Mary Elizabeth Van Orman

I hired Mary Van Orman to take over a case and went from bad to worst. She was a disaster and all the other negative comments on Avvo are confirmed by what I experienced. Staff turnover, no show court appearances, not filing documents we requested, no meeting to prep for trial, to name a few. It was ...a horrific and stressful experience that I would not wish on my worst enemy. Oh one more thing, she can't even type!

I just found these reviews online and wish with all my heart that I had done my research into this attorney BEFORE I invested all of my time and money. I found Mary through a professional contact; the initial consultation went very well. For that meeting she was focused, articulate and very passion...ate about representing me so I hired her. She felt that as a professional black woman, I was historically underrepresented and she wanted to be an action of change. I felt a little uncomfortable at the time that she brought my race into the matter but gave her the benefit of doubt; she was the licensed attorney. After she cashed my check, however, it became a completely different story. My calls and emails went unreturned and when her office staff did decide to answer the phone they had no clue whatsoever where she was or when she would get back to me. During the time that I employed Mary as my attorney, she went through multiple para-legals in her office. I went into trial completely unprepared, frightened and confused. She arrived late into the courtroom and when I tried to question her about her behavior she said something about a sick child. I waited outside of the courtroom until Ms. Van Orman came out and confronted her about it. That’s when she told me that she would need more money if I wanted to continue with her services and when I told her that I wouldn’t give her a dime she said “Well, you can’t afford me anyway”. I terminated her as my attorney and found someone else to handle my case which was settled weeks later. I am only writing this review so nobody else gets hurt like I did.

Mary is a very good lawyer, I have never had somebody so tough be on my side always. Granted she is very busy but the one thing that I've always noticed is she knows exactly which case she's on at which time no matter if she has to go to a different courtroom or not her memory is amazing. Even thr...ough hardships in her own life she sticks her neck out for those who can't do it themselves. Although she is expensive it is well worth the money in time she spends for me. I would have never have gotten this far without her integrity and guidance and support. She's the best thing that was put in my path and I would not change it for the world. She has been there every step of the way and has told me what it is that we are going to do and how it's going to get done. Though sometimes things don't always go as planned when we need them to she's always doing her job so that I can keep mine.

Mary gets the job done. Understand though--Mary is very busy. Mary may not get back to you right away. Mary is expensive. Mary will tell you if what you are looking for is feasible or even in the best interest of your children. She pulls no punches to you or the opposition. I like that. The bes...t part of working with Mary though is watching all the other attorneys (mediation or wherever) kiss up to her because they want to stay on her good side. Seriously. And every one of them at some point pulled me aside and congratulated me on hiring the best. I will reiterate one more time. She will tell you and fight for what is in the best interest of your children.