tustin with a great reputation in the courts that actually works to represent your needs. These are two of the most dishonest people I have met in my 2 year divorce nightmare.
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12 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
I never received a statement from this attorney (for three months) until I fired her (she claimed to not have email for 50 days). The bill was $9,000 for one filing of a boiler plate document and for a very unprofessional letter she sent on my behalf without my approval. The rest of the bill was padded with redundancies and review after review of what? I don't know! She additionally missed a filing deadline with the Court and expected me to pay for drafts of which should have been filed that I never saw. I cannot understand an attorney who claims to have no email for 50 days and whose website has been "temporarily under repair" for weeks on end. There are some very good attorneys out there and Laurel Brauer is not one of them. I have filed for an arbitration hearing regarding my statement and have filed a complaint against her with the Orange County Bar Association. She won't even respond to my letters regarding disputing her fees. She has her associate do so. She also informed me when I hired her that she had an office in Los Angeles. Apparently she does not and has not for some time. Find another lawyer.
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17 Mar, 2022 by Eric pressley
Nan johnson is no good for me ive called about 150 times over the corse of 4 months affter my court she was suppose to be helping my see my daughter but she has not answered my calls not one of them shes suppose to be helping me get my daughter back and she has done nothing for my i dont no if its becouse im black i just dont know im eric pressley erica browns father my number is 6282406728 and she still has not answered any of my calls she has not helpted me not one bit i had inadicet counsle and i need a Lowyer that will help me get my daughter back shes doing the same thing that another county dd to me they looked over me ive not had a chance to be a father to my 2 year old and its killing me i cant even think straight i want to get my daughjter back i need help
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11 Mar, 2022 by Eric
Nan Johnson is no good she is the reason why I don't have custody of my 2year old daughter ive called her phone for over 4 months leaving message after message pleading with her to help me and yet still no answer she have lied to me and on me my name is Eric pressley I'm Erica browns father it's been over 4 months no contact she is supposed to get my visit going with my daughter I have not seen her since she was 4 months old she still has not helped me or even tried to me she have been dodging my phone call she is no good to me and know one else how can she not return my call knowing that im trying to get my daughter back its not right she needs to get her job took for male practice.she have not represented me in no way
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06 Dec, 2023 by Angela
My experience with Lisa Fraas in a professional capacity was anything but pleasant. With over a decade in family law as a paralegal, I've encountered numerous personalities, and Lisa stands out as one of those attorneys universally disliked.
Despite not engaging our services or making any payment, she believed we were somehow obligated to file her client's documents.
Subsequently, she engaged in harassing emails when we couldn't accommodate her request. We had to issue a formal cease and desist email due to the nature of her communication and the use of abusive language.
My sympathy extends to anyone relying on her services and opposing counsel tasked with dealing with her. It wouldn't surprise me if her relentless emails were an attempt to deplete her client's retainer, a suspicion that prompted me to share this.
Upon reviewing her state bar records, it becomes evident that her unacceptable behavior aligns with the various suspensions she has received. Proceed with caution.
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20 May, 2016 by Nikita
This attorney was court appointed. He was honest when he said the court has not ever given parents their children back when there are allegations of DRUG use. He failed to file motions in a timely matter. He failed to make objections when they were obvious & appropriate to make during court hearings. He neglected to file evidence that I provided that would have proven the petitioners allegations false had he filed my evidence with the court. He waived defective notice without speaking with me. He made no objection to the findings that the ICWA did not apply, after I insisted that it did&had proof he did not think would have made a difference because it was not filed. He never contacted me and very rarely did he return phone calls. E-mail was the best way to get in contact with him. The best advice he gave to me was.... "that is not your fight. Getting your kids back is what you're fighting for. Just do what the social workers want you to do and that is DRUG test." His arguments where not mine. He said in his arguments things like "my client is trying to pull her family out of homelessness." & "I think the party's are starting to come up with a resolution, my client believes she can take care of her children. We just need more time to come up with the proper treatment rather than a cookie cutter type of program." His arguments were not even close to convincing. He did however get me an extra visit for two hours. Total of 2 days/week. 2hours/ea. He did request make up visits when I was in court the morning I had a visit because notice said 830 not 130.
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24 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I was assigned mr warren as my public defender on my last case ...... I dont know where to start he was the WORST public defender hands down , he is VERY argumentative , does not have your best interests in mind , I found my self often in shouting macthes with him , or I would ask him a question and he would flat out ignore , he failed at keeping my mom and family updated on my status , ( I sat in county for 3 months ) and when I asked him why he never called my family after weeks of asking him daily to let my mom know about my case , he told me in a verry rude manner that hes "to busy for my family" my case was very simple .... well lets say he runied my case , then ran off on me and I had a new public defender assigned , even she said he did a HORRIBLE job and she should of came in sooner , mr warren is a very unprofessional man , and in his line of work that is not good , and he gets mad when you ask him simple questions ? he speaks over you , and he constantly down talks you , I hope no man EVER gets him assigned to defend there life , this man is horrible at what he does , hes better off at Mcdonalds flipping burgers for a living.... if he can even manage that
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23 Feb, 2014 by Jeffrey
Tim Blaine was retained to represent me by my Personal Liability Insurance Company in a matter where I was being sued. I am a retired FBI Agent who is a bonded and licensed private investigator in California. At one point in his representation, Blaine attempted to force me to settle with the plaintiff against my will, but failed in his attempt. The law suit against me was eventually abandoned after I retained other counsel and I paid no settlement in any manner. Tim Blaine's representation of me was lack luster, and in my opinion, he placed his own interests first, his firm's interests second, and my interests last. At one point he was an eyewitness to another attorney's misconduct and took no action to protect me, or my reputation.
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09 Dec, 2020 by Amanda
He was hired by my old landlord and I guess he didn't do his homework correctly because he sent a letter to both me and my prior ex-boyfriend who stalks me by the way. It took me two years to escape the mess and abuse in California I moved to another state and try to keep my new life hidden from my ex who was physically abusive which was why I left California in the first place but somebody named David K Compton decides to send a letter to both of us giving both of our new addresses and work information in there to where my ex can now see where I live do what I'm doing and where I work and I will sue him for HIPAA violation because I have a restraining order against my ex and now he knows everything about me thank you maybe next time you should do your homework if something happens to me you are responsible .
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07 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
As the result of a mediation conducted by Mr. Madden, I have a statement that I signed that I cannot read because he refused to give me the agreement typed. I agreed verbally to something which I was told was written within the agreement. Now the other party says the statement says something else. This is with regards to getting an outside study done, which by law we can conduct ourselves. The estimated cost that Mr. Madden suggested would be for $450-500. A well-informed real estate lawyer has told me that is an unreasonable estimate and that a reasonable estimate is closer to the $1000 that we are now getting. The other party insists that the agreement says if it is more than $500, we have extra time to do the study. I never wanted to spend the unnecessary $500 and definitely do not want to spend more. I felt bullied into signing an agreement that I could not read and now being expected to fulfill something I never would have agreed to. I would never recommend a lawyer who expects me to sign something handwritten, let alone handwriting that I can not read. I would also never recommend a lawyer who is not competent enough to make suggestions during a mediation that can be accomplished ( a study for $500).
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17 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Did not follow my instructions on multiple occassions and gave inaccurate legal advice.
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18 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Ms. Vanleesten did not give me an opportunity during my "consultation" to explain my family concern. However, she determined she knew the situation and what was needed. She was snide and rude toward me as I attempted to explain and kept cutting me off. It could be that her areas of practice are different than my specific legal needs. I have since spoken with another attorney who listened to me and is helping me.
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25 Jan, 2018 by Eric
I hired Steven DeWitt in September 2012 to represent me in a divorce. At the time, I was on amicable terms with what would be my ex-spouse, but going through a tough emotional time, as one could imagine. Such times call for someone on the outside to look after one’s interests, hence I retained Steven as my attorney, as he appeared to be a Christian man with values and integrity. I had, for the most part, agreed to give up most things to my ex in an effort to ‘just move on’, with exception to a few items. In particular, the house I had co-owned with spouse. I informed Steven, at time of retaining him, that my goal was to quitclaim title to my spouse and, in return, the expectation was to have me removed from existing loan in addition to title. I expected the terms of the divorce decree to include legal protections to protect my interests. What I received in the end was, well, no protections. I attempted to reach out to Steven by both email (on April 4, 2014), as well as phone (left message with his receptionist/legal assistant). I received no call back, email, or letter. I reached out again by email on April 30, 2015, followed by another call to his office, after no response back from him. My attempts were futile. I had hired a new attorney to fight for custody of my children, among other things, after my divorce was finalized. I had interviewed several attorneys at that point to replace Steven, as he expressed no interest in me/failed to respond or communicate with me at the time. Not one attorney interviewed wanted to assist in ‘cleaning up his mess’, in particular, with regards to the house. You see, the divorce decree merely indicated I was to be ‘held harmless from any encumbrances’. Steven recently reached out to me to try to address this, after prior negative review was posted, but the damage was already done. After three follow up hearings to try to address with court, the judge literally ‘admonished’ ex for not doing enough, but went on to state that my ‘divorce decree was left vague and unenforceable’. In other words, not worth the paper it was written on as it did not indicate an action to take (i.e. timeline to complete loan assumption, refinance or sale of home nor did it include verbiage on enforcement action court can take if failure to abide by terms). To make matters worse, Steven recently acknowledged that he didn’t even draft the decree that was entered into court, but rather allowed opposing counsel to do. Kudos to opposing counsel for slipping unfavorable terms to me, past what was supposed to be my legal safety net, Steven. There were other issues with language in the decree (unfavorable child support terms against me for example and failure to make suggestions on how I could seek reimbursement on recent inheritance I had received and deposited to community bank account just 3 weeks before retaining him) that surprised other attorney’s after-the fact, but these issues have since become non-issues/not worthy of fighting further. Bottom-line: At this point, Steven receives an ‘F’ from me for failure to properly address my needs. It appears that Steven just wanted to collect a paycheck in my initial divorce, as he didn’t suggest edits to opposing counsel nor to me. Since then, and after an initial negative review was posted, he has ‘offered’ to ‘brainstorm’ on how to resolve, but not actually offer any way to ‘correct things’. Again, judge indicated there’s nothing he could do, same with attorneys that came after Steven. There are other attorneys that will be more detail-oriented in their representation of you. Beware, as a poor divorce decree entered with the court by poor representation will come back to haunt you. It’s like gospel…once entered and on record with court, you’re damned to try to challenge it. Choose wisely upfront. Accordingly, I cannot recommend the services of Steven DeWitt. I rate him an ‘F’ for ‘FAILURE’.
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31 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Clarke to handle a personal injury case. What a mistake. He sent me to a doctor. Doing what my attorney recommended, because of the severe pain I was in. After going for several visit's. I decided to look some of the doctors up in this office on Department of Consumer Affairs. One doctor was not even licensed to practice in Ca. After calling Sacramento DCA to have them double check, in case the computer info was wrong. Giving the benefit of the doubt.They told me indeed there was no doctor by that name in Ca. And when this man saw me he presented himself as doctor. Upon Calling and questioning Mr. Clarke about the doctor not being licensed. He told me I needed to find another attorney. I guess in my case knowledge was not power! All I got was the boot!
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Mediation Lawyer Can Do for You
A mediation lawyer specializes in resolving disputes outside of the courtroom through a process called mediation. Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who helps the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediation lawyers can represent clients in various matters, including divorce, business disputes, employment conflicts, contract issues, personal injury claims, and more.
Unlike litigation, mediation is a less adversarial and more cost-effective way to settle disputes, often leading to faster resolutions and preserving relationships between the parties involved.
When Should I Hire a Mediation Lawyer?
Consider hiring a mediation lawyer when you’re involved in a dispute and want to avoid the time, expense, and stress of going to court. Common reasons to hire a mediation lawyer include:
- Divorce or child custody disputes: A mediation lawyer can help you reach a fair settlement on issues like property division, alimony, and parenting arrangements without going to court.
- Business or contract disputes: For disagreements such as contract disputes, partnership conflicts, or intellectual property issues, a mediation lawyer can assist in resolving the matter through negotiation.
- Employment disputes: Issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage disputes can be addressed through mediation to find common ground and avoid lawsuits.
- Personal injury cases: Mediation can help both parties agree on compensation in cases like car accidents or slip-and-fall claims without a prolonged court battle.
- Property disputes: Disputes over property ownership, landlord-tenant issues, or boundary disagreements can be settled more amicably through mediation.
- Family or inheritance disputes: Mediation can help resolve conflicts over wills or trusts without further dividing the family.
What Does a Mediation Lawyer Do?
A mediation lawyer provides a range of services to help clients resolve disputes through negotiation and mutual agreement. Their responsibilities often include:
- Representing your interests: Acting as your advocate during mediation to ensure your rights are protected and you understand your legal options.
- Preparing for mediation: Reviewing the facts of the case, gathering necessary documents, and advising you on potential resolutions.
- Facilitating communication: Helping to facilitate open and constructive dialogue between parties to clarify points of contention.
- Negotiating settlements: Assisting in negotiating fair and balanced settlement terms that are in your best interest.
- Drafting mediation agreements: Preparing the official mediation agreement that outlines the terms of the settlement, which is often legally binding.
- Avoiding litigation: Aiming to reach a settlement that eliminates the need for a court trial, saving time and resources for both parties.
- Handling complex legal issues: Explaining the legal implications of various settlement terms in cases with complicated legal matters.
How Are Mediation Lawyers Paid?
Mediation lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the time involved. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Charging an hourly fee ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on experience and case complexity.
- Flat fee: For simpler mediations, some lawyers may offer a flat fee covering all legal work involved in the process.
- Retainer: In ongoing or complex cases, a retainer may be required as an upfront payment billed against as work progresses.
Discuss fees and payment structures with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the cost of mediation services.
How Much Does a Mediation Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a mediation lawyer depends on several factors, including the case's complexity, the lawyer’s experience, and the time required to resolve the dispute. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Typically between $150 and $500 per hour.
- Flat fees: For simple mediations, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Total mediation costs: Can vary widely, from $2,000 to $10,000 for straightforward cases, up to $10,000 to $50,000 or more for complex disputes.
Always request a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand total expenses.
Top Questions to Ask a Mediation Lawyer
Before hiring a mediation lawyer, consider asking the following questions:
-
What experience do you have with mediation cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in handling similar disputes. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate based on your specific case. -
What is the likelihood of resolving my case through mediation?
Seek an honest assessment of whether mediation is suitable for your situation. -
How long will the mediation process take?
Inquire about the expected timeline and number of sessions required. -
Will you personally handle my case?
Confirm who will manage your mediation and represent your interests. -
Can we pursue alternative dispute resolution (ADR) if necessary?
Ask about other forms of ADR, such as arbitration, if mediation doesn't resolve the conflict.
How to Check the Credibility of a Mediation Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable mediation lawyer, take the following steps:
- Verify their bar status: Confirm with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary history.
- Look for mediation experience: Review their website or professional profile for specialization in mediation and successful case histories.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Check platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google for client feedback.
- Ask for references: Request references from past clients familiar with their mediation skills.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications from organizations like the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To maximize the effectiveness of your initial meeting, bring the following:
- Relevant documents: Any materials related to the dispute, such as contracts, emails, financial records, or court filings.
- List of key issues: A detailed list of the main points of contention that need resolution.
- Timeline of events: A chronological account of events leading up to the dispute, including prior resolution attempts.
- Goals for the mediation: Be prepared to discuss your desired outcomes and areas where you're willing to compromise.
- Questions for the lawyer: Any queries about the mediation process, fees, or their approach to dispute resolution.
Being well-prepared will help the lawyer assess your case effectively and provide the best possible advice for resolving your dispute through mediation.
