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Patricia Ann Hendrickson

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Avvo Rating10
  • Huntington Beach, CA
  • Licensed for 22 years
  • Free consultation
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About Patricia

After a number of years in this profession -- specifically, family law and all it entails -- I remain convinced that the best results are often obtained when the two people dissolving their union sit down and resolve their issues outside of court.  This means less stress to the parties and their children, less money spent on attorneys, and less animosity between the parties. 

 

The challenge is sometimes to determine whether a client's case is appropriate for a mediated settlement.  If your spouse was argumentative, unreasonable or abusive in your relationship, then they won't change during your dissolution.  Expect more of the same, only amplified many times; you will probably end up in court.  So if you believe you will be getting divorced and you're married to such a person, by all means, plan ahead.  Your spouse will not play fair, so find out how to protect yourself.  I provide a no-charge, one-half hour consultation so you can determine the steps you should take prior to filing for divorce.  We hope for the best, and plan for the worst.  By taking preemptive and proactive steps, you will protect your rights and make the dissolution process much easier for your entire family.

Practice areas

Family
  1. Family: 100%

Languages spoken

English

Contact

18377 Beach Boulevard
address map

Hendrickson Cooper Hughes

18377 Beach Boulevard
Suite 100
Huntington Beach, CA, 92648-1349

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive199709/26/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers82
Legal guides1
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Certified Family Law SpecialistState Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization2008
SalutatorianWestern State College of Law1996
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
FounderHendrickson Cooper Hughes2000 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Bar AssociationOfficer1998 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationOfficer1998 - Present
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Western State University College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1997

Reviews

(13)
5 Star
69%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
31%
Review Patricia Hendrickson

Awful.

Posted by anonymousTue Oct 03 2017

Hendrickson represented me in a child custody and divorce case. I went to a deposition and not only had she failed to prepare me (at all) she let me answer completely irrelevant questions, all while running up her bill. I switched lawyers. After that, her husband called with made-up charges which I refused to pay, leading him to call me a "deadbeat". If that's the kind of lawyer you want, choose Patricia. Everyone else, beware: this is the worst kind of fee churning bottom feeding attorney who will take you for everything you've got at a time in your life that you need competent representation.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
Patricia Hendrickson's response: This is a false review proven by the “facts” within. Unfortunately, false reviews are not uncommon and are often posted by the opposing party in retaliation for us prevailing in a contested matter.

Paper-Pushing Firm

Posted by anonymousWed Jul 26 2017

Firms with lawyers that are not engaging with their clients and use their "staff" to drive their cases are called Paper-Pushing Firms. Hiring Patricia Hendrickson was one of the worst decisions I've made in my life. Besides Patricia Hendrickson lost over $10,000 of my back child support, she was not able to keep up with the details of my case, she was rarely available to speak on the phone or return an email to discuss the case, she was often late to the hearings and would cater to more than one client at a time while at court, she did not represent me to the best of her abilities, she did not negotiate assertively with the opposing counsel, she did not ensure the opposing party followed the court orders, and to add salt to injury, she dropped my case just days before I had a hearing on 4 separate issues. I begged her not to drop my case at least until the 4 issues were heard, but she never responded. When I contacted Patricia seeking a refund for the attorney fees I paid her, she would not discuss it with me and advised arbitration. Sadly, arbitration is a waste of time since the arbitrator is a voluntary family law lawyer/Peer and does not deal with Malpractice matters. (Lawyers stick together.) If your case falls anywhere outside of the typical family law "box”, Mrs. Hendrickson does not have the time or knowledge to represent your case. I expect Mrs. Hendrickson will respond to my review with dismissive, dishonest and manipulative words. There are countless family law attorneys, but to find one who is your advocate is difficult. Take the time to research, interview, talk to people who have gone through the family law system, and don't bother reading "scores" on any lawyer websites, since most lawyers pay or donate to be on the lawyer website. The only parties who win in the family law system are the lawyers, not the Petitioner or Respondent. If I can save families from hiring Patricia Hendrickson on any family law matter, I feel I have served as an advocate for people who are in need of good representation. I have filed a complaint with the State Bar. Update since Patricia Ann Hendrickson’s response: The OC Bar is for fee disputes. I was warned by other lawyers and even the State Bar that it is very hard to win a case since the mediators are also family law lawyers and even though lawyers mess up, that does not mean they cannot charge for their time. The State Bar is reinvestigating my claim. Please note, the SB does not investigate malpractice, but they do investigate fraud, breach of contracts, neglect and other unethical/unprofessional behaviors. The SB needs enough clear evidence to bring charges against a lawyer. It’s very tricky and often cases are closed due to the convoluted dynamic of the legal system, especially Family Law. Obviously, if there was not enough proof and cause, the SB would not have opened and reopened my claim. Ms. Hendrickson did not handle my child support case correctly and because of that my child support case was closed. This has nothing to do with unclear communication between Ms. Hendrickson and her client, but everything to do with a lawyer who dropped the ball due to being too busy, lazy and unprofessional. Remember, your lawyer should be your advocate. They should fight for you and your rights. If they make a mistake, as your advocate, they should try everything in their power to make it right.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
Patricia Hendrickson's response: Ra continues to post falsehoods. She brought her allegations to the Orange County Bar Association and the State Bar, and after a thorough review of her file, neither entity found her to be correct, particularly with regard to her allegation regarding lost support. I am sorry she continues to be unhappy because my firm works so hard for every client; we take our jobs seriously, and we explain every aspect of a case to the client. Here, it appears our explanations and actions were not explained well enough.
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Attorney endorsements

(14)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Loni Klein, Family Attorney on Mar 30, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer.

Ilian Alchehayed, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 9, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Pat is a great attorney. She is professional, ethical and courtesy. Ms. Hendrickson is very knowledgeable and will give great advice to help lead her clients through the divorce process. She is excellent to work with and is able to creatively negotiate a resolution with all parties in mind. Any client is in great hands working with Ms. Hendrickson!

William Strachan, Family Attorney on Mar 3, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Hendrickson is an excellent attorney with a pleasant personality. Ms. Hendrickson is an effective litigant. I have had Ms. Hendrickson as an opposing attorney on a prior matter. I have witnessed Ms. Hendrickson in court on several occasions and she has always appeared well prepared, showed a good understanding of the law and effectively represented of her clients.

Walter McKeague, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 26, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer.

Aimee Flanagan, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 6, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Ms. Hendrickson is an excellent attorney who is a true advocate for her clients. I highly endorse this lawyer.

Jennifer Posey, Child custody Attorney on Apr 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Patricia is extremely knowledgeable and works hard for her clients. She practices with the utmost in professionalism and respect for the law.

Elizabeth Fondren, Family Attorney on Jan 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Bettina Yanez, Divorce and separation Attorney on May 31, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Patricia is very pleasant, always prepared and advocates for her clients. She is an admirable opponent. I have known her for many years and I endorse this lawyer.

Joseph Higuera, Motorcycle accident Attorney on Oct 10, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. Pat is a great lawyer who obtains excellent results and cares about her clients. I give her my highest recommendation.

Barbara McNamara, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 15, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Patricia Hendrickson is a compassionate advocate for her clients. We met on a tough custody case several years ago, and have worked together on other cases as well. Patricia truly cares about her clients, knows the law, and is aggressive when necessary. I highly recommend Patricia!

Richard Heston, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jun 22, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Pat is both a tough cookie and compassionate. She keeps her eye on the ball and yet does not lose sight that it is her client's goals she was retained to pursue, not her own agenda. While a formidable opponent, she never allows the potential for conflict devolve into a match of personalities. I have no hesitation in recommending Pat as one of those lawyers on my "short list" of refferals when I am unable to accept a case.

Gerald Maggio, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 22, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Patricia was opposing counsel on at least one of my past cases and she was the consummate professional, being both a vigorous and well-prepared advocate for her client as well as willing to work towards a reasonable settlement when it was in the best interests of both parties. She represents the outstanding personal qualities and ethics that make her a well-respected attorney in the family law community.

Phillip Lemmons, Trusts Attorney on Jun 2, 2010
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Patricia Hendrickson has been opposing counsel on about 10 of my divorce cases. Don't let her charm and personality fool you, she is one tough advocate! She knows family law like the back of her hand and uses that knowledge to get her clients favorable results. In fact, I think so highly of Ms. Hendrickson, I've recommended her to my own family members.

Annette Goudy, Trusts Attorney on Mar 27, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I have known Pat for several years. We have worked together on different cases. Pat is a dedicated lawyer, who advocates for her clients. She explains the process to her clients, and makes them feel at home. She is very down to earth, and I wholeheartedly endorse her as a fellow lawyer in Orange County.

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