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Lawyer Ratings
This page exists to help fathers and other NCPs better survive a family law system in which the odds are dramatically stacked against them. Many fathers and NCPs do not have time to sort out good lawyers from the bad, nor is it wise for them to learn through trial and error: one mistake in an American courtroom can cost you your future with your children.
If you've ever had a run in with a father-hating attorney while seeking legal advice, we want to know about it.
If you've ever had an attorney who promised you much, yet bungled your case, we want to know.
If you've had an attorney who ran your retainer down to zero and did nothing absolutely nothing for you, we want to know.
And if you've had a really great experience with a father-friendly attorney, we want to know that too.
Please be advised that NCPForce! does not make any specific recommendations or attorney referrals. The list is offered as a tool to help you learn more about attorneys in your area so that you can independently obtain legal counsel which best suits your needs.
Please use the links below to find a lawyer in your state:
CA |
CO |
GA |
IL |
IN |
KS |
MA |
MO |
NJ |
OH |
PA |
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Notice: Be advised that the details of complaints listed below do not reflect the opinions of NCPForce! They are offered to provide our visitors an open forum for the discussion of legal services. Attorneys who wish dispute complaints listed here may contact us at lawyers@ncpforce.com and we will give them an opportunity to respond online.
California
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Linda Trafford | 6114 La Salle Ave., #179
Oakland, CA | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges that this attorney failed to make court several appearances and once showed up intoxicated (without proper case information), upsetting the judge presiding on the case. Following this incident, according to complaint, the attorney missed another court appearance then abruptly dropped the client/complainant with a letter. |
Colorado
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
|---|
Cordell & Cordell (firm name) | 8428 Chasewood Loop
Colorado Springs, CO 80908 | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complainant -- a US Serviceman -- says he went to this firm after hearing ads for it on the radio and expected the services of a male attorney who could sympathize with his family law problems. Complainant states that he was assigned a woman instead "who was more interested in explaining her rates" than offering "any hope of resolution".
Complainant states he is involved in a complicated case with the mother of his child who is a German National, who has harrassed him at his workplace and who has been awarded an exhorbitant amount of child support by the El Paso child support division. Complainant further states that the mother of the child has recently served him via the German government a demand for alimony ($1200/month) even though they never lived together and were never married; also that the mother has completely cut off all contact between complainant and his daughter. Complaint states that he was put into an uncomfortable situation of having to confide with a female attorney who was ultimately not aggressive enough to deal with his problems. |
| Attorney Response: Cordell & Cordell does not aim to do harm to any clients. We are focused on getting clients the best results possible. We are still fighting stigmas in court that naturally see women in a better light. We work our hardest to improve the results for our clients. It has been shown that female attorneys can benefit men in family law cases. Your ex-wife may see her as someone she can trust woman to woman. If you are assigned a female attorney, they can also be very strong willed and fight hard for your success. We would like to apologize for any mistakes that may have been made, as I don't know your case specifics. We are always working to improve as a firm, and appreciate your insight. As a firm it is our goal to return any client calls if made during business hours that same day. We also have created a client collaboration portal which allows clients to interact with their attorney, see billing statements and notes that are made on the cases. This allows you to see exactly what work is being done to your case and how much you are billed. We also are offering client care representatives to every client. If there is ever an issue with your case, please feel free to contact your client care rep, as it is their job to ensure your satisfaction and make sure that you are properly represented. We promise to do our best for all clients in the future. |
Georgia
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Ben Porter | Cordell & Cordell
3340 Peachtree Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges this attorney billed complainant for "consultations" with fellow attorneys when there was no activity in his case and was never told what these “consultations” concerned. Complaint further alleges that this attorney recommended that complainant pay 100% of money requested by ex-wife even though there was clear documentation that far less was owed. The complainant, who was considering a new marriage, claims that this attorney took questions about a pre-nuptial agreement as an authorization to draft such an agreement; the attorney's law firm allegedly then billed complainant for the work yet never provided the document. Complainant further alleges that when he terminated all work on his case with this law firm (after spending $10,000 in legal fees), the firm used up a remaining $800 in an escrow account and billed for several hundred more. |
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| Additional: See also ratings for Richard Coffee at Cordell & Cordell in Belleville, IL; and a general entry on Cordell & Cordell in IL. |
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William P. Holley III | 299 Alexander St.
Marietta, GA 30060
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1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges this attorney provided bad counsel at mediation, billed for any and every "little thing", and did not respond to phone calls and emails. Complainant further alleges that he was charged for simply calling this attorney's office to find out why nothing had been done in his case, or why errors in his case were made. Complainant states that after working with this attorney, he was held responsible for his ex's legal fees and suffered doubled child support. |
Illinois
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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E. Nicole Carrion | 2520 State Street
P.O. Box 398
Alton IL | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges this attorney engaged in legal action which exposed client/complainant to additional legal problems. |
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Richard Coffee | Cordell & Cordell
333 Salem Place
Fairview Height, IL | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complainant alleges that this attorney mishandled divorce case by inappropriately alerting opposing party's attorney of proof of cohabitation. Because of this, complainant's ex-wife moved out of home she shared with another man until after trial. This resulted in complainant being ordered to pay spousal support to ex-wife, as well as additional legal fees to take defense in a different direction. Complaint further alleges that this attorney charged him hundreds of dollars just to speak with him on this subject, also that the firm of Cordell & Cordell was as indifferent to their attorney's actions. |
| Attorney Response: Cordell & Cordell does not aim to do harm to any clients. We are focused on getting clients the best results possible. We work our hardest to improve the results for our clients. We would like to apologize for any mistakes that may have been made, as I don't know your case specifics. We are always working to improve as a firm, and appreciate your insight. As a firm, it is our goal to return any client calls, if made during business hours that same day. We also have created a client collaboration portal which allows clients to interact with their attorney, see billing statements and notes that are made on the cases. This allows you to see exactly what work is being done to your case and how much you are billed. We also are offering client care representatives to every client. If there is ever an issue with your case, please feel free to contact your client care rep, as it is their job to ensure your satisfaction and make sure that you are properly represented. We promise to do our best for all clients in the future. |
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| Additional: See also a rating for Ben Porter at Cordell & Cordell in Atlanta, GA; and a general entry on Cordell & Cordell in IL. |
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Cordell & Cordell, PC | South 1st Street
Belleville, IL | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complainant alleges that a case needlessly dragged out for years, even after a marital estate was 90% settled. Complainant alleges that this firm allowing the OC the ability to keep changing agreement, which resulted in expenses of over $100K. Complaint further alleges that the firm kept changing attorneys, resulting in additional legal fees to bring new lawyer "up to speed" while "important items & wants fell through the cracks because of length of time, lack of filing"; complainant says: "Never felt valued but they market themselves as being on the side of men." |
| Attorney Response: Cordell & Cordell does not aim to do harm to any clients. We are focused on getting clients the best results possible. We work our hardest to improve the results for our clients. We would like to apologize for any mistakes that may have been made. We are always working to improve as a firm, and appreciate your insight. However, sometimes we may lose an attorney and would like to keep your case on track. It is necessary as a firm to bring the new attorney up to speed and keep your case on track. As a firm, we do value your opinion and want to ensure your satisfaction and fight for men's rights in family law. We also have created a client collaboration portal which allows clients to interact with their attorney, see billing statements and notes that are made on the cases. This allows you to see exactly what work is being done to your case and how much you are billed. We also are offering client care representatives to every client. If there is ever an issue with your case, please feel free to contact your client care rep, as it is their job to ensure your satisfaction and make sure that you are properly represented. We promise to do our best for all clients in the future. |
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| Additional: See also a rating for Richard Coffee at Cordell & Cordell in Belleville, IL. |
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Daniel J. Grueninger | 424 South High Street
Belleville, IL | 3 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
Details:
(Complaint 1) Complainant alleges that this attorney accepted fees to take on his case, but never delivered services. Complaint further alleges that this attorney did not personally return phone calls for over six months, and that he missed a filing deadline and subsequently dropped complainant as a client. Complainant reports that he's been unable a obtain a refund on his fees because the judge on the case signed off on attorney's "Leave to Withdraw". This petition blamed complainant for "failing to appear". As court would not readdress, complainant is now seeking restitution with the ARDC.
(Complaint 2) Complaint alleges that this attorney charged complainant over $5000 on a case of child support arrears yet did nothing more than file for extensions in court. Complaint further alleges that this attorney dropped complainant one week before a court date and may have inappropriately shared information with complainant's ex. Complainant is a U.S. serviceman.
(Complaint 3) Complainant says he paid this attorney $150.00 for an initial consultation. Complaint alleges that this attorney "wasn't truly listening" during consultation and had to be "repeatedly told things". This attorney also allegedly dismissed hard copies of case documents and said he would do his "own research" for additional fees.
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| Update: On June 4, 2008, attorney Grueninger was arrested for the misdemeanor sexual battery of of an employee. Details of the incident can be found on this
archive stub at the Belleville New Democrat newspaper. |
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Patricia Kievlan | 105 North Illinois Street
Belleville, IL | 3 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
Details:
(Complaint 1) Complainant alleges that he was forced by an Illinois judge to hire this attorney as guardian ad litum for his children in a custody case where his children were allegedly being abused by the custodial mother (possibly an illegal immigrant). According to complaint, this attorney served for six months as childrens' counsel and complainant was ordered by the court to pay $8,000 for her services. Complaint alleges that during this time, this attorney behaved in a biased manner in favor of the custodial mother by not carrying out an in-home assessment, misstating facts, and actively engaging in behaviour to discredit non-custodial father. Complaint further alleges that this attorney held several ex parte meetings with complainant's attorney and judge, and that these three worked together to ensure that female opponent retained custody of children, regardless of circumstances and in disregard for the evidence. Complainant states that this "is a lawyer who has a substantial and long history of being a womens' rights lawyer".
(Complaint 2) Complainant states that she hired this attorney as guardian ad litum. Complaint alleges this attorney was inattentive, failed to properly investigate case in best interest of children, and failed to acknowledge a Department of Child and Family Services finding that the custodial parent was a "batterer" and "a danger to child". Complaint further alleges that while this attorney "is called a child psychologist by attorneys in the court, she is not". Complainant states that "she has a Bachelor of Social Work from Kansas, period" and adds: "CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers do much better jobs. At least they give a damn about the children they represent."
(Complaint 3) Complainant states that Kievlan was appointed by judge as GAL instead of allowing father to obtain child's representative for his son, and that Kievlan had not yet completed required training to be a GAL. Complaint goes on to state that Kievlan aggessivly aligned herself with mother and refused to accept the child's mother was abusing the child; also that Kievlan blamed the child and the father for mother's abusive behavior. Kievlan wrote derogatory report about child and father, and spent considerable time defending mother instead of investigating or substantiating abuse of mother. Complaint further states that Kievlan made it known that she did not like the father and demanded that he engage with a former employee "therapist" even though this therapy session was supposed to be impartial; at first, Kievlan denied that the therapist was her former employee then reluctantly agreed that she had in fact been her superior. Complaint concludes that after 2 1/2 years, the father in this case has full custody of son and that Kievlan is attempting to charge for GAL services when she was not capable under the rules to act as a GAL because she had not met the education requirement. Complainant states: "Kievlan did nothing to speed the process of custody and created issues that now appear to father to have been nothing more than an excuse for billing hours in what should have been a very clear cut case of parental abuse and neglect. The fact that the mother owns a very large and well known court reporting/litigation support firm seems to have biased Kievlan's views or she is very much biased against males in general."
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Indiana
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
|---|
Dale Hunt | Walnut Street
Muncie IN | 1 | DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges this attorney accepted payment of $400 to investigate an arrears matter; this attorney never carried out work as agreed and left the state without refunding his client's fee; is believed to be working in Ohio. |
Jill S. Swope | Lincoln Hwy
Schererville, IN 46375
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1 | DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint comes from a former custodial mother who lost custody to father who she claims has been found guilty of abuse/domestic violence. Complainant states that this attorney was hired as a GAL and that after first reviewing the case, this attorney pledged to block abusive parent from gaining custody. However, this attorney allegedly then wrote a scathing report against the complainant, which contributed to loss of custody. Complaint also alleges that this GAL also requested hearings without providing complainant's attorney proper advanced notice. Complaint further alleges that this attorney failed to investigate the allegations of abuse and called her 6-year-old child "a liar". Complaint also alleges that this attorney worked on the case despite a conflict of interest: this attorney and complainant's childrens' stepmother
know each other from college.
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Kansas
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
|---|
Jill Rauk Daugherty, Cordell & Cordell (firm name) | 9900 Camino Royal #94
Merriam, KS 66203 | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complainant states that this attorney was hired for her son who was trying to gain legal custody of his son after the child's mother, who allegedly suffers from a serious mental condition, fled with the child across state lines to Missouri. Complainant states that Cordell & Cordell first billed her for a $2500.00 retainer. Complainant states that the firm then billed her for serving papers which were never served (only attempted). Complainant further states that this attorney failed to gather adequate evidence for the case, and that the complainant was forced to do her own legwork. Complainant states that after her son finally called the firm to discontinue their service, they had a $800.00 balance on their account. Complaint alleges that this attorney then charged for every phone call and tacked on conference fees until complainany ended up owing $600.00. Complainant writes: "I asked them for documentation to back up these charges because 90% of the bill was for them talking to each other. I wanted to see the notes from these talks to justify the charges and all they sent is a bill of the dates and times that they talked, completely avoiding the issue that I thought the bill was padded." |
| Attorney Response: We are focused on getting clients the best results possible but are still fighting stigmas in court that naturally see women in a better light. We work our hardest to improve the results for our clients. We would like to apologize for any mistakes that may have been made. We are always working to improve, and appreciate your insight. It is our goal to return any client calls, if made during business hours that same day. We also have created a client collaboration portal which allows clients to interact with their attorney, see billing statements and notes that are made on the cases. This allows you to see exactly what work is being done to your case and how much you are billed. We also are offering client care representatives to every client. If there is ever an issue with your case, please feel free to contact your client care rep, as it is their job to ensure your satisfaction and make sure that you are properly represented. We promise to do our best for all clients in the future. |
Massachusetts
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
|---|
Laurie Axinn Gienapp | 145 So. Main St
Bradford, MA | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges failure to represent client's best interest in divorce and custody case; failed to address conflicts of interest surrounding court appointed GAL (guardian ad litem); failed to advise of constitutional and statutory rights; failed to seek full discovery of ex-wife's assets; withdrew from case 2 weeks before critical hearing; violated professional rules of conduct by informing the GAL of case details. |
| Attorney Response: "I understand that many supporters of NCP believe that the entire system is at fault....but a google of the name of the 'complainant' or even a google of MY name, will show that (the complaintant) filed a formal complaint with the Federal District Court, and that complaint was dismissed. As an indication of one of the many problems with (his) complaints...while it is absolutely true that I withdrew from his case, two weeks before trial, he has neglected to include the fact that he demanded I withdraw, and that at (the complaintant's) trial, he reaffirmed to the judge that he had insisted I withdraw. I have represented many non-custodial parents, to their satisfaction, and I have obtained custody for several fathers." |
Missouri
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Allison R. Cunningham
(Cordell & Cordell) |
1737 Administration Drive. Ste.200
St. Louis, MO 63146 |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complainant alleges that this attorney (a senior partner of this firm) did not serve in the complainant's best interest and that she suppressed evidence of ex wife's child abuse from being seen by the court. Complainant writes that this attorney's profile on the Cordell & Cordell website states that "her attitude can and will influence her representation of your case -- not an obligation to the client or the law". Complainant further writes that Cordell & Cordell is "a 'Partner men Should Avoid' as I witnessed for myself how these people will drag your case out for a year or more, and charge a minimum of $600.0 for their services even if nothing is happening in your case those months." |
| Attorney Response: It is always our goal to fight for your best interest, we are focused on getting clients the best results possible. We work our hardest to improve the results for our clients. We would like to apologize for any mistakes that may have been made and if the length of your case was drawn out to any extent. We are always working to improve as a firm, and appreciate your insight. As a firm, it is our goal to return any client calls, if made during business hours that same day. We also have created a client collaboration portal which allows clients to interact with their attorney, see billing statements and notes that are made on the cases. This allows you to see exactly what work is being done to your case and how much you are billed. We also are offering client care representatives to every client. If there is ever an issue with your case, please feel free to contact your client care rep, as it is their job to ensure your satisfaction and make sure that you are properly represented. We promise to do our best for all clients in the future. |
New Jersey
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Robert Blackman | 1978 Rte. 27
Edison, NJ | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges that this attorney is ineligible for practice by the NJ state bar due to nonpayment of fees. Complaint also alleges that this attorney charged complainant $11,000 for services, yet failed to appear in court on numerous occassions and mishandled case by late filing of brief. Also, this complaint alleges that this attorney fails to send out detailed billing statements. |
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Elizabeth A. Calandrillo | 10 Poplar Tree Lane
Sparta, NJ 07871 |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
Details: See complaint under Peter Laemers at the same firm.
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Carol Oswald, Teich Groh (firm name) | 109 Franklin Corner Road
Lawrenceville | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges that this attorney failed to perform as promised, was rude and demeaning to non-custodial father, and may have shared confidential information with complainant's opponent; complaint further alleges that despite not having performed as promised for her client, this attorney also ran retainer down to zero by billing very high charges for phone calls, emails, faxes, etc. |
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Morris Downing & Sherred (firm name) | 1 Main St
Newton, NJ | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges head of firm promised to represent complainant, but later assigned "hired in" attorney for case. Attorney assigned to case failed to properly represent client; failed to make proper filings in timely manner and damaged complainant's case; complaint also alleges firm overcharged for its services |
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Peter J. Laemers | 10 Poplar Tree Lane
Sparta, NJ 07871 |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
Details: Complainant states that he hired this attorney expecting him to be in the courtroom. Complaint alleges that this attorney instead sent an unexperienced attorney in his place, Elizabeth A. Calandrillo. Complainant says that he was not properly represented and that his ex was permitted to relocated his children over 100 miles away, and that he was refused a plenary hearing.
Complainant also states that he was unaware that these two attorneys -- and the attorney of his ex, Faith A. Ullmann -- attorney had just formed their firm together. Complainant states that no adequate defense was presented on his behalf even then the judge in the case asked: "Why shouldn't I grant the relocation?" Complaint further alleges that no parenting plan for visitation was presented (except for the ex's). Complainant writes: "Stay away from this firm- they are very unethical and will not represent you how they claim they will. Leamers outright lied. I signed, I paid, I never seen him again. His former firm actually is still billing me for thousands. They will not get a dime more and they shouldn't be allowed to practice after what they did."
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Michael Spinato | 266 Harristown Rd.
Glen Rock | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges that this attorney received a $1500 retainer for his services in a child support matter yet never showed for a court appearance. Complaint further alleges that this attorney sent a young, possibly inexperienced attorney in his stead who failed to adequately protect the client/complainant; this attorney also allegedly failed to properly advise complainant about the amount of child support the court would eventually order. |
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Faith A. Ullmann | 10 Poplar Tree Lane
Sparta, NJ 07871 |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
Details: See complaint under Peter Laemers at the same firm.
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Ohio
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Dale Hunt | Unknown |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: See this attorney's record in the state of Indiana. |
Pennsylvania
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Hillary Mooney | 43 North Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901 | 1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges that this lawyer misrepresented client by encouraging him to sign an "interim" division of assets agreement which was designed to place proceeds from sale of house into lawyers escrow account until final agreement was signed. According to complaint, this was done despite attorney's advance knowledge that that opposing party was prepared to sign a final agreement and pay complainant for his share of assets. Complainant eventually learned that this attorney intended to hold the funds until "the final bill was satisfied". Complaint further alleges that after complainant refused to place funds in escrow account, he received a final bill from this attorney which was roughly three times what it should have been. According to complainant, these were "clearly fraudulent charges for time that was overcharged because there was timestamped emails to refute her time. She ultimately accepted 1/3 of her final bill 'without admitting wrong doing'". |
Texas
| Lawyer Name | Address | # of ratings | Recommendation |
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Thomas McMurray | 109 S. Woodrow Lane
Denton, TX 76205 |
1 |
DO NOT RECOMMEND |
| Details: Complaint alleges that this attorney appears in court unprepared and is more concerned with "getting cozy with the opposing counsel". Complainant further alleges that he was "slaughtered" in court because of this attorney's complete negligence and that this attorney cancelled four appointments with complainant leading up to the hearing. Complainant also states that this attorney "came to court late and went straight to the opposing attorney and buddy buddied with him in the lobby while ignoring me, his paying client" and made statements indicating he did not care much about the case. |
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