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 Means was the absolutely correct choice as my personal Attorny. He was always quick, clear, intense and correct on every aspect. I felt heard and safe in choosing him for my legal representation and knew throughout and in the end that this was the best choice for me. I truly do not think I would... have benefited without him.

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.

My fiance and I hired Mark to write a cohabitation agreement. He took a $2500 "retainer" from us. My emails to him were often ignored and I had to repeatedly followup with him to get him to respond - often weeks going by and no reply. Each time it was the same excuse "I was in court". I understa...nd that our job was small compared to some of his other clients but we could have at least received the courtesy of a response - saying I'll get back to you Xxxx. Although he did finish our agreement it was later than originally agreed upon and we have not received any invoice at all. The $2500 was a retainer, not a flat fee. I expected to receive monthly billing statements as I have with every other attorney I have hired in the past. Not have him take all of the money without any explanation at all. It has now been 3 months since he took our money and I have yet to hear from him with an itemized bill showing his time and charges. We feel robed. While we are happy with the agreement, we wish we had chosen someone else as his work was not worth $2500 or the stress of trying to get him to call or email us back.