Lisa Maccarley

In terms of mediation, she came across as siding with my opposition when they didn't have full proof. My opposition was asking for more money or items than what was in writing from a deceased relative. I came out ahead paying less money going to court than taking her advice. I didn't trust my opposi...tion because I had caught them in lies. I actually ended up going to another lawyer for mediation prior to court. Also, she doesn't seem knowledgeable about dealing with handicapped individuals. I felt insulted by comments she made to me. She felt that it's easy to deal with Social Security issues (SSI) when Social Security drags things out, any government benefits family members get and government becomes involved will just drag things out. She blamed me as the person who hired her. That does not help to constitute good client/lawyer relationship. Benefits a handicapped individual can get can change their financial situation and can effect them financially in some legal issues. Certain facilities for the disabled are limited in number in California and she seems unaware of this and I felt she blamed me as her client for not moving a disabled relative sooner. It's also frustrating to have her to tell you to do something and then she wants to do something contrary to what you felt she wanted you to do in the first place. I felt every time I communicated with her she would in the end always want me to do something contrary. This drags things out due to her own actions. I felt that communication with her was also tough because she joined another law firm after I had hired her as a solo attorney so she only became available then on a more limited basis.