Bruce Michael Rivers

Bruce has represented me in a two Federal Probation Violation cases, a major State Case, and continues to help me with an appeal. If you decide (or the evidence is so stacked you have no choice) to take a plea, he is who you want. Bruce has the connections and where-with-all to negotiate the best d...eal possible. He managed to negotiate 2 amazing deals, helped me avoid 2 additional Federal Indictments, and is still helping me with my legal matters after I served my time. His client service is amazing. If you are going to have to do a little time, he is who you want. Every time I called from jail or prison he answered the phone, no matter what time of the day. What is more, while incarcerated, my identity was stolen, and Bruce helped me restore my identity and get my credit sorted out for no additional fees; he also continues to help me with an appeal. If not for Bruce, I wouldn't be writing this review for another 10 to 15 years.

Bruce was hired for my wife in a long and serious Federal case with a possible life sentence. He promised a high level of expertise and competence. But when it came to actual representation, he was severely and shockingly deficient. My wife was the least involved in the case and came away with one o...f the harshest sentences. Bruce was compensated in the high 6 figures but spent less time with his client and took very few notes than public defenders assigned by the court. Some of the failures of Mr. Rivers were: 1. Failed to correct a federal agents false testimony about his clients actions when he knew the agent had lied, and had the evidence and witness to prove it during trial 2. Agreed to allow inadmissible evidence into trial from a previous case and did not bother to check that the evidence was last given to people offered immunity from the prosecutors 3. Allowed the prosecutors to comment on his clients right to remain silent during trial with no objection 4. Visited his client less than 6 times for at most 30 minutes per visit, took few notes and frequently did not remember the facts of the case in 7 week trial 5. Wrote the sentencing memorandum at the last minutes, with errors and misspelled words It was before sentencing that we fired Bruce. The poorly written sentencing memorandum was the last straw. These are just some of the failures of Mr. Rivers. I failed my wife and should have fired him the first time he visited her and she was crying saying he would not listen. My lesson learned is that when a lawyer defends their work by saying, and I quote "I did my fiduciary responsibility as a lawyer" run away ASAP and hire a new lawyer.