Kristen "Nicole" Clark

My experience with the Clark Law Firm was deeply disappointing, both professionally and personally. I came to the firm as a birth mother with no drug use or legal history, having spent eight years as a stay-at-home mother raising my daughter. I trusted the firm when I was told I had a good case and t...hat I could let them handle the legal concerns. Unfortunately, I did not feel that the level of preparation, advocacy, communication, or support I received reflected the seriousness of what was at stake. During the custody proceedings, the opposing side introduced years of proposed documentation portraying my ex as the parent who consistently handled appointments and the majority of parenting responsibilities. This was contrary to my own experience as my daughter's primary caregiver. I did not feel my attorney adequately challenged that narrative or effectively presented the evidence of my role as a stable, consistent, and involved parent. I also felt that repeated false statements made by my ex on the stand went insufficiently challenged. Ultimately, the court awarded custody to my ex, who was permitted to relocate three states away with my daughter. I understand that attorneys cannot guarantee outcomes, and I recognize that losing a case does not automatically mean a lawyer performed poorly. My disappointment stems from feeling that my case was not advocated for as thoroughly as it should have been, especially given how much was at stake. The communication following the ruling was particularly upsetting. Nicole did not personally call me to explain the decision, nor did the paralegal handling my case. Instead, I received a phone call in which a junior staff member read the ruling to me. I had just received the most devastating news of my life, yet I felt left to process it largely on my own. I did not hear from Nicole for approximately a week afterward. I later sought to have joint custody reinstated as I made plans to move to the same town and state where my daughter would be living. My goal was to remain present in her life and ensure she would not have to grow up without her mother nearby. When that request was denied, I again received no personal call or meaningful discussion with Nicole. The denial was uploaded to the client portal, and I subsequently received notice that the firm would no longer represent me. I was disappointed that this professional relationship ended without what I felt should have been a conversation about the decision and the next steps. I also have concerns about billing transparency. When I paid my initial $5,000 retainer, I was told I would be notified when those funds were exhausted and that work would not continue until I made an additional deposit. I was never notified that the retainer had been depleted, and work continued. I am now facing an additional bill exceeding $5,000. I would have appreciated clear, timely communication about the status of my retainer and the accumulating costs so I could make informed decisions about my legal expenses. I recognize that custody litigation is difficult, that outcomes cannot be guaranteed, and that attorneys have demanding workloads. However, when someone entrusts a law firm with something as precious as their relationship with their child, they need to feel heard, prepared, supported, and vigorously represented. I did not feel that way throughout my experience. In the end, I felt more like a source of billable hours than a client whose family and future were at stake. I left this experience feeling unsupported and disappointed in the level of communication and representation I received. Based on my personal experience, I would encourage anyone considering the Clark Law Firm to ask detailed questions about courtroom preparation, communication expectations, and billing procedures before retaining their services.