Julie Drazen Stankowski

This review is long over due! I have to begin by saying I can’t express enough how grateful I am to Julie and her entire team for the guidance, support and advice that they provided to me throughout this incredibly horrible experience! They were more like family helping me along then a Law Firm ...that I had hired. Thanks to the advice given, and the unprecedented amount of hard work, my case went from hopeless to being dropped by the filing party. If I had not listened to the legal advice given along with the legal expertise of Julie and her team, that outcome would have never been possible and I would still not be able to see my son. I’ll break this review into the three categories that I believe will be most helpful to anyone considering hiring Julie to represent them. ( Cost, Family Law Knowledge, and Ethics) Let’s start with cost because I know that is the first thing that comes to mind when you are put into a situation that requires a lawyer. First and foremost Julie has very competitive rates for the caliber of services she and her team provide and more importantly, is completely transparent. Her and her staffs billing is exactly where you would hope it would be, with the simpler tasks all residing within the paralegals and the more complex issues being dealt with by the attorneys. The billing is also extremely clear down to the minute, so you know exactly what you are paying for. I never had to question a single charge or what I was being billed for. Second, is the qualification of her and her team’s expertise. I couldn’t have found a better attorney to represent me where the entire world “loosing my son” was resting upon it. Julie is a master at her craft and able to pivot in a moments notice. Another reviewer said “ she is a bulldog in the courtroom that actually cares about her clients”, I couldn’t agree with that more!! Any attorney worth their salt will have a full client base as Julie always has, but the service Julie provides, you would think that you are her only client. She knows your case inside and out and will fight to get you what you want/deserve! Which I think is a perfect transition into Ethics. Julie and her team hold themselves to the highest of ethical standards! So if you want a firm that’s going to screw your ex and in turn child/children out of what is truly the best for your child/children please look somewhere else! It wouldn’t be fair to her or her team if I didn’t try to sway those of you with that intent away from her time and services. They are the best, but their fight is for those who deserve it. Those moms and dads who are fighting for what is the best for their child/children and not their own vindictive selfish purposes.

Julie was regrettably not my first lawyer I hired in my divorce. I was mis-represented and in such a huge hole with child support and custody when my path crossed with Julie’s. She was able to undo a year and a half’s worth of horrible divorce rulings in less than a week!!! She is very precise and kn...owledgeable of divorce law. I am eternally grateful that she took my case and I would recommend her 1000% over again!

After reading other reviews about how Julie’s office was like a family, and how much individual attention she gave to her clients, I knew she was the one for me. Looking for legal counsel I was desperate for someone that could help me to fight to retain custody of my children, something I was very c...oncerned I would lose in spite of being a great father and an active duty military member. Julie was honest and realistic and her and the whole office supported me throughout everything. She helped me reign in my expectations and set me up for success in mediation. Her staff helped me find my voice in my personal testimony to the court. Kathy, Sylvia and Kristina really made me feel at home when I came to the office and helped me work through all the stressful details of the paperwork. I can’t even imagine how I would have done any of this on my own. Julie’s office is busy, because she is really good at what she does, so don’t let that be a discouragement. I’m happy to say that we were able to settle my case out of court and are on track to 50/50 custody. The last 5 months have been the most stressful of my life and the whole office supported me throughout it all. When you’re looking for a lawyer don’t underestimate how important it is to pick someone who cares. I’m glad I made the right choice. -Justin

Simply writing this review cannot fully express the gratitude I have for Julie and her staff and how they have helped me with my divorce and child custody matters. Julie has guided me in making complicated decisions during an extremely difficult time. Not only is she knowledgeable, but she is compa...ssionate and truly cares. It was obvious through her actions that she was honestly concerned about not only my well-being, but that of my children as well. She gave me the confidence I needed to make difficult decisions and fight for what was truly important. Regarding court hearings and filings, she has shown that she knows when to fight and when to let situations play out. I completely trust the advice and direction she gives. She has been (and continues to be) there for me through the whole process to provide expert guidance and support whenever needed. I am so thankful that I found Julie to help me through such a complicated and overwhelming process.

When my ex-wife filed for divorce I was blindsided. Through a family member I was referred to Julie. Upon our first meeting she did her best Robin Williams impression from Goodwill Hunting and assured me "It's not your fault, It's not your fault." I think at that moment she sensed I needed a thera...pist more than a lawyer. Shortly thereafter she shifted into lawyer mode. She guided me effortlessly through a tumultuous period in my life shifting concurrently between being a lawyer and friend. She never lost sight of the big picture and made sure the checklist of legal items were taken care of along the way. But more importantly she always realized there was a human element at stake. I wasn't just some hour glass with the sand serving as the metaphor for her time on the clock. She is an astute Family Lawyer with a great command that all encompasses her profession. She is passionate and cares deeply about her clients. She knows when to be tough and when to pull up on the pedal. I highly recommend her.