Ann Giardina Hess

For all parties that post here. Please contact the Attorney Grievance Committee of Erie County. The email address is: [email protected] so that we can halt her despicable work practices. I asked for Ann's assistance in an uncontested divorce, as I knew her for years through a mutual friend. Due to ...health issues with both of our parents, we elected to delay proceedings. Ann was notified on several occasions not to proceed until I contacted her. She continuously billed (over billed) for her services, despite no court appearances, etc. During Covid, when everything was shut down, she "estimated" her billing as she admits in a letter that she does not know how to type or even turn on her computer. Again, I sent emails and left phone messages, that nothing was to proceed due to our parents passing away. My husband and I are respectful of one another as we spend our holidays together, etc. Ann decides to bill my credit card THOUSANDS of DOLLARS. I now have to contest the same monthly. Very tedious task for a professional working person. To date, she has billed me $30,000 for a NON-CONTESTED divorce. She has been verbally abusive to me, which has affected my health. I do not know what her habits are, but something is wrong with an attorney that sends the wrong divorce documents to the wrong party. I received documents for another case. Were my documents sent to the wrong party as well?! That is a breach of confidentiality. Even her secretary has been derogatory to me. Nice cover up for incompetence. In my opinion, it is the responsibility of the Erie County Bar Association to monitor attorney's practices, so I am filing a complaint with that Association. Hopefully, others who feel that they have been wronged by Ann Hess will follow suit.

I paid Ann Hess 3500 down. She showed up to one court case that was 30 minutes long. She sent me a bill after for $4500 charging me 9500 for a 30 minute court case?!? I called letting her know I needed to disucss what was going on. She told me she was too busy to talk. I told her I could wait in the ...waiting room until she has time because I really needed to figure out what is happening. She told me if I step foot in her office she will call the police on me. I not only got robbed 3500 since it was only 30 minutes she appeared for but now she is trying to sue me for the remainder. This lady is a complete fraud and I am currently fighting the charges.

I went in for what I thought was a 20 min consultation of my case and drop off my retainer. I ended up being there for over 3 hours while Ann Hess did not even have my legal file from my previous lawyer. I left feeling like Ann Hess was very confused I was feeling very uncertain. The retainer was $35...00.00. I never saw Ann Hess again, I called the next day asking her to not work on my case stating I was consulting with another lawyer. In June 2018 was my first time and last time meeting with Ann Hess to consult my case. It is now October and I recieved $1670.00 of what was left of my $3500.00 retainer. My one time meeting I left feeling very unsettled and like Ann Hess was disorganized and wasting my time as well as her own also felt tricked into what I thought was a 20 min consultation turned into over 3 hours due to her confusion and disorganization.