Monica Hawkins

We interviewed more than one attorney for an uncontested divorce case, and were so happy to have found Monica Hawkins. Although her client in our case was male, she was very compassionate and understanding of his situation and did everything she could to ensure that he was properly represented, going... back and forth with the other party's lawyer to reach an agreement that was acceptable to both parties. That was despite the other lawyer not really being competent in this area, giving his own client advice that was not correct and repeatedly returning documents that were either erroneous or not representative of what had been agreed to. Fortunately for the client, she persisted in negotiating until everything was right. We never experienced any problems with her or her office not returning phone calls or being available for appointments or court dates. She charges a very reasonable flat retainer rate, with any additional charges dependent upon the complexity of the case, and her office is transparent with regard to the financial arrangements. Ms. Hawkins is professionalism personified. We would not hesitate to call upon her expertise again.

Over the course of a year ms Hawkins missed two court dates (as in she didn't bother to show up). Nobody is ever in office to answer the phone. Multiple voice mails were never returned. Questions asked directly to her secretary where often never answered. Several letters that she was asked to write... were never written. When directly asked to do something she never followed though and did it. The One time she finally got around to arguing before the judge she was totally unprepared. It sounded like a teenager trying to give a speech: " and a, um" totally embarrassing! Totally unprofessional!