Jeffrey DeRoberts

First couple of times I talked to him on the phone and first time meeting him he seemed caring and someone I could trust. He sounded very knowledgeable and confident. He wasted no time filling paperwork for child custody and that's all he did after being paid. I paid him $3,500.00 and in court he vol...unteered more time to the other parent. I filed for sole custody and told him I would be comfortable settling for the other parent to get every other weekend because of all the circumstances with our situation. He talked like he understood but clearly did not. Secretary is rude and sounds annoyed that the phone rang. He doesn't communicate with you, you have to call them and leave a message to call you back, which is understandable except when he tells you he will call you before your court date and go over things. I didn't pay him to fight for the other person, I paid him to help me. Neither the judge or the other lawyer even mentioned about getting more time with the child. So there was no need to volunteer to change the custody agreement that both parents were okay with. The other parent has their own lawyer, they don't need mine to advocate for them.

Awful awful awful! When he gets you in for a consultation, he will tell you everything you want to hear. And as soon as you hand over that retainer fee, it’s all downhill from there. He talks too fast and won’t let you get a word in. When you manage to get a chance to speak, he proceeds to talk over ...you. He handled my custody case so poorly and cowardly bowed down to the other attorney in court. My ex was awarded everything he asked for because DeRoberts didn’t fight for me. He agreed to things I did not want to agree too and now I’m stuck with them the way they are. Find yourself a different attorney to represent you if you want to win your case!

I hired Jeff Deroberts for a basic divorce with minimal assets and when I first visited him, he seemed very energetic and ready to take care of the divorce and minimize the damage. Literally when I paid him the retainer of $2,500.00 his entire demeanor changed. He then mentioned that there would also... be a $400.00 filing fee not included in the initial retainer (thanks for the heads up). I became a nuisance, if I wanted to speak to him he always seemed like anything else was more important. I had to start doing my own research because he would not give me advisable information. Everything was like pulling teeth. It almost seemed like he was an imposter and didn't know anything about a divorce! I moved out of state and when I asked him, "What consequences will I have with custody of my kids if I move out of state?" He responded with "What do you give a ****, your moving out of state." I am appalled by his behavior. The next day I confronted him about the unprofessional manner he spoke to me the day prior. He then denied even saying it! He immediately changed the subject. I went to Jeff Deroberts office in March of 2011 and by December of 2011, nothing was in motion. We have accomplished absolutely nothing. No court dates, no child custody arrangements…absolutely nothing has been set into action. I finally had enough and called and requested to remove Jeff Deroberts as my lawyer. I was billed $1,615.00 for their services. Now there is a balance of $885.00 that Jeff is working on devouring. He is now charging for the motion to remove as my lawyer and the sheet that informs the opposing attorney of their removal as representing attorney for me. At $250.00 an hour I am pretty sure that the remaining balance will be taken and probably even have a bill.

I hired this attorney to represent me in my Child Support proceeding in which the father whom resides in NY and myself in VA. I was seeking a arrearage of about $5,000 along with some additional modifications. This attorney whom I thought was qualified from speaking to him over the phone did nothing ...for me. I arrive at court to find MY attorney meeting with the other party and trying to work out a lower support payment for him when there was NO discussion of that. Please take in consideration that the other party had submitted a modification to have his support lowered when he made $80,000 a year and only paid $18000 a year for two children leaving him with about $60,000 a year to live off of. Prior to court my attorney told me that his modification was frivoulous and would have it thrown out. So when I conffronted him about the issue of him trying to work out a lower payment he told me to BE Quiet and let him handle it. To make a long story short this attorney didnt even mention the arrears or attempt to obtain a judgement on them as previously discussed nor did he mention anything in court about seeking my court cost. Everytime I would whisper to him about these and other issues he would tell me to shut up and on several occcassions he put his hand up towards my face to hush me to be quiet. I was in complete shock and intimidated by his rudenesss and unprofessionalism. In the end he took my entire retainer for 1 day in court and actually worked with the other party to get him another court date for his modification. This attorney works out of Syracuse,NY and the other party is a Syracuse Firefighter so Im sure there was a conflict of interest somewhere but a ethical attorney would have never taken the case if there was. So if you are in the least bit considering hiring this attorney please be aware that he will NOT represent you how you want but how he wants towards his best interest. This guy is NY TRASH and stay away. I am in the process of filing a letter with the NY Bar Association in regards to this experience with this attorney. Thanks for reading and please stay away from this attorney.