Reviews

I just read the two reviews below, and pondered the question how could I have had the most amazing experience with Ms. Jodi Zacaria, and then actually felt saddened to read two “not favorable” reviews? Yes, my heart actually dropped. Here it is in a nutshell. If you win your case, you have amazing things to say about your lawyer. If not, well you feel compelled to bash them. People be disappointed with the “system”, not this lawyer. I found her to be exact, prompt in her responses to me, and a beast with the judge. (Beast is a positive btw) As soon as the judge asked his first question, I heard her defend me. I literally sat back took a deep breath, and knew if I won my case, it wasn’t going to be on my own merit. Her skill was abrupt! The judge even said after she (Ms. Zakaria) questioned me “Iv heard enough”. Another words, you don’t need to go on, I can see this women’s suffering. Do you know how that makes you feel after fighting an unmovable beast, to finally see that light at the end of a very dark tunnel?! Yes, if your reading this, I know you do know how that feels. Please know ever lawyer learns from “the system” the longer they’ve been in it. Ms. Zakarias skill has been refined. Maybe a few years back, she still had something to learn? But today? Today shes got it about as ‘down pat’ as it gets. I adored everything about her. I wish I could thank her more honestly. Ms. Zakaria if your reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I WENT TO JODI TO FILE A SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIM FOR DISABILITY SEEN HER MAYBE 3 TIMES ALL TOGETHER IN 2 YEARS. WENT TO HER THE DAY BEFORE MY HEARING WITH A JUDGE AND SHE TOLD ME WHAT TO EXPECT, WHAT SHE WOULD ASK ME AND SO ON. WELL, THE NEXT DAY BEFORE THE JUDGE IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT ALL LIKE SHE SAID. SHE DID NOT ASK ME BUT LIKE 2 THINGS WE HAD DISCUSSED AND DID NOT TELL THE JUDGE THINGS SHE SHOULD HAVE. SHE HAD NOT EVEN LOOKED UP THIS JUDGE TO SEE HER RATINGS WHICH MOST LAWYERS DO - THIS JUDGE 80% OF THE TIME DOES NOT GIVE WOMEN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. IF JODI HAD LOOKED THAT UP MAYBE SHE WOULD HAVE KNOWN SHE HAD TO GO IN FULL FORCE. ANYWAY, WHEN RECEIVED THE LETTER THAT I HAD LOST WITH THE JUDGE, I CALLED JODI'S OFFICE BECAUSE IT SAID IF I WANTED TO APPEAL I HAD SO MUCH TIME TO DO IT IN. I WAS ASK BY THE SECURITY WHY I NEEDED TO TALK TO JODI, I TOLD HER, SHE THEN SAID I COULD TALK TO JODI'S ASSISTANT BUT NOT JODI AND THAT JODI DID NOT DO APPEAL AND THAT MY CASE WAS OVER WITH THEM AND THAT THE LETTER I HAD PROBABLY HAD A NAME OF AN APPEALS LAWYER ON IT I COULD FIND AN APPEAL LAWYER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE IF NOT SHE GAVE ME A NUMBER TO ONE. SERIOUSLY MY CASE WAS DONE AND I COULD NOT TALK TO JODI. THEN I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM JODI'S OFFICE TELLING ME I OWED HER LIKE " $150.00. FOR WHAT THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO GET MONEY "UNLESS" YOU WIN. I LOOKED IT WAS AN ITEMIZED BILL WITH FORS FOR LETTERS SHE MAILED TO ME, EVERY STAMP SHE SENT ME A LETTER IN. EVERY FAX SHE DONE, EVERYTHING SHE CLAIMS SHE HAD TO ASK THE DOCTORS TO SEND. BUT GET THIS EVERY TIME I WENT TO ANY DOCTOR I WENT TO HER OFFICE OR MAILED HER OUT ANY PAPERWORK I COULD GET FROM THEM ABOUT WHATEVER THEY DONE WITH ME SO WHAT WAS IT THAT SHE HAD TO GET FROM THEM ??? AND WHEN IT SAYS YOU DO NOT PAY IF WE DO NOT WIN AND SHE DIDN'T, SO WHY AM I BEING CHARGED ????? SHE HAS A FAX MACHINE IN HER OFFICE SO WHY CHARGE ME TO SEND A FAX. JUST CRAZY. AND WAITED 2 YEARS TO GET THE HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE TO FIND THAT THE JUDDGE

As a client I found Jodi Zakaria to be untrustworthy, not totally true in her responses to questions asked by me the client. Her paralegal, Amy, joined my case in the last 3 months and did not provide a professional or courteous attitude but, she provided red tape. They made NO attempts to contact me to provide updates. They sold me on the fact that "Jodi Zakaria" would be there through the whole process but, after an unfavorable decision by the ALJ, Deborah A. Arnold, her paralegal told me that they could NOT handle the appeal after being assured by Michelle, which was the first point of contact when my case began! Jodi did NOT even tell me this in my follow-up after I received my denial letter. I guess she was too afraid to talk to her client. Under the guise of hearing preparation and attorney client privilege I was involved in preparation 2 months before my hearing she asked questions but, somehow the questions and answers were recorded verbatim under the facts of the unfavorable decision. Jodi and her paralegal did not even request required records to support claim but, she did request records to show me in a negative light instead for a positive decision. When asked why? Jodi gave no answers but, her paralegal said we are limited to the amount of records we can request. So, if your evidence is from more than 2 yrs. back they won't retrieve it eventhough it supports your claim. On top of that, one date of the records they did request was for a date in which I wasn't even being seen by my doctor but, she used those records which were inconsistent. They were friendly until confronted with their errors and lack of knowledge then they didn't want to answer or come up with excuses or red tape. For the amount that any attorney charges for a disability case which is usually 25% the services are NOT equivalent to what you are paying for. When an attorney doesn't want to answer questions, beware......they aren't on your side. I failed to recognize this sign and other signs along this 2 1/2 year journey for a case that has been ongoing for 5 yrs. Jodi Zakaria even had the nerve to have her paralegal hand me a letter declining her involvement with an appeal with two attorney's listed who may handle my appeal. Why would this attorney think I would choose one of her referred attorney's for my appeal when I don't trust or recommend her services? Would I recommend this attorney? NO! My overall rating in review of this attorney is exactly what I got ZERO. Had to give her 1 star in order to post this review but, ZERO is the recommend stars. Sorry, when I cannot trust an attorney who is providing services for me on my behalf seriously jeopardizes her crediblilty!