Ellen Jancko-Baken

Dear Ellen and Neil, I am now over 3 years into a finalized divorce, one that you both (two partners of supposedly a top Westchester law firm) negotiated. So you are aware, I've been back to court over 8 times over 3 years (for both family court and with the Support Magistrate) because of a neglig...ently-constructed Stipulation of Settlement due to your professional and moral incompetencies. Each time I've been back, I've represented myself and come out with the favor of the Judge and Support Magistrate. The Judge has stated that the Stipulation of Settlement you both were responsible for was a poorly negotiated document full of flaws and not in the best interest of our children; in fact, it is on record that she would have never allowed mid-week visitation for my school-aged children from the start, as she believed it to be detrimental to their stability and development (although you warned me that a Judge would have forced me to allow it if I went to trial, despite you being aware of the physically and emotionally abusive patterns that my ex demonstrated). I have faced off against Westchester lawyers that have represented my ex, based upon conditions and requirements that I initially asked you both to negotiate on my behalf - at the cost of $120,000 (transparently without assets to match that)...without ever going to trial. Please note that I have won all of these decisions without legal representation, while against legal representation. This confirms to me that your negotiating skills and legal rates are deficient and obscenely bloated compared to what you actually deserve for your professional (or lack thereof) services. Throughout these past few years, I've made sure that if someone had asked for my advice or recommendation for a divorce attorney in Westchester, I've been forthright about my experience with your firm. It is detrimental to your profession that your firm continues to practice dishonest law, without the best interest of your client (and their children) at the forefront of your business. I would have been more successful on my own, and at trial, from the start - which is disturbing, considering you both have law degrees and have practiced in this field for decades. Yet, despite the additional and inexcusable emotional and financial setbacks you have caused both me and my children, I have thrived. I am a wonderful mom, who consistently puts her children first while facing relentless vexatious and abusive litigation. I have sought therapy for both myself and my children, due in part to the recklessness of your services. I am proud of myself at the end of every day for obtaining my Masters and teaching high school English in a top Westchester school district. In my profession, I make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of others, daily - money will never interfere with my wanting to do the right thing for my students, always. I'm sorry to say that (at least in this instance...and if it's happened to me, it's likely happened to several other clients of your firm) you cannot say the same. Sincerely, Xxx