Celia J. Harned

Previously I was assigned Ms. Harned to my case and I had many of the issues and/or complaints that others have cited. She did not seem to care about me as a father figure, that meaning, and I quote, "I will never approve you to see your child unsupervised," This came after a ten month stent of sup...ervised visitations that were nothing but positive. Here is my concern, my case has now been delayed over two years and the court has once again remanded me back to Ms. Harned AGAIN!!! Of course I protested, but was denied. I even stated to the court all the terrible reviews that were posted, and I had these complaints before I read the reviews. I may not be the smartest person in the world, but when I see first hand the incompetence and the "continuing" pattern posted online, I ask, how is this person slipping through the cracks with our legal system and being allowed to continue to practice within our judicial system. Unfortunately I have to deal with her yet again and pay her. This time I am going in with back up with all these posts in hope to get her removed from my case. I agree with everyone else that has said to get a different attorney!

Ceila Harned is the most incompetent, biased, untrustworthy and unprofessional "lawyer" I have ever had the unfortunate displeasure to meet. Ms. Harned was assigned to my case as a CFI to help to reach an accord with my extremely difficult ex. She promised that she would be fair and professional, ho...wever after my experience with her its apparent that she has no idea what those words mean. From the beginning she showed favoritism towards my exes version of events. While she showed him sympathy I was met with aggressive disdain and disapproval. When I was honest with my concerns about that she rudely told me that she couldn't be "bamboozled". After that she was openly hostile during our interactions. She told me to leave the room while speaking to my young children, however I could hear her talking to them. She completely discounted their concerns about whate was occurring with their father, practically calling them liars and then leading them to answer her questions in a more favorable way towards my ex. Afterwards she flat out accused me of telling my children what to say, which I did NOT do. She put that in her report anyway. She constantly refused to answer my phone calls or return emails, but when she did her responses were short and scathing. Meanwhile my ex bragged that he had her "eating out of the palm of his hand". As a "unbiased" lawyer, she showed up to court and hugged my ex and laughed and joked with him. When we remarked how unprofessional that was she tattled to the judge that my side was harassing her. Ceila's report appeared to have been written by a middle school student. There were misspellings, run on sentences and even smiley faces included! She couldn't even get the names of my children correct in her report. It was ridiculous. This woman is a danger to your children. If she is assigned to your case immediately request another person. RUN! She has zero interest in the truth and most importantly she has no interest in your children. She is one of the worst, most dishonest people I have ever met in my life.

I'll be honest, when Ms. Harned was assigned to our case I saw the bad review and was concerned. Yes she's overworked and sometimes details or typos happen - BUT she CARES about understanding the family dynamics and about doing what's best for the kids. She was very thorough and listened carefully ...to all sides and looked at all the documentation as well. Things were extremely high conflict and ugly but she maintained a pragmatic approach that was very helpful. I appreciate that she didn't make "assumptions" but rather took the time to learn the background and talk to both parties repeatedly to get a real understanding of things. While the outcome of my case wasn't ideal from my perspective, Ms. Harned was extremely thorough and fair and reasonable.

Mrs. Harned was appointed to my case by the Denver courts. I had read the reviews and considered the negative ones as anyone would; but everyone should be given a fair chance and a person should never be condemned based on what others say. Unfortunately, in this line of work, one person is going to b...e the "winner" and the other the "loser". I was the " loser". So, as others on here, I could have an axe to grind...or I could be fair and appreciate what she did do. My ex LEGALLY kidnapped my children and the laws prevented me from getting them back. Basically, my children were smuggled out of state without my knowledge or consent, AFTER I had filed for divorce AND she refused service of divorce documents.(all documented and filed with court). My wife and I had zero contact and I spent 2.5 months without any contact with my kids. But Mrs. Harned was a shining star in a dark world. She was the only one who listened to me, and didn't judge me because I'm a black male accused of horrible stuff. Over a 6 month period fighting for my children and 100% of my motions were denied, but my wife was granted almost anything she asked for. I felt helpless because I'm poor. And my demographic makes some folks uncomfortable and subconscious biases dictate decision making. Mrs. Harned got us to finally communicate and I was rightfully put back into my children's lives. She recommended in her plan that I get to talk to them a few times a week, I'm to get weekly updates, and be involved in ALL decision making for them. Plus, very liberal visitation. It couldn't have been a better plan given the situation. Mrs. Harned realized I'd been railroaded and that fathers matter too. Her plan was fair and honest, because it was inclusive. I was/am not a monster and the plan reflected that. All one had to do was follow the evidence and the truth was obvious. My ex is terribly dishonest, conniving, controlling, and very mean. I believe Mrs. Harned saw some of that throughout this process and she helped me when nobody else would. To this day, my ex has faced 0 consequences for her actions and was considered a good person and credible from the judge. Talk about not paying attention and bias. He saw me, but didn't see me. Declaring me indigent on one hand, but takes 82% of my income in final orders is hardly fair thus destroying the helpful plan Mrs. Harned put forth to involve me in my children's lives, but its just another example of a long list of unbelievable rulings. I also have to give her some money for the time she disappeared with my kids and refused to let me see or talk to them for 2.5 months. Can anyone else live on $300 a month in Colorado?? Didn't think so. But that's for a different forum on another day. I'm proud to have had Mrs. Harned on my case! Too often folks will complain about bad service or voice displeasure but we rarely give thanks. Thank you Mrs. Harned for everything you did for me and my children. Thank you for realizing children need dads too, even the really poor ones. And to those who bashed this woman and wrote mean things- shame on you. Maybe things didn't go your way because of the judge, or you weren't entirely truthful or the laws just suck. I was the "loser" too, but i tell it like it is, and she is deserving of 5 stars. She represented what our legal system is supposed to uphold!