Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

76 Client Reviews

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Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews | Cost of Services

Posted by Juan | August 29, 2023 | Hired Attorney

what's a good divorce attorney?

The contrast between the lawyer who represented my ex-wife and Sam, who represented me, was dramatic: her lawyer's idea of advocacy was to be confrontational (luring my ex to also become confrontational). She went after everything, no matter how small. She made empty threats. She did not question he...r clients claims and did not damp her unreasonable expectations. Why should she, she got paid either way. Sam, on the other hand, was firm but willing to negotiate and find solutions. He has a lot of experience, treated me and the opposing team with courtesy and respect, he took into consideration how a judge might rule, he did his research, he sought solutions, and developed a big picture plan which he executed, in consultation with me, in record time. In the end my ex has a huge legal bill, and did not get more than what she deserved, and if she did, it was in consideration for our son. The conclusions to be drawn are obvious. However, if you still have doubts concerning what type of lawyer you want, I would strongly, and without reservations, recommend you discuss your case with Sam before you decide.

Posted by Amanda | January 12, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Great job

He was professional and very intimidating. His staff is kind and down to earth. You can tell the Judge respected him and his presence in the courtroom was electric. He had people watching in the back of the courtroom coming to him after my case for his information and number. He is expensive but ...worth every dime. He is special to me and he will always be my lawyer..

Posted by LeslieS | January 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Left in the dark by this law firm

I never write negative reviews. However in this case I feel I need to speak up. I hired Mr.English because I truly believed him to be the best.My ex has dragged me through the court system since 2016.After no luck with more affordable attorneys I decided to ask Mr.English to take my case knowing it w...as going to place a larger financial burden on me.I was working as a travel nurse at the time&I knew I’d have to continue traveling to be able to barely afford him.Meanwhile,I was freely sending my kids&my ex money for support without orders from the court because those are my children and I felt I was doing the right thing,my ex wanted more,they always do.During the custody battle the pandemic began.I headed to New York to work 5-7 days a week,I’m an RN,so that delayed the hearings but I trusted everything would be fine while being a nurse traveling from NY to Miami not only serve those areas but to have the funds to keep up with my own bills and pay my attorney.I understand he’s busy but I had very limited access to him,I was told a few times he would contact me with no follow through.I have questions that weren’t answered or they were answered with legal jargon that I didn’t understand from his assistants.I also wasn’t aware my time speaking to the assistants was adding to my bill.I would ask them questions but be told to refer to my parenting plan.I don’t even know what my parenting plan is considering my ex lied&got temporary emergency custody(not once but twice&he’s a convicted felon)I’m not even sure if that’s still in effect as no one from this office would give me a straight forward answer.According to my ex he has soul legal custody.I’m completely in the dark.Also,I called this office and offered many times to make payments&was told “we can get it next time I’m not near a computer.”Then all a sudden I was sent messages stating I would be dropped if full payment wasn’t made&was told”it’s been a year you’ve not paid in full we’ve been lenient with you.”I paid in full& shortly after was dropped anyway.Before that,My ex began a child support case against me while the custody case was still ongoing.I thought child support went hand in hand with child custody.I was wrong.This law firm wanted another retainer because they considered this a separate case.They did offer me a discount but even with a discount the retainer was well over $3,000.Also I was being told I need to put money in escrow.I’m not a legal expert so I have no idea what escrow is or how much is required to be put in it.I had made the comment several times that the family law system needs an overhaul.The courts enable manipulative parents to drag good parents through the court system while financially and emotionally draining them.I don’t know if my voicing this had anything to do with why I was dropped.During all this,I found new info that my kid’s father was allowing them to engage in activities that could cause them harm.I sent proof to this office,requested emergency removal but was told Id have to pay another retainer.I don’t know exactly why I was dropped but I was blindsided.I refuse to hire another attorney as I feel like I cannot trust them.This has left me with huge debt,behind on my personal finances&still in the dark.The emotional and financial toll being a single mother,nurse working in the pandemic,the court cases that my ex insists on dragging out&being dropped by an attorney who said everything would be ok is overwhelming.There’s questions I would like to have answered in a respectful&understandable way.I’m not ignorant or uneducated I just need someone to explain to me what happened during this time of being represented by this firm.Where do I stand with the custody of my kids&what was the reason for my being dropped by this attorney who I paid an incredible amount of money to.I will say,Mr.English was never rude to me,was always respectful when I had opportunities to speak to him.I was told not to worry that everything would be ok.It’s not ok.

Sam English

Replied last January 04, 2021

Leslie. As oddly as it sounds, thank you for your review. It’s very disappointing to read this is how you feel but you know the attorney - client privilege prohibits me from sharing the entire set of facts. Nevertheless, I’m sorry you feel that way. I try to do my best with all my clients. I’m not claiming to be a perfect attorney or human and I truly hate you feel badly about me. There are more facts to the case but I am prohibited from discussing it or my perspective. What matters is how you feel about me regardless of the difference of opinion or perspective. It’s a bad set of facts and I do hate it for you. What you have experienced in your past with your family is very sad. I would be happy to discuss it with you and discuss the different perspectives of why I couldn’t continue in the case. Please call me and I will go over any unanswered questions you have in mind. I mean that sincerely too. I want the best for you and your children. I agree you have been badly mistreated by the father of your children. I’m very sorry for that as well. I wish I could of made a difference for your case and you had a different opinion of me. For that I’m sorry too. Kindest regards. Sam.

Posted by Andrew | November 06, 2019 | Hired Attorney

A man of convictions

Sam does not take your case for the money he can make. He takes your case because he has a personal emotional connection with the parent he represents. Sam is not the least expensive attorney in Knoxville but he is the hardest working attorney out there. A Godly man who understands the emotions attac...hed to your case, Sam and his office work hard for you throughout your case. I could not be happier with the results. Hire this man and trust his process. He is a true bulldog in court and does his best to represent you to the fullest. He is truly invested in his cases.

Posted by anonymous | October 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney

Very pleased

When I first met with Sam ,I had just parted ways with my first lawyer after 2 years of unsatisfactory representation.Sam was frank,honest and actually had a plan of somehow getting the divorce settled or getting me ready for trial. Nine months later we settled during mediation. I was very pleased wi...th my representation as he was truly concerned about trying to settle this case instead of dragging it out and prolonging the agony and expense.I would recommend Sam and his staff because even though I wasn't his only client,I felt like it.

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