I am impressed by how great and thoughtful the customer service was. They were patient enough to explain the legal terms, what was happening and why. I am grateful to them for a pleasant experience. I definitely recommend Unite the People to anyone who needs legal services. read more

Fantastic experience! The staff is welcoming, and the attorneys are really knowledgeable and approachable.

I can't say enough good things about this team. They truly go above and beyond to help people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. What stood out most to me was how genuine and dedicated they are -- it's not about money with them, it's about people. They explained everything clearly, were patient with all my questions, and made me feel supported every step of the way. You can tell they really care about their clients and the community. The compassion and professionalism here is unmatched, and the fact that they're a nonprofit makes their work even more admirable. If you're looking for a lawyer who will treat you with respect, fight for you, and actually have your back, this is the place to go. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs real help from people who care read more

I couldn't believe how much they helped me with my uncle. I told them I how I was struggling just to take care of my immediate house. Not only did they provide resources that I could use for my family, they set up an excellent payment arrangement and got my uncle home . Forever thankful! read more

Unite the people is a TOTAL RIP OFF, they took my loved one's 5k and never filed a thing. No writ NOTHING! Wondering if anyone has filed a lawsuit or let's get together a file a class action against them. Their quality of service is horrible. My loved one is still sitting behind bars! We could really use the 5k they took for actual REAL REPRESENTATION. Besides Tory Lanez seems like they don't help us regular people. ZERO STARS!! read more

I hired Mathew Barhoma and his team at Power Trial Lawyers in February 2024 for my husband's resentencing case, and I deeply regret my decision. Initially, Mathew was very responsive and promised big results, which is why I felt confident paying him $3,700 for the first phase of his analysis. However, after that initial interaction, communication dwindled significantly. He only met with my husband once in jail and was largely absent thereafter. Despite my ongoing monthly payments, I struggled to get updates. He claimed he could help my husband and promised a written review of his findings, which has yet to materialize--now, it's November 2024, and I'm still waiting and still waiting for a resentencing hearing that keeps getting moved and rescheduled. When I pressed him about the services he was supposed to provide, he contradicted himself regarding the agreements we had made, leading to a total charge of $20,000, which is exorbitant for the level of service provided. Now that I've completed my payments, I cannot get in touch with him or his team. I've left multiple messages and sent numerous emails with no response. It feels like I've been scammed. I strongly advise against hiring Mathew Barhoma. Save your money and seek help elsewhere--this has been a frustrating and disappointing experience. If I don't receive a full refund, I will escalate this matter further. read more

Unite The People - Email sent that i still have not gotten a response. This was sent oct 21,2024. - Legal Services Near Me - Long beach, California

Note: If anyone is interested in joining a support group for people who have been affected by the actions (or inaction) of Unite the People and want to discuss next steps, please feel free to email nz2newyork@gmail.com This is a zero star review. My issues with Unite the People date back almost three years. Since August, 2022 to be exact. I engaged UTP to conduct a case review for my partner and paid a deposit of $3900 USD (of the $6000 total) for this service. I was told explicitly over the phone by CEO Mitch McDowell that no work would be completed until the total had been paid and an agreement signed. Two days later my partner received notice that he was getting a re-sentencing hearing through another motion that he filed himself, so I contacted UTP and advised them of this. I asked them to hold on to the deposit until we learned the outcome of the hearing - although they were not required to do any work. They agreed to this over the phone. The contract between him and UTP was never signed for this reason. When I learned that the hearing date would be later than anticipated, I contacted UTP and asked them to refund the $3900 deposit I paid. It has now been more than two years since I requested the refund. I have sent countless, unanswered emails, made countless phone calls, and my partner's family also visited the UTP office and spoke directly with Caesar McDowell about the situation, to no avail. I have since filed complaints with the BBB and the Attorney General's office, and a successful complaint with the California State Bar. My next step is to file claims through the State Bar's Client Security Fund and Small Claims Court. read more

Hi everyone, Please don't let your loved ones consent to any processes or start any business with them. Our experience with them was extremely unpleasant. They lacked communication and consistently failed to fulfill their responsibilities. They merely said certain things to make it appear favorable. If you decide to terminate the contract just know you will not receive anything back!! Please ensure that you inform your loved ones that if they hear about this place, they should avoid it and refrain from any business dealings with them. It's a terrible experience, a scam, and they're thieves. Please trust my word and don't fall for their deception. The unfortunate part is that your loved ones may be more susceptible to their charms. Please prevent them from falling victim to their manipulations. The experience that we had with them was just very horrible. Please don't fall for them. Avoid them they're not worth your time and they're not worth giving your money to them. If there were negative stars I would've given them five negative stars. read more

You guys be aware of Unite The people if you're looking for criminal, lawyer they are not doing their job. They're taking the clients money and not doing anything for them. Customer service is rude And they try to keep your money that you paid upfront and having did anything since 2020 I see they're doing this to a lot of clients read more

this are one company. They took my $12,500. They've never had the attorney contact my son in 11 months. They've done nothing to help to him. This company is a rip off unless you have lots of money they won't do anything for you read more

Expect no cooperation with the Unite the People when it comes to your money. I've given them ample time to refund a $1000 of $1500 I initially gave them. Charging $500 for establishing a contract. It is now going on six months, with no word. Not even a peep. Calling their office doesn't help. They make like they are helping, only to come back to tell you that; " No one is available". It's like a default answer. This isn't over for me, until I get my refund. read more

This attorney firm is an embarrassment of a representation. Please take all the bad reviews in consideration before you plan on giving your money away to them. Please do not waste your time hiring them. They have took my fiancés case & it took them approximately 2 years to officially get him a court hearing for a PC1172.6 motion for resentencing. Got him the court date after my fiancé file the motion himself because UTP couldn't do that themselves. Continuously give us "the family" the run around for updates . Claim that they'll give us a call back & stating that will call my fiancé to discuss the process.. etc.. & never have he received a call. Court date comes & Crystal Ann Morgan bar #335712. For 1) did not physically show up to the court hearing . She did over the phone appearance. 2) she dropped the ball on filing a prima facie what was supposed to be file for this type of case (which crystal should've known as an "experience attorney ") 3) I emailed crystal Morgan days after regarding what happened at court if we were going to proceed & why the prima facie wasn't filed & basically gave me a summary that did not respond to my questions. 4) I called the superior court 2 weeks later to inquire an update for next court hearing & the front office employee stated " the motion was denied due to the prima facie not being filed" but yet Morgan couldn't tell us that herself . I share this review with anyone who is inquiring of hiring to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Take this in consideration before hiring them. & legal action will be filed against this firm through the state bar of California . If anyone wants to share they're experience with this law firm please contact me through email coronadoandrea1030@gmail.com So we can make justice for all the people who got done wrong by this organization & save future clients from being victims of this scam . read more

My son hired Unite the People to represent him in a sentence appeal case. He spent thousands of dollars on their fee, all the money he had in hiring them. They, in return, presented his case to the DA using canned language. They never mentioned all the recommendations he had from guards, his outstanding record of time served without incidents, his educational accomplishments, and the fact that he has become a Gogi coach. Gogi coaches have a 100% record of never returning to prison once released. Of course, without any substantial reasons listed to review his case, his petition was denied. No attorneys should charge thousands of dollars for canned generic language. At the least, they should return his money. At best, they should resubmit his case with all details pertinent to his case. read more

Unstaffed per my discussion with a company employee. I basically lost $1,000. They did not even offer the $500 refund as stated in the contract when they were aware they were grossly understaffed, not having attorneys available. Again, minorities without the needed resources have very few options, when trying to help a loved one. I was very hopeful that this firm could help! read more

Unite The People: The office of Unite the People is the best legal office I have ever encountered. Their knowledge and depth with legal matters were exceptional. The professionalism from their office staff: I was always kept up-to-date about matters throughout my case. If you are looking for legal assistance, Unite the People is the most reliable and efficient firm. A. Marshall read more

STOP! I do not wish for anyone to go through the tough burdens this unprofessional facility will put you through after they take your payment. I payed $2,900 upfront in 04/2020 and it wasn't until today 12/03/2020 that I was able to get Payton on the phone, just to tell me "he has to go about his day" I have asked numerous of times for proof of the work that was put into my case, and its like I'm talking to Casper the ghost. This is so unfortunate. Waiting to hear back from Shawon Walker for my refund. read more

I zero stars was an option I'd rate this org as such. They are scammers and lazy. Do not respond to emails and do whatever they can to prolong court dates or in my case, don't even show up to court. Don't waste your money. It won't be long before they go out of business for malpractice read more

let me start by saying I give no rating at all. me and my partner called in December and spoke with Fanon he gave us a dream basically and told us once we put down 30% they would start the process with our case. come January I called and spoke with tray and her tried to give us a different price from what Fanon had given us witch was $9000. tray ended up honoring us this price. I told them I would give them $1,500 now (jan 8th) and $1,500 on the 7th of February or when we receive and review the contract, (keep in mind we should have got the contract before submitting any type of payment) but we trusted them. Come January 21st we still hadn't received any type of paper work so we called and spoke with someone And they had no recollection of payment received (red flag) so I explained to them and all of a sudden they found out payment but said I barely sent it on the 18th I told them no I did not! Well they said they would put together our contract and send it out. feb 7th came and still no contract. I called and spoke with someone again and they said that it was sent out on the 31st I was upset and told my partner I wanted to cancel this cause it was seeming iffy already he said no that he wanted to be patient so I went with it. He didnt receive the papers until feb 15th in the contract it says that they wanted us to pay 800 a month and that they wouldn't start any court process until payment was made in full! yet that was not said to us when we called in December. So we called and spoke with tray on feb 17th and he said that he would re write the contract and send it out if we could send in the consents and papers that he has so he can at least have that in the mean time. So we did! 24th came and still nothing! I called him the begging of march to get an update he said that they had already sent out the papers and that they had received our papers in just a few days ago witch was I believe march 3rd or 4th. I let him know that we would not be submitting anymore payments until we get a contract that we agree to and he assured me that we would be getting it soon. April 1st came we still had no papers and had not heard from anyone at all! So I called and tray was out. I called the 2, and 3rd he was out again! I asked to speak with someone hire then tray and apparently tray is the highest it goes! Apparently staff don't have his personal number to call and say "hey 911 this is what's going on". when I called that week everyone kept saying that they didn't have any paper work in his file. so I started getting really upset and told them I just wanted my money back on the 4th as they still had not had his paper work! they said I would have to talk to tray I told them to set it up then. Hannah said it wouldn't be until Monday as he was out again for the day! This was around 12 or so. I also received a email from her asked to help me make it right as this was the 4th time someone wanted to make it right! I told her no I just wanted my money back! Monday 4/7/2025 comes and I get a call and it's aasha. she is calling me to tell me that papers had been filed al of a sudden. I told her no I want my money back! She said being that work has been done that I couldn't get a refund. I asked her when was the papers filed she said 4/4 lol what a coincidence!!!! I asked for tray and she said he was not in Again!!! now all of a sudden my man gets a message on the getting out app from Dwayne so we call and speak with him and he just starts going on and on about how he's working on his case and how it's going to take a year but everyone else said 6months!! i lost it and and I'm so disgusted and disappointed in this org and what they stand for is not what they stand on! they are in it for the money! They are saying the my man has to write a letter to cancel served but we never even signed a contract! They knew what they are doing they submitted papers cause they didn't want to give us our money back! Thinking that that was going to save them! If the founder really stands on what he created and knew what these people are doing they would be disappointed and disgusted too! now we are fighting for this. please go with ur gut feeling they are not a good org don't do it! I'm sure the homies can do a better job in there filing papers! trust me! read more

Unite the people is the absolute truth. They are responsible for getting some of my friends out that were given life sentences for petty crimes. A lot of organizations act like they help the families but the results aren't the same. I encourage anyone with family members serving unjust sentences to reach out to them. read more

They did fraud on me and still have not done anything for my love one . I paid for services and they never did anything just took the money. Don't do the same mistake I did read more

Most people don't leave reviews for most services. People rarely leave reviews for good service, but people jump at the chance to leave an honest review after bad service - to warn others. Somehow all of Matthew Barhoma or his rebrand "Power Trial Lawyers", formerly "Power Trial Attorneys" 1-star Google reviews all go missing. But don't worry, I've been taking screenshots of them for over a year now and have a record of the 1-star Google reviews that were taken down. He threatened me to take my honest google review down, so I assume that's what happened to all the other 1-star reviews that had words. You can find 1-star reviews that don't have words on his google though. The experiences are so similar to what I experienced with him and I used to think it was just me but now I know it wasn't because its a pattern in his lack of professionalism and duty to do right by his clients. And many of them lost a lot more money and have much bigger/serious legal issues so I know those are the real reviews. I have those reviews documented. I will be submitting everything to the CA State Bar, as I was advised to do by a judge when I brought up my concerns about Barhoma in court and how he screwed my case up badly. He used intimidation tactics with me and worked in favor of the other party, he didn't respond in a timely manner, used fear and intimidation tactics, didn't explain things properly before he urged me to sign things and only explained things after the fact and it was too late. read more

Negative stars! I hired this "law firm" 3 years ago to help my son. They didn't do shit! My son got out before they even attempted to file anything! I paid them everything I had as a single mom and when I requested my money back they didn't even apologize for not telling me the attorney had abruptly left the office and my son's case a week after he was assigned! 3 yrs later a hundred phone calls and letters and they just tell me they will call me back! Liars and thieves! Scams and shams! Fuck this business! read more

I already wrote a review not to long ago but here's another one Unite The People are a straight up joke. Like I said before they got me for $3,500 and after all this time from my last review in January 2023 all of a sudden Rosemary Chavez my husband so called attorney that myself or my husband never ever spoke to or heard from now sends my husband a letter saying she has to resign cause she broke her leg WOW all they try to do is cover their own butts thinking if they send a letter they'll cover themselves. I hope and pray we all can shut them down. My husband never heard from them until now to say she's resigning we don't even know her. People please listen and never use them they'll take your money, if I was made aware of their shadiness I would have walked away before I drove all the way to Long Beach biggest mistake of my life BEWARE!!!! read more

Unite the People has done so much for the underprivileged community, meaning us... there are people getting their times in prison shortened to the point of getting out. With all the new laws coming out, lawyers are not familiarizing themselves with them. Unite the People ARE. This is what they do! It's time for the talk to stop, and actions to take place like UTP is doing. Great job guys. read more

I am so grateful for Mitch and his team, without they're help I could not have gotten the petition done for my husband. Mitch answered all my questions and was always there when I called with any concerns. The attorney assigned to us was just as wonderful, she worked really hard on getting the whole package together. We filed the papers and we have a court date coming up and the Public Defender who helping my husband said that it was written very well. We are so thankful that this service is or was available without I couldn't had afforded to get it done. Thank You Mitch. read more

TOTAL SCAM!!!! RUN ‍ This place is a total scam don't waste your money. I acquired there services last year in November to help my husband with a letter to get him re-sentenced. I spoke to Cesar on the phone he made everything sound so wonderful as if he were really equal to me and my situation he seen me on a Sunday when the office was closed. I thought wow I'm really going to get my husband home these people must care. We sat down in his office I told him my story he told me his. We related I was sold I signed the contract and zelled him right then. That was the last time I seen him or spoke to him. Once he got my money the man disappeared changed his number. Now I had to contact the office a few times (months had gone by) for them to tell me that the lawyer on my case wasn't working or doing his job and had to be fired (but when I met Cesar he told me he had already gotten rid of bad apples and had bad reviews do to this mmmmscetch I know) makes no sense then my case was given to Melinda the scapegoat she let me know everything that they had worked on was in mycase for me to review so I did. The only things attached where the documents I had made copies of and gave to Cesar same day I paid. I still tried to give them patience. Fast forward a year later they write a letter to my husband mind you the letter was never uploaded to my case or sent to me the person who paid them, and told him they checked a website and he wasnt even in the tier for them to send the letter for the resentencing. The last time I spoke to Melinda she told me the letter had been sent out now how in the hell are you going to say now he isn't even in the tier so no letter was sent so what the fuck am I paying for for you to read a website so why did Cesar tell me that's what he was going to do? Why did Melinda call me and say she had already written it? I have tried to be in contact with them no one calls me back and when they do they always have excuses on why they have no new information. I have never worked with a company that conducts business this way. My husband wrote them a letter to receive a refund 3 months ago the same day he sent me a copy of the letter he wrote I received that letter and called to make sure they received there Melinda let me know she would call me back to make sure they got it never received a phone call now oct 6 I get an email from Olivia telling me they never received it and they think the facility mixed up his mail or some BS like that. I received the letter!! that is impossible this company is a scam please do not give these people your hard earned money. They do nothing to help not one thing I gave them my money and now they want to charge me $600 and Melinda said that was only her fee they still have to see what else they are going to charge me for I paid them $2,900 and they're trying to keep money for doing nothing I just can't believe I believed Cesar was going to help my family he is a fraud the receptionist who never knows anything and always acts like she's going to get you a call back or adding notes to and invisible notepad fraud the so called lawyers frauds this place is bullshit I regret it so much all this place did was add to my stress give me a headache and a whole in my pocket please be advised THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND DO NOTHING FOR YOU It's sad that you would scam minorities and then use that as a sells pitch. It's horrible you guys are terrible people that are ruining lives STEER CLEAR OF THIS PLACE they're are good people out there you just have to look I found another place that actually helped me they told me I didn't need there services and advised us in what steps to take and didn't charge trust me there are good people that ACTUALLY WANT TO HELP!!!! Unite the people just ain't them so please look else where for help trust me you don't want to be like me out of money during a pandemic waiting over three months to get a refund. I wish you guys luck hopefully this helps you and we could all get help for our wrongfully convicted loved ones read more

Unite The People will touch on all the basic points to earn your trust and take your money. Once money is handed over, Unite The People FAIL to communicate with their clients, properly investigate the case they accept, file necessary court documents efficiently AND they minimize there shortcomings. They are a business that has found a way to effectively take advantage of people that genuinely need help. I would NOT RECOMMEND UNITE THE PEOPLE. read more

The staff at United people are A1 and one of the best I've dealt with. They help me easily find an affordable attorney for my family member it made us feel comfortable from the The first phone call. Along with the attorney we were able to call them and get information as well from the staff throughout the whole process I would recommend united people for anyone looking for affordable attorneys to help with family members that are imprisoned. read more

I would NOT recommend their services to anyone. They are quick to take your money and make mistakes on paperwork, when you call them, they never have answers for you. They put the blame on others. When they schedule a phone call, they don't call you. Make excuses that the phone call wasn't going through. They are horrible, do not give them your hard earned money. I had to report them to the state bar of California and Better Business Bureau. I paid for services in September of 2019, the paperwork was submitted in December 2020 with incorrect information. The CDC number on the paperwork was called a "Minor Clerical Error" yet it was Never corrected. DO NOT HIRE THEM, I made a huge mistake giving them my money. read more

I've used unite the people services to get my loved one resentenced. Unite the people worked very hard and took good care of me and my loved one and got him resentenced and I would strongly recommend Unite the People's services to anyone that needs Affordable Legal Services and a organization that will fight for you! read more

They take your money and don't contact you. They don't do any work on your case and you will have to go to small claims judgement to get a refund. They are critically understaffed and poorly managed. Don't give them a dime. Don't do it. read more

i have been dealing with these people for over a year trying to get my Husbands Petition and we are still trying, They are very helpful at first returning calls and emails but after they get your money its a different story. i am filing a complaint with the state bar in hopes they can help me get the Petition we paid them to prepare. read more

My name is jessica villasenor my husband is currently incarcerated. I have searched and searched lawyer after lawyer but they kept giving me the run Around and turned out to be very pricey. I seen unite the people's webpage and had a consultation over the phone, I thought it was to good to be true so I waited and made an appt to go into the office on a Saturday. The day of my conjugal visit I met another prison wife who told me she hired an attorney at unite the people so it made me very happy to Know they are helping other people, when I got out of visit I called unite the people again and Mitch the co founder of the company called me at 9pm at night on his free time , this tells you a lot he called me just to explain things and to give me options I was very happy of my options so I decided to hire this attorney from unite the people. Mitch has already sent my husband the intake packet and everything my husband needs to know about what is going to happen, my husband and I are very anxious and happy that we finally found a good attorneys office that is not only willing to work with us financially but actually calls me anytime they have time to speak with me even at night or on weekends Mitch is very very caring and is willing to help families not just worry about the money. I have confidence with unite the people and I know they will have my husband home in no time. Thanks Mitch and your staff read more

If I could give zero stars I would this company is very uniformed and they are very lazy and slow I went to this company and paid them 2100 for an 1170D1 petition that they sat on the petition for 8 months I would call and call asking when the petition would be filed. They never told me that my husband needed a recommendation from CDCR for the 1170D1 and that it goes on o the judge and that judge follows the recommendation lol no they filed it with the district attorney and thankfully it went to the court and the minutes were sent husband. When I reached out to unite the people and told them what the paper said they acted surprised and didn't know what I was talking about. Please DO NOT GO TO THESE PROPLE THEY ARE CROOKS. Silvia looks like a drug addict they take your money and sit on your petition I hired a lawyer and filed another petition this one only took 2 months to put together. Do yourself and your love ones a favor and spend a little more money but DONT GO TO THUS COMPANY THEY ARE A SCAM!!!!!! read more

If I could give no stars I would. I agree with the negative comments. SCAM artists. I was robbed. Please do NOT give them your money...This organization did NOT file my petition and still expects to keep the entire $2900?? I CANCELLED because they never received the paperwork my husband sent....for 6 weeks.... THEN...I was told he didn't qualify when they FINALLY received the form almost 6 weeks later. So I canceled. Where's the legal work you performed? How can you justify a $2900 fee for not providing any service? I still owe $2900? I was robbed. How is the fee non refundable if you didn't provide any service except mail a letter....CROOKS! The payment was to file the petition. Where's my petition? Why is it okay to keep THE ENTIRE AMOUNT... are you serious!? I was paying for the petition, I wasn't making a donation. Where's my petition??? I'll pay the postage fee for mailing the form. The fee was to file the petition right? Where's my petition! ? Any ethical business would return the money and not try to keep every single dollar. We see who we're dealing with. Hungry, greedy CROOKS! BE AWARE... SCAMMERS read more