Client
I am not typically someone who writes negative reviews, but this firm's handling of my case was so deficient--and completely lacking in accountability--that I feel compelled to share my experience to help others make an informed decision. John Bledsoe was originally referred to me by a client, which created an initial sense of trust and confidence that my custodial matter would be handled with care and urgency. When I contacted the firm, however, I was redirected by Katie to another attorney, Ronald. I was under the impression this would be a temporary consultation, but it became clear he was assigned to my case. Most concerning was the handling of my Ex Parte filing. For those unfamiliar, an Ex Parte is an emergency request asking the court to intervene immediately. My situation warranted this action. Despite accepting a $7,500 retainer, the firm failed to identify itself as my legal representation on the filing, submitting it as if I were self-represented. Any reasonable practitioner understands that this distinction matters and can materially impact how the court views the request. Additionally, I was never informed that opposing counsel could file a response before my Ex Parte was even submitted--information that would have been critical to my understanding of the process and potential outcomes. To further compound the issue, the firm later filed a Request for Order (RFO) but failed to file the required proof of service. This omission resulted in my hearing being deferred by two months. In a custody matter, that delay is not merely inconvenient--it is extremely distressing. The firm attempted to place blame on my new counsel, yet I could find no written communication indicating that immediate action was required or that responsibility had been transferred in such a time-sensitive manner. What makes this especially troubling is the firm's own marketing. John Bledsoe's website states: "Personal Attention, Not Hand-Offs: Unlike larger firms, John Bledsoe personally handles your case from start to finish; you get the expert, not an associate." At no point did I have any correspondence--by phone, email, or meeting--with John Bledsoe. Instead, my case was passed among multiple individuals, including an associate attorney (Ronald), a graduate law clerk (Sarah), a paralegal (Monique), and the office manager (Debbie Parker). To be fair, Debbie genuinely tried to be helpful and do the right thing, and Monique was consistently pleasant and professional in her communications. However, those positives do not outweigh the serious procedural failures, lack of transparency, and overall mismanagement of my case. Based on my experience, I cannot ethically recommend this firm.