David N. Schaffer's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.7 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | 2 stars

Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Disappointed in the follow through

Mr. Schaffer presents himself as an expert in international child custody issues. However, the Hague petition he filed on my behalf was immediately rejected as inadequate by the U.S. Department of State. Elementary issues including translation to the appropriate language and adequate evidence of habi...tual residence - central to the case - were lacking. Getting David to correct these errors took way too long given the time sensitivity of the case. The delay proved costly in other ways, requiring my own time, that of other attorneys, and additional international travel relative to the plan that he outlined. He had some useful advice for me during a difficult time, but his execution of the legal processes - his primary responsibility - proved disappointing.

See Full Review Collapse Review

David Schaffer

Replied last July 05, 2023

I do not recognize this reviewer as a client. Further, I wonder their motivation(s) for posting what is also an illogical "hit piece" against me: One does not file a Hague "petition" with the U.S. Department of State. One files an "application" to the Dept. of State - the Central Authority for the U.S. to be forwarded to the Central Authority of the country to where the children have been abducted or are being wrongfully withheld. It is the "left-behind" parent that files and signs the application. I help organize the facts and documents necessary for same. Further, if the application country-specific "checklist" obtained from the US Department of State country officer for where the abducted child(ren) are at, includes that the application also be submitted in another language besides English, I assist the client in finding a professional translator for this purpose. I have never had a client's application to the Dept of State "rejected." In addition, the United States' Central Authority (the US Dept of State) does not make a decision on the adequacy of evidence for habitual residence. That is for the court where the actual Hague petition will be filed - another reason why this person's "review" is quite a bit "off" - or as Dr. Spock from Star Trek would say - "quite illogical." I also have never had a case requiring "other attorneys and additional international travel" to fix things. The only "other attorneys" would be the ones who filed the actual Hague petition in the country where the children are located. That said, I always refer my clients to equally qualified "local" overseas counsel in the country where the children have been wrongfully retained or abducted to for filing of the Hague "petition" in their court system. If this person still thinks I ever represented him or her, I ask that they at least have the decency to call me directly rather than remain "anonymous." I have devoted and continue to devote a good part of my practice and time to help my clients go through what I consider a parent's "second" worst nightmare. I also have and continue to publish scholarly articles and teach on international child custody law. As such I please ask that anyone reading the Anonymous review focus instead on my experience and qualifications and my other real reviews.

Posted by anonymous | February 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Beware

Not recommended. Mine was a complicated case in which David dropped balls every step of the way. I'm living on a shoestring budget. Unprofessional and unprepared to say the very least.

David Schaffer

Replied last July 05, 2023

I know who you are because you are the ONLY client I have parted ways with in several years. I am sorry you feel this way. I know I was not your first attorney, nor will I be your last. I was successful every time we went to court, often on an emergency basis at your request, to get your son’s mother in line. I was available seven days a week to respond to your complaints about your son’s mother. It was only when I insisted you keep your repeated promises to make payment for my services - even a partial payment - that you said we did not even have to go to court to get your son’s mother to comply. Really!? If you now say you are on a “shoe-string” budget, you should have told me that at the start, instead of assuring me you would make payments as we went along. The only “ball” I dropped was in not properly screening you, as a client, in the first place, or see your constant complaining as a red flag. Nonetheless, I do wish you success in your custody battle and I will keep your new attorney in my prayers. P.S. A few months later. Saw on the clerk's website that your next attorney withdrew from your case, too.

See All Client Reviews

David N. Schaffer's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David

James Nelson

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 24

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. David is extremely acknowledgeable in the area of divorce and family law."

See More Lawyer Endorsements See Less Lawyer Endorsements View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating: 9.3 (Superb)