Autumn Thompson

Once when I was in a critical situation unable to represent myself, as an educated professional in school at the time with a young child, Autumn and I had spoken about my situation and she was willing to talk with me without knowing who I was. I was divorcing and was unable to afford legal counsel an...d the opposing party had legal counsel. She appeared at my mediation at court from a simple text to support me and be sure that I had an attorney with me. I never thought that I would see her again. Then, at a future time years later, I truly needed support with some parenting plan changes and she appeared (was recommended as being one of the best) again, to be a support to me. Autumn worked with me on various things, including payments, timelines, etc. After these two experiences years apart, I would highly recommend Autumn, for full paying clients or for those in compromising situations. She is not just for those who can afford no other attorney, out of her heart she tends to give to those who need it. At more challenging times, Autumn makes an effort for clear communication, despite personality differences with clients. She is very versed with legal nuances, and also she tends to almost explain things from the opposing side, but this is to cover the bases on what needs to happen fair and legally for all parties although challenging to hear. I trust her opinion, and find her professionalism to be on pointe. What she does is highly challenging work with highly charged men and women, divorcing, parenting, and not all times are smooth sailing for her clients. I have trusted her now with hands on the wheel for two very challenging times of life, and she did a great fair job for both me and the opposing party settlements, trying her best to keep things out of court for less stress, time and expense for all.

I have hired Autumn Thompson on three separate occasions, all pertaining to parenting/custody/child support/family law issues. Autumn has the ability to explain complicated legal jargon and procedures with clarity and ease. I asked lots of questions and needed confirmation that it was ok for me to fe...el nervous or emotional, custody/parenting is an enormously stressful, scary situation, her job was the law part. She is dedicated to providing accurate and professional counsel. I received any written documentation in a timely manor prior to any court hearings allowing me to voice my misunderstandings and concerns before the set date. I was able to call or email Autumn whenever I had questions, concerns, information, etc. I always received prompt communication back. She explained all schedule of fees clearly as well, so I was never surprised by a hidden charge or unaware of cost during my case. It was a pleasure working with Autumn, she is honest and integral in her legal services. I could feel she really cares for her clients and doing the best job she can by them. If I need legal counsel in the future, to have my living will drawn up perhaps, I will be hiring Autumn Thompson. I have recommended her to any friends or family in need of her caring, knowledgeable and determined assistance.

With regards to a very complex custody case/parenting plan (that had been ongoing & difficult for years already) and trial (involving CPS, as well as a criminal investigation with the opposing party), Autumn saw me through every step, and helped to keep me calm when things got stressful. She is very... thorough and detail oriented (which was extremely important to me in this type of case) and really put herself in my shoes, my child's shoes, as well as thinking as the "mind" we were up against, to ensure we would be well prepared, could predict questions and have not only answers, but documents to back up each of our statements. All these items combined came together after months of hard work, and resulted in confidently proving the other side was dishonest, unfit, and finally, justice was served for my child. Words cannot express my gratitude to Autumn, and will forever be thankful for her hard work, professionalism, and dedication for my family.

This so called attorney is an embarrassment to the profession. She is so bad that I am now taking her to Fee Arbitration, and going to seek sanctions and dismissal from the Montana Bar. She has consistently NOT represented me or my concerns, nor has she asked for anything I requested from opposin...g side. She seemed to zealously care about the other party than her own client! She told me if I kept trying to get my property back, or to do an inventory of what was mine that was still in the house, she threatened to withdraw. I should have let her because it gets worse, much worse. But, to save time and space I'll make this as brief as I can. 1. She messed up my ability to find different housing 2 years in a row by her lack of acting on my behalf and doing much needed things. 2. She accused me of being vindictive because I sought to have my dogs returned to me, and an inventory of my property listed. 3. There is maybe $400,000 worth of assets to be divided, including the house. She tried to get me to accept an offer of $35,000. 4. She did not file an Amended Response to the initial dissolution petition which she was supposed to do. 5. She did not ask for temporary maintenance, which I need because I'm on Disability. 6. She has not complained on my behalf because of opposing party's tendency to badmouth me in every document she files, including financial statements. 7. She did not convey my agreement to opposing party's offer. 8. She doesn't listen to me about my wants and needs, financially, or does anything to satisfy them. 9. She, as of yet, has made no arrangements for me to appear in court on the proposed court date. (The hearing is in Montana and I now live in Oregon. I cannot do the drive anymore due to physical problems...it's a 9 hour trip, each way. If I could do the drive, my truck won't make it so I'd have to rent a car, which I cannot afford, so that's out. And if I could rent a car, I couldn't do the 9 hour drive in 1 day, but then I could not afford a hotel room for the night, so that's out. I also cannot afford to fly, plus it would take 12 hours with the layovers, and I just cannot do that, so that's out.). So how will I appear in court? I haven't a clue. But, you know what? I'm going to find a way to do it because the first thing I'm going to do is fire her in front of the judge and give my reasons why, and ask for sanctions right then and there! 10. This is possibly the WORST offense, and might lead to her disbarment. Since last November, when the dissolution was postponed, until now, more than 10 months later, she has refused to answer my emails or phone calls regarding the rescheduling of the dissolution, or, more importantly, what was the delay in reaching a settlement since I accepted their offer but wanted only 5 more personal items, which has now dropped to 3. In those 10+ months! I received 3 emails from her... The first was her January response to my question from November, "When has the hearing been rescheduled for?" Her response was that it wasn't. It has to be asked for. (So why didn't she ask?). The second in June finally answered the November question that it has been rescheduled for this upcoming November. (Why did it take 7 months to be asked for and scheduled? I kept asking if she had requested a hearing, but never got an answer to that one at all!). The third email was to let me know about the new settlement offer. That came at the end of June. I accepted but wanted 5 more items and she said she'd work on it. That was the last I've heard from her. Although I've emailed several times asking what the delay was, or what was taking so long, and even though I've made a few calls asking the same things, I still have not received a response from her in 2 1/2 months. I even emailed and called asking what I had to do to get her to answer me, and she still didn't respond! So now I must do what I must do. I'm going to see if I can get her disbarred!