My experience with Riordan Family Law, and specifically Amy Kriegsman, was profoundly disappointing…read moreand left me with serious concerns about both the quality of representation I received and the firm's overall management of my case.
From the outset, I felt that my concerns, instructions, and legal positions were routinely dismissed rather than thoughtfully considered. Far too much time was spent debating my perspective instead of advocating for my interests. I was billed significant amounts for communications that often felt argumentative and unproductive, only to later discover that several positions I was discouraged from pursuing proved successful when I ultimately represented myself.
Communication throughout my representation was consistently frustrating. Straightforward questions frequently went unanswered, while email exchanges became unnecessarily prolonged and repetitive. There appeared to be an unwillingness to engage in efficient telephone communication, resulting in delays, confusion, and increased legal fees. Rather than feeling informed and supported, I often felt ignored, challenged, or forced to repeatedly explain matters that should have already been understood.
The firm's handling of documents and case materials was equally troubling. I repeatedly provided requested documentation, only to be told later that materials were missing or had not been received, requiring me to resend information multiple times. This created unnecessary work, delays, and expense. Even more alarming, I received documents relating to other clients' matters, which raised serious concerns about the firm's administrative controls, confidentiality practices, and attention to detail.
I strongly disagree with any suggestion that I prevented effective representation or delayed the discovery process. In fact, I personally secured and provided substantial discovery materials. Despite this, important information was not always handled appropriately or produced in a timely manner. I was also surprised to receive work product, including a proposal that I had never requested. Once I instructed the firm not to continue working on that proposal, that direction was disregarded. While I made revisions and promptly communicated them, those revisions required minimal effort and did not detract from the larger discovery issues that remained unresolved.
Another significant issue involved the proposal to appoint a parent coordinator. I had expressly advised Amy Kriegsman that I was opposed to pursuing a parent coordinator and understood that this was a position being advocated by opposing counsel. Despite my clear instructions, Amy initiated a request for a parent coordinator. This decision created tremendous confusion, required substantial time and effort to clarify and resolve, and generated additional legal expense. More importantly, it directly contradicted my stated wishes and legal strategy. Rather than advancing my objectives, it reinforced my growing concern that key decisions were being made without appropriate regard for my instructions.
As the representation continued, my confidence in the firm's ability to effectively represent me steadily deteriorated. I became increasingly concerned about repeated requests for documents that had already been provided, contentious interactions with both attorneys and staff, and communications sent to opposing counsel that contradicted my stated position and interests. Rather than advancing my objectives, I often felt that my case was being managed in a manner inconsistent with my instructions.
Ultimately, these concerns led me to direct the firm to stop working on my family law matter. Even after providing that instruction, I continued receiving communications insisting that work needed to proceed immediately and emphasizing deadlines and requirements despite my clear direction to cease representation. Rather than respecting my decision, the response felt dismissive of my instructions and reflective of the same pattern of poor communication and case management that had characterized much of the representation.
Even after terminating the relationship, obtaining my file and bringing the matter to a close proved unnecessarily difficult. What should have been a straightforward transition became yet another source of frustration.
Family law clients place enormous trust in their attorneys during some of the most difficult periods of their lives. They deserve competent representation, clear communication, respect for their instructions, careful management of their case, and confidence that their attorney is advancing their interests. Unfortunately, that was not my experience with Riordan Family Law or Amy Kriegsman. Looking back, I deeply regret retaining the firm and cannot recommend its services based on my experience.
