Diana I Rader

I retained Diana Rader and her office to handle a family law matter. In my initial consultation, Diana was on time and appeared competent and I decided to pay her a retainer of several thousand Dollars. Frankly, that was the last time Diana was either competent, professional or responsive. As a ...former attorney, I found her performance to be completely unacceptable for the following reasons: -She rarely, if ever, responded to my emails or telephone calls -In speaking with her about case strategy or discovery, I needed to suggest what needed to be done next because it was very apparent that Diana had done little or no review of my file. In turn, I was forced to prepare all discovery requests and responses. In sending my response to opposing counsel, Diana failed to submit a response signed by me which, along with Diana’s non-responsiveness, violated Arizona Family Law Rules and caused opposing counsel to request a deposition, further adding legal expenses to both sides. I took the deposition of the opposing party and had defended my own deposition. -Even though I asked her to represent me, Diana tasked an inexperienced first-year associate with handling my case. Even though I requested that associate to be removed from the case after several glaring mistakes, she refused. Diana appeared to do next to nothing in this case. To the contrary, she constantly missed deadlines for the filing of discovery responses which resulted in an order for the payment of legal fees to be entered against me. -Even though Diana was contacted by counsel to discuss settlement, Diana failed to adequately convey opposing counsel’s willingness to settle the matter. It should be noted that the case settled shortly after Diana effectively withdrew from the case. -To add insult to injury, despite the fact that Diana had done very little substantive work and required me to prepare the substance of all discovery requests, discovery responses and all essential case strategy, she requested payment of additional legal fees in excess of $3000 approximately one week before trial even though she knew I had no money and I needed her for the trial. When I told her I could not pay the legal fees at this time but would be willing to pay them later, Diana immediately filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel less than 5 days prior to trial. Thankfully, opposing counsel was extremely professional and we were able to settle the case on the eve of trial. It was clear that a settlement could have been reached much sooner but for Diana’s lack of responsiveness to opposing counsel’s attempt to reach her. In my professional opinion as an attorney, I believe that Diana Rader should be avoided at all costs. In my career as an attorney, I have never encountered a more incompetent and unresponsive attorney. If you do not believe me, please contact me. I also believe that if I had not been an attorney who understood that she was mishandling this matter, this case would have ended very badly for me.