John Vincent Montero

I wouldn’t even give one star, that was the only option. Avoid this man at all costs. He’s an ambulance chaser and that’s it. I’ve been billed for work he’s never done, threatened by supposing counsel because he didn’t file. Try getting him on the phone and when you do, he rushed me off. I accepted a... bad deal, fired him and got a great attorney. He had no idea what he’s doing and his very limited office staff is an angry person. Do not hire him!!

I've worked with John for more than 5 years on a monster divorce case and continuing child custody case. John worked extremely hard on my divorce when opposing counsel was running up fees and churning the file. My case resulted in me retaining 50% custody of my child, and financial stability with r...egard to splitting up assets. He and his assistant are first rate when it comes to speed, legal knowledge, complete case review, and knowing what is important about a case, and which small stuff not to sweat. He has an excellent rapport and reputation with the Judges. Judges know that he follows the rules of the court and legal code/conduct, which doesn’t put your case in jeopardy. John kills people with kindness, and fights hard in court when necessary. If you follow John’s advice, you won’t go wrong and will get the best possibly results. If you go against John’s advice, then you’ll shoot yourself in the foot (and then lay blame).

John has been my attorney for several years now and he and his assistant do a phenomenal job. They helped me finish off my divorce case after my previous attorney did a terrible job and didn't finish all the paperwork so my divorce didn't go through until John took care of it. The fees were way les...s then I expected and far less than other attorneys. Additionally, they handled my custody case and child support with my two children. They filed emergency orders to get my case heard immediately when my children were in danger. John always listens to what is going on and then takes the important pieces that matter to the court and presents them. They are very knowledgeable and you can tell that this isn't your typical shark law firm. They are caring and concerned for my family, putting our safety first. (Safety was an issue with my children being at the other parent's house.) I now have full custody of my children and I receive my child support in a timely fashion. John has a great rapport in the court room, with Judges, other attorneys and with the DCSS staff. When I attempted to file for child support on my own, the DCSS system informed me that it would take three to six months. When John filed, it took one. Every time I have contacted DCSS or the courts for information, I end up having to get John involved in order to see any results. The courts and DCSS respond to John. He has excellent communication with them and is able to fast track things. I am so thankful for all John and Pat have done for me and for my children, they have a wonderful and effective law office, but more importantly, they are wonderful and ethical people! I recommend this office to anyone in need of a lawyer, or anyone in need of legal advice. I have referred friends there and they are all very happy with the results.

I don't write reviews but I saw a negative review and just had to give my personal experience with John as my attorney. What do you do when your ex dates an attorney who will work for them for free? You hire the 'best'. My original firm was rated in the top 3 in Sacramento. They helped us sell ou...r house and put it in a trust. Over 2 1/2 years they managed to get ONE thing done. The divorce. And charged within $800 of our entire trust. I HAD to 'downgrade'. On word of mouth - I went to John. In 6 months more had been done than the previous 3 years. Within 2 years - I was done. I no longer need John's services and haven't for a year now. Because he got the job done. He managed to get us more than 5 minutes with a judge. He managed to get the facts looked at. And (most importantly) he actually took a VESTED interest in our (me and my daughter's) lives. There were plenty of times I doubted him, and his 'long term goal'. But in the end, he always prevailed. I can sum it up like this: If you want an attorney that walks/dresses/talks like a congressman, bills and nickle & dimes you like you've hired God, talks in legal jargon even to you, and makes you ultimately feel like you are putting your future (and your child's future) in the hands of someone who seems to be enough 'classes' up that they really wouldn't care much either way what happened to you in the end, and if you want someone that when you walk in their office, you will feel like you've entered some gentleman's club where you truly don't belong... John is NOT for you. But if you're a bit scared, unnerved, and even a bit confused about how you even GOT into the situation you're in now in the first place. If you need someone that can talk to you and NOT make you feel 3 classes down and uneducated regardless of your own life/education. And if you want someone that will take the vested interest in your well being as though you went to highschool together and will talk to you like a friend and not just a client. John MAY be the one for you. If you want someone that won't charge you $250 to look at your kids report card, or to simply read a 6 sentence fax, and focuses more on getting the job done than when your next check is coming in... John MAY be the one for you. I think people often go to an attorney and expect things to happen immediately (I know I did). But after having multiple attorneys in my life from accident to divorce, I can tell you that simply doesn't happen often. So I understand other's frustrations. But what I learned about John versus others is this.. Some attorneys use Law, Legal Jargon, half-made truths, and a LOT of hope when they enter the courtroom. They play it hearing by hearing and they do it JUST like we do our own DAY JOBS... 'get the task out of the way so I can go home....' John and Pat use a formula of law, common sense, pattern recognition, and whatever TRUE facts they have to put together a final outcome. True facts are harder to dispute. They dismissed more 'soft facts' than I wanted them to. They have an END plan beyond just the next hearing. They got me exactly what I wanted in the end. Exposed the lies on the other side and made me glad that we didn't 'bend truths'. You can't go into a custody/divorce battle expecting short term closure. And I learned the hard way that a higher charge by an attorney doesn't speed up the process, nor how much they care. From someone who has had both sides John made the long trip easier to deal with. Even when I was out of my mind from it all. I would go on record and gladly share my story or confirm this review as true to anyone who cares to inquire with me via John. I am not getting a 'break' for this review. My case is closed. I have referred 3 friends to them since. I have referred my (now) wife to them as well. Because in my opinion, they do what's best DESPITE your thoughts. And believe me, during all this chaos, you HAVE to trust someone else.