Susan Marie Edmonson

I had a consultation with her for a custody modification and she seemed knowledgeable and willing to accommodate my meager financial means (she said she will ensure the staff works on the file, and even have her associate attorney represent as needed), so I hired her. She said her fee was $350/h, but... once hired she started charging $400/h, and listed herself on the bill for all tasks, even clerical ones, and she used up the retainer in two months for literally 3 motions, and then charged me more. She did not communicate with opposing counsel, didn't even know of scheduled hearings (!) I had to tell her. During TO mediation she did her emails for two hours, although I kept asking her if it's normal not to hear from the mediator for so long; turns out the mediator was negotiating with my kid the whole time (Edmonson suggested the mediator get his perspective being almost an adult), pushing legalese on him and trying to scare him into submission. When I declined the mediator's conclusion, Edmonson stated that "I should give dad rope to hang himself" and that I should accept to see if it works, but failed to explain how that would impact final orders. When my kid ran away from his dad and I contacted her, she and her office did not reply for 2 weeks, until I threatened to change attorneys. Her contract states she will respond in 24 hours. I asked her to set trial date for the next five weeks, which she just ignored - no response - but she did charge me for "contacting the court" and reading my emails. She responded once that she is very busy because one of her friends passed (!) - but she did charge me for telling me that. This is an unprofessional and money hungry attorney who doesn't care how much suffering she is causing to innocents, on top of the pain of the legal process. The Ethics Board is next on my list. Don't hire this person!

I went to her law offices for assistance in getting a divorce. After giving a $3000 deposit, meeting with her on several occasions and getting nothing back; I became responsible for dividing up the property and submitting the proposal to my ex. All of a sudden, my deposit started being charge, yet ...none of the documents submitted to me were accurate. After asking her to change the final divorce decree (which stated that there were no children by our marriage to which we had 3) the deposits was depleted and more funds were requested. My ex then died 1 month and 3 days after the divorce was finalized and I'm finding that nothing written in the decree is binding on my husband's estate. I called her office no less than 5 times asking for assistance when she finally sent me an email stating to make an appointment. Met with her for 15 min repeating everything that was stated in previous emails and phone messages only to find that nothing still has been done but she wants another $300 for that 15 min meeting. In essence, my ex and I worked up the divorce decree, to which she (inaccurately) typed up and submitted to the courts but nothing seems to be legally binding. Almost 4k for nothing.

It is difficult to write a review for an attorney that has not provided good service in a helpful way. So I will simply list my thoughts. Pleasant personality, non-confrontational. Many delays. Severe lack of communication. Unorganized office. Postponed deadlines due to mistakes or omissions and ...unwillingness to admit responsibility. Financial responsibility for mistakes given to client and explained as "natural part" of finalization of process. I felt as though my situation was not a priorty and felt that when I did try to communicate with the office, I was being a nuiance.