Reviews

Amy and Kerry are the best

I recommend him to anybody is fighting a case

The representation I received from McKinlay Law Offices was of the highest quality. Amy is the consummate professional. She is smart, responsive and thorough. Amy takes her role as an advocate for her client's best interests very seriously. She took time to answer all of my questions and to reassure me that we were moving in the right direction toward resolution. Divorce is difficult, but Amy helped to make it as smooth and expeditious as possible. It was clear to me that Amy has the respect of her peers in the domestic relations field; this helped me as her client because opposing counsel knew that Amy was not going to agree to anything that wasn't in my best interest. Amy's decades of experience in domestic relations meant that she was able to give me a "roadmap" of what to expect in a process that is often frightening and intimidating. Her strong and steady guidance gave me piece of mind. As the ultimate measure of my respect for her work, I have referred many of my friends to Amy for representation. I cannot recommend Amy and her team at McKinkay Law Offices highly enough.

Recently, my child’s father was represented by Joe Scott. I would give this firm no stars if that was an option. Joe Scott signed away the rights of a speedy trial without communicating this to his client. Joe Scott repeatedly messed up names of the victim, defendant, and witnesses. It was like he didn’t know the case. I do not feel as Joe put any effort into making sure his client has a fair chance of being seen as not guilty. Listening as an observer, was horrible. I know the members in the jury were as confused, when he would cross examine. Mind you, this case has been on his desk for a year. He came into court and couldnt start trial due to a schedule conflict. He knew he had trial starting 3 months in advance and still went ahead and made other arrangements, waited until he was in front of the judge to be notify anyone he couldn’t start trial. He contacted the clients bondsman after his client did not respond promptly to his phone call. So the client spent his last free week in the county. Bond revoked due to the lawyer. Not very often you hear this. Last, I will state that’s Joe Scott spent more time in the bathroom with the prosecutor on the first day of trial then any other lawyer I have met. I timed from the moment Joe and prosecutor walked out, watched them go into the bathroom and come out. Joe would turn his back on the client just to speak with anyone else about their kids, dogs, weekend, etc. Joe also signed a waiver to continue the case when the prosecutor wasn’t ready. He did not tell his client this until it was announced in court. He was not interested in this case. He did not get his clients alibi subpoena to court. He just did awful and now his client who had proof that he was not apart of a robbery will sit in prison for the next 10 years. So disappointed with this lawyer, and honestly I would never recommend this firm to anyone. Not even for a civil matter.

I could not be more disappointed in the representation from this office. If you have a simple case and just need someone to review a standard agreement, perhaps they can help. If, however, the divorce is going to be contested (especially in Delaware County), I implore you to choose different representation. Here are some examples of why... - I still have the first estimate Amy gave me for what she thought was "worst case" payments for child and spousal support. The temporary orders were more than twice that estimate. I was advised that "temporary orders are just temporary". Well, it took over 2.5 years to finish the process, and the final verdict is still nearly twice her "worst case estimate". I will point out the final verdict is also far worse than the court appointed Guardian ad Lidem had estimated, so yes - the magistrate practiced some questionable math. Which leads me to the second point... - Amy passed me off to her associate Kerry, because she was cheaper. Both Amy and Kerry are personable, but Kerry was not effective in questioning myself or my ex during the trial process. This left many gray areas where clearer answers would have helped the magistrate come to a more reasonable judgment. On more than one occasion, I was told the opposing lawyer was either committing malpractice, or in some other way was offending the magistrate (which would presumably help in the final verdict). That clearly was not the case. - Finally, I never got an apology or acknowledgment that the initial estimate was grossly inaccurate, or apology for lack of skill in the court appearances. I have gave Kerry specific points where she could have interjected or redirected the case. She didn't respond. Divorce isn't easy on anyone. Your legal representation is critical. I went to Amy because she was recommended by a friend who had a much easier case. If your case is at all contested, good luck.