John Albert Balent

The experience with John Balent was unpleasant and expensive with no value whatsoever, his representation amounted to massive and unnecessary loses as opposed to if he had never been hired, as he pushed for an unnecessary trial. John Balent Promised the world at hire for a flat fee, but didn't... honor that flat fee and made error after error on the case. By the time he managed to send a statement to the correct address (His staff claimed they went to the wrong address) his billing exceeded the flat fee quoted by 300%. His billing was also impossible to understand lumping multiple tasks onto every line of the statement making accountability for any given task or work product impossible. Terms like "Review File," "Memo to File" and "Prepare Strategy" were used on almost every line as well. John Balent also caused the loss of COBRA insurance coverage by mailing out time sensitive documents to the wrong address. He made an error on a stipulation that cost me $30,000 in community assets that could not be corrected. He was also entirely unprepared for hearings and at trial and was always calling me into his office for a consultation to have me repeat the same things over to him that had been explained to him in previous office visits. At trial he continually told the court the matter was a short cause trial, causing the court to have to continue the matter 7 times because the court had not allotted enough time on it's calendar based on the continuing claim it was a short cause action. I believe he did this to rack up fees. Since his hired I've discovered that he had been brought up on charges in State Bar Court twice and disciplined in the past. I also discovered that he had been sued multiple times for malpractice and although he claimed to have a practice exclusive to family law (as I was looking for an attorney who focused only on family law), but it turns out, if you search his name on the Orange County Superior Court website, he appears to have been doing personal injury law since at least the 1980's. So with regard to the ratings this website asks you rate John Balent, He was absolutely untrustworthy. He was not responsive to anything of importance specially time sensitive issues. Although he sound knowledgeable at hire, he later made some very odd statements during later office visits that made me question if he really had a law degree. He did not keep me informed on anything, especially his billing. I do not recommend anyone hire this attorney.

The review prior to mine is very accurate. I had the same experience. Family law. During the initial consultation, he was empathic and appear to be so concern about my interest. Money given (albeit we agreed to a fix rate, I received a bill with charges over the agreed fee - see review prior to t...his for description of such charges). No input from him on the development of the case. Met with him to follow up (waited a good 45 min even with appointment) and he appeared to have just woken up (that's fine but I could have sworn I smelled alcohol eminating from him). Appeared disoriented and did not seem to know about my case. I repeated the whole situation to him again. During the trial, It appeared to me that he was working for the other party as there was no effort at all to argue my interest and agreed to all of the other party's lawyer. I felt there were no effort made to make or defend my case. I could have done pro per and saved me my hard earned money, or paid someone else that would have fought or at least made an effort to argue my interest.

I hired Mr. Balent a few months ago in regards to an exparte where my wife was accusing me of domestic violence to get me removed from my home. This was all false accusations and very humiliating for me. Mr. Balent was kind and informed me of my rights and gave great legal advise. I hired Mr. Bale...nt to appear on my behalf and no restraining orders were filed and no domestic violence orders. I was able to stay in my home with my children. I retained Mr. Balent again and I am in the process of a divorce which is going quite smoothly considering my very difficult ex.

I retained Mr. Balent to represent my nephew in a guardianship where my sister-in -law passed away suddenly. Mr. Balent was knowledgeable and we could not have asked for an easier process during a very uncomfortable family issue. I have referred by good friend to this office and she also has had on...ly good results.