I highly Mr.Arnold for any legal advice you may need. He helped me survive my case and I was happy…read morewith the outcome. His paralegal , Melissa, is very responsive to emails as well.

Andy Bailey was assigned as my public attorney after a conflict of interest with the public…read moredefenders office. He refused to look at evidence proving my innocence. He lied to me stating that because there was no jail time for my crime a jury trail could not take place. That was not true the judge could sentence me to jail. He got angry when I refused to make a plea deal. My family scrounged for money and hired an attorney ($18,000) for me. I won my case and was acquitted of assault and battery.

Brenda Waugh (Waugh Law & Mediation) mediated our divorce in 2019, which was contentious and…read moredifficult on many levels, to include dealing with the legal custody of my then 13-year-old son. Relations between my wife (at the time) and me were poor at best. Brenda offered a comforting, professional demeanor and environment that ensured both of us maintained our composure and allowed us to get through the challenging emotional issues associated with dividing physical and financial assets and, more important, determining how to raise my son in a post-divorce world. I was pleased and impressed with everything Brenda did to prepare the required documents to present to the judge for review, consideration, and final decision. I have great respect for Brenda and recommend her without reservation for legal mediation services.

I called her to represent me in an auto accident case. She kept me on the phone for over an hour…read moretalking about her auto wreck, her family life, etc. She then sent me a mountain of paperwork for me to fill out for her to represent me. I filled it out and now she refuses to call me back. I have never encountered such a lack of professionalism and accountability from a legal professional.

I am not 100% sure that Samuel Byrer is the correct person, but his name is as close as I can find…read morein Charles Town to what I remember my father-in-law's attorney's name being. Part of reason I'm writing is that my spouse tried three times in the past months to get in touch with Mr Byrer for a small outstanding item with FiL's estate, but Mr Byrer never bothered called us back. But that's only the recent problem. The family felt that Byrer gave poor advice to FiL about how to do his will, which made everything into a bit of a mess when he died. Then, while mother-in-law was acting as executor, Byrer took TWO YEARS get it together and do his part. During this time MiL struggled to keep payments going. It was just kind of a shoddy job all round, and he collected fees just the same. FiL's didn't have so much property that it should have been that complicated; it seemed like Byrer was just interested in fees. If Samuel Byrer feels he has been misrepresented in my rendition of events, I welcome the opportunity to have my perception corrected.

From the owner: Sam Byrer is a trusted advisor and experienced trial lawyer in the Eastern Panhandle of West…read moreVirginia. He is proud of his reputation for providing personal and attentive client care in every case. Evening & Weekend Appointments Available. When you've been harmed, picking a lawyer shouldn't cost you money. That's why we offer free initial consultations. Contact us today to talk.

I hired Bottner & Associates to help with a post-divorce court order modification and a child…read moresupport dispute initiated by my ex-wife. While I'm thankful I ultimately retained my authority in matters of legal custody of my children--which was the most important outcome--my experience with the firm left me frustrated and disappointed. I initially chose Bottner because he had previously represented me in a bankruptcy case following my divorce. That matter went smoothly, as it was relatively straightforward, and I expected a similar level of professionalism and support. Unfortunately, what I encountered this time was far different. Despite paying roughly $5,700 over the course of the case, there was no closing discussion, no wrap-up email from his paralegal Amanda, and no "thank you" or "good luck"--just a consistent stream of monthly bills. That lack of basic professionalism set the tone for much of my experience. At one point, when I chose not to settle when the petitioner wanted to, and instead pushed for a final hearing, Mr. Bottner called me personally. I had hoped for a strategic conversation, but instead, I was met with irritation. He accused me and my ex of fighting like children over nothing. This "nothing" was retaining my legal custody of my kids--a matter that, for me, meant everything. I was also billed for the unpleasant conversation, by the way. Days later, when it became clear my concerns were valid, he did offer a brief apology. But the damage had been done. The dismissiveness I encountered in that moment was hard to forget. Throughout the case, I often felt unheard and overlooked, as though my concerns were just paperwork to be processed. At times there was no responsiveness, and I genuinely wondered if anyone at the firm had taken the time to truly understand my position. Once my retainer was paid, the personal engagement vanished. Watching the 2014 documentary "Divorce Corp" during my case helped me put the experience into context. The film portrays a family court system that can feel transactional, impersonal, and indifferent--and sadly, that's exactly how this firm made me feel during the seven-month long legal ordeal. There's a saying (often misattributed to Benjamin Franklin) that justice isn't truly served until those unaffected are just as outraged as those directly impacted. I lived through the other side of that--feeling like the people who represented me didn't really care unless it involved an invoice. Yes, I won the core issue (the judge seemed fair). But how you're treated along the way matters just as much. This firm may be effective on paper, but if you're looking for a client-centered experience, you may want to look elsewhere.

From the owner: Bottner & Associates, Attorneys At Law is an established West Virginia law firm that uses the…read moreexperience of a skilled lawyer to offer a wide range of legal assistance to the community. We understand that the outcome of your case will have a lasting impact on your life. We want to help you through all legal processes and find workable solutions for your issues. We take the time to listen to our clients, explain all of your available options and provide a fresh outlook on the obstacles in front of you. No matter what you are going through, we provide a safe, friendly environment where we can speak in confidence and listen to your goals. If you need legal assistance, let us advocate for you.