Read before they find out how to delete this actual/real review. I AM a former client, regardless…read moreof their response. Schwebel Goetz & Sieben (SGS) Be prepared: this process is about money, not justice or principle.
Over two years ago, tragedy struck our family. Our 20-year-old son died, and our wrongful death claim involved the bar he visited that night. In our first meeting with our SGS attorney, we stressed that our priority wasn't money--it was justice. He said he understood, would file charges, and would be willing to go to court (bait and switch-read on). Their investigator gathered evidence supporting our claim. Then months of near silence passed. Eventually, our attorney said he would file charges (he never did). First red flag: he addressed me by my deceased son's name, twice.
Over the following months, I personally uncovered two more critical pieces of evidence. That I had to do this myself was a major red flag--this was their job. With this new evidence, our attorney requested early mediation--without our approval and before filing charges. Reluctantly, we agreed. Before the mediation, he oddly showed doubt about our claim, then shook my hand and said, "You've done more than my investigators."
Mediation failed. The mediator, hand-picked by SGS, was arrogant, dismissive. Our attorney repeated: Next step was to file charges. Again, it didn't happen. Later, the insurance company made another offer based on the mediator's suggestion. We rejected it--too low and we still wanted charges filed. But our attorney insisted we accept, otherwise find a different attorney. He gave no specifics as to why, just vague comments about the evidence, which I suspect he never fully reviewed. Integrity was simply absent, a total 180.
We never requested early mediation. We were pushed into accepting a settlement we didn't believe in. Thrice, promised that charges would be filed--they never were. Meanwhile, the bar avoided court, responsibility, and bad publicity. For these reasons, they won, not us.
The opposing side had better legal representation than we did. For us, this wasn't about money--it was about preventing this from happening to someone else. But without filing charges, there's no accountability. Maybe we were naïve, but we believed an attorney would fight for our principles. We were wrong. SGS focuses on volume over quality. Profit is #1.
An SGS lawyer's success is measured by how efficiently they settle, not by how fiercely they fight for justice. Our attorney knew the opposing counsel, had worked with him before, and likely will again. He described him as a "reasonable guy, a real pro"--translation: a guy who'd settle quickly. There weren't just two sides--there were six: the bar, its insurance company, their attorney, the mediator, our attorney, and us. The closest bond in this party? The two attorneys. This was a business negotiation, not representation.
When our lawyer said he'll "do everything he can," what he really meant was "everything he's willing to do"--Make a claim, then settle. We thought the circumstances justified more, but our claim was treated like any typical car accident.
Through this process, I asked our attorney many questions, requested clarity, and posed potential scenarios. Early on, he responded vaguely. Later, arrogantly deflected and laughed-off concerns.
Over 90% of claims never reach court. The system encourages mediation, and settlements can't set legal precedent. So, nothing changes, and that's the way they want it-profitable.
The reality? SGS is only about profit, manipulating facts and people--not seeking justice. In our case, it meant manipulating a grieving family. (They manipulate google reviews too). SGS Attorneys say they'll "fight for you," but the key word is "for"--and it's by their definition. Once you hire an SGS lawyer, you give up control. Your goals become secondary to their financial incentives. Who holds them accountable? No one. Practicing law at SGS means knowing how to avoid it. SGS can't afford compassion, but spend millions on advertising.
Justice wasn't served and our son deserved better. B.S. needs to retire.
