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

Mark was extremely welcoming and professional. He was willing to work with me and represent me in my divorce when no one else would. As a single parent with limited funds his willingness to work with me was a life saver. He is very prompt in getting back to you by email or phone. I would highly reco...mmend Mark for your legal needs. He will get the job done right and cares about each of his clients.

Hired Attorney Means to handle my high conflict (intimidating ex) divorce and custody. He got me more than 50% of the assets and less than 50% of the debts and primary care giver for my children. This is what I wanted and he nailed it! He does not promise unrealistic rulings but is straight to the... point, knowledgeable, experienced, professional, and never judged me! The definition of professional and courteous!

After being hit by a drunk driver that resulted in a medically induced coma, hospitalization and permanent disabilities, I consulted numerous attorneys in the Treasure Valley to represent me. Most of them didn't provide me with much hope or that they had my best interests in mind. After talking wit...h Mark about the situation I felt a little more at ease. Mark assisted me in dealing with the numerous insurance hurdles that most people aren't aware of. He was very upfront with the realities of what to expect, not the delusions of monetary grandeur conveyed in the commercials. He was very firm with all the insurance companies, keeping my best interests at the forefront. Always kept me in the know and timely in his correspondence. He has assisted me on numerous occasions in regards to simple legal advice/consultation. He never sugarcoats the answer to what I want to hear, which is comforting when dealing with the complexities of the legal system. I would use Mark again in the future if and/or when needed.

I hired Mr. Means to write a cease and desist letter. Since I live out of state he said to write such a letter would cost 350.00-500.00 because it takes time to put it together. He instructed me to send him the necessary emails, which I did on July 20th. I have Mailtrak on my gmail which lets me k...now when my emails were read. Mr. Means called me from his office on July 31st and had not looked at any of the emails. He was trying to write the letter while he had me on the phone asking questions. I kept saying please open the email that stemmed my having to hire an attorney in Idaho. It was useless. He sent me the draft with multiple errors including the date of an incident, he also had many run on sentences and misspelled words. I revised the letter and added the necessary corrections for his review. The next day he sent me the same letter without ever looking at the revised version. I pointed out that the letter was the same with the same mistake to which he responded to by telling me he sent the wrong file. I looked at mailtrak and saw he opened the email with the revised letter 2 minutes before sending the old version again which told me he never read the revisions. I then asked for him to reimburse me and he said he would but never did. He wanted me to give him my address that I refuse to do since I don't trust him - I have everything documented in texts and emails and thank god for mailtrak which doesn't make this a he said she said. This lawyer is dishonest and I would not do business with him. I have filed a complaint with the bar that I am certain I will prevail on. Shame on you Mr. Means for how you conduct yourself. Shame on you!