LaQuaria Shenez Barton

I am writing this review to share my experience with the legal services provided by Attorney Barton. I believe that providing feedback about my experience is essential in assisting others who may be seeking legal representation. My overall experience with Attorney Barton was deeply disappointing a...nd fell short of my expectations. From the beginning of our professional relationship, I had hoped for a diligent and supportive advocate who would prioritize my best interests. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Firstly, I must express my disappointment regarding the lack of preparation leading up to the hearing. Despite my explicit request, the night before my final hearing I had to contact Mrs. Barton and request last-minute preparation for both myself and my witness. This unexpected request should not have been necessary, as it is a fundamental aspect of legal representation to adequately prepare clients and their witnesses for court proceedings. Furthermore, during the hearing, I was dismayed to learn that she did not mention the incident that occurred at my son school, which resulted in his out-of-school suspension. I made several requests for her to address the opposing parties work schedule and to bring up important issues such as the gun incident, where my son had access to his father’s firearm on multiple occasions (as listed in the threat assessment I provided), the cigarette incident where he brought his father's cigarette to school, and the level of aggression our son has displayed since being in his fathers care. However, none of these crucial points were mentioned during the proceedings. This omission was particularly troubling, as it undermined the opportunity to present relevant and compelling evidence supporting my case. Additionally, Mrs. Barton’s statement that she saw my children’s father as a good parent who cares about his kids contradicted the evidence we had submitted, clearly demonstrating his abusive behavior towards our children. She failed to mention his history of DV, child abuse convictions, DUIs, and the several reports made to the department of family and children services from our children’s school. Throughout the proceedings, I observed several missed opportunities for her to object to inappropriate lines of questioning from the opposing side. Her soft-spoken demeanor and failure to assertively advocate for my interests and the well-being of our children left me feeling unsupported and vulnerable. During a 10-minute mediation period granted by the judge, she allowed the GAL to dominate the conversation with irrelevant matters for a significant portion of the limited time provided. This lack of control over the proceedings and failure to utilize the allotted time effectively further contributed to my disappointment and frustration. Moreover, I was deeply disappointed when the judge announced her intention to make a final ruling without allowing my witness to testify, and Mrs. Barton remained silent, failing to advocate for my rights at that crucial moment. Overall, the services provided by Mrs. Barton fell far short of the level of advocacy and professionalism I expected and deserved. I entrusted her with my faith, time, and financial resources, expecting competent, thorough, and ethical representation. Unfortunately, the outcome of the hearing mirrored what I could have expected if I had represented myself, as no substantial progress was made in addressing my concerns. I sincerely hope that this review prompts Mrs. Barton to reflect upon and address the concerns raised. Constructive feedback can lead to growth and improvement in legal practice, ultimately benefiting future clients. It is my genuine desire that Mrs. Barton takes these matters seriously and makes the necessary changes to better serve her clients in the future.