I met in Consultation with Mrs. Welsh March/April 2012 b/c my ex- filed a Petition re: our…read morechildren. She included her Associate Mrs. L. Lamb(presently on Maternity Leave as of the past 3 wks or so.) Initially both seemed capable, knowledgeable and competent. I retained them the same day as my Consultation.
After paying them the very last of my Disability settlement ($3,500), months followed of "spotty at best" communication. I have an ample collection of bills and a paperwork trail and VERY LITTLE to show for it.
Mrs. Welsh gave my Case to Mrs. Lamb. Initially I trusted them which, in hindsight, I regret.
As stated, the communication, effectiveness and results from them were less than acceptable. AND, in addition to the initial Retainer fee, I was required to pay an additional $750 prior to Mediation. I was in "dire straights" financially and was consistently forthright with them about my circumstances. Because they were apprised of my initial Disability Settlement/Award, I do believe they WRONGLY presumed I had "ample funds available." In fact, they had NO business inquiring of that, as it was irrelevant to my Case. I asked about a Payment Plan for the Mediation Fee and was told "NO." There was NO flexibility on their part. I was told to remit payment PRIOR to Mediation or their Representation ceased and I was headed to Mediation ALONE!
I was forced to "hock my vehicle Title" for a Loan to pay Mrs. Lamb. (I've been able to keep my vehicle and now have a $194/month repayment...and the results at Mediation were wrought with unfairness,inaccuracies and a mostly "absent" Mrs. Lamb during the 3 hours.)
Mrs. Lamb failed to address some very serious concerns I had for my children...in fact, neither Mrs. Lamb nor Mrs. Welsh had notes from me regarding my concerns. (I was appalled by this.) Mrs. Welsh said "if my issues and concerns were so important to me, I should have mentioned them and been more assertive." Excuse me...I paid for HER knowledge, "nohow" and Service!
Most offensive to me was that I placed at least 2 calls to Mrs. Lamb expressing my concerns...and they were "brushed under their carpet." My concerns related to the deplorable environmental conditions my children were subjected to endure; being left alone, for hours on end, sometimes overnight--with NO working smoke/fire detectors in their father's house; as well as their father having 'alcoholic drinking issues.'
Once I'd paid my Meditation Fee, I NEVER had a Pre-Mediation preparation Consult w/Mrs. Lamb. I attended Mediation "cold." Upon arriving, several significant things were changed with little substantive explanation. And I'd like to state here that I'm on Disability that includes "Cognitive processing challenges."
Further, as Mediation proceeded, it became clearly evident that both Mrs. Lamb and Mrs. Welsh had made WRONG presumptions about what I was seeking for outcome & results without seeking clarifications from me.
Though, for the Grace of God, I am reunited with my children, whom I've had PRIMARY responsibility for since Birth--barring the 2 years directly related to my Disability, their father walked away with Child Support payments REDUCED to HALF...it should have been nearly DOUBLED as our children are of Adolescent age requiring far more financial support. Their father makes nearly 3X what I receive. Our Incomes were "combined" and he "walked away" with a REDUCTION. At the least, the children's Support should have been left at what it had been!
And, these Attorneys completely ignored that I requested it be filed with the Court that I claim my Son on yearly Taxes. When I inquired, at Mediation no less, a brief comment was made and the issue "glossed over." The Mediator we were assigned was less than Professional or compassionate.
This was a most disappointing experience and NOT in my children's 'Best Interest' by ANY means.
Please, depending on your particular circumstances, approach CAUTIOUSLY if considering or referred to this Firm.
A near final point, I was assigned as Mrs. Lamb's "last Case" prior to her Maternity Leave...Hmmm...
In closing, Post-Case interaction with Mrs. Welsh had her becoming "defensive" and stating "if you feel I'm a bad Attorney, you are welcome to consult further with another Attorney." When I made further inquiry, so that I could understand better, Mrs. Welsh told me promptly "I will not argue or debate this further with you!" Wow! THAT response alone leaves ME questioning her Ethics and Professionalism...and, of course, she wouldn't work with me as she and Mrs .Lamb had been paid their fees...
"Things that make you go...Hmmm..."