Dorothy Kathleen Butler

Our experience with the Dorothy Butler Law Firm should be an object lesson into why one should never, ever pay a flat fee in advance. It is not appropriate at this time to state the full details of our dissatisfaction with this law firm's representation in a criminal matter, save that the firm, af...ter months of delay and excuses, finally filed for dismissal THREE DAYS AFTER the case had been formally dismissed and recorded by the court on its own merits, a fact of which she was completely ignorant. Nor was she aware that we already had a copy of the order of dismissal in hand. Then she claimed credit for the dismissal even though every relevant document demonstrates otherwise. Indeed, rather than filing for dismissal months earlier, she had tried to persuade us to accept a plea bargain so she could close it out and move on to the next client, but we insisted on a court trial against her advice. This is fully documented. Had we heeded her advice, it would have constituted a life-changing event. Her belated request for dismissal occurred only after a literal courthouse curbside consult with another attorney who was astonished that the case had not already been resolved in our favor, a conversation to which we were a witness. We are so upset with this firm's representation that, after two unsuccessful attempts to reach a satisfactory monetary resolution, to which we received a scathing response or no response at all, it is our intention to file litigation against the firm for full refund of our money and for damages and have today initiated a grievance against Ms Butler with the Texas Bar, for what, in our opinion, is the firm's misrepresentation, the principal's irresponsible and unprofessional conduct, and the firm's abject failure to provide competent, timely legal services. We do not take these actions lightly. By all means, do your homework when selecting a lawyer, or you may well end up hiring someone who makes promises, misrepresents him or herself, collects your money, then proves to be woefully incompetent in the performance of the service for which he or she was hired and paid.

Ms. Butler was wonderful to work with. Her legal expertise, and professionalism combined with personal warmth and natural compassion, helped us through the maze of Wills, Trusts and Living Wills for a blended family. Upon our request Ms. Butler was also readily able to assist us in two further area...s, one being the finalization of an international adoption and the other a civil matter of longstanding that was, thanks to Ms. Butler, negotiated to a successful conclusion.