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Brian Yusef Bernard

3.2
Rating: 3.7

Licensed for 28 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Austin, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family, Personal Injury ... +2 more

1203 Baylor St, Austin, TX

About Brian

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Family 20%

29 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 28 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1997

Eligible to Practice in Texas

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023

Location

Bernard & Associates

1203 Baylor St, Austin, TX, 78703-4123

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Brian Yusef Bernard's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.2 /5.0

33 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Character & Conduct

Posted by anonymous | October 10, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Back Against the Wall

It took me awhile in contemplation on whether or not I should write this review but seeing others' writing, I see that I owe it to myself and others to speak on Mr. Brian Bernard. I was first introduced to him by a good friend of mine who was actually upset with him that he had spent $500 on his daug...hter's behalf and received no service. He said he was upset with Mr. Bernard for not doing anything and he, his daughter, and his daughter's mother had reached out to him several times and Mr. Bernard became upset. They parted ways but I decided to give him a chance because I felt that any grievance over $500 is DEPLORABLE because I am a pre-law student and I understand that attorneys charge anywhere from $250 to $1000 an hour for their time. I talked this attorney for the first time last October and he was the cheapest attorney of them all. When I talked to him again this year, the price went up because I needed him to travel I was still good with it because it was 5k and it was cheap for what I needed him to do. He hastened me to get the money and said if you don't hurry, your parental rights will be terminated. Within two months, I had half of his money and a brand new apartment. I gave him the money, knowing he would not do any work without all of it. I made a good faith payment was what I called it. The first time I had ever heard him "bubbly", he called me and appointed me his paralegal. He said he would begin "making a file". For the next month, he had me collecting my own documents. The paralegal did nothing but sort them in an app. I accepted that because he didn't have to start at all ... I tried to get a loan for the rest of his money and got denied. The loan company stated I had "filed bankruptcy". A couple Fridays ago, I told Bernard how badly I wanted to get him his money but that it appeared that someone had filed bankruptcy in my name and that would prohibit me. I asked him to perform a nationwide search and told him I would pay him for his time. He obliged mentioning nothing of payment. He said he would do it the following Monday Monday morning rolled around and I woke up to a text, an email, and an app notification from his paralegal, demanding the rest of his money. I texted Bernard about it and he didn't respond. The week went by and I called his assistant to see what was up. I texted her on our group chat and also called his paralegal to no avail. Suddenly his assistant called me and apologized, stating that it was all a misunderstanding and the alerts take place every 2 weeks. She said Bernard could do my search for $750 as it would allow him 3 hours. He has 25 years of legal experience and I knew the search only takes minutes even for a beginner. It was a PRICE GAUGE. She assured me no more alerts would be made and we hung up. Funny thing is, I had never gotten the alerts in the MONTH I had worked with him. Not ONE...so if they were every two weeks, they would have alerted me at least once right? Plus, who charges someone almost A GRAND to perform a search when they are having issues getting the INITIAL money they owes to GET THEIR KID BACK. I asked for a refund last Saturday and havent gotten a single text, call, or email. I paid him $2000 to be his paralegal for a month and to be presented false hope that he was on my side. What do I think? Well, I think he is money hungry and unconcerned with your personal problems. I think he located the OC in this case and used the documents I collected for him to sell me out, making me think that ALL THE SUDDEN, he was willing to work for half the money, up front. I also think he tried to sucker the money he didn't get from my friend out of me....but who am I ... Just a paralegal in training, on the Dean's List in school, and a double major in Business.

Posted by anonymous | February 24, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

P.O.S do not hire

Brian Bernard is the worst lawyer I've ever met. I hired him on as a child support lawyer to help me with my child support not only the day of my initial child support hearing that he offered his services to my son's mother he also flirted with her while we're in the same room. Then I had another cou...rt date that I could not attend I'm trying to reschedule on my own but child support court told me that I had to go through my lawyer. So upon notification of this I called mr. Bernard and explain to him that I could not attend that date with him saying don't worry. Next thing you know I have a warrant for my arrest and I get picked up by the police saying that I've always had the warrant because of he not him not showing up to my court date I've never went to this guy's office he's never asked me any information and I still haven't heard from him since being arrested. This guy is a joke and I will seek higher means to notify people about him do not hire this man.

Brian Bernard

Replied last February 24, 2020

Absolute Liar. I am Brian Bernard. I am married and practice with my wife. I did not flirt the mother of his child in court. I am not certain who this person is. I am certain he did not honor the employment contract and paid his attorney fees. Afterall he was put in jail for not paying child support. I am not for everyone. If you will not honor the employment contract and pay your child support, do not hire me.

Posted by Twalka Minter | February 01, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Unbelievable

I hired him June 28, 2017 after him telling me he could get me a court date in 2 weeks. I've called sent text inquiring about my case and I never heard anything back. His secretary would always say he's not in or he will call you back. I finally got in contact with him yesterday after calling from ...another number. I ask him for a refund, he agrees to a refund and then takes 400 from the refund for his time. My question is what time. I know lawyers are very busy but for 7 months I was told nothing about my case, I couldn't even get in contact with anyone who could tell me anything about my case. Horrible service and I would not recommend

Posted by Juan Lino | January 27, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Real. Down To Earth. And Compassionate. A TRUE MAN WITH INTEGRITY.

During a REAL trying time in my life, Brian stepped up to the plate and demonstrated what only a TRUE man of integrity could. With two pending drug cases and facing felony charges he saw through the drama and helped me realize where the core of my problems began. I'm not just a number anymore... He h...as brought hope to my family and has made it his mission to see that my hope will extended further than my heart, but more importantly my hope will mean MY FREEDOM. He has taken his precious time to help my loved ones through this process as well as extending his expertise at aiding in the release of my partner within a reasonable amount of time as well. I have faith that my new a attorney will see every one of my cases to the end. A better end than what I had intended before contacting him. And that is MORE than anyone can ask for, THANK YOU BRIAN, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

Posted by Peggy Conrad | December 06, 2015 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Very rude, unprofessional, unorganized, unreliable, & unethical

I was arrested for DWI. My boyfriend contacted a lawyer. He agreed to take my case and get me a PR bond for $3000 flat fee with $1000 down and the rest made in payments. My condition of my PR bond was to have a Breathalyzer in my car, at home monitor, & attend an alcohol assessment. I asked him a...bout the waiver for the car Breathalyzer. His response was we had plenty of time. To just get the home monitor and call my pretrial officer (which I did). This case is in Austin. I live in Houston. I am on probation in Houston. I told him I had to get approval for the alcohol assessment class to travel to Austin and to also save money for travel and the class. My pretrial officer was ok with that as long at it got done. The judge ended up revoking my bond because the form and class was not done. Which he had the form and he knew I had to get approval but failed to represent me on that part in court and made me think all was good. At this time, I didn't really know why my bond was revoked. (have all the paper work and messages) My boyfriend called him and told us we would have to pay the remained of the $3000 so $2000 and he would get me out. So we did (have all the paper work and messages). It wasn't until I got out as to the reason I found out why my bond was revoked. He never filed the waiver or let the judge now I was waiting on a pass from my probation officer A week or so later, I got a phone call from my pretrial lawyer letting me know that my lawyer still has not submitted the waiver for car Breathalyzer and my PR bond was being revoke. I contacted him my phone and text and he would not respond. The pre-trial kept trying to contact him as well and wouldn't return her calls. He finally called me back. Cussed me out and then hung up on me. He never even let me know if he filed the form. I finally got approval for pass to take the class and called to set it up at the Travis County Counseling Service. I was told my lawyer had to fill out a form for me to take the class. I notified Brian (which took an act of God to get him to get in touch with me). Was very rude to me again. Told me he would get it done and hung up on me. The form was never done (I had to hire another attorney to submit it for me). In the beginning Brian told me that I didn't have to show for court and he would show for me and let me know when I have to start showing. He called me the day of court at 9:30am asking me where I was. At this point I was very upset. He was notifying me the day of court that I have to start appearing in court. the judge was going to revoke my bond, AGAIN. On our phone conversation he was very rude to me, stated if "If you don't shut up I am going to hand up on YO ass!" and then hung up on me. He then went in front of the judge telling him I would be there Friday knowing that I can't just jump on a bus because I am on probation and have to get a pass. He sent me a text with the new court date telling me to call my probation officer and let her know the judge is requiring me to be here, even when i just told him it take at least two weeks to get a pass. He claimed he didn't know (I have text messages showing he did). I still have yet to hear from him. He will not return my calls, let me know what is going on with my case, reply to my texts, or emails. I had to hire another lawyer to file the form for the class. Speak with me about what is going on in my case. And to go before the judge and explain that I was not aware that I was suppose to start showing up to court and I am here now to take the Alcohol Assessment but can't be in court on Friday because I have to return to Houston. This lawyer is a horrible lawyer. He has already been reprimanded and doesn't have his clients best interest. DONE NOT HIRE HIM!!!

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Experience

Rating:  3.7 (Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.

Public Reprimand issued in TX, 2023

updated on 11/13/2023

Public reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.

Public Reprimand issued in TX, 2012

updated on 06/28/2012

Public reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.

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    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023
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