Michael James Kalanta

I don’t recall ever posting a review of a service or business before, however, I feel compelled to write this review for two reasons: encouragement and gratitude. The first and most important is out of obligation to encourage anyone who may be in a situation like I was, secretly reviewing attorneys ...and wondering if any can be trusted with their future and the safety of their family. I encourage anyone who has lost faith in the judicial system, anyone who feels that it would be unsafe to continue in their current situation yet fears putting the fate of their children in the hands of the California Court system to reach out to Michael and his team. Michael was dedicated to me and fought for my daughter’s best interest. I never struggled to reach Michael and often found him responding to emailed questions in the wee hours of the morning or even on weekends. He even answered his cell phone on Christmas morning and intervened in a custody issue with Christmas visitation protocol. Be aware, Mike will not put on a TV show appearance of shouting and banging his fist on the table in court- if you’re looking for a show and empty promises that you’ll get full custody and every penny you’ve ever made- go elsewhere and you’ll likely be disappointed in your outcome. What you will find in Michael is someone who burns the midnight oil on your behalf. In court he is calm, cool and collected. On multiple occasions, I was impressed to hear opposing counsel rant and rave out of emotion and then listen to Michael speak confidently and instantaneously cite memorized portions of the law and case examples to refute. His style always seemed to gain favor with the Judge and resulted in a positive outcome for my daughter and me. Michael is a leader who has surrounded himself with an office team that communicates and shows the same dedication to clients. All team members knew my case intimately and made me feel important every time I called or came in for an appointment. The second reason I write this review is out of gratitude to Michael and his team. I told him my top two priorities on my first visit and he delivered 100%. My case was a marathon and not a sprint. It was a process, but the end results were worth every moment and penny invested. His team was thorough and well prepared. I never experienced anything but professionalism and ease when completing or receiving paperwork. Michael proved that with the right counsel, the “system” does indeed provide justice and the right outcome for children. If you are about to embark on the very emotional path of divorce and need someone to who you feel you can trust your children, based on my experience I encourage you to reach out and see if Michael will take your case. Lastly, I’d like to say Thank you Michael Kalanta and team. I am forever grateful and highly recommend your services.

Mike is worth the money, he invests back into his clients and makes them feel like family. I wish I had found him earlier, but I will do what he deserves and tell my story, and tell you the kind of attorney he is. Mike is the kind of lawyer I wish I had found the first time around during my divorce.... Due to COVID my divorce was drawn out and my times court dates were rescheduled due to COVID. I originally hired Leslie Jensen as an attorney and I was new to the process. She gave me false hope and when I came with questions she dismissed me. Leslie went to mediation with me, telling me it was in the bag and I would have joint custody, I lost, and she took none of the blame for losing. Because I didn't go with Mike Kalanta the first time around it took me 2 years, a ton of heart ache and a 6,000 dollar private custody evaluation and a private investigator which cost 2500 I then contacted Mike, he setup a consultation and I brought all my paperwork. Mike spent about an hour and a half panning through the paperwork, trying to understand my case and all the issues surrounding it. He stepped in an agreed not to price gouge me like I had previously received. Mike explained every step of the process, and told me what was likely to happen so I did not get my hopes up. When I was down on luck because court was postponed, he had called me multiple times to check in and see how I was doing. He would always say, hey Dan I am not charging you for this I just wanted to check in and see how you were holding up, or what's new with you. He treated me like family and so has Sandra from his office, who is a great paralegal. Sandra is friendly, responsive, and always up to do whatever I wanted or needed. They didn't make me wait and responded in a quick timely fashion. Mike and Sandra would call with updates, and have made sure to get my case handled properly. When I was with Leslie Jensen I felt like a number, a number on a check she wanted to cash. But with Mike Kalanta, he restored a bunch of faith in the law, and courts. 1. I came to Mike with wanting more custody of my kids, due to it being originally at 70/30 to the mother of my kids. He recommended a Private Custody evaluation that has since given me 50/50 custody. 2. I was going to be deal with support issues surround my ex who was capable of working full time but refused to do so. Mike recommended a vocational assessment, which has come back placing her at a full time wage in the courts. 3. I was able to settle my divorce after a long played out game from my ex and her attorney. Mike called multiple times to check in on me and text me to make sure to get the job done and give me closure on that issue. When I started this issue I felt like attorneys were a waste of time and not worth it. After having Mike on my side for the past 2 years, I couldn't be more grateful and thankful. I have nothing but respect for him, Sandra and his law firm. He makes you feel like a person, and cares a ton. My only regret was not hiring him the first time when I was out looking for attorneys to represent me.

Just like the other review, he is does not do his due diligence.. I hired him to do a final settlement with the wife's attorney since her attorney would not respond to my settlement offers. It took him 9 months to do something that should have taken weeks... Charged a ridiculous fee and to zero out ...his books he sent me bogus billings to spend the last couple hundred dollars on account... What a dishonest person... Then to top it off he never sent me my final divorce papers. Terrible office personnel. Could have emailed, mailed, whatever, but no papers, it's been 1 1/2 years and I am having to request them again...Do not waist your time, money or stress with this guy and his firm... Absolutely should not be in business, especially in the legal business. He is very inexperienced... Shame on him......I would not recommend him to my worst enemy...

For over past year, I have utilized the services of Mr. Kalanta and his law firm. Not only did I get what I wanted and needed, but my expectations were exceed by Mr. Kalanta in and out of court. He will continuously be my family law attorney along with his family friendly, highly responsive and thoro...ugh fast-paced team.