Avia Rice Gauthier

My experience with this firm was deeply disappointing and frustrating. From the moment the retainer fee was paid, the tone of the relationship shifted dramatically. What followed was a complete lack of empathy, poor communication, and a failure to provide even the most basic legal counsel. Despite r...epeated requests, I was never properly advised on the laws relevant to my case. Instead, I was met with vague responses and gaslighting whenever I asked for updates. Promises were made and never delivered. The only consistent thing was the billing—overcharged and unjustified. This was a straight-up money grab. Nearly $10,000 later, I was left with no resolution and had to finalize my case on my own. I genuinely don’t understand how professionals entrusted to serve the public can operate this way.

I hired this firm to help me appeal my divorce judgment, and it was one of the worst professional experiences I’ve ever had. After paying thousands of dollars, absolutely nothing was done. Communication was almost nonexistent — emails and calls were rarely returned, and when I did get a response, it ...lacked clarity, urgency, or any real strategy. There was no follow-through, no clear action taken on my case, and no sense that anyone was truly advocating for me or my children. I trusted this attorney to guide me through one of the most emotionally difficult seasons of my life, and instead, I was met with delay, indifference, and complete lack of effort. This law firm displayed everything a family lawyer should not: lack of transparency, poor communication, and zero sense of accountability. I would not recommend them to anyone — especially not someone needing real support through a sensitive and high-stakes legal matter.

Potential clients beware. You will see them at an inital free consult, be told how much they care and that children is important to them..(custody case) and then never hear back. Avia the principal of the firm stated that she is a litigator and a founder and that's why she didn't call back which is a...ll horseplay. The worst part was I asked for my file and I'm being told I'm not tech smart or knowledgeable enough to know how to click on a link. So here they are fooled me out of $6500, then clowning on me when asking for my file when their file doesn't work. I failed to check the state BAR complaints database and all the disciplinary actions, or id seen the sanctions and be $6500 richer. Please don't be a single Dad spending hard earned money for his little girl all to see it go up in smoke to firms that play on your emotions to get your money and then clown on you later for things much less take accountability or offer some of your funds back and apology and plan to make it right. Its like they knew exatly what they were doing, so when services were terminated it was just a regular day for them and they came out happy that the swindled me out of $6500 for no works done other than filing a notice of appearance and canceling out current hearings already set by the court as a reason to keep billing...Broke, angered, and feel like a fool! Don't let it happen to you!

Ms. Gauthier was rolled by my spouse's attorney and lead me down a path that was most certainly going to cause me to lose my children. I was called a drug user, blamed for her failure in my case as well as told me her "plan had changed" based on my finances. She allowed a drug test to be taken in a p...ublic bathroom. Very unprofessional, used unprofessional grammar when emailing clients and lacks the knowledge to go toe to toe with a more skilled attorney. Needless to say, I now have a 50/50 split and everything Ms. Gauthier couldn't do for me my new attorney did with ease. Do not be pressured in keeping an attorney if you aren't comfortable with them. FYI I can post anonymously, as an attorney you should know it's my right to do so. I hope you also find my review interesting since I posted anonymously.

I hired Avia Gauthier to get my child back. Avia have only been practicing for 4 years and have no knowledge to be practicing family law period. I never went through anything like this and she did not prepare me adequately for my hearing. The father of my child received more time than he should h...ave. In my opinion the good postings are bogus. It's also funny that they were all done recently. If you want to waste your money and lose your kids, yes hire this attorney. Otherwise, seek someone that knows the importance of your kids and what he/she are doing to help you.