Hank James Clarke II

My wife and I used Hank to represent us in a custody case that had us attempting to maintain custody of our granddaughter with a final order for primary, full physical and sole legal custody. Hank meet us (at our house) for the initial consultation, which was free. He also came to our house two day...s before the custody hearing to prepare my wife and I for our testimony and anticipated questions. He covered EVERY point that was needed to establish the PA rules regarding basis for custody. He also was able to highlight the ineptitude and negligence on the part of our daughter regarding raising her children. We were successful in meeting the burden established for grandparents seeking custody of their grandchild due to Hank's professional guidance, presentation and knowledge. His fees were very reasonable and he was the consummate professional. I highly recommend using Hank for custody related issues and would think he fits just add well for litigation and criminal defense cases.

Don't be lured in by a low hourly rate. You will get more bills during your case when you have no choice but to proceed. This attorney is very unresponsive to phone calls and emails - very unprofessional. He misses dates to file and is unattentive to the case. I started a 'easy' contract case ...over 1 1/2 years ago and now it is stalled. I'll lose my money as no other attorney wants to come in and clean up his mess. He will not proceed unless more money is paid - that would make the 3rd installment. He has refused to fill out an I-9 form to report the money I have paid him for the past 2 years. This means, in addition to dropping the ball on the case, he's not reporting all his income to the IRS. It also means I will have problems writing off my payments to him as a business expense. Save yourself a major headache and pass on this attorney.

I hired this "Attorney" based on reviews from AVVO. At the time no negative feedback was there. The case was a self defense. My daughter brought a man into my home who I told politely to leave. Not at that immediate moment, but the next day. He was a convicted felon with numerous DUI;s, several drivi...ng without license, drug charges pending, and theft charges pending. He had served time previously for fraud, and lying to the Court system. SHE became immediately upset. Spitting, kicking, pulling my beard out in clumps. He ran to his vehicle to retrieve something. Obviously I was being assaulted and could not see what. I did NOT touch my daughter because she has had issues in the past of histrionic behavior. He came back in with his hand behind his back he stated that he was not leaving till my teeth were on the floor. I pulled my legally concealed 9mm, and pointed it in his face told him to immediately leave or I would kill him. They ran to their separate vehicles (remember I stated he has no license). They drove to the State Police, and told them that I pulled a gun on HIM. The following day I was contacted by the State Police in regards to this incident, (NO CHARGES EVER were filed). Then, the following day they went to a Magistrate and made another story where SHE was the victim. A Protection From Abuse Order was issued. They took more than 20 hunting and collectors guns from my home. Based on AVVO"s rating, I interviewed Hank Clarke. He informed me that he represented my daughter's children's father in both custody and an abuse case of her hitting him.Clkarke guaranteed that it was NOT a conflict of interest representing both him and I. Clarke also guaranteed me that I was fully within my Second Amendment Right's. Clarke recommended that I myself, go to Women In Crisis , and ask for a "PFA", because he couldn't do it, he was to busy that day. I was denied the "PFA". The next day at the hearing, Clarke asked for a continuance because he wanted to subpoena The Trooper, who was on vacation and my daughter's childrens father to show that my daughter has a history of abuse. She beat him so bad during one argument that he almost died. The Judge granted the continuance for 30 days. The Trooper came but her children's father did not. The bill Clarke sent represents he served him. There is no proof it was served. The trooper called my daugher a liar AND stated during the hearing she never mentioned me hitting her. As a "precaution", the Judge kept my guns in the County Sheriff's Department. They came back damaged. Clarke felt this was a win. He came out with thumbs up. Please consider my incident and the title of this review before EVER usingHank Clarke. I recommend using an Attorney from outside of the County you reside in for many reasons.