Shari Jo Reich

Took my $350 consult fee. 1/2 way through consult said she couldn't represent me with certain judge die to representing that judges ex in court. Then... Never showed up for court. Said she'd sent her associate who didn't show up either. When I approached her office, associate said she didn't know ...Anything about my case and would have SJ contact me. 1.5 weeks later she did asking for me to send financials to court. I respectfully reminded her she hadn't showed up in court and I had hired a different attorney. Don't hire SJ. SHE is obviously too busy or becoming ill with dementia.

Shari Jo did everything she was hired to do and more. She made it clear regarding what to expect and how to proceed. She was always available, was willing to listen to suggestions and modify strategy if it was going to improve the outcome. She was in charge so if you want to tell her what to d...o she is not for you. If you want to win, she is the one!

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.

S.J. is an amazing attorney and she is worth every single penny. My fiance has already written a review but he's not me. S.J. fought for me. I never lied to her, she is upfront and honest about everything. She worked after hours on my case and got back to me even when she was on her family vacations.... There simply are not words that could express how I feel or the thanks that I have for S.J. and her associates who worked on my case. I had no hope in the family court system, but S.J. kept my faith and hope. People who hire attorneys fail to realize that every person in this world will at some point receive a bad review, especially when things don't go there way. People fail to realize that if you want an amazing attorney, one who will fight tooth and nail for you, be brutally honest about everything whether or not it hurts your feelings, and so much more, you have to be willing to pay. The cost of an attorney doesn't always say how good or bad you will be represented, but from personal experience it matters some what. I have referred a few people to S.J. and her office. I will continue to do so anytime someone asks me if I know a good attorney. I HONESTLY COULD NEVER REPAY S.J. FOR BRINGING MY FAMILY BACK TOGETHER AND BRINGING THE TRUTH TO THE SURFACE. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Shari Jo Reich!!!

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.