Michael W Seidel

Hired Michael Seidel in spring 2018. He never answered emails or phone calls. He presented me with a marital settlement agreement that was so one sided..for the other side!. He then tried to bully me into accepting it. I had the agreement looked over by another attorney, who recommended I fire him on... the spot. He has been suspended from the bar TWICE! Check OSB website yourself (which I didn't). I promised myself, when divorced (hired another attorney), I would let others know. Save yourself 10k for work not done. Avoid at all costs

When I hired Michael Seidel to represent me in October 2011, it was a very stressful and emotional time for me. I wanted to fight for Sole Custody of my child which I eventually received. Mr. Seidel took my money ($5,000) but his representation for me was nothing short of terrible. He did not... fight for me and my rights, but after the first $2,500 I gave him to start my case, he blew through that within two months and wanted "another $2,500 to move forward on my case. Sad. Needless to say I fired him as my attorney and found a much better one who fought for me. I wouldn't refer him to anyone !

I retained Mr. Seidel prior to him opening his own office for a custody dispute. He was also involved with a criminal case at the same time that both parties were involved with. Yes, this case was complicated, but in no way did this give authority for Mr. Siedel to withdraw as being my attorney witho...ut proper and judicial notice to be given just two weeks before trial that was set on calendar months in advance. All because he was moving from the law firm to open his own. To date, I have been pro per and corrected the issues Mr. Seidel created and allowed as "settlement" or "we have bigger fish to fry" in my case. Those issues allowed my ex to get into another criminal case involving the threat of life and safety to my children, and a medical condition for one of my children. If I had listened to my gut I would have moved on and saved myself thousands of dollars rather than funding his now new business and being misguided. I strongly recommend Mr. Seidel as a public defender, but do not allow him to take on a personal long term case that anyone can handle themselves. With it, you will be guaranteeing repeat hearings to correct multiple errors he allows. Use that money for filing fees yourself and not pay someone with the same mental capacity as a typical Joe. Sorry Mr. Seidel, but calling me on my personal phone after my scheduled hearing you bailed on to see "how did it go" was a complete slap to the face and insult to all.

This lawyer will cheat and lie to get your money!! He not only over charges you for services, but leaves you feeling like unless you KEEP giving him large sums of money you will lose your case. In my case, my son. There were threats made and lots of hounding from Mr. Seidel, that led us to believe we... would lose the custody case with my ex and lose my son, if we couldn't come up with more money. Over a period of 3 months we were charged almost $8.000.000!!!! How is that even possible. That was just for a status quo order. A status qou order is to determine what parent the child should be with until the hearing. In my case it was easy, I have had sole custody since my child was 1yr old. So, for 7yrs. total at the time..... DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT HIRE THIS MAN. Unethical, immoral, and down right dirty!!!! FRAUD is another way of putting it. After talking about my case with two other attorneys, they both agreed that I had been overcharged. GREATLY! We then fired Mr. Seidel and went with another attorney. I hope this helps!!