Dale L. Bernstein

I read the attorney reviews and talked to a few lawyers. When I first went to see attorney D. Bernstein, he charged MORE than a hundred dollars for the first meeting that lasted less than a half hour. I thought it would be free since most lawyers don't charge but I was wrong. He quoted a starting... retainer of $10,000 and when I said that was expensive for a simple divorce and could he work with me on the fees, he said HE WASN'T A BANK. I should have walked away from the very start. But I thought I needed a lawyer and didn't want to go from lawyer too lawyer. A major mistake. I have to agree with the other reviews. Look and speak to other lawyers. Paying for a lawyer at that price you should get very good service you would think? He had a poor "bedside manner" lucky he wasn't my medical doctor. He is not particularly friendly. Finally I had to get another lawyer because his fees were very high and like other reviews I didn't receive answers to my questions.. Seems like he charged for everything. The crazy charge on the bill was an administrative cost added to the total bill on top of all the individual chargers. At $400 each hour and everything seemed to be counted. He ran up a legal cost fast. It is true what some of the reviews said. I also questioned the cost of service and was told that "you signed the retainer" If you retain him as your lawyer have lots of money. Unfortunately expensive doesn't mean good service. With any lawyer be very aware what the costs will be. The retainer you sign allows for the attorney to bill you for everything. Each photo copy, stamp, most emails, telephone call are billed at a starting rate of .10 of an hour so it starts at about $40 for each action in the office. a short telephone call he makes to anyone on your case can easily be a$200 charge. For example an email pops up on the computer and the office assistant reads it, you will most likely be billed $40. If they have a conversation about your case in the office? You can get charged again. There are many knowledgeable lawyers but when going through the hardship of a divorce the cost is very important. I hope it doesn't happen to others. You want to use this lawyer fine it is your money to spend. Just keep your eyes open. I want to thank some other people who reviewed this law office. I looked at reviews after I spent the money to see if anyone had problems like I experienced. Add me to the people that made a mistake. Always speak to more than one lawyer and remember the fact that once you sign the retainer they will charge legal fees and they add up and it is very hard to dispute. Any bill can list a conversation took place between a lawyer and /assistant and up comes a charge for legal fees. Be careful please. Find a friendly attorney and realize the cost involved. I gave him an overall poor rating.