Mark Leroy Means

I own a local service company here in Boise I hired local attorney Mark Means to help with a contract dispute valued at $8k by a former employee of ours back in May. Mark charged me $7k and said he can definitely help with this issue. I provided Mark with copies all of the information that I had gath...ered including the defendant information, the contract we both signed, vehicle title that was in my possession, and screenshots of text messages and emails. It took him over a month and a half to draft the letter (which had misspelling of the defendant’s name) then another month to file the complaint with the court... Since it took him so long the defendant left the area and he wasn't able to find him in order to serve the complaint.. (I was actually able to locate him through Facebook in a matter of seconds by simply searching on Facebook for his name, but still Mark was saying that the server could not locate him there). It took Mark way too much time to get the complaint, I understand he's a busy man but when I asked for an itemized invoice for billable hours and a partial refund as a result of no progress in this case over 6 months later... as I'm trying to "cut my losses" and "minimize damages" at this point. I've called and texted many times that he will not answer any of my calls (nothing since the initial call when he "sold me the agreement") my only way of communication with him was through text. After multiple attempts he responded back saying "i'll close it out" He has been very difficult to work with and I feel like I was being taking advantage here with this situation. I feel like the amount that I was charged for the issue that I presented to him and the work that was done until now is ridiculous. I definitely feel that I was taken advantage by Mark! the fact that I cannot get any clarifications on what I was charged for or even a payment receipt is unbelievable! As a business owner I know some customers can be very difficult to work with but I've been more than patient and I feel like the way he handles things in my case is very unprofessional and unethical. I didn't receive any updates nor have I received any sort of payment receipt or itemized invoice from him. I feel like that should be the bare minimum for any service provider or a business. After meeting with another attorney randomly on a job site and asking him about this matter he told me "This lawyer took you out for a spin and that's unfortunate" also that I was "way overpriced/overcharged" and that "$7000 to recoup $8000 is absolutely absurd and no lawyer that respect himself will do that". As well that he should have provided me with an invoice and if not that I should ask for one (which I did many times) and contact the Idaho State Bar. Unfortunately the state bar doesn’t do much or they are way too busy… At this point like I said all I'm trying to do is to minimize the damage. I've had a former employee that stole $8000 from us and a lawyer that charged me $7000... Yes I agreed to the cost but I was also told by Mark that that's an "easy case and that he does it all the time" I do think Mark should be paid for the services/hrs billed until now but I would also like to receive a refund for the rest. I have yet to receive a breakdown of cost / hrs billed. I’m about to contact my credit card company and reverse the charges with the hope that will make him respond and we can cut ties in a proper and professional manner as I’d like to pay Mark for what he did until now but again I was never provided with an actual itemized invoice. I sincerely hope no one else will ever go through this situation. When contacting an attorney to fight a scammer/criminal you expects them to just that and not act like one. This isn’t an attempt at slanderous review and I’m not trying to bash him or he’s business but this is my personal experience with this attorney. Again I still haven’t heard back from him and that’s why I decided to leave this review

I first hired Mark to help me with getting guardianship of my niece and nephew. He explained the whole process to me and made it a smooth one. Which I was grateful for in that difficult time. Mark did well with that case for me that I hired him again to be my business lawyer. He is always upfront and... never has shined me on. I also have recommended Mark to three other people which two of them retained him.

Mark is very professional. Family court can be frustrating and ripe for conflict. Not only was Mark an excellent choice for counsel he also was very effective in helping me keep a cool head. I am a father and not only did Mark win my case for me he exceeded all my expectations. I will continue to use... him for all family court cases as well as for my business. Thanks Mark.