★★★★★
If you are getting divorced and have no clue where to start and you're looking up lawyers online, let this be your sign to go with Samantha. The Smith Offices have been an amazing team for me since day 1. Brenda is so welcoming on the phones and she is beyond helpful when it comes to answering questions. She was so organized and to-the-point but in a kind way. Samantha and Lori were amazing attorneys who were able to support me and get the outcomes I desired. The process was really seamless and they are great at responding quickly to texts as well. Mostly everything was done online so it was not a hassle. Everyone there truly knows what they are doing and always explained everything in a very digestible way. I definitely recommend this team if you are getting a divorce.
★
Save yourself years of regret. Hiring Sam Smith and Kira Damusis was one of the most damaging decisions I've ever made during an already traumatic divorce. I trusted them with the safety of my child and the outcome of my custody case, and they failed me at every step.
Sam Smith personally sold me on her "hands-on" approach, but after retaining the firm, she never touched my case again. Not once. Even after repeated requests for her attendance at hearings, only Kira showed up, despite Sam being the one whose services I was promised and paid for.
Their handling of evidence was unforgivable. I provided multiple notarized affidavits, photos, recordings, and documentation of my ex-husband's substance abuse disorder, none of which were submitted to the court. As a direct result of this negligence, I now share 50/50 custody with a parent who poses safety concerns to our child. This outcome could have been prevented had they done the most basic part of their job.
They also submitted my divorce documents late, which unnecessarily extended my case by four months. At no point did they take responsibility for this delay.
The professional conduct was just as disturbing. During a charged and vulnerable phone meeting, Kira yelled at me and victim-blamed me, saying: "Well, you shouldn't have married a drug addict." That was her legal "guidance" as I was trying to advocate for my child's safety.
They provided me with an incorrect holiday schedule, which caused an incident where my ex-husband abused his time. Because their schedule didn't match the court order, enforcement was impossible. This is basic family-law competence, and they failed it.
I later learned, through other attorneys and court personnel--about several crucial protections that could have been included in my custody agreement: stipulations for communication, consequences for violations, safety conditions, and specific parental responsibilities. None of these were ever offered, suggested, or even discussed. They simply did the bare minimum.
I never met either attorney in person. Communication was inconsistent, sometimes disappearing for long periods, and Kira even called me during vacations with abrupt and unpleasant demands. At one hearing, she provoked the judge and made the situation worse.
I drafted the distribution-of-assets outline myself, and they inserted it verbatim into the judgment with no advisement, no professional guidance, and no required financial stipulations (timelines, interest, consequences for nonpayment). Again, I did the work; they collected the fee.
These lawyers failed to protect me, failed to protect my child, and failed to uphold even the minimum standards of competent legal representation. I regret ever hiring them, and I strongly urge anyone considering them to look elsewhere.
★
Avoid at all costs. They substituted a different lawyer at the last minute who showed up late, unprepared, and looked like she just rolled out of bed. Complete negligence -- cost us dearly in court.
Even worse: after the case went south, this firm turned around and sued their own client (my girlfriend) to collect more fees. A quick public records search on the Michigan courts website for "The Smith Law Offices" as plaintiff shows dozens of similar lawsuits against former clients. Do yourself a favor and choose literally any other family-law firm in the area -- you'll thank yourself later.
★
Dealing with this law office was an absolute nightmare. My lawyer showed up the first hearing over an hour late and looked extremely unprofessional like she just crawled out of bed. I had to reach out countless times before they would get back to me. I also had someone fill in for my lawyer twice without being notified first and they were people I have never met before and probably had no idea about my case. They are now trying to sue me in small claims court for them being unprofessional. Please take your money elsewhere and get a better lawyer!
★★★★★
The attorneys and staff here are not only extremely experienced in what they do, but they care about their clients and you just don't find that in today's world. Going through a divorce or custody whatever it may be can be one of the most difficult things to date in your life but this team is top tier when it comes to making sure you are heard, understood, and taken care of. Highly recommend the women at this office!!!!!
