Stephen K. Haigler

I called Mr Hagler to take my case as I live outside of SC and was in desperate need of a Family Court Attorney as my case was time sensitive (whose isn't though) and it was against SC DSS. After my initial phone conversation with him he seemed eager and willing to help. Even before discussing any f...ees, he asked me to send him all documents I had regarding the case, which I did. Based on his initial responsiveness I thought I was in good hands. He listened to what I had to say & I thought that was great. However, that quickly turned to concern when I felt like he never offered me concrete advice for how to handle certain family issue in the interim. It got to the point that I would call and email and he would not respond (literally nothing for weeks). When he did call back, I did most of the talking trying to update him on things that occurred since our last conversation. I finally began to press him regarding strategy as we got to the point of him attending hearings on my behalf and his recommendations were actually in the best interest of the state & not mine, as his client. He left hearings actually questioning me on things I had already explained to him as though he believed the rhetoric of the state & my ex-husband about me despite already providing proof to support my statements. If I had taken his advice, I would have signed a document basically admitting I abused my child when I did not. I told him I would not sign such a thing. Instead of fighting the agency, he wanted to take the easy way out & thought I would be none the wiser. It got to the point he missed hearings trying to avoid me. In the end I asked him to withdraw from the case since he didn't feel comfortable doing what I asked (fighting the state). The situation got so out of control, I even had to file a grievance against him with the State of SC Commission on Lawyer Misconduct. I give him 2 stars because he did work on the case. He was present for some hearings, filed motions, and despite him saying he advised against it, he actually did file a motion that would allow me to be heard the court on all my issues. However, his lack of follow through, minimal to almost nonexistent communication as well as making recommendations that only benefit him and the state cause his rating to be severely reduced.