Reviews
Avvo
Scott
19 Jan, 2024
Among life’s mistakes, I’ve made some doozies. The second biggest one? Hiring Christopher Rao of Beacon Attorneys.
While skiing in 2017, I suffered a traumatic brain injury. Months later in his waiting room, I pondered Christopher’s vintage photo of a train wreck. A jaded metaphor for my once-hopeful marriage? — no, this was about what I still had coming.
Christopher presented his credentials. Graduated from Harvard… specialized in game theory… leader of the county bar association’s family law section… he’s in my neighborhood… How could I go wrong?
After I retained Christopher, I learned he’d recently fallen out with his legal partner (hence the name change from “Rao and Pierce”). In the transition, the support staff were in flux and disarray.
Early on, his team neglected to file critical documents. They made an embarrassing factual error about my son. To my repeated requests they were often nonresponsive. I harangued them to complete my will.
Throughout, we let opposing counsel drive a simplistic narrative. “We’re keeping our powder dry”, Christopher would tell me. He did object to the judge about OC’s page counts… Our court orders? all drafted by OC. We lost and we lost, and each time Christopher declared some small victory.
And he’d regularly criticize me. “I’m tough on my clients”, he’d tell me. Regularly I wondered if I’d hired an adversary, not an advocate. From other reviewers I’m seeing I’m not alone in this.
Two years and about $100K later we withdrew, and Christopher’s long-suffering assistant wrote me, “Thank you for being you, for being kind, caring and never being afraid to express your emotions. You will always be one of my favorite clients.”
Divorce is already too traumatic. Much as I empathize with his staff, I suggest that you avoid Christopher Rao.
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Allyn
19 Oct, 2023
I have known and worked with Christopher for more than 20 years
I’ve referred numerous clients to him, and use his services myself. I have found he has given me excellent service, and those of the people I’ve referred to him.
If he did not have the expertise, then he would refer me to an attorney that he personally knew, that had the expertise.
I do not hesitate in recommending his law firm.
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Anonymous
31 Dec, 2020
Mr. Rao is an excellent lawyer. He got me a great settlement a few years ago. I returned to his firm and had him do my will. I have called him with questions and he has given me sound advice that has really saved me. I recommended him to friends and family because of the personal care and attention he gives you.
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Danielle
04 Jun, 2020
Mr. Rama went above and beyond for my case. My child was withheld from me because of COVID-19. Mr. Rama spoke with me for hours about what would be the best approach for my case. He took time out of his weekend to go over my documents and gave priceless advice. I won my case and my lost residential time was made up. Mr. Rama believes in what is best for the child and doesn't throw low blows to the other side. Mr. Rama offers advice that rises above it the pettiness and wins based off of skill, truth and what is best for the child He was always advocating for what is best for the children, keeping the children the top priority. In the future when I need legal help, I will absolutely be calling on Mr. Rama.
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Tim
30 Oct, 2019
Rao helped with my divorce. I was a mess and he was patient, kind, and worked for me to secure a reasonable agreement. I'm on this site as I was looking up the firm's number to contact them to engage with them again on a separate issue. I'm coming back. I guess that's a good endorsement.
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Lisa
17 Aug, 2019
Complete incompetence! Don't be fooled by his fast talking! Cost 2x as much as he projected and he knew nothing about our case in spite of that fact that he billed numerous hours supposedly working on it. Didn't even know the simplest of facts like how many children we have! Please RUN the other way! Don't waste your money. You will get NOTHING in return.
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Jeff
24 Apr, 2014
I suggest you stay away from this group. Chris will not work on your behalf and certainly will not set things up to protect you and your best interest. He is a horrible divorce attorney and the firm is not as well or Chris would be told to do things the right way and support his clients interests. Chris is all about his billings and deceiving you so he gets paid...
I am living his mistakes 15 years later still today. He mislead me and his represented facts were not as it was represented.
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Nigel
11 Feb, 2013
Christopher Rao and his firm worked with me on the separation from my common law wife in 2011-2012. Christopher and his firm were professional, knowledgeable and very helpful in getting me through this difficult process. In the middle of it all, my emotional response to the situation caused me to make some foolish mistakes that put me unnecessarily back in court. Rao personally intervened and represented me in court against one of the best divorce attorneys in Seattle (rated 10 on this board) - and he won my case hands down. Chris is very good at explaining the client's role and responsibilities during a court case and makes very clear the choices at every turn. Since my case has wrapped up, Christopher has continued to provide me with sound advice as I occasionally need to revisit and interpret my final court orders.
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Anonymous
02 Aug, 2010
This firm and attorney are excellent. Christopher Rao is extremely knowledgeable and made my divorce bearable. He handled my case with compassion and integrity. I highly recommend him to anyone going through a divorce.
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