Bernie Johannes Kempen

I went to Bernie with a dilema regarding my ex wife which could have cost me $5,000 or more. She was trying to extort money from me before she complied with the judges order to sign over the house deed to me. I was in closing in my refinance and the timing was very important to get this done. I...n any case, I had spoken with 3 other attorneys before Bernie, and it wasnt until after our conversation that I felt confident enough to send her a letter. In this letter, I mentioned how this could go down for her if i took it to court. ...ie how much it would cost her, and how I could potentially sue her for the injuries caused by her actions. All of this information was gathered in one conversation with Bernie. I offerred her $900 only, and she accepted, knowing if we went to court she would get nothing, I would win, and then I would sue her for damages. Bernie knows his stuff. His office is pleasnt, as is his staff. It feels like you are dealing with a friend, not an attornerny. I am very happy with his services and would recomend him highly.

From the first phone conversation alone Bernie made me feel I have a shot at being with my children again. Now I will not say he made a promise that we will succeed but the initial concern for my situation from himself and his assistant gave me the courage to stand up for what I believe. When mee...ting with Bernie and Liz I was a little reserved an didn't know how to express the hurt I had endured from not being able to have a relationship with my two children. Even still they were ready to fight by my side for what is right and for the effort alone I am eternally grateful. Thank you in advance Bernie though the fight has yet to begin I know you will give it the best shot you've got.

I used Bernie and his staff during my first divorce over 10 years ago. I will be ever grateful for the guidance he gave me, as I was completely lost. The other parent was a complete snake and used my own friends and family members to gain inside information during our divorce proceedings, even ...setting me up in unusual situations to make it appear that I was someone that I was not. I had no idea that people that I once trusted and loved would ever this to me, but Bernie caught on and advised me that my divorce was very unusual and that there was someone giving my Ex information that he was using against me so that I would have to constantly contact my Attorney and pay more money. Bernie was very gracious and gave me discounts on my billing. If I would have just listened to him in the first place and kept people out of my divorce I would have been much better off but like I said, I would have never believed that those I loved would hurt me and my children for the sake of being paid off by my former husband. What a joke, my ex has like 8 kids, 3 with me and the others by different women. My Ex was so upset because Bernie uncovered his Self employment income and he would not file taxes as he knew how the child support system worked, he thought he had Bernie fooled and he told me to keep Bernie off of his A--! It humors me now but back then it was devastating since my children would ultimately pay for his anger. Bernie Kempen, Thank you so very much. In my opinion I would pay all over again to have such Seasoned Representation. People beware when choosing an Attorney. Watch out for newly licensed attorneys, make sure they have at least 10 years under their belts so that they can Fight and Win for you. Thank you Bernie!

The following statement is my personal opinion based on my experience with Attorney Bernie Kempen. I would not recommend Bernie to anyone getting a divorce. Initially Bernie made me feel comfortable and that this case was a slam dunk. $40k later I am still married and left not knowing what to do. ... The other parent was given 50% custody. I feel Bernie did not fight for me. I feel he laid down and was intimidated by the other attorney. The other parent, as a result of the 50% custody agreement, has gotten away with paying a very, very small amount of child support. Yet, as predicted, for the most part has not followed through with the custody arrangement- leaving me to have the kids on the other parents time (most of the time) and sticking with a huge grocery bill, more utilities, etc., The other parent lied to the court about their income and nothing was really done. Bernie did not fight for what is in the best interest of the children. He did not fight for alimony for me. He did not fight for ANYTHING. IMO, Bernie carried this out only to bill me more and more money. Than when I could not afford to pay him anymore (after $40k), he dropped me like a hot potato. Now, 6 years later, I am still not divorced. His slogan, "It's Over"... Is quite contrary to my experience. IT AIN'T OVER. So after all of this money I spent, I am still married to a bully that now violates the court orders at will and doesn't care saying, "Oh well", "take me to court", because this person knows I got screwed and now I have no representation. The other party is getting 1/2 my pension, 1/2 my retirement, pays a very small amount of child support (enough to pay maybe one utility), yet this person makes twice as much as me, just bought a new boat and a new car... Leaves the kids with me on their time with him, has given up completely on 1 child and never sees him. After all this time, and after all the money I gave Bernie, I still have not resolved any issues other than child custody which Bernie just laid down for, even though it was clearly in the best interest of the children to stay with me... Even the mediator thought it was. There are still issues regarding money, etc... Which the other parent is fighting to take from me (my pension, retirement, etc... but I have no representation - Bernie gave up because I ran out of money). I am afraid to go back to court and do anything because I don't know what will happen. I feel I was victimized by Bernie. I feel I was bullied by Bernie every time I asked a question. He would argue back at me and make me feel stupid for asking it, and then he would never address the concerns I had. The other attorney would lie in court, lie in court paperwork, etc... and Bernie barely addressed it. And when I brought it up, I was made to feel that it wasn't important. I feel Bernie would create situations that caused me to email or phone the office and ask questions, only so he could bill me more money, until finally I was broke. If I could complain to a governing body about Bernie Kempen, and knew it would do me some good, I would. I am sure Bernie will come on here and make some dumb excuse and try to defend it, but I only see that as another attempt to bully me. To sum it all up. I spent about $40k with Bernie and got nowhere. Then when I couldn't pay anymore he dropped me as a client. And now I am being bullied and harassed by the the other parent all the time. I know of two other clients that have started with Bernie but were smart enough to drop him before they got sucked in.

Perhaps the most devastating time in my life and my trust in humanity was destroyed; yet I needed help to navigate the Californian legal system, and an advocate for my remaining family. Bernie Kempen and his staff were there to assist every step of the way. He conducted himself with honesty and dig...nity, he helped me to see past my initial emotional reaction and formulate a fair plan for my children and I.