Keith Michael Casella

As per the recommendation of the Richmond County Bar Association, I retained Casella & Casella for a landlord/tenant eviction. An appointment was set for Sept. 27, 2012. On that date, I met with Mr. Ralph Casella and retained Casella & Casella as counsel to start the eviction proceedings. At that ...time, Mr. Ralph Casella advised me that this matter should be taken to Supreme Court and the cost would be a flat fee rate of $3,500—later I was informed by Mr. Keith Casella that landlord/tenant cases are seen in Civil Court for a fee of $1,600. Clearly, they need to consult with each other before speaking to their client to get their facts straight. On Oct. 9, 2012 (12 days later), I notified Mr. Ralph Casella informing him that the tenant was moving out and no further action was needed, and to please send an itemized bill with a refund check for any and all unused disbursements. After several attempts to try to contact Mr. Ralph Casella and Mr. Keith Casella through both email and telephone messages regarding the refund check neither one returned my calls or responded to my emails. Finally, I was able to make some headway by speaking to one of their employees and she told me the refund amount was $1,896. I questioned why I was being charged $1,603--No index # was obtained from the court or filed with the court, and they could not produce papers at that time--She told me there was a no itemized bill or any other paper work. After another week, (Nov. 21, 2012) she called to tell me all the paper work was done to come pick up the check. The charges on the bill reflect 3 phone calls in the sum of $553. and preparation of papers with blank dates for $1,050. Basically, the fee exceeds a reasonable fee for cost of services provided to such a degree that it is overreaching and an unconscionable demand by both Mr. Ralph Casella and Mr. Keith Casella. I strongly recommend that you stay away from this law firm. Their lack of honesty and integrity is appalling!!!

I am a military war veteran, 9-11 victim and first responder who is currently on disability due to illnesses from my 9-11 exposure. I explained my situation to Ralph Casella upon our first meeting and he seemed sympathetic to my cause (Later untrue) and seemed like he wanted to help. Ralph Casella un...derstood my financial situation and agreed to a small retainer and a payment plan from then on out, this has since been violated by Keith Casella (His son). They were hired almost 18 months ago to represent me in a civil lawsuit and have violated their oath to the Supreme Court of the New York. They have misrepresented my case and have caused serious damage to my case through their own actions. They have harassed me for money and have told me flat out that they are never going to do anything for my case because of money, even though I signed a contract with them on a payment plan, their actions have bordered on extortion. From what I understand of the Rules of Professional Conduct as stated in Part 1200, they have violated several items and have no reason to discharge me from representation as I have met all obligations to them. I am broke, going into bankruptcy, my house is in foreclosure because of their inaction and I can no longer afford what other attorneys are asking for as a retainer. DO NOT USE THIS ATTORNEY. They lure you in with a sense, they will help you, they will take your money and then abandon you.