Michael Douglas Illner

In 2015, he represented my son in a custody hearing. The consultation went great, we thought he was on my grandsons side but He clearly was working for the other side. My grandsons mother sent a nude picture of him to a man in Colorado that she was sexting with. She lost custody of him (to my son)... and her other 3 children to their maternal grandparents. My son then was constantly harassed by his ex wife and family. He found a job in Tennessee and decided to move there to be with his fathers family. While this attorney did negotiate his transfer to Tennessee successfully, he completely sold him out in the visitation agreement. Today, 5 years later, it is still haunting the whole family. Don’t use him! He is not on your side.

At first he said and did all the right things for my divorce, but as the case went on longer, all he did was go through the motions, not fighting for what’s fair, giving into every demand of my ex’s atty, wouldn’t do what I requested, or get the info that I requested to make a financial issue fair, w...as very uncompassionate towards me during this extremely difficult time and would frequently tell me,” the law is the law I don’t know what to tell you”. He would charge a full hours rate($275) for court dates in which we were in there for 5 minutes, & to make matters worse he wouldn’t even come talk to me or find me most of the time after our case was done for the day. I would have to go to the court receptionist to ask if my case was done for the day and where my attorney was. What a joke! And you charge me $275 for that? I have no problem paying good money for an attorney as long as they are going to do a good job and the job they are paid for! This guy gives attorneys a bad name. He just wants to go through the motions do as little as possible, collect your money, get the case over, and MoveOn. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere an attorney who is going to work hard for you. This is not the attorney for you unless you like getting ripped off like I did.

I thought this was the man for me during my free 30 minute consultation. He seemed to be a humble guy and concerned and emotionally involved with my situation. He made me feel confident in the services he would provide. As soon as I sent him the money everything changed. I found myself trying to get ...in contact with him most of the time. He would not answer my phone calls. I spoke to his assistant more than I spoke to him. He didn't keep me up to date with where my case stood or where was going. I was asking him questions about the whole custody process in which I'm new to and he didn't provide me with information. There was a lack of communication. Let me start off by mentioning I live in a completely different state. My final court date I rented a car and drove a 16+ hours. Prior before leaving to Ohio I called Illner to confirm everything being clear. He said everything was good. When I arrived to the Ohio court Illner sat me in a room and said "looks like you drove all the way out here for nothing". Come to find out the mother of my child had a lawyer and moved the case to Milwaukee because she had just become a resident of that state. The judge was informed 3 days prior to the coury date. I left completely heart broken because not only did I pay this lawyer all this money for him to not do his job but now I won't be able to have my daughter in my arms. Illner should have done his research and took this case serious even more considering I was coming from another state. He could have saved himself a trip and I could have saved myself a trip, money, and heartache if he would have done his research. But instead he pocked an extra 500 dollars just for showing up to the court for 15 minutes to tell me there is nothing he can do. He was very insensitive to my case. I called him on the way back to Florida to see what was going to happen next and to see if I was going to be reimbursed any money back and of course no answer. I left voicemails and haven't heard back from him till this day. I do not recommend.

I was very unimpressed with this attorney. I found him to be completely insensitive to the case and was more interested in closing the case as quickly as possible (he worked roughly 7 hours) and charged me a retainer that was not returned at all. 4k down the drain. I get sick to my stomach wheneve...r I pass his office! Now, again, I am searching for an attorney again to take my ex BACK to court again. He used to work out of the smith offices in avon lake, even they will tell you that he damaged their reputation.