Client
My experience with Ouderkirk Law Firm was nothing short of exhausting. I hired them for representation, and what I got instead felt like a constant uphill battle just to get basic communication, basic effort, or basic professionalism. I spent more time chasing the attorney than the attorney spent working on my case. If I hadn't lived through it myself, I wouldn't believe a law firm could function this poorly. Communication was nearly nonexistent. Days and weeks would go by with no updates, no replies, and no sense that my case mattered at all. I sent multiple emails, voicemail messages, and direct questions just trying to understand what was happening and what the plan was. Most of the time, I got silence. When they finally did respond, it was vague, late, and gave me nothing useful. I shouldn't have had to beg for basic information on a case I was paying them to handle. The billing compared to the work performed was another major issue. I was charged like the case was moving forward and like there was substantial work happening behind the scenes. But the lack of communication and lack of visible progress made it clear that wasn't happening. I ended up doing more of my own research, my own follow-up, and my own case management than the firm did. I've never paid more to get less in return. It got to the point where I stopped expecting updates from them. I had to drag information out of them every step of the way. There was no initiative, no urgency, and no sense of professionalism. It felt like I was on my own while still footing their bill. That is an awful feeling when dealing with something important enough to hire legal help in the first place. After going through all of this, I started looking to see if anyone else had experienced the same thing. They had. Public reviews tell the same story: clients being ignored, abandoned, overcharged, or left wondering what was happening with their own cases. One reviewer said they only met the attorney once, right before court, after getting no communication the entire time. Others described paying high fees without receiving meaningful work. The same themes repeat: no communication, no follow-through, and no accountability. Another thing that stood out was that the firm isn't accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Plenty of law firms in Iowa are, and they take the time to meet the standards. The fact that this firm doesn't, combined with my experience, did not come as a surprise once I learned it. Also, for a firm that's been around this long, the lack of strong, positive reviews online is telling. In today's world, good businesses naturally collect good reviews. Here, the opposite is true: very few reviews, and the ones that do exist echo the same frustrations I experienced. The bottom line is simple: I paid for legal help and got stress, silence, and bills that didn't match the level of work. Nothing about my experience felt dependable, responsible, or worth the money charged. Legal matters are serious, and the last thing anyone needs is a law firm that disappears on them or leaves them doing their own casework while still charging for the privilege. If you're considering Ouderkirk Law Firm, do your homework. Ask tough questions. Demand clarity. Look closely at the very limited public feedback available. Based on my experience and what I found out afterward, I cannot recommend this firm. There are attorneys who communicate, who show up, who work, and who earn what they're paid. This simply was not one of them.