James M. Burns

Jim was a great attorney who always paid attention to detail and did so with a very kind heart. He argued very well in court to help me to get what I needed in my family law case. I feel as though so many pieces of my family law puzzle came together because Mr. Burns knows his law and his way within ...the courtroom and family law system!

I wouldn’t recommend. He and Debbie (his assistant who you would think is the lawyer) are friendly and nice for consultations but once you pay them they avoid you, they’re very rude, and they don’t prepare for your case. Do not sign the contract if it says non refundable because they will refuse to g...ive you your money back. He represented me for my final hearing of my family law case and refused to properly prep me and my witnesses for trial. Debbie constantly scheduled me for meetings with Mr. Burns but when I would show up she would tell me I wasn’t on the schedule or that Mr. Burns wasn’t in and ask me to come back later. I’ve been his client since April 2022 and he new nothing about my case on 12/08/2022. He was referring to my daughter as a little boy during our trial. I gave him a copious amount of evidence in a binder that he refused to admit in court because as he stated, “I don’t want to admit evidence one by one”. I even made 3 copies because they were constantly missing deadlines. The day Debbie told me to drop the binder off she wasn’t in office, they turned everything in the day before my hearing. Mr. Burns rushed through the hearing because he was ready for lunch. When the judge told him to take time to talk to his client during the trial he would leave the office and go to Debbie and ignore me as his client. He never acknowledged me as a client always addressed Debbie and she lies a whole lot, you would think she really is the lawyer. They didn’t file any motions to help prepare for my hearing or go over the evidence I provided. They Submitted documents passed the deadline. Every time it was time for my hearing someone was sick and he was requesting a continuance yet he was on vacation all summer. I witnessed two other clients walk in complaining about the same things I am complaining about now on this post. I also have another one of his clients information in my trial binder because he was working on their case as if it was mine and isn’t. I will be filing a formal complaint with the Florida Bar. Find another lawyer if you are fighting for your child, this one will not have you or your child’s best interest

Hiring a lawyer for a legal matter is a very big decision for any person. I really tried to like this attorney, however a lot of money was spent and when it came down to it this attorney did not fight for me. My case without going into specifics was a family case. There was a lot of promises made and... when it came down to action Mr. Burns did not live up to the confidence he insinuated. I was fighting for my own case which was extremely disappointing after spending thousands for something that he should have swept the floor with. Certain legal rights that I have ,and had looked up under the current Florida statues he didn’t seem to know. If it something that is minor I’m sure he will take care of you. But if it’s a complex case from my experience save your money and do your research. This attorney with tell you a lot of things and initial be really engaged ,but after time your lucky to get a response and if you do you have to educate him on your case. I’m not disgruntled by any means I will continue fighting my case and find a better attorney to represent me.