Reviews

Cynthia and Peggy are the best with managing this whole process, acknowledging the emotions and helping one face facts. I highly recommend Port Gardner Law group for having the best in professional divorce advise and compassion for all parties at the same time.

Darren Defrance at Port Gardener Law Group has been my attorney for years, since day one of my custody case all the way to our thankfully happy end and is still helping us even after that. We had a very difficult case with lots of back and forth, we were constantly lost and always had Darren working hard to guide and reassure us along every step. Not only did was he hard working consistent and thorough, he honestly cared about our case and our family and the wellbeing og my daughter. There is no doubt that if for any reason I am in need of help again that I will be calling Darren immediately.

Julie Caputo is a Pro ! Amazing attention to detail and professionalism, I 100% felt covered in every way ! Julie and her team became almost family to me , you just don't get that with most attorneys today.

Darren and his team were there for my children and I every step of the way. Explaining every step of the process completely and patiently. Darren and team were attentive and flexible. They always responded to my questions and needs in a timely manner. Willing to work on quick deadlines in order to do what was best of me as their client. I'm so very grateful to Darren and team. I would recommend their office to anyone.

I've used Cynthia on a very contentious divorce. She really cut through the noise and got things done. I referred her to a couple friends who loved working with her as well. I'd give Cynthia 10 stars if I could.

Cynthia First and Julie Caputo are both excellent Family attorneys, they have seen it all and are licensed in multiple states and have dealt with international situations. Their staff is efficient, kind and personable.

Darren represented me for more then 3 years in my case. It started off with a no contact restraining order and a very steep uphill climb for us. Darren was very strategic in our approach and step by step we went through and built a very good case. The No contact order and restraining order were dropped with open investigations still ongoing, we ended up settling in mediation after a Guardian Ad Litem investigation and I was able to get weekends. About a year later I called Darren again to inform him of my kids poor performance in school and grades and asked if we could do another Parenting Plan modification and he said we need a lot so a judge would grant us with another Guardian Ad Litem investigation. I gathered what I thought would be enough and Darren put it together and we submitted it to the courts. The judge found cause for further investigation. After the second GAL investigation and report, I went from one weekend a month to full Custody and all decision making. I was able to relocate out of state with my kids. There would of been no way I could of accomplished this without Darren's guidance and knowledge throughout the entire process. The entire staff at Port Gardner was always very friendly when I called and had answers for my questions. Darren went above and beyond for me and my family and I can't thank Darren enough for the hours and hours of work that he put in on my case. I highly recommend Darren if you are looking for a family law attorney to represent you in you case. Thank you again Darren for everything you did for me and my kids.

Family law court case stories are typically long and winding. The devil lives between the facts and the court's ability to understand and grasp those facts. Many rulings and outcomes in family cases are a cornucopia of good, bad, ugly, the unexplainable and the beautiful. Depending on your attorney and his/her work and costs, the color of your life following a hearing is sometimes just another shade of ash you didn't know existed. For me and my child, that changed with Brian Parker. I had literally given up hoping my child's life could be better 11 years into a permanent parenting plan that has me as the visiting parent with little to no decision-making rights. By no action of my own, I had to find some one to help me with my child's mother's service of a motion a few months ago. I met with Brian Parker for 45 minutes to discuss the matter. He had already read some of the case history and evaluated the merits of her motion, told me what the questions before the court would be and would NOT be and then told me what his approach would be in handling those questions in court. I hired him on the spot. Not only did the hearing of that motion go very well for me and my child, based on Brian's representation and guidance, the court took the unusual move of ordering that custody be looked at more closely. While preparing for that next step, my child's mother tried to do an end-run (in a different court) in an effort to evade a potential change of custody. I was not served with that action. I found out about it very late. Brian Parker took that matter on very quickly and, with his appearance and argument, that matter was set aside at hearing by that court. Essentially, that matter isn't ever going to be heard. A week ago, an exparte motion became necessary to protect my child. Brian was able to get necessary relief for my child on that matter. Then a day or so later, opposing counsel went back in to exparte court to request a modification of that emergency order (removing a protection therein). Brian successfully argued against it; the protection original order remains in full effect. Brian's approach is, more or less, make peace, not war. But it is also, if you have fight, then fight hard and fight justly. He has done that from the first moment. I don't want or need "wins" but my child needs a better life. For the first time in a decade, I see that happening (at a time I thought had passed years ago). I have to conclude, Brian Parker is the difference.

We started working with Julie Caputo in 2017. Our journey has been a long one with a lot of really tricky and different/difficult circumstances. Julie was able to finesse these changes easily and in a manner that made us feel confident. She referred us to people when needed that were efficient at their jobs and also was completely diligent in completing the tasks we needed and wanted. Without her help during our custody battle and then again during our adoption we would have not only not succeeded but our son would have been left to a life that is less than desirable. Julie always had a way of making my rough terminology look very smooth and appropriate and guided us with her knowledge of the adoption and custody process. When needed she helped us with mediation and was always respectful of both parties. As far as cost goes, I believe all was fair. Our son is safe and there is no price you can attach to that.

Cynthia has been my attorney for several years as I navigated through the divorce and parenting plan process. She is THE BEST as is her team at Port Gardner Law Group. Before my first hearing I was pretty nervous and upset. Don’t you worry-I’m Mama Bear today, were her exact words. And she was!! She is fierce when she needs to be and she is also supportive, intuitive, thorough and professional. I highly recommend Cynthia and Port Gardner Law Group!!

Julie Caputo and her team handled my divorce last year. I was referred to them by an attorney I know and I am glad I chose them. The Port Gardner Bay Law Group took care of everything for me as promptly as possible. I was notified of progress made frequently and they were able to get the process done in the time frame that I had hoped for. They treated my concerns with attention and compassion. I highly recommend this firm and in particular Julie and her support team Melissa and Morgan. Mike Marysville