Kelly Ann Booth

After interviewing several lawyers I decided to retain Kelly Ann Booth. I was impressed by how aggressive she was--though the retainer fee was steeper than other lawyers. I liked her personality and felt she would represent me well. That faded over time as she showed up late to my initial hearing. Sh...e never contacted me or kept me apprised of what was happening. I didn't feel like she was representing me very well so I found another lawyer. It was an expensive lesson--as I lost my entire retainer and didn't really have anything to show for it. I think she could be a very capable lawyer, but I wouldn't hire her or recommend her.

I Hired Kelly to represent me back in 2011 to represent me, but it wasn't in only three short weeks, I was picked up on a warrant. Kelly was suspose to notify the county that I would voluntarily turn myself into the county jail for processing, put up bailbondsman and return home the same day. ... Upon being arrested, I was told by Kelly that the county's attorney was busy, and that she could not get a hold of him to set turning myself in. This wasn't so because they are never too busy to not accomodate a fugitive. While in lock up, and on the fifth day Kelly did make an appearance for me before the judge. Upon filing a writ of habeas corpus and posting bail, the judge released me. For the next 4 years, I was told time and time again that my case would eventually be dismissed and that it would never go to trial. In June of 2015, and on the eve of trial, I get a letter from the clerk of court that the judge approved her motion to withdraw as counsel. I was never notified at any time prior so you could imagine my surprise when I realized that my attorney hung me out to dry again. This time my due process rights were violated. Kelly never called or write to say she planned on withdrawing as counsel due to a personal conflict which had nothing to do with me. Instead, I found out from the clerk of court weeks later after the judge approved her motion to withdraw, and just several weeks before the trial which was already postponed 7 times by her for reasons of her own doing. During the initial court appearance Kelly was 45 minutes late as she was cited for speeding. Well, when learning of the judges order granting her the permission to withdraw, I immediately called her demanding answers. Next, I asked for my fee of $10,000 back but She refused despite having signed a contract with me that she would take my case to trial should it come to that. Her excuse, I couldn't get a hold of you. My home nor cell phone number had not changed over the four years. She could have sent me an email or written letter. That's four ways to contact me. I was and am still surprised the judge approved her motion to withdraw without first asking for my input. What court did ask for by letter was that I needed to now find an attorney, and had to furnish the name within a month's time. Kelly suggested that I hire her friend who was an experienced lawyer and that he would reach out to me in a few days, and his fee would be $2,500. Turns out he wanted $3,500. I could not make a decision until weeks later upon doing my due diligence because I did not want to find myself in the same position again while having spent my entire savings, I had to borrow the money from my parents which I'm still paying off. During the same conversation, I asked her to send me my entire case file. She refused to send me case files time and time again while sending her text messages, emails, left phone messages. To no avail she never sent the files to me. So happens the attorney she recommended was quite good as he was able to get a plea deal within a few months of negotiations with the county's attorney which she failed to do in the five years prior. Because by this time, I was already in the fifth year of this ordeal hanging over me. A silent probation if you want to call it that. Not knowing from week to week with certainty nor confidence what will happen.