Mark P. Stopa

I had a great experience hiring Mark Stopa as My foreclosure defense attorney.He was able to give me great advice and got my case dismissed quickly when my other lawyer couldn't.The Stopa Law firm also didn't rip me off with excessive fees.Mark fights for all his clients.He is a pit bull in the court... room and isn't afraid to challenge anyone.He is all business and is soooo smart.I highly recommend anyone who hasn't paid their mortgage or has a case to call the firm asap.

One of the biggest mistakes that I made was calling Mark Stopa Law Firm. There is absolutely no communication from the firm. Staff never return your calls. I have never seem Mark Stopa's smiling face in person, and he has supposedly represented me for almost three years. Initially, you would think... that the lawyer would at least look at you in person. When I asked to have a meeting with him, I was told by a member of his staff that I didn"t pay enough. If you hire this lawyer, I give you my sympathy.

I hired this guy for about 2 days. Read the contract. I expected to have a face to face with him at the initial meeting. Didn't happen. I was told by his staff it would cost 1500.00 per year...cheaper than anybody in town because he just wants to "help the unfortunate". Come to find out...per the con...tract...that cover about 6 hours of time spent on the case. There is an additional 7,000.00 to 8,000.00 he expects you to pay if/when it goes to trial. If he wins and you are awarded attorney fees...he keeps them as his 'bonus'. Don't ask any questions. He expects you to write a check and go away. When I asked if I could preview his 'answer to the complaint' before it was filed with the court I was told...and I quote..."I don't have time to hold your hand...that's not the way we work." I got my check back. Since then I have watched him litigate online and have read the trial transcript he posts on his blog. In court he comes off as arrogant and frankly a little rude. He is like the tattletale on the schoolyard. He shows no humility or grace in front of the court. He just posted a transcript from a trial in Gainesville where he pissed the judge off and inadvertently lost the case. One thing you don't want is an attorney who pisses off the judge or is perceived as rude or arrogant....law school 101. He has a great knowledge of the law but he is stretched so thin....with so many cases....he cannot possibly give you the personal attention you deserve. If your idea of winning is how long you can live in the house for free...fine...hire Stopa...but honestly there are several attorneys who can drag your case through the system on technicalities. If you want someone who will work with you, defend you on the merits, be respectful in the court room, and bring your case to a quick resolve my suggestion is to hire a real attorney who is going to give your case the attention it deserves.

I had two homes in foreclosure and needed help. After finding Mark's blog via an internet search for foreclosure defense, I hired his firm to represent me. I was allowed to make three monthly installments same as cash to his firm and his costs were about half of others I had called. I had a free co...nsultation with one of his attorneys and this is where you want to ask all of your questions because you are basically paying for 5-6 hours of work which covers everything necessary for a full year. Do expect his assistants to email you any legal paperwork that was filed as it happens, usually same or next day. Don't expect to corner an assistant and talk their ear off during this time unless there is an absolute emergency. You aren't paying for those extra hours. I had maybe two lengthy emails from his firm concerning something i had asked them, but that was it over the two years they represented me. But, I was fine with that and knew this going in. Ultimately, he got one case dismissed within 8 months. The second case he couldn't get dismissed, but the mortgagor offered a loan mod. before it went to trial. I learned this much from watching the attorneys from both sides...Mark has a system and he follows it every time. The opposing counsel either has their act together or they don't. If they do, you will probably lose your case in the end, but you'll live in your home two years for free. If they don't have their act together, you can see it early on in their responses to Mark. There is also the luck of the draw on what judge is presiding over the courtroom the day he argues for you in court. Some of them are unsympathetic towards those who haven't paid their mortgage and no matter how strong Mark's argument is towards the specific technical legalities involved in the way the plaintiff must present his case - you will still lose. To date, he has had over 700 cases dismissed (according to his blog). That's incredible! Don't hire someone off of a tv or radio ad, call Mark.

Mark maybe the best but his staff never return calls and really act as if you are bothering them if you do call. His paralegal Cathy McKnight is the worse and you never can get her on the phone. She refuse to talk to you and sends emails with no attachments and then turn around and ask for the info...rmation back that she never sent. You get emails from the mortgage company through Cathy that she doesn't even read. I can not recommend this law firm to anyone at this time. I am considering complaining to the Bar Association, only I am afraid because my case is still pending and I paid them.