Downard & Associates

This is my personal opinion review. According to Google's Terms of Service, I am able to make such reviews without fear of legal retaliation or otherwise, as long as the information above is factual and true. Which, it is. If I could give negative stars, I would!! Atticus said that downward and associates wanted to take on my disability claim so I signed the contract to work with them on my claim. I talked to them one time in the beginning when I first signed up with them and didn't hear back for a while after that so I finally called to see what my next step was after I applied and to let them know that I got paperwork in the mail and asked them if they are supposed to do it or if I'm supposed to do it and nobody ever answers the phone I would leave voicemails and finally got through one day and they said I had to fill it out and send it back to disability. My mind is saying if I hired an attorney aren't they supposed to be helping me with this stuff and me not having to do everything myself? So I did the paperwork and sent it back to them as instructed by the lawyer. I had some questions so I called and reached back out once again nobody answers so I leave a message and then two weeks later get a callback saying that she got a voicemail and was returning my call. She said the state was waiting on more medical records and I gave her a few more doctors I have been seeing since I applied so she could update the case. two weeks ago I called them left a message didn't hear back then last week I got my paperwork showing my claim was denied so I called them back again to discuss it with them on what my next step are and nobody answers again!!! I left another voicemail. They finally returned my call and said they needed me to re-sign my paperwork to retain them again to do the appeal for disability and I had enough. I told them I do not want them representing me anymore and then I was gonna look for a new lawyer and to please Send me paperwork showing that they were Not representing me and they are waving their fees so I can hire someone else. The lady argued with me that she thinks they talked to me more than just three times in the whole eight months that I had them "helping me" and I said this is not professional to argue back and forth. We shouldn't be going back-and-forth about this and I don't want to use you guys and that's my final answer. She said she was gonna discuss with the lawyer about sending me the paper that I needed and would get back with me. An hour goes by and one of the lawyers calls me to try to see why I am not gonna be using them anymore and left me a voicemail so I returned his call and what do you know nobody answered again. I left a voicemail. So I called the lady back and let her know that he called and what exactly does he want to know because I already sent my letter to the disability office stating that I terminated my contract with them and I was firing them. She said that she sees in the file that he's OK with me getting the letter so she sends it to me and it says they are not gonna be waving their fees and if I win disability claim down the road they are gonna be trying to get my money out of that Even though they did absolutely nothing for me the whole eight months I had them representing me. I then emailed them letting them know that that is not right that they do not deserve any of my money because they did not help me with anything and said please resend the letter correctly as they should be doing which is the right thing to do in this situation I also called them and left a voicemail saying the same thing and now nobody has returned my calls or my emails. So if you want a company that is not going to return your calls ever or help you with your disability Then these are your people. But I don't recommend them whatsoever.

Very very unprofessional does not return your phone calls, NO help at all. wasted a year Do not use them if you want to see any progress in your case, they will fail you. The day before my disability hearing the attorney called me at 5:30 PM to ask me questions. No preparation for the hearing, I walked into it blindly. If you are referred to this firm, I suggest you run and run fast away from them.

Tried to get help applying for disability through this representation, after a year of being jerked around, I have had to seek different counsel. If you're looking to retain someone and STILL do all the paperwork yourself, then this is the place! Unprofessional in too many ways to list and all around not a "team" that I would ever want to use again!!! 1 year WASTED on my case, thanks to their incompetence! If I could give negative stars I would!!

* Downard & Associates were recommended by a (shill?) company called Atticus via social media. Their website (atticus) gave the appearance of being a lawfirm that had you take a "test" to see if you were eligible for SSDI. Mine said I did, and then had me fill out a form for them to contact me. I assumed it would be atticus. They then recommended the Downard & Associates website via TEXT MESSAGE. They were full of promises such as "We'll do all the work for you" and "We'll fill out your applications and file for appeals on your behalf if need be." Nothing could be further from the truth. The fun began with 8 emails of required materials. This includes scans of the front and back of my Driver's License and Social security card. Then you were told to file (wait, I thought they did "everything"?) and send them a "screenshot" (**from your personal SSA account**) once you were finished and reached the receipt page of the application for SSDI. I then tried to contact them by phone to ensure that they received the "receipt" and to answer some questions I had. Voicemail. Two days later a Ms. Dunkle called back and gave me some alarming information I knew was incorrect. I assumed I was speaking to an attorney AND NOT a "ddi specialist" nor an unlicensed auxiliary law employee. I called back immediately (and got through) and asked to speak to an actual attorney. This seemed to be a *BIG* problem but by luck, a very kind attorney (1 of 2?) at this "megafirm" was available. A Mr. Akers informed me that the information that Ms. Dunkle gave me was patently incorrect and false, and that some sort of remediation would take place with Dunkle. That my information, including PHI, looked promising, and I would just have to wait to hear from SSA (so what does D&A actually do?). I received a denial from SSA in ONE MONTH for technical reasons. I was then told by Dunkle in a series of semi-rude emails that there was nothing more they could do (umm.. what DID THEY DO in the FIRST PLACE)? The next day I was told (By Atticus!) VIA TEXT MESSAGE (!!!) "if the situation changes contact us". Ummm. The situation can't change. I'M DISABLED FOR LIFE! Now I'm worried about the personal information I gave them, as they didn't need it, as they didn't do anything or contact SSA. Anytime they needed updates they would have me login to my personal SSA account and "make a screenshot for them". How shady is that? Whatever you do, think twice about either Downard & Associates or "Atticus" (who I believe, but could be wrong, are one and the same). Using Google Maps, the locations appear to be "Paralegal Farms" and NOT an actual Law Firm. If you win your case (no doubt with no help from the above mentioned) what Atticus and/Downard and Associates do is NOT worth the 33%/$7300 they will remove from your initial SSDI/SSI check, which again is not appropriate for what they actually do. If you look at it, they have you fill out your application. If you lose your case, they want nothing else to do with you. If you win your case, they get a handsome payout. For doing what? Again, NOTHING! Stay far away. *This is my personal opinion review. According to Google's Terms of Service, I am able to make such reviews without fear of legal retaliation or otherwise, as long as the information above is factual and true. Which, it is.

I used Downard to help me with my disability claim. They are amazing people and very helpful and hard working . I would recommend Downard to anyone who needs help.. Mr Parker was my attorney he is amazing. Downard and associates are ones i would use to help me with anything they may come in the future..