Peggy L. Collen

I respect Ms. Noonen's legal and academic commitment to the rights of pets and their owners. I am therefore disappointed by what I experienced as a hostile front office and intake approach. As an attorney practicing since 1998, I contacted this office to provide additional information I believed mat...erially affected the factual record and potential case assessment, having completed countless such assessments myself. I was advised that "messages" are viewed negatively and "count against" prospective clients. I noted I was calling and was told "any contact counts as a message." Any further communication and representation would not be an option. I believe attorneys and their staff should always be polite and cordial to all -- whether clients, potential clients or opposing counsel. While I understand the need to manage intake volume, a blanket policy that discourages the communication of potentially material facts is, in my view, inconsistent with a thoughtful and responsive intake process. It was sufficient for me to decide to not pursue representation.