Elizabeth A. Lefiti

I’m still rebuilding from this tragic mistake. First red flag was when paralegal Lery said I could not check the box to seek reimbursement for the costs I’d be incurring in the case as plaintiff despite my actions being needed to simply locate our daughter despite it being a box on the required legal... document used to initiate proceedings as plaintiff. Getting Elizabeth to advocate for me was like dragging a heavy sharp rock or performing invasive dental work. She appeared as if she didn’t have time to brush her hair and arrived a couple minutes late to the hearing time but at least in plenty of time before my case was called. While, I can accept and appreciate her advice that some of my evidence demonstrating the erratic behavior of my ex, wasn’t relevant to our custody situation in San Diego, her unwillingness to present more evidence resulted in tragic results as far as ultimately limiting my involvement in our daughter’s life. My Ex made unfounded allegations that I assaulted her, without any pictures, notes from seeking medical care, video, witnesses etc during our relationship in Point Loma and later La Mesa in Riverside County ~ 91 miles from where we lived. Elizabeth suggested I represent myself in Riverside County Court in August 2021. She said that if she decided to make the drive to Riverside she wouldn’t say anything since there were no grounds for a restraining order. Elizabeth didn’t question why there was no evidence and didn’t submit photographic evidence I had provided. My Ex cried during the hearing. Although, a restraining order wasn’t granted, a finding of domestic violence was made against me. It seemed as if she was unaware that such a finding could be made without a restraining order. This finding was the start of exponential life of misery for me. In September 2021 in San Diego East County Court in El Cajon, at the conclusion 3 Ex Parte hearings resulting in me getting only 6 hours per week visitation with our daughter initially before more time would be considered, it became apparent it would have been in my best interest to request a 30 day delay in the Riverside County restraining order hearing and I likely would have had a more favorable outcome in my San Diego ex Parte hearings. At the conclusion of the hearing Judge Miller (now assisting Supervising Family Judge in Central San Diego), asked Elizabeth if an October 2021 date CUSTODY & VISITATION &CHILD SUPPORT would work. Elizabeth told Judge Miller she would be unavailable that date due to vacation, however she took the October Court Date for me explaining another attorney (presumably Kathy Minella since she was the only other lawyer) would cover for her vacation and appear virtually for my hearing date. As it got to be 1-2 weeks before my court date, I requested to speak with Kathy Minella to update her on my family issues etc since Elizabeth wouldn’t be representing me. I was then informed Kathy Minella was gone on maternity leave (presumably she would have been aware of this & Elizabeth’s vacation schedule when I retained their firm) and unavailable. The firm actually tried to connect me to another lawyer Dawn Luchessi via email but then that didn’t pan out. (presumably they tried contracting with her as a temp). My own law firm Manilla had to ask for a continuance of our lawsuit because no one could show up virtually in court on the date they said would. If Elizabeth would have just answered Judge Miller question in a forthright manner, no the Oct. 2021 date wouldn’t workout, we could have likely gotten a date in November 2021. Since we asked for a continuance within less than a week or two of the hearing, my 1st CUSTODY, VISITATION &CHILD SUPPORT hearing after ex parte wasn’t until Jan. 2022 close to 5 months after I had retained Lefiti