Jay I. Simon

My review of Jay Simon is going to focus on something other reviewers only mention in passing; that Mr. Simon gives clients amazing personal attention. I first called Jay Simon on the phone. He was very understanding and tolerant of my feeble attempts to explain my situation. He was kind, didn't ...rush me off the phone or push me into making an appointment. He was so easy to talk to. We spoke for about a half hour because of my uncertainty about proceeding. What attorney talks to you for a half hour, imparting information, without even knowing you or getting paid for it???? Anyway, due to my fear, I didn't make an appointment. Instead I said I would think it over and get back to him. I didn't. Instead, I called other attorneys who weren't as nice. I grew discouraged. I then remembered the one shining light I had called: Jay Simon. I called him back. Now, mind you, about 4 months had passed. When we spoke for the second time, Mr. Simon, after a brief reminder, actually remembered our previous conversation and recounted details I told him in the first conversation. So, I scheduled an appointment. When I arrived, I was delighted by his lovely office. I had been expecting a crowded, generic law office or torture chamber (lol). Mr. Simon's office was just so cute, comfortable and relaxing. I also assumed I would be kept waiting before being seen by the attorney. But, as soon as I arrived, I was seen immediately and didn't see any other clients. Mr. Simon then patiently went over my situation and discussed bankruptcy. As this was just my initial consultation, I expected to be shown the door after a certain point. Instead, Mr Simon began preparing my petition. He said I was his whole day and we then spent hours working on the petition. He could have made me come back a second time, missing more time from work, but no, he went about completing the entire petition in one session, in order to convenience me. I went away from the appointment thinking maybe he didn't have many clients if he could devote so much time to one person. He was very supportive and reassuring while preparing the petition. He also sent an extremely detailed instruction letter. About a month later came the date of my creditors meeting. Instead of meeting me at the court, he had me meet him an hour early in his office. I didn't have to worry about finding where I needed to go; Mr. Simon was going to personally escort me to the meeting. Much to my surprise (and happiness, as I was worried about him), there were a number of other clients there who would also be going to court with us. He then spent time reviewing with each of us what was going to happen, what to expect and reviewing our petitions. He could have done this with us as a group to make it easier on himself, but he gave us each individual time. Later, at court a lady attorney covering for another attorney, met with her clients as one big group; no individual acknowledgements or attention for them. After talking to each of us individually, Mr. Simon's voice was almost gone. It was actually nice to have other people to talk while I waited, who were going through the same thing as me. In talking to the others, I came to realize Mr. Simon gives all of his clients special, individual attention. Anyway, to court we all went. At court, he was reassuring and supportive to us all. Other attorneys, until they went up to the meeting desk, you wouldn't know who their clients were, as they had no contact with them in the meeting room. I hope by now you get the picture; Mr. Simon cares about his clients and gives them individual, caring attention. He made me feel special because HE is so special. He is so sweet and good. He truly cares about people. His attention to clients speaks to the person he is. I wish my significant other treated me as well. I highly recommend Jay Simon to anyone thinking of filing bankruptcy.

If you look closely on Mr. Simon's desk you can see a stick pin from the movie "The Saint." If you saw that movie or the old TV show, Mr. Simon really is like the character - a saint who helps people in need. He is extreemely diligent, caring and nice. He is more interested in helping people solve... their money problems then in his getting paid. When have you ever met an attorney not interested in their payment first? I met with three other attorneys before I met with Mr. Simon, and they would barely speak to me without my paying them. Mr. Simon was the total opposite. Unlike the other attorneys who demanded their (higher) fees upfront, Mr. Simon allowed me to pay in installments that he did not rush or pressure me to pay. He was also very kind on the phone. Another attorney actually hung up on me when I first called him! Mr. Simon, on the other hand, spoke to me on numerous occasions and never rushed me off the phone. Instead he explained things, for free, before we even met once. Beyond money, he was just so much more personable and actually cared about me as a person--how I felt going through the processs. He treated me like a human being not just someone to add to his bank account. His assurances that I would be all right and his overall manner and words were extremely comforting. The other attorneys I met with pawned me off on their paralegals or were disinterested in talking to me and/or explaining anything until I paid them their fee. I was treated like I was just another customer and not an actual person. From our first phone conversation on Mr. Simon was nice and kind to me. he also answered my numerous emailed questions very rapidly--I got answers many times almost as soon as I sent my email! Then when I got to court I was amazed at how badly the other attorneys there prepared their client's petitions. One attorney made many mistakes and was smirking as the trustee admonished her and her client about the faulty petition. Even I, a non-bankruptcy professional, could see from the responses that she did a bad job. In fact, the trustee wouldn't even examine her next client until the attorney and client reviewed their petition to find the expected mistakes. The attorney acted like it was no big deal. Totalling unprofessional and I am sure the client paid her well to do a good job in representing her and not do a sh!t job and cause her problems. But this was not one isolated attorney. Almost all the attorneys at the hearings I sat through did less than stellar jobs. But when it came my turn, I had no problems. Mr. Simon did my petition perfectly and sent the trustee the required documents in advance, unlike a few of the other attorneys I saw. In fact the trustee complimented Mr. Simon on how thorough my petition was done. None of the 10-15 other attorneys received such a commendation from the bankruptcy trustee. Another thing, there was a lady there whose attorney didn't even bother to show up on time. This lady was both scared and angry at her attorney. Mr. Simon, of his own accord, tried to soothe her nerves and explain what was happening. As I was sitting next to this lady, I asked her what she paid? I was astonished to find out she was charged over $2,000! and her attorney could not be bothered to show up on time. Hmmm. She missed her turn and had to be called again before her attorney finally showed up almost an hour late. He also didn't bother to apologize to her for his lateness like he should have. I am sure this is all routine for the attorney, but it was not routine for this lady--she was scared about the whole thing and then for her attorney not to show up, you can just imagine. Mr. Simon had me meet him at his office 45 minutes in advance and walked me over to the court just so I would not have to worry about where I was going. He also explained what was going to happen and called me the day before to remind me. I am sure he could have put his time to other uses, but he cared enough about me to devote extra time to me. What a difference from the other attorn