Nicole Michelle Stednitz

I had a very bad experience with Nicole Stednitz. She misrepresented my legal situation in order to get my business. After receiving a favorable order prior to having met her, she told me to file for a trial that took away my favorable orders, costing over $16,000 when she promised it would be under ...$2500 and which I later found out should never have been filed. She also charged hundreds for driving to the courthouse. For example, for one 15-minute hearing she arrived both late and unprepared to, she charged 4.1 hours. In small claims court where she sued to recover all of her inflated billing, she argued the 4.1 hours included her travel time and didn’t dispute the hearing itself took 15 minutes. Unfortunately, the judge awarded her the full amount. I’ve had other family law attorneys and was not prepared for a large percentage of attorney fees to go to traveling as none of my other attorneys charged for their travel, let alone more than the hearing itself. Also, each email costs 20% of her billable hour, even if it is one word. One email I sent had an attachment for which she charged hundreds of dollars for reviewing even though she didn’t seem to be familiar with what I had emailed her. Between emails and transportation, my retainer drained quickly each month and needed replenishing, without seeing any real progress in my case. I disputed her overcharges, didn’t hear from her for over three years until she suddenly sued me in small claims court charging thousands in interest the judge threw out but unfortunately, she got away with a lot I dispute is owed to her. She didn’t seem to care about me or my child and situation, but only about billing unreasonably. I personally regret hiring her and the bad outcome her representation resulted in.

Ms. Stednitz helped me with my post dissolution issue. My ex and his attorney were very difficult to deal with. Ms. Stednitz remained calmed and focused on our final goal. She guided me through the process and I am glad I listened to her advice. The issue went to the court and judge ruled in my favor... on several matters.

Nicole Stednitz is remarkably efficient which is reflected in her performance as an attorney and in her productivity. Nicole is VERY effective at handling the opposing counsel during mediation and I noticed she wrote over 80% of the global settlement right there in the courthouse. She tactfully ...shut down opposing counsel each time he made ridiculous settlement offers. Nicole has 3 years experience yet she did more for my case in less time than my original attorney who had decades of experience. Nicole had to do damage control on a very messy case. It was the best decision I made to find another attorney who provided me with outstanding work and immeasurable peace of mind. She genuinely cares for the safety and well being of children. I foresee Nicole becoming very prominent in this field.