Ilana Kalichman-Artzy

I consulted Ms. Kalichman-Artzy regarding two specific legal issues affecting my property and asked what legal structure or documentation would properly address those matters. Based on my understanding of our consultation, she advised me that forming an LLC would resolve both issues. In reliance on ...that advice, I paid for the formation of the LLC(150$) and also paid Ms. Kalichman-Artzy an additional $350 in cash for her services. total is 500$.She expressly required that this payment be made in cash only and did not offer an alternative method of payment for that service. The LLC was subsequently created for me. Afterward, I consulted an accountant concerning the tax consequences and practical legal effect of the LLC structure. I was then informed that the LLC did not, in fact, resolve the two issues for which I had originally sought assistance and did not accomplish the legal or practical objectives I had specifically raised during my consultation.After learning this, I returned to Ms. Kalichman-Artzy’s office to request an explanation and a refund of the $350 I had paid for the service that, in my understanding, failed to address the matters for which I had retained her. Rather than meaningfully addressing my concerns, she refused to provide an adequate explanation and denied my request for a refund. When I raised the issue of the $350 cash payment, Ms. Kalichman-Artzy responded, in substance, that I would have to prove that I had paid her, and that she could otherwise deny receiving the payment. I was shocked by how she lied and claimed that I had not paid cash for the service.I understood her statement to mean that, because she had required payment in cash and had not offered any alternative form of payment, I would be left without a reliable payment record and she could simply dispute that the transaction had occurred. I found this response deeply disturbing and wholly inconsistent with the level of honesty, professionalism, and accountability expected in the provision of legal-related services. Her insistence on cash-only payment, followed by her statement that I would have to prove that I paid her at all, raised serious concerns for me regarding the transparency and propriety of the transaction. The interaction then escalated further. Her tone became aggressive, she raised her voice, ordered me to leave her office. I found her conduct intimidating, unprofessional, and inconsistent with the standards I believe clients are entitled to expect. This complaint is based on the following concerns: 1. Incompetent and misleading advice: I believe I was advised to adopt a legal structure that did not address the specific legal issues I presented. 2. Detrimental reliance: I believe I reasonably relied on that advice to my financial detriment. 3. Improper handling of client concerns: I believe my request for clarification and refund was handled in a dismissive, hostile, and unprofessional manner. 4. Cash-only payment practice and denial of payment: I am particularly concerned that Ms. Kalichman-Artzy required payment in cash only, provided no alternative payment method, and later took the position that I would have to prove the payment because she could otherwise deny receiving it. I would not recommend her to anyone because, first, she does not provide professional advice, as happened in my case. When I came to speak with her about the fact that she had not legally done what I had asked her to do, she started yelling at me and threw me out of her office.In addition to the approximately $500 I lost on her unprofessional services, I now have to restructure and undo the entire LLC arrangement, retain another attorney, and pay several thousand dollars to correct the mistakes that were made. Because of her, I lost $500, my property taxes increased by approximately $4,000, and I am now forced to hire another lawyer to put everything in proper legal order.