Client
DO NOT hire Mrs. Paz or work with this office administrator, Paula Weiner. They are incompetent and dishonest, and they harmed my case before terminating the representation while keeping the retainer that was suppose to cover for everything. I had to hire another lawyer to resolve my issue efficiently despite how Paz negatively impacted my case. DO NOT make the same mistake I did. DO NOT hire her. DO NOT work with her administrator. FLEE! Before I paid, Weiner put at ease and made me feel I had found the right place, and they would work to solve the issue. But once I paid, the nightmare started. I only had one phone call with Paz (they refused a video call). Throughout the conversation, she immediately assumed the worst about my actions and intentions. Without saying it explicitly, she morally disapproved of me based on things she imagined about me that weren't even true (but it was framed this way by a third party). I tried to explain my side, but she didn't seem interested in listening and never even heard the basic facts of what happened. When I sought guidance after the alleged victim contacted me, they accused me of reaching out to her and kept criticizing me instead of just answering my questions. While Paz was supposed to cooperate with the police to see what could be done, she wrote an extremely aggressive letter to them, damaging my case. Then, even though I told Paz on the phone that the alleged victim didn't file a complaint, she wrote to her accusing her of doing so, without consulting me first, risking to antagonize her. In that communication, my name was misspelled in the email (!). When I was trying to reach out to talk about these issues, I could only get Weiner on the phone, never Paz and most of the time, the phone secretary lied about Weiner's whereabouts and just accepted to hear my questions, so that maybe she conveys them to Weiner, who might then pass them to Paz. That one time with Weiner, she just accused me of false things and was upset, even though I only wanted the bare minimum information and diligence regarding my case. Soon, my calls weren't even answered. In writing, they were extremely confused about documents and facts. Both Weiner and Paz (who intervened when I raised concerns about the breach of diligence) insisted that during my only conversation with Paz, we discussed a fact that happened the day after (!). When I asked for very basic information about what was going on, they made it clear they didn't care, that I was a scumbag anyway, and that I should just stop bothering them. They were solely focused on "covering up" each other's mistakes (spelling error of my name in communication to other parties, lying about what they would do, etc.) instead of caring about me and my case. Ten days after my only phone conversation with Paz, and with no response to my simple and basic questions, I wrote to them expressing hope that they either refund me or fulfill their legal and ethical duties to inform, speak with, and consult with me on strategy. Paz immediately misrepresented what I wrote, claiming that I am finishing the contract without a refund. I said no, so she responded with the idea that nine days earlier (even though she never talked to me about it in the meantime), I did not follow her advice, and this gave her the right to terminate the contract without a refund. I had to hire another attorney, Mr. Douglas Rudolph, and it was a complete contrast. He is a genuine person who believes in you and treats you with humanity and care. Even before hiring him, he kindly provided me with more free information and guidance about my case than Paz and Weiner ever did for $2500. Unlike Paz, who promised me the moon and then did nothing, he was very careful before taking any money about what can be done, and then he did a wonderful job and resolved my matter quickly. While Paz nearly ruined my case with her aggressive attitude towards everyone, including me, Douglas Rudolph handled everything professionally and with humanity.