Michael Anthony Trevino

Buyer Beware: Read Every Clause Before Hiring My experience with this firm was deeply disappointing and financially devastating. I am sharing it as a warning so that other families do not unknowingly walk into the same situation. What began as an inheritance dispute turned into years of prolonged lit...igation. In my experience, critical information about strategy, costs, and potential outcomes was not clearly explained. Discovery alone dragged on for years and generated enormous legal fees, much of which seemed excessive and unnecessary from my perspective. At one point, I was persuaded to convert my engagement from an hourly arrangement to a contingency fee structure. Looking back, I wish I had sought independent advice before agreeing to that change. As the case progressed, I felt significant pressure to sign a settlement agreement that I later came to believe was not in my best interest. Only afterward did I realize that the agreement included a mandatory arbitration clause, which meant disputes would not be heard by a jury of ordinary citizens but instead decided by a private arbitrator. In my experience, arbitration can dramatically limit a client’s ability to challenge misconduct or unfair outcomes. I also later became concerned about potential conflicts related to the arbitrator and the disclosure process. Whether intentional or not, the process felt stacked against the client from the beginning. Ultimately, a very large judgment was entered against me. The biggest lesson I learned is this: before hiring any attorney, read every clause in your engagement agreement—especially arbitration clauses. Consider having another independent attorney review the contract before signing anything. Once arbitration is required, your ability to challenge outcomes may be extremely limited. Legal disputes are stressful and emotionally draining, and families depend on their attorneys for transparency and guidance. My experience unfortunately did not meet that expectation. Because of what happened to my family, my next step is to go to Austin and advocate for legislative changes so that other Texas families cannot be placed in this kind of situation. Clients deserve transparency, fair dispute resolution, and protection from contract provisions that strip away their rights without them fully understanding it. If sharing this review helps even one family ask better questions before signing a legal contract, it will have been worth it. I am writing a review as a real client.