Client
I'd watch your money with Sid Kirstein. I paid a $250 (which was fair) consult fee to meet with him, then I decided to hire him for my Defamation case. He told me we had 2 years to file. I saw him 3 more times, twice to give him a check to cover his $5,000 retainer. He didn't return my call for about 3.5 months. I was finally able to get my 3rd appointment to discuss my case. However, he told me he was incorrect, and the statute of limitations was actaully 1 year and not 2 years, so we missed the window of time. I was upset, and could not believe a professional lawyer would mess up on something so simple as statute of limitations. Mr. Kirstein then went on to tell me he would take out $600 for our 3 appointments, mind you these were not appointments per say, I simply went to his office to drop off checks. So, why was he charging me? He said my refund would be $4,400. He then told me I would receive the balance of the retainer in 90 days. 90 days came and went and I did not get a check. Each time I called, I was told he would get the check out asap by his secretary. Then the pandemic hit and everything shut down. WhenI was finally able to reach someone at the office to inquire about my refund, I was told me I needed the cash payment receipts in order to get a refund IF I was entitled to ine. I let them know I indeed had then. Ever since then whenI call the offi e I get put on hold for 30 minutes or more, than suddenly would get disconnected. I have finally taken the steps to report Sid Kirstein to the Virginia Bar Association. . He then told me I would receive the balance of the retainer in 90 days. 90 days came and went and I did not get a check. Each time I called, I was told he would get the check out asap by his secretary. Then the pandemic hit and everything shut down. WhenI was finally able to reach someone at the office to inquire about my refund, I was told me I needed the cash payment receipts in order to get a refund IF I was entitled to ine. I let them know I indeed had then. Ever since then whenI call the office I get put on hold for 30 minutes or more, than suddenly would get disconnected. I have finally taken the steps to report Sid Kirstein to the Virginia Bar Association. How this man can live with himself knowing he has taken advantage of me. $4,400 may not seem like a fortune to many, but for a physically disabled woman, living on long term disability payments, all while trying, raise a child with autism, its them same as $1,000,000,000.