Shari Jo Reich

Just a horrible experience. She was late on most things; my divorce was dragged out 6 months longer than it should have been. I was working out of town at the time. Shari Jo didn't want to communicate by E-mail; and insisted on using regular post and by telephone. She either didn't return my call...s or returned them more than 48 hours later. At the beginning, the regular mail was delayed by many weeks due to insufficient postage or just returned to sender; Shari blamed the postal service. I offered to pay more for expedited mail; Shari Jo said she wasn’t setup for this. After some months, Shari did improve and put sufficient postage and faxed or sent by express mail key documents. Still, turnaround on documentation got slower as the case progressed. There were too many surprises. One occasion she called me and said she had 5 minutes before going into court regarding interim spousal support; she asked me how much I wanted to pay. When I asked, she wouldn't or couldn't make a recommendation. She said that she contacted me via regular mail; one of the letters returned to sender, sent a mere few days before the court date. I was out of the loop on this court matter. Afterwards, I was in shock and awe especially when I found out the price tag; significantly higher than MY recommendation. I was all set to drop her for this and a half-dozen other reasons. I called and spoke with her assistant; Shari was always too busy to take a call on the spot. Her assistant called back and said that Shari would call me in a week or two. Only when I told the assistant that if I didn't hear from Shari in 24 hours else I would drop her, that Shari actually called back promptly, and for a change, was polite. Many occasions, Shari would tell me something and then weeks later, totally different. One example was final spousal support. When I asked, Shari said she would fight anything exceeding the interim support payment. The other side came back and asked for more and a longer term. Shari said I would get slammed in court and give them what they wanted. At the beginning of the process, my spouse and I each had to do a financial disclosure. My spouse indicated a negative net worth and wanted me to pay legal expenses. I told Shari my spouse had tens of thousands in savings, not to mention wedding cash gifts deposited in my spouse’s accounts. I had proof in the form of statements. Shari said it didn’t matter and to pay my spouse’s legal expenses. So much for what I was told about Shari being a Tiger in court. Shari was too busy and, in my opinion disorganized. This was a simple case; no children, no real estate few assets and a short term marriage. Yet, it dragged on. I looked into getting another attorney. I received free advice from another local Buffalo lawyer whom recommended to keep Shari this far into the case. He said my interim support payments seemed steep and was surprised on how laid back Shari was in comparison to my spouse's lawyer whom he thought was more of a negotiator. Shari’s attorney fees were seemingly reasonable, they didn’t exceed the nonrefundable retainer. I only received a single hand written summary of hours, less than half the retainer, few dates on the hours, 3 months into the case. I would have been better off paying more for a responsive, detail oriented, better organized and caring lawyer. The savings in support payments would have more than offset the additional legal costs, not to mention the aggravation of dealing with a lawyer that just wasn’t into my case. It took close to a year before the agreement was finally signed off. I even got dinged by my spouse’s lawyer for more support due to what he deemed excessive delays blaming me!? I couldn’t figure that one out since I already started paying support 6 months prior. If you have Shari Jo as a lawyer and she isn't being responsive from the get go, drop her. It won't get any better and in the end cost more and cause you no end of grief.

Shari Jo was very professional, thorough, and gave advice from many angles for discussion concerning how to proceed in my case. She is very intelligent, kept a good handle on the facts, fought hard for me, and was very straight foreword in what to expect. I really appreciated her "no nonsense" attit...ude, truthfulness, and had 100% faith in her keen judgement. Thank you again Shari Jo

I hired Shari Jo back in 2010 when I filed for divorce. Looking back, she was right about how the case would go, literally, she was 100% right. I parted ways with her over 3 years ago and I realize know I made a HUGE mistake. I could have saved tens of thousands of dollars had I taken her advice. ...Looking back I realize I was pain as a client. I let emotions get the best of me and complained to her as if she was my therapist. I wish I didn't do that to her, I neglected to see I was not her ONLY client and honestly I wouldn't have put up with me if I was her. She tolerated me and let me know when she had enough of my complaints. To be honest, she was always prepared and responsive. She was in the process of making partner and had a heavy case load but she never neglected my case. Her fees were far more reasonable than the 2 lawyers I hired after her and she was the only one who showed me how she spent my money. She sent monthly statements to me, though my ex was paying me fees. The lawyers after, which I have paid for myself, never sent me a statement, even though I requested in writing several times to see how my money was being spent. That made me uncomfortable and I felt I was being taken advantage of in a way. I don't know if most lawyers provide statements or not, but I really appreciated that she did. S.J. was brutally honest to the point it was upsetting at times- but she was right. I wish I had listened, appreciated, and stayed with S.J. not only would I have spent less $, my kids would not have been through as much as they have. Hindsight is 20 20 so to those who complain about her- I hope you take a step back and check your emotions before you make unkind, unfair, and possibly inaccurate accusations about S.J. Reich. I've never posted a review of anyone before but I felt compelled to post this review about S.J. She was the best of 3 and I wish I would have taken her advice. If you hire S.J. i suggest you listen, even if it isn't what you want to hear.

I could NEVER have made it through my divorce without Shari Jo. She was not intimidated by any of the circumstances that arose during my divorce. From the moment I met her, I knew she was the perfect choice. She ALWAYS got back to me whenever I had questions. She showed genuine concern, compassion, ...as well as knowledge and experience. She is was and is fantastic!!

I retained Shari Jo to handle a post-divorce custody petition. My ex-husband sued to change custody because I was moving to a new town with my new husband. I consulted other attorneys before retaining Shari Jo, and even had to fire my previous counsel because he did not give me the clear answers to q...uestions that I needed to move forward with my life and raise my children. Shari Jo did. From the first moment I consulted her she was up front with me about what I could expect, what would work, and what would not. She was confident, and everything that she said should happen in the case happened. She gave me different advice than some of the other attorneys I talked to, and in the end, her analysis was the correct one. I chose well. She is reputed as one of the best family law attorneys in Buffalo, and I would go as far as saying she is the best. The custody suit was the most emotionally difficult thing I have ever went through, much worse than my divorce. She did the only thing a lawyer can do in that situation: she had my back at every turn and won. The case resolved on even better terms than I had hoped or expected. Instead of losing time with my children, I received more time. She kept me informed at all times, was responsive to my inquiries, and fought for me and my children. She has my lasting gratitude.