I would have to rate Dean with a poor review. I wouldn't rate someone in the poor category unless I felt certain of his actions.
I was going through legal changes with my ex. Changes to parenting agreement and costs for braces and other teenage costs. I used another, less expensive attorney to go... through about 5 continuances & a lot of money later and a few things that we asked for were in court order. I called Dean & asked if he would be willing to help me with my final court date and hearing. It was in less then 2 months away, so I was pressured. He said he would do it. I met with Dean and we went over my case. I explained everything to him. I think it went in one ear and out the other. He asked who the opposing attorney was, I told him and he said, oh yea good guy I know him. I was a little thrown back by what he said but thought, ok well if he knows him he still has an ethical responsibility to defend me. I just assumed all the attorneys know each other, thought no big deal.
After our meeting I sent him an email about proper child support calculations. He told me we would discuss at the court house, the day of my hearing. The day of my hearing he pulls out my file which was in total disarray and showed me what the child support should be. I agreed. The other attorney was fighting for a credit to his client a lesser child support, no extra help with ortho care and no help with cell phone. Which all three were already court ordered, except the child support. So really all Dean had to do was show supporting documentation and be done.
When we were finally called to the stand the judge ordered a recess and the 2 attorneys and judge went to the back room to discuss our case. When they returned I find out everything that I had previously fought for was all dismissed and reversed. I find out the original child support order was lowered and there was a falsified credit given to the defendant. The orders for braces and cell phone were also dismissed. When Dean came back to tell me this I was in complete shock and I could swear he was defending the other party instead of me. He says the opposing counsel had fin plan calculations.
I am very disappointed and it was a very costly mistake! I would not recommend Dean whatsoever. I truly feel he lost all for me because I didn't hire him to begin with...or because he knew the opposing counsel. Either way he was definitely not in it for mine or my child's best interests... Very disappointed