Margaret Gettle Washburn

I had the pleasure of working with the attorney team of Margaret Washburn & Scott Mitchell, along with Cheri, Alex & Nancy over a 3.5 year contentious divorce. The team worked hard in representing me across the gamut of mental health evaluations, mediation and court hearings I was subjected to. The...y were a pleasure to work with, explained the process to me as well as kept me in the loop all along the way. I would highly recommend this law team as they get the job done, especially if you find yourself in the courtroom.

In the process of attempting to find someone who would represent me in my darkest hour, I made an appointment to have a consultation with this attorney. She was rude and condescending from the start and watched FOX news the entire time of my consultation. Perhaps my case didnt produce the dollar sign...s she was looking for- but I felt talked down to, belittled and was really humiliated. She left the door open to her office while I was being consulted even though her office staff was right outside her door and she answered emails to other clients- while watching tv- and supposedly consulting with me. A notable quotable from my visit " my kids have already gone to law school- do you want to send my grandkids?" She may give more humane service to bigger bank account clients- but if you are a regular person going through a hard time and want to be treated with some dignity- save yourself the trouble. 450 dollars later- I walked out feeling worse then I walked in. Oh- yeah- she charged for the TV and email time!

After being defrauded in my eyes and and paying fees for the ordering of a transcript that I was assued over and over for weeks was ordered I decided it was in my and my children's best interests to retain alternative counsel.. upon doing so that same transcript was ordered and they were told it had ...NEVER been ordered by the Washburn law firm ..I definitely feel defrauded and lied to about that... I got calls from the tennis club at night.. late.. got solicited for gifts for her family in violation of bar association ethics code.. got called in for appointments and her contracted associate told me as well as her assistant that she didn't have me down and was wirh someone else and couldn't see me but that she wanted me to get with them and quote organize my files. Which took hours .. because it was always a mess.. and I was billed for both that attorneys hourly rate as well as the assistant .. without me having any idea .. several hundred dollars per hour when my files should have been organized before meeting with her . She also threatened to quit right before a hearing in the most juvenile manner and leave me with zero representation for upcoming bearing after spending months and months and thousands and thousands of dollars to prepare for it. The entire experience was disgusting to me. New attorney got the divorce done and everything I asked for within a matter of weeks for a fraction of the costs.

As a client, I felt more like a target_ she referred Private Investigator, Craig Brazeman who disappeared with $1500 retainer fee - She all but condoned his action, billed me for phone calls regarding him, until I confronted her. She presented as pushy, arrogant, and forgetful, and eager to bill yo...u for every minute. She is "the" stereotype lawyer, talking circles and billing. After the first consult meeting, Ms Washburn encouraged me that I had a good case and first thing was to hire PI for further investigation of other party. After some consideration, I met with her suggested PI , in her office at which time retainer fees were given to both. After one month with no word from PI (and no return of texts or messages) , I called Ms Washburn. To my surprise, she said that she didn't know I had paid him! and questioned me why I did that . I explained the only way I would even consider that to happen was by her direction, and I had to remind her she directed me to this guy and the payment took place in her presence. She took no concern in responsibility for the guy disappearing and quickly suggested I call a different PI, as the first guy is nowhere to be found or contacted. I felt dupped and vulnerable now. Also occurred is mysterious disappearance of financial documents box brought to Washburn office (at the time of retainers being passed) - When I decided to quit this mess and ask to come get my documents, I was gaslighted as to my memory of said box, and subjected to a specific story of how I carried it from her car to a meeting we had with my accountant and left it there. I was able to corroborate with accountant that did not happen, issue was dropped and she put me on notice that box never came to her office. Ok, fine, my documents are lost . How strange it was then, that she immediately contacted "alleged missing" PI about it's possible whereabouts (since the box was presented at same meeting in which both were hired) . This whole situation was so fishy from the moment retainers were passed. I was so nervous that whole month and backed out as quickly as I could. I lost the retainer of 1500 on the PI flat out, and was refunded a portion of retainer given to her. To this day, Brazeman has not called, texted or presented me with documentation or a bill of accounting the time spent and admittedly, Washburn maintains contact with him via email. As a client, I felt more like a target with these two. When I consulted a different attorney, immediately I was advised that 1), my case was NOT strong, as she was leading me and 2) hiring PI was not necessary to obtain the information sought. At the time of writing that, the PI, Brazeman, had not responded to my communications. Eventually, several weeks later, he made contact after reading my review. He conceded to refund part of the fee paid.