My case was a complete nightmare, starting off more like a criminal defense case than a family case. I walked into Deanna's office with two police reports from false allegations of child abuse made by my ex-wife, who had made terrible allegations about me, and then had taken all three of our children... and fled the state. My ex-wife had successfully alienated my oldest child from me and used the child to make allegations against me in an attempt to gain an advantage in court. As a member of the military with conservative beliefs I was an easy target. Deanna didn't know me from any other person off the street, but she trusted me and took my case. Over the course of about 15 months, my ex-wife's tactics and lies were exposed. Deanna is an absolute wizard! She truly works magic both in and out of the courtroom. She always knows what to do, and she will be honest with you about what to expect. From the beginning she was up front and told me that the outcome of the case would be based on the facts, and sometimes the facts can be hard to obtain. If I wanted to make a poor decision, she would be tactful and explain why a different strategy would work better. And always, ALWAYS Deanna and her staff had the best interests of the children in mind as the eventual goal. The end result? The three children were separated (the oldest child was too far enmeshed with my ex-wife), and I was awarded custody of the younger two and the marital home. Without Deanna, I would have lost my job, the home, the children, and would probably be in jail because of false allegations. (how do you prove that you did NOT do something?) After reading the negative reviews below, listen: when your children's welfare is at stake you can't get into the race with a Pinto and expect to get the results you need for your family...you must have the attorney equivalent of a Ferrari. You want a world-class attorney like Deanna. Over the past year, with her guidance, I have learned how to deal with an unreasonable ex, how to discern between important life events and what only seems important at the time, and how to protect myself from being taken advantage of again. She has the strategic and tactical expertise that will let you sleep at night knowing you did the absolute best you could for what matters most: your children. You will not regret retaining Deanna and the firm of Vance & Whitley.

There is hope in life after Divorce!!!! I had been divorced for 3 years, 2000 miles away from home (ex-military wife) with two children. However, the bullying and the scare tactics that i felt from my ex and his new wife just keep getting worst and there was nothing I could do anything about OR SO I ...THOUGHT. When I was referred to them I was scared, frustrated and I never felt more alone. But that soon changed, after hiring Vance and Whitley they made me realize I had rights and the right to defend against that behavior. Now I’m not saying that it isn’t stressful but that comes with the process in any custody issue they just made the process and the stress from it much easier to handle. They were there every step of the way, I never felt like JUST a client, but more like my family was there helping me. They also truly listen to you, direct you in the right direction with all communication that was between my ex -husband, his wife and I. This was huge for me I was known for just giving in just so I didn’t have to deal with the fights and drama which never works out that and only adds to the problems because before I hired V&W if I said no ever about anything it was WW3…..However, By the day of court I had enough strength, knowledge and confidence to go in and do what I never had been able to do before, and that was stand up for my right as a mother and the rights of my children. This team is full of amazing, honest people with moral values that sincerely care about you! I never felt like just a customer….NEVER!!!!! I could never thank them enough… Especially Cait, Loni and Deanna these women are more amazing then I could ever express. They gave me my life back!

I hired this lawyer to represent me. We created a game plan, but then it was never followed. The very basis of a lawyer is to fight a legal battle on their client's behalf and I did not get that. I was sent to the wrong location for a mediation session, then my lawyer was late and it was not even... her it was her associate lawyer. From my point of view she was only reactive and showed no real proactive measures in my case. It as a divorce with Custody battle. I do not feel that she represented by best interest. The opposing counsel kept scheduling hearings and I would not find out until the day before at like 5:30 or 6 at night; then I was told not to come to most of them or I sat outside while it happened. In the end, we had a hearing that was scheduled by opposing attorney, and I again did not find out until late the day before. I had another important engagement with work the following day when the hearing was scheduled, so my attorney told me they would postpone. About 11 am that day I received and email stating my divorce was final and it was not favorable for me. I did not care about money or stuff, I only wanted equal time with my children and equal responsibility for my children.

I am a Soldier in the ARMY and have never felt more disrespected in my life. I asked for someone to help me get visitation for my daughter this was November 2011. They asked for 5,000.00 up front. For that money I got the run around for a year nothing happened. So, after a year I get upset and ask to... have a trial that I had to demand. At the trail we agreed on everything. Ms. Whitley rep. me so I thought everything was taken care of. Going into the 4th month now and nothing has been done. : (

Ms. Whitley burned through my retainer in record time for things including, according to the itemized bill, nearly $300 for sending a few words by text message. Money magically ran out right before a court filing and of course I was sent a typical fundraising letter asking for retainer #2 ("I loathe ...having to send this letter, but...!") as a condition of continuing work. But perhaps 80% of retainer #1 had been used up on things the attorney artificially created. In the first few months I heard ZERO from her or her office. I would call to check in and her assistant would listen to and agree with me, and then I'd be charged for the air time. But no progress was actually being made on the case. This is what legal representation is about in the 21st Century: Collect as many retainers as possible, then do the absolute minimum you can get away with (which for some clients will be nothing at all). Finally, her assistant doesn't know how to spell. This is not a hostile statement, it is a legitimate observation, and it is relevant because people expect more from attorneys and the level of service they provide. That higher expectation is reflected in TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. And for what? I saw no evidence of Deanna Whitley honoring her fiduciary duties. I don't mind lawyers making a livelihood; in fact I don't even mind sending their kids to college, provided they perform and actually do something *legitimately commensurate* with that level of compensation.