Steven Mark Frei

Our auto liability case just settled and we are happy that our representation was superior and exceeded our expectations. Steve and his associate Matt took our case even though it was a week from the filing due date and it wasn't particularly big bucks. At trial, we got 30% more than the insur...ance co offered. They both showed excellent judgement as all of their recommendations were spot-on. At all times, they prepared and discussed our concerns thoroughly, keeping us well informed. I work closely with many top lawyers for more than two decades and can be fairly critical and meticulous, probably more so than their peers would say, so its no small matter to say I found their work to be very competently done and I highly recommend him.

Steven Frei took my personal injury case noting that it was a strong case from the liability perspective. He asked for a few months time to finish anther case, which I granted him. A few months became nearly a year before he did anything on my case. He went to my deposition unprepared while pre...paring me for the deposition less than 24 hours before it. Without my permission and knowledge, Frei dissuaded my surgeon from being my expert witness only saying that "we need to find a new MD as he will not be a good witness." He also said that, "we have to non-suit the case so that we can find a new medical expert witness." That recommendation was only for the self serving purpose of not having to go to court to obtain permission to withdraw, which would require my presence in court and approval . After waiting four months, I emailed and called Frei repeatedly , asking where we were in finding a new expert medical witness. He never responded. I finally emailed his boss, the managing partner of the firm. The MP emailed back to me "Mr. Frei is no longer your attorney. You have to find a new attorney." Frei also refused to send me my file. I then filed a complaint with the VA State Bar. They asked Frei why he had refused to send the file (Rule 16 violation) and why he was no longer representing me. Frei responded that he could not represent me as I had filed a complaint against him with the VSB. The VSB chalolenged Frei, in return, with his boss's email, to find another attorney, as the reason for my complaint. There was no response. Mr. Frei also made unflattering, unprofessional remarks about the opposing counsel and about the attorney who referred me to him. Litigants needing representation in the area of Personal Injury should avoid Steven Frei and his law firm, Hall Sickels, Frei and Mims.