Nathaniel David Elwood

After screening with Land of Lincoln (LOL) staff the end of MAR 2023, I got pamphlets & referral for telephone contact w/LOL, if my screening application warranted. The week of 5 APR 2023, LOL Attny Elwood set up consultation. Consultation was set for phone contact since I was unable to transpor...t to LOL office as Attny Elwood initially suggested. Attny Elwood made contact as scheduled. Then cut off the call without explanation. He blocked my immediate attempts to call back. Final contact via phone 7 APR 2023. No explanation. No referral. --NO REFERRAL.-- My rating for one star (*) is for his scheduling contact so quickly. At one point in the telephone contact, I offered to make payments (happy to). He was able to verify fees were covered by the program. He was very pleasant and quick. All contact was via phone, so my personal impression is limited. No client/attny relationship had been established yet. No contracts. But I found the abrupt call drop infuriating. Not in keeping w/what I understand as "best practice" for any attny who was admitted to Illinois Bar in 2011 & who had worked for LOL for minimum 5 yrs. Later it occurred to me that there may be "no professional complaints" because Attny Elwood screens his consults and drops them before recourse is set in place. In the business world, I wonder if complaints are a retention tool for LOL. No complaints mean no problem & "in good standing." Unless Someone Keeps Track of Initial Call Referrals, there are no breadcrumbs to show possible incompetence. Of course, only the most reprehensible, insecure professional safe-guarding his position would do that. Maybe a tactic for an attny who already is being scrutinized. Here now I will say I am extremely Grateful Attny Elwood cut off the call. Cutting off the call may have been the ceiling of his skill set. Better to know now. This review may be helpful for any other people seeking assistance from Attny Elwood. That impression should be separate from Land of Lincoln (LOL) itself. LOL may have Attny Elwood on staff, but LOL has far-reaching scope and is much bigger than just Attny Elwood. In 2019, LOL preformed over 2 milliion hrs on pro bono legal services (also the first time I contacted LOL). My previous experience with LOL attorneys was helpful & professional. People I spoke with then were also personable. Back to the present-- whatever reasons Attny Elwood had reasons for his actions thinly conceal he be career sensitive to risk tolerance. His method for releasing the referral consult makes me think of that saying "you get what you pay for." In every industry, the professional has a first day. Some people's "first day" extends the length of their career. Thank you for reading.