Byron Keith Shaw

I retained the Law Office of Bryan Fagan in January 2025 to enforce unpaid child support. Byron Shaw was my first attorney. As the custodial parent of three children, I expected clear communication, diligent case management, and accurate billing. Byron had two paralegals assigned to my case, inclu...ding Kristina Hamilton. Despite repeated questions, I struggled to get clear answers about service and the progress of my case while fees accumulated. For months, communications led me to believe attempts were underway to serve my former wife. But court records showed the citation for Byron's enforcement petition was not issued until June 13, 2025, about five months after I retained the firm. She was served July 1, only nine calendar days before the July 10 hearing. The timing is especially concerning to me. My understanding is that a contempt-enforcement hearing generally requires at least 10 days' notice, subject to exceptions. I believe Byron knew the July 1 service date and the notice issue. Nevertheless, the hearing remained set. The court appointed counsel for my former wife and reset the matter. I was charged approximately $2,000 in connection with that hearing, and I question why the timing problem was not addressed before I incurred those charges. I do not claim the nine-day interval was the only reason for the reset. Kristina communicated with me through her personal cellphone. My available text records begin April 24, 2025. She told me she was using a private process-serving company without the firm's knowledge to save money. After I learned when the citation was issued, I repeatedly asked for the server's name, company, phone number, and address. Despite assurances, I never received that information. I also received personal messages from Kristina that I considered inappropriate, including requests not to report her. I reported my concerns. She was subsequently terminated, although I cannot confirm why. I questioned the firm's oversight. Byron appeared unaware of the service discrepancy despite my earlier questions about case progress and billing. I understood that the firm held regular case reviews, and I could not understand why the missing citation went unidentified for months. I escalated my concerns to supervising attorney Haley Singleton. I recall her expressing disappointment with the handling of my case and telling me she and another attorney had reviewed it and identified questionable issues. I also recall her warning that Byron's petition could negatively affect my case. She arranged for Reneka Hayes to replace him. Reneka told me she would not use Byron's petition and prepared another. I found that frustrating after paying for the original work. Byron's petition was the only enforcement petition successfully served during the firm's representation. The replacement was not successfully served, and further delays followed. The firm eventually withdrew, and my enforcement proceeding was dismissed without prejudice in January 2026. I estimate paying approximately $20,000 in fees during the firm's overall representation, not just for Byron's work. Approximately $25,000 in child support remains unpaid. Together, those figures represent about $45,000 in fees paid plus support still owed, not $45,000 already spent. I understand attorneys cannot guarantee outcomes. My concerns are the service timeline, communication, supervision, and disputed billing. I have retained relevant texts, emails, court records, and billing documents. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Byron Shaw.