Arthur John Lacilento

I was initially told my consultation would be free, yet I was later charged for it. Despite my repeated monthly follow-ups requesting invoices (which were ignored), I received zero regular billing statements. Then, I was completely blindsided when the firm suddenly hit me all at once with 3 full mont...hs of representation bills, including $1,700 in surprise charges generated after I had already formally terminated his services. I was charged his full hourly rate (up to $500/hr) for follow-up emails or calls I had to make just to get basic updates (even for one-word email responses). During formal fee arbitration, he claimed his assistant was also a paralegal and justified charging $500/hr for her work. Shockingly, during the arbitration hearing, he even provided completely false information claiming that I had an open criminal case a statement that is factually false and easily disproved by public records. He actively attacked my character, portraying me as a 'terrible mother' during a proceeding meant strictly for a fee dispute. Although the arbitrator explicitly noted clear billing discrepancies on the record, the arbitrator surprisingly awarded the attorney every dollar in dispute, including $3,000 I had already paid and additional fees assessed for transferring my file to my new counsel. During arbitration, he repeatedly derailed the focus by bickering and bringing up sensitive details regarding my minor child. Communication was EXCEPTIONALLY poor.I was forced to initiate all follow-ups. When I asked for updates, the attorney dismissed me as a 'frantic, worried mom.' I repeatedly offered the medical imaging records that our medical expert required, but he ignored my offers, issued unnecessary subpoenas, and filed unnecessary continuances claiming the records were missing. When I tried to explain that I already had the documentation, he routinely insulted my intelligence, condescendingly asking, 'Are you an attorney?' A couple of weeks after I was appointed new counsel, my new attorney coordinated with the expert and quickly located the exact imaging records I had originally provided all along. The office repeatedly lost my files, forcing me to resend the exact same documentation multiple times (and charging me for the communications), and even confused my discovery materials with another client's files; an administrative error his office only noticed hours before our hearing that directly delayed my court dates and severely prejudiced my case. He even admitted to completely missing a crucial meeting with a medical expert because he took on another case in Orange County and simply 'forgot.' My invoices show charges of 1.5 to 3 hours for Zoom court appearances where the actual hearing lasted under 10 minutes, which he attributed to preparation. In almost every interaction, he routinely raised his voice and yelled at me, appearing visibly agitated with bloodshot, veiny eyes. Being much larger than me, his physical presence felt intimidating. At the one court appearance he made in person, he pulled me to the side to give me the same delayed excuses. When he stated that I looked mad, I explained that I was simply frustrated because he was not giving my case the attention it deserved. As I shook from frustration, he became riled up, so I walked away. As I was walking away, he began screaming down the hallway that he was going into the courtroom right now to withdraw from my case. He then followed me down the hall screaming, put his finger directly in my face, and caused an appalling scene. My partner had to step in to de-escalate the situation because of his aggressive physical proximity. When my partner mentioned recording his behavior, the attorney aggressively turned the situation around, screaming penal codes up and down the halls and falsely accusing my partner of breaking the law. A deputy/bailiff inspected my partner's phone on the spot and confirmed zero illegal activity occurred. I genuinely feared for my safety.

Hands down the worst attorney you can hire. I hired him and he refused to meet at the court hearings, giving every excuse why going to the hearings in person were not good however, he would frequently zoom into my hearing from the courthouses while working on other cases and blacking out his screen c...learly working on other cases. Other times he would zoom in from his house with his family and background noises in my hearing. He will over charge you for you all the time. I had to tell him that he's double charging me on multiple occasions. The judge and opposing counsel where practically laughing at him with all his faulty judicial statements in court. He couldn't even remember my name in the hearing. He will talk down to you and make sure you feel like he's not on your side. I'd tell everyone to stay away from this firm. This guy preys on people that need help and then disposes their concerns and and cases like nothing. At no point did I feel like he was on my side. I feel sorry for anyone that uses his services.

Arthur LaCielento is a great lawyer and a good person. He and Susan worked hard to have my case air tight and rock solid before even going in front of the judge. He fought hard and brought his A game, opposing counsel had little defense against him. could not have won my case without Arthur, Susan a...nd his team and I am grateful to him for working so hard to close that stressful chapter in my life.

I found myself in a position I NEVER thought I would be in when my children were removed from my custody unexpectedly. Looking for an attorney in this field is not easy (I spoke with a few) especially when the world has been pulled out from under your feet. I am SO GLAD I found Art. His office was... incredibly helpful and supportive from my first contacted with them, and his pricing was competitive. I just felt better once I spoke with his office and knew I wanted Art on my side. I was able to retain Art and he appeared with me the following morning for our first hearing. I had read other positive reviews and can truly attest that Art knows his stuff. He cited numerous laws and cases so quickly he kept opposing counsel on their toes to say the least. He is clearly well known and highly respected in the court room. Although we didn't get the outcome we had hoped for initially, and with COVID delaying everything, it was a long four months until we got to court again. Art was always available to answer my questions with no BS, he definitely gives it to you straight and he will hold you accountable (which I consider to be a really good quality in an attorney in this field). If you do what you're supposed to and are responsible for yourself, he believes in you and your case, he will fight tooth and nail for what's right. I have an immense amount of respect for his ability to see through the BS, hold ground in the courtroom and his unparalleled expertise in litigating. I am SO THANKFUL for Art. He fought for me, let me know where I screwed up and praised me for my hard work and the progress I made. If you find yourself caught up in this incredibly dysfunctional system, LISTEN TO THIS MAN, HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. If you do your part and work hard, Art will work HARD for you! He's clearly devoted to this field and he's in it for the long run (as long as you are too). Best possible outcome. Although my dependency case was dismissed, I am have been in and out of family court for 5 years and would never consider using another attorney. I am elated to have found Art. I can't thank you enough Art!!!!

Looking for an attorney is overwhelming, finding one that can actually fight for you using the law is even harder. I was desperate looking for someone who could help me and had a lot of options. From the moment I spoke to Mr. LaCilento, I knew he made me feel protected. In juvenile court, he appeared... to know more laws and codes than the judge as I saw her look a few up after he cited them. He dominates in a multi-entity courtroom. He was able to get my case dismissed because I followed his instructions. Do NOT argue with this man, you will not win. He is really in this field to help and has so much knowledge to navigate within the law. I was so pleased with his dedication and response time that I hired him for family law after my juvenile case was DISMISSED in what seemed to be impossible or a huge rarity considering the position I was in! I will forever have respect for this attorney and would recommend him to anyone I love or like, but never an enemy. I would not want to go up against his ferocious litigant. I am still in family court and he is doing a superior job. I have had a few attorneys and can attest that he calls back, he gets the job done and works hard, he does not send other attorneys in for him. I’m not sure I would be able to find anyone better. Thank you Mr. LaCilento, you rock and so does your staff. ***review on google and yelp***