Lawrence Russell Surinak

I was recommended to Mr Surinak from a member of my divorce support group. He had helped him through an awfully complicated contentious divorce. I had already experienced lawyers on my case who were uninvolved not knowledgeable about my case. Thank God for Mr Surinak. He took on my case after I had b...een through 3 lawyers already. He actively worked my case. He constantly kept me informed. He has a very collaborative approach. He never made a decision without discussion with me. Very thorough and professional. I could trust him to always fully hear and understand what I wanted and to give me realistic possibilities.

I filed for divorce over 6 years ago. Unfortunately, due to an extremely difficult ex, I have continued to need a lawyer for all the five years following my divorce being final in Dec 2011. My first lawyer was completely ineffective. Unknown to me at the time, I thought I was being given sound le...gal advise. I now realize, she was simply lazy and advise me to reduce her work load and not to ensure I got what I needed for me and my three children in the divorce. The next two lawyers, although admittedly hamstrung by a very poorly written JPA and MSA, were simply unable and unwilling to help get me the protection I needed against the ex's continual abuse, nor did they even want to fight to get me regular scheduled payments of expenses, or help protect my children from his inability to commit to a parenting schedule and his constant interference in the time the children were with me. It was not until I found Larry Surinak, that I started to gain footing in the court system. At this point, my ex had filed to sever my legal tied to our oldest, citing a number of lies and undocumented issues. Larry was masterful in drafting counter motions which left no room in court for my ex and his lawyer to dispute the truth any longer. Along the way, because Larry fully understood the type of individual in my ex that we were dealing with, he was able to get me harassment protection in the form of Our Family Wizard, and get a set payment date for expenses, along with finally enforcing that he provide his expenses and receipts for my review (something I have never see for 4 years). Larry was also the first lawyer that walked me through his motions. He allowed me to ask questions. He listened when I voiced concerns that my ex would find loops hole to continue to avoid payment, avoid parenting responsibility or to twist the motion around and use it to control me. Together we were able to draft motions that ultimately gave the power back to me for my kids. I now have a strong modified JPA which protects me and my kids. I no longer receive harassing text and phone calls from my ex, as everything must go through Our Family Wizard; I receive payments for expenses on a set day each month; my oldest is in therapy which is secured and which my ex can't fight against and I finally have control of my life and the time I am with the children. I obviously have learned a lot over the course of so many lawyers and court battles... things I wish I had known in the beginning. If you have a lawyer who brushed you off when you discussed the abuse you have suffered... you have the wrong lawyer. If your lawyer tells you cannot or will not get something you are requested, but is unable to explain other than to state: "You wont' get it", then you have the wrong lawyer. A good lawyer will explain why it might be difficult, present a reasonable, obtainable alternatives, and work with you. If your lawyer only has assistants talking to you and sends secondary lawyers to argue your case... you have the wrong lawyer. If you ever catch your lawyer changing their advise on what they said they could get for you.... you have the wrong lawyer. If you have a lawyer who doesn't keep you in check and who doesn't advise you that your request is not sound and will only end up costing you and your children valuable time and money, then you have the wrong lawyer. Your lawyer should be your advocate, give sound advise that can be explained in terms you understand and should be counselor in that he listens to and validates your experiences and works to create a fair outcome for you. I am just so thankful that I found Larry when I did. I have my son thanks to him. I have peace of mind thanks to him, and I know whatever future suits my ex files in the future, we will overcome them together. JP

I took a long time to choose an attorney, knowing that it would have a significant impact on the cost, length of time, and emotional stress of my case. I was referred to Larry by a friend and am so glad that I decided to work with him on my case. I appreciated that he took the time to explain the ...divorce process and how he would call me to give me regular updates on my case. My ex-husband and his attorney made every attempt to send this case to trial and because of Larry's expertise, we were able to settle without having to go to litigation. Every time we spoke I could tell Larry really cared about my concerns and I always felt like he gave me the time necessary to address each question. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Larry's services to anyone! His costs are more than fair and if you want an attorney that actually cares about you and your children, he's it.