I paid for a consult with Kelleher's office. Because of Covid, consults are done remotely. I have no issues with that. On the day of my consult, I spoke with attorney Nathan Gibbs over the phone. I originally thought I would be speaking to Mr. John Kelleher himself directly. However, Nathan Gibbs was very personable over the phone and answered my immediate concerns regarding my custody case, so I had no complaints regarding my consult, or the fee.
After the consult, I decided to Google Nathan Gibbs. Nathan Gibbs was NOT a well reviewed attorney online. His reviews were poor, and the only good review I found lacked detail... which led me to wonder if it was authentic or not. So I became concerned about my custody case being transferred within the firm to him. I called Mr. Kellehers officers the very next day, to pay a retainer fee, and express my concerns.
Jodi, the receptionist, answered my call. I started the call off by saying, that although Nathan Gibbs was wonderful over the phone call and answered my questions/concerns... I did not originally intend to consult with, or retain him personally. Before, I could say anything else... Jodi became very defensive with me. She spoke loudly and combatively over me, and told me SHE took my consult appointment and that I was KNOWINGLY booked for a consult with Mr. Gibbs.
I tried to tell her that I don't recall her saying that during booking, but that it didn't matter, cause I had no issues with my consultation. However, going forward, I wanted to retain Mr. John Kelleher, and be represented in court only by Mr. John Kelleher.
She didn't hear any of that though, I don't think. Because she was quite concerned with defending herself unnecessarily, pointing the finger at me, and repeatedly telling me I "knew who I was booked with because SHE booked it." She kept saying that over and over.
After, realizing I couldn't get a word in edgewise to explain.... (maybe she thought I was attempting to request a refund?? I wasn't. But she wouldn't know that... because she kept speaking over me defensively) I asked to please speak with someone else in the office, because she was being unnecessarily rude.
Again, she was defensive, curt and had very poor customer service. She denied my request and curtly told me she would "take a message." Her offer seemed less than genuine... so I asked if I could please be transferred to either John Kelleher or her managers voicemail instead. Again, she denied my request and combatively told me she was going to hang up on me in THREE SECONDS. As if I was arguing with her??? Our conversation was pretty short.... and for what reason, i don't know, we rubbed each other the wrong way. So a solution to that, would be to transfer me to someone else in the office. Someone that had better communication skills, to say the least.
As a business owner myself, your front desk and reception is the face of your company. They need to represent you with courtesy and professionalism. Jodi was NOT that. In fact, I had to take my business elsewhere despite the personal recommendation I got for John Kelleher.
When dealing with high stress, high emotional cases like CUSTODY... the last thing you want to encounter is an emotional, rude, unprofessional front desk receptionist. And for no reason! I was calling to make my retainer payment, after paying for and receiving my consultation. I simply wanted to confirm who would be representing me going forward, before making my payment. Sadly, I never got a chance to say that with Jodi as the receptionist.
I do not recommend retaining a firm that would allow that within their office. Because it is a direct reflection of how you would be handled, as a client, if there were ever a situation (God forbid) that was unfavorable. You would not be treated with kindness or even basic courtesy. Which is the bare minimum to expect from any law firm. read more