I stepped into the office for the initial consultation, which was a 'standard rate'. I discussed…read morethe nature of the case (myself as a defendant), & my desire to pursue counterclaim. I came prepared with with pictures & spreadsheets. I had done some previous online research and included any pertinent legal supporting information. In reality, the lawfirm only had to locate the specifically applicable laws *as I had not written down the exact law code). During the process between hiring & court appearance, I received not a single phone call about my case, or documentation as submitted to court or mailed to plaintiff (only drafts, for approval). I was not given any details about what the charges would be, except the paralegal & attorney hourly rate. I have not actually had to hire council before and came to this 'naïve'. I was not informed until it was all said & done, & I received my invoices for services (billed against retainer). I was unaware that I would be charged a minimum of $39.00/eml contact. This includes f/u emls, emls 'to' me & 'from' me. I told the practice that I would file the appeal myself, & subsequently explained that I would not be able to proceed with their services. I requested invoices & method to reclaim the balance of the retainer. I was informed of a certain amount for the remaining balance. I, later, received a f/u email from the practice reminding of 'appeal' deadline & reiterated the estimated rate for going back to court. This time, the estimated fee was double what was previously discussed, AND the retainer balance was decreased. I asked why & was told 'more work', & that I would get an invoice when I come to settle up. The invoice included an $80.00 deduct for the eml sent after court (the one that stated the original balance amount), & the eml'd f/u to remind of the appeal deadline, which (by the way) was incorrect. I was very displeased w/ the overall lack of care for my case...all while charging me exorbitantly too much for the amount of effort afforded. I was also denied pursuit of portions of my case for rather weak reasons. I truly felt like a criminal w/ a Public Defender who is looking to cop a plee deal with the prosecutor.

It is unconscionable that Mata & Hill would represent to my formal complaints that a letter was…read moremailed to me informing of representation of both parties (Buyer and Seller) in purchase of home. This is completely dishonest and unethical. Mata provided legal advice during the transaction regarding potential claims against Seller. At NO point was I as the buyer told in writing, verbally, or orally to find another Attorney because Mata & Hill created a Conflict of Interest. I was informed over the phone by Mata after the closing. There is no conspiracy: the fact is I am not from Virginia and blindly trusted my Realtor's (Sager Realty) referral and advice received from Mata on various phone calls. The fact is that I have text messages that can allude to my allegations and I was referred by my Realtor, your former business neighbor in Strasburg, Christine Sager. If Mata disclosed in the beginning that he was representing both parties, I would have gotten another law firm.