Sydney S. Stuart

When I posted my first review of Ms Stuart, there was only one more review at the time. It was 'luke warm'. Mine was a great deal different. After coming back to AVVO and reading these glowing reviews of positive feedback, I felt compelled to follow up. There are several reasons for this letter, but ...I will touch on my mediation, that in the state of Texas, everyone is required to do before proceeding to court. I went thru a 9 hour mediation with Magistrate Judge Paul Davis as the mediator. Make sure you do not get this man as a 'chosen' mediator. I can not remember an entire sentence Ms Stuart said in his presence, not ONE sentence, as shuttle mediation was used. I was harassed, insulted, belittled and screamed at by the Judge and my attorney said nothing to defend me, while he was in the room. Six little words would have saved my financial life and the hours of therapy I am paying for now. The physiologist says I have Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Ms Stuart could have even said the 6 words with Davis out of the room. END THIS MEDIATION. SELL IT ALL. But, I DID NOT get the advice I was paying for. I was intimidated by Judge Paul Davis, given misinformation and lead to believe I did not have a case that should go to trial. Nothing could have been further from the truth. THEN, I find out that Judge Davis, STILL, sits on the divorce court bench, while other Judges can not be there..I said to myself. THAT explains Ms Stuarts lack of help during 9 hours of intimidation and belittlement. SHE was worried about herself, and drawing Davis in court one day. Him remembering her from my mediation..spoiling his record. I was told by a Law Professor that teaches Judicial ethics that I should complain to the Texas Judicial Board of Ethics. I did so, and explained how the Judge came back in the room on one occurrence and after I objected that the opposition had just subtracted what was my property, before the marriage, from a grotesquely over rated summation of my failed business, that it was unfair…Magistrate Judge Paul Davis screams at me from across the table, waving the mediation papers at me at chest height and says "you do not go to court arguing the value of a business"."this is your best day in court"..I was appalled and I look at Sydney and ask "Sydney ?"…Ms Stuart shrugs her shoulders..She does not speak, does not tell me to end the mediation, does not tell me I will be better off selling everything, does not ask for a private minute to confer with me..She SHRUGS her shoulders. ALL of this was included in my complaint to the Judicial Ethics Commission. The commission dismisses my case !!! and I call them to ask why ? I was told that once the Judge steps behind the curtain and takes off his robe and takes on the role of mediator, he is not subject to being under Judicial Ethics as an officer of the court. Then when he goes behind the same curtain and puts on his Judicial robe, he is subject to their 'ethics'. Ludicrous. I told the lady, "that is like a Catholic Priest putting on his vestments on Sunday and then abuses the Parishioners on Monday"... BUT, Sydney Stuart KNEW this; Davis was STILL, a Divorce court judge. It was not her life's work 'on the line', it was not her sweat and countless years of working hard, to have to give away more than 70% without even a trial. I was NEVER told I could end the mediation. In 2011 I was an after tax millionaire. In 2013 I qualified for food stamps in the state of TN. ALL, because of Ms Stuarts inept handling of my case. In the chosen words of one other that was involved with my case "Sydney is not a bad attorney, she is a terrible attorney". I ask those of you that understand a Bell Curve..This site does not allow you to put up a 'NO' star. It takes a lot of one stars to average a one star. Just look at how her peers, the 'Industry', rate Ms Stuart. My next letter of length will be a grievance to the Bar Association. It will be just one, of others

Many, many thanks for Sydney Stuart's professional and caring legal advice. I needed to explore my options as I had many complicated issues surrounding my potential divorce and custody issues. She listened, offered legal info as well as info about Austin local practices. I have put things on hold ...for now but will use Ms. Stuart should I decide to pursue legal action.

I have been opposing counsel in a case with Ms. Stuart. She was professional, courteous, knowledgeable but firm. I felt that she represented her client very effectively. She has also served as a mentor to me and has provided invaluable advice. She is a very knowledgable trial attorney and I would re...commend her.