Kenneth Robert Warner

He was hired to represent me for a child custody case. After paying him $5000 for a retainer fee, plus hourly rates for court appearances that most of the time got continued, I was told I needed to add to the initial retainer because it was quickly being depleted. He charged additional fees to answer... questions over the phone, and so many other things that no other family law attorney had ever charged, that I began to understand why the retainer was disappearing so quickly. He had been highly recommended to me as an excellent and aggressive attorney in the courtroom and I was assured that my case would come out in my favor due to the other side's documented issues. There were a number of times that I had to bring certain issues, regarding behavior problems during weekend visitations, to his attention, along with proof, that he should have had his employees digging into. Even the State of California testified on my behalf, during one court hearing. He wasn't even aware that they were appearing even though they had notified his office. I'd get finished with one hearing and think I could get on with things in my life, just to be served about 6 weeks later with another notice to appear. This went on continually for quite a few years, and as often as the law would allow, but he never filed on my behalf for continuous frivolous filings. Of course every time this happened, he'd say he wouldn't even represent me until another retainer was paid and it would cost additional money for hourly rates, etc. On the several occasions I had to appear in court and testify, I had the distinct impression that he wasn't even fully prepared, and I was having to write down points for him to bring up. Basically he took my money, money that I had to borrow from family members, and let the other side's attorney walk all over him. The final straw for me was that I had moved to another state for work with the court's permission. When I was served another lawsuit where I was living, I immediately called him and asked if I should fly back to California. He assured me that it wasn't necessary and for ANOTHER fee, he'd take care of everything on my behalf and on behalf of my child. Later, on the day of the hearing, I received a phone call, not from Mr. Warner, but from a woman who said she had a message from the attorney. She proceeded to just say that I had lost the case that day in court and needed to immediately produce "the child" in California, with absolutely no explanation or information on what had happened or why. Kenneth Warner wasn't "available" to talk to me when I immediately called back. I repeatedly tried to contact him directly, but he never returned any calls from me or anyone in my family. I got a flight to California quickly and went directly to his office. After waiting for quite a long and stressful time, Mr. Warner finally appeared, showing absolutely no concern or regret towards my young child, who was visibly traumatized, nor to me as I was trying to hold it together. About a week after that fiasco, he proceeded to send me another bill!! I wish I'd never listened to the recommendations I was given, not to mention the fact that I feel like he misrepresented his assurance and confidence in my custody case. I will always wish I had saved the thousands and thousands more that I gave him. I probably would have done a better job representing myself and using my notebooks full of documented incidents involving my child and myself too. Thanks for nothing, Kenneth Warner. I hope by writing this review that I can hopefully save another woman looking for justice for their child and themselves the heartache I've endured through this attorney.