if I could write multiple 5 star reviews I would. First; Attorney John Gleason saved ne from myself through his expertise and compassion. He never gave up on me even when I wanted to give up. I will be forever grateful. Second, Olga Zhivnitskaya was equally compassionate and caring. She put in long hours to help me face what I couldn't bring myself to do on my own. I am in debt to her as well. The front desk staff is highly professional and friendly especially DeEdward. I'm remembering my name to keeping positive and encouraging I think him and others. I also want to thank Annette for all of her hard work and staying professional with me. And I want to thank Rose for working with me. This is a special firm with special people.
Review Left On 01/30/2020
thfc5389
I had an incredibly positive experience with Burns Figa & Will. The reception and accounting staff are courteous and professional. They answered all my questions about fees, billing, etc. My attorney, John Gleason, came highly recommended. John is a credit to the legal profession. He was kind, patient, prompt, and made me feel like a valued client even though my case wasn't lucrative. He saw my case through to completion and ended up getting me a better result than we both hoped for. If you need an attorney, call BFW. I cannot reccomend them enough.
Review Left On 02/27/2018
Caroline Smith
I found the preparation of my estate portfolio to be very expensive. Shelley was a bit scattered when we first met to go over things to see if I wanted to work with her. I had prepared my paperwork so the meeting would be efficient and I could answer whatever questions she might have. She took notes but when I chose to go with her, the meeting to set everything up as a client was as if we hadn't even talked. She had to start over on the notes and didn't even have the file in front of her.
She did seem to have a grasp on what I needed to get done and I had so much going on with taking care of a sick mother in another state that I went with her as I didn't have a lot of time to run around to other attorneys and she had been referred to me by a reputable source.
5 months after the preparation was done I had to make changes. A rather high retainer was required even though I had paid a large amount prior and was now a client. I had written her an email with what I needed to have done. I had done a lot of the prep work to make it very well laid out so very little time would be needed to make the corrections.
I had discussed with her to see if she could have an assistant do the changes so the billing rate would not be at her rate to try and help me with costs but that did not happen. It shows on the bill that she discussed with the assistant changes to be made (and that time was charged) but it appears she still billed out the changes on her rate and the time to discuss with the assistant the changes which would not have been necessary if she was going to do them herself.
The changes/notes were very self explanatory as I had written the notes very clearly and copied the pages and written in the changes to be made. There were a total of 13 name changes which didn't even change the layout of the previous paperwork.
I advised her of when I would have a mobile notary and my 2 witnesses available to sign everything at my home but I did not receive the copies in time so I had to go with the copies I had printed from the email attachments. The updated pages came in the mail 2 days after I had already done the notary process. I went with the mobile service as I did not have the time to get to her office and the cost of the mobile notary was much less than the hourly rate she indicated it would have been to come to the office to do with her. The cost had already exceeded what I thought they would be so I was trying to minimize additional expenses.
I had no way to review the billing since a retainer was charged on my card prior to any work being performed. I had asked about the billing when I was notified the paperwork was complete. I expressed my concerns at how high it was when I was informed. The first time I got to see the bill itemization was when the final invoicing was done.
I was to get a check with the invoice but it was not in the envelope even though it was noted on the paperwork to be sent. I contacted the office and a credit was run to my credit card but no adjustments to the credited amount after my expressed concerns and questions on some of the charges. It took over a month to get the credit administered after the work had been completed.
I hope I do not need to do anymore changes as I am not pleased as a client.
Law Office Reviews
She did seem to have a grasp on what I needed to get done and I had so much going on with taking care of a sick mother in another state that I went with her as I didn't have a lot of time to run around to other attorneys and she had been referred to me by a reputable source.
5 months after the preparation was done I had to make changes. A rather high retainer was required even though I had paid a large amount prior and was now a client. I had written her an email with what I needed to have done. I had done a lot of the prep work to make it very well laid out so very little time would be needed to make the corrections.
I had discussed with her to see if she could have an assistant do the changes so the billing rate would not be at her rate to try and help me with costs but that did not happen. It shows on the bill that she discussed with the assistant changes to be made (and that time was charged) but it appears she still billed out the changes on her rate and the time to discuss with the assistant the changes which would not have been necessary if she was going to do them herself.
The changes/notes were very self explanatory as I had written the notes very clearly and copied the pages and written in the changes to be made. There were a total of 13 name changes which didn't even change the layout of the previous paperwork.
I advised her of when I would have a mobile notary and my 2 witnesses available to sign everything at my home but I did not receive the copies in time so I had to go with the copies I had printed from the email attachments. The updated pages came in the mail 2 days after I had already done the notary process. I went with the mobile service as I did not have the time to get to her office and the cost of the mobile notary was much less than the hourly rate she indicated it would have been to come to the office to do with her. The cost had already exceeded what I thought they would be so I was trying to minimize additional expenses.
I had no way to review the billing since a retainer was charged on my card prior to any work being performed. I had asked about the billing when I was notified the paperwork was complete. I expressed my concerns at how high it was when I was informed. The first time I got to see the bill itemization was when the final invoicing was done.
I was to get a check with the invoice but it was not in the envelope even though it was noted on the paperwork to be sent. I contacted the office and a credit was run to my credit card but no adjustments to the credited amount after my expressed concerns and questions on some of the charges. It took over a month to get the credit administered after the work had been completed.
I hope I do not need to do anymore changes as I am not pleased as a client.