Gladys DeJesus Smith-Mangan

Gladys Smith-Mangan

I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed by your experience with my firm. While I am not able to address most of your concerns specifically, as I am careful to respect attorney/client privilege, I will respond vaguely to your concerns. First, If a person is not satisfied with his/her attorney, he/she should not wait more than three years to resolve the issues. If speaking directly with the attorney does not help, a client should immediately seek counsel he/she is satisfied with. Generally speaking, if a client does not feel a case is progressing, some common causes are: if the client doesn't provide me with the information I need in a timely manner (some clients have taken a year or more); if the client has me tending to other cases or matters instead of the one I was initially hired for (which I am usually kind enough to try to include, rather than force an additional retainer for each separate case); client's information fluctuates, so that the information has to keep being changed, as in a case where a client changes employment status or positions, or otherwise changes his/her income. While absent circumstances such as the above, there should be no reason for delay, I will acknowledge that I personally have, indeed, had to deal with extensive medical issues which have caused some delays. I have, however, been open and honest with my clients in this regard at all times, including offering to assist in transferring the case to another attorney if their matter was urgent and they so desired. I have also stopped taking on new clients, as my health continues to be at issue, and the matter has been referred to a research hospital. While I was also honest with my clients when I filed for a divorce, because I am a family law attorney and thought my clients would appreciate that I'm gaining additional personal experience that will help me to better understand their positions, my divorce has been largely amicable, as has been relayed to my clients, and has not been a source of delay in any client's proceedings. Regarding your concern about knowing how to schedule mediation, while no special knowledge as an attorney is required to schedule one, I can tell you that each department has its own procedures for scheduling. For example, one county here allows you to coordinate a date with the opposing side and then call to coordinate it. Another county, however, requires you to leave a message, and returns your call within a few days. If that county wants more information prior to scheduling, rather than return a call, they often send a letter stating what information they want, and no mediation is scheduled until those things are complied with. I assure you, if there was any delay in scheduling mediation, it was due to one of these circumstances, and I'm sure I would have made that clear to any client. Finally, with regard to my software program, I would very happily confirm that I did offer several clients the opportunity to try a new software program I had, which allowed them to directly access the financial program I use to enter information for my review. This allows clients more control and knowledge over what information is being entered, helps them organize the same, allows them to ask questions, and allows me to review what they have entered so that I can clarify information and/or make corrections prior to finalizing actual documents for filing. Most clients who used this feature appreciated the opportunity, and if any client had stated they did not wish to use it, I certainly would not have asked them to. I often try to avail myself of and/or recommend software programs and any other tools which will help my clients and their cases. This is usually an asset to the firm and to the respective clients. I regret that you felt burdened by the opportunity to try the software. Again, if you have additional or specific questions regarding your case, I am happy to answer them directly.