I hired Bottner & Associates to help with a post-divorce court order modification and a child…read moresupport dispute initiated by my ex-wife. While I'm thankful I ultimately retained my authority in matters of legal custody of my children--which was the most important outcome--my experience with the firm left me frustrated and disappointed.
I initially chose Bottner because he had previously represented me in a bankruptcy case following my divorce. That matter went smoothly, as it was relatively straightforward, and I expected a similar level of professionalism and support.
Unfortunately, what I encountered this time was far different. Despite paying roughly $5,700 over the course of the case, there was no closing discussion, no wrap-up email from his paralegal Amanda, and no "thank you" or "good luck"--just a consistent stream of monthly bills. That lack of basic professionalism set the tone for much of my experience.
At one point, when I chose not to settle when the petitioner wanted to, and instead pushed for a final hearing, Mr. Bottner called me personally. I had hoped for a strategic conversation, but instead, I was met with irritation. He accused me and my ex of fighting like children over nothing. This "nothing" was retaining my legal custody of my kids--a matter that, for me, meant everything. I was also billed for the unpleasant conversation, by the way. Days later, when it became clear my concerns were valid, he did offer a brief apology. But the damage had been done. The dismissiveness I encountered in that moment was hard to forget.
Throughout the case, I often felt unheard and overlooked, as though my concerns were just paperwork to be processed. At times there was no responsiveness, and I genuinely wondered if anyone at the firm had taken the time to truly understand my position. Once my retainer was paid, the personal engagement vanished.
Watching the 2014 documentary "Divorce Corp" during my case helped me put the experience into context. The film portrays a family court system that can feel transactional, impersonal, and indifferent--and sadly, that's exactly how this firm made me feel during the seven-month long legal ordeal. There's a saying (often misattributed to Benjamin Franklin) that justice isn't truly served until those unaffected are just as outraged as those directly impacted. I lived through the other side of that--feeling like the people who represented me didn't really care unless it involved an invoice.
Yes, I won the core issue (the judge seemed fair). But how you're treated along the way matters just as much. This firm may be effective on paper, but if you're looking for a client-centered experience, you may want to look elsewhere.
