Donica Ramsey

I was seeking an experienced, professional counsel with an empathetic, solutions-oriented mindset. I got an attorney that proved so much the opposite that I can't imagine how she passed the Washington State Bar Association’s ethics requirements [RPC 1.1 COMPETENCE]: "A lawyer shall provide competent ...representation to a client. Competent representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation." To say that this person acted with an unethical or unprofessional manner would be less than accurate because they were so overwhelmed and unqualified to represent me that they likely didn't have a conscionable process of thought. Then, within a week of my divorce trial, instead of being forthright and asking for the court's guidance and support, she filed a request for removal with our divorce-trial judge, stating (with identical language to my ex-wife's false claims) that she was uncomfortable with my manner and mindset. I'm a distinguished public-school teacher with a pristine criminal and professional record, but that was not how she presented her paying client to the court. Just as concerning was her inability or unwillingness to include me on all active email-messaging between my ex-wife’s attorney and her, as I explicitly demanded to see and understand all of this communication. Not only did this not happen, but I discovered later that my ex-wife was included (CCed) on these communications, but I was not. To say that this proves collusion with opposing counsel may be a stretch, but what attorney allows an opposing client to participate in and be a witness to ongoing negotiations, while not allowing their own client identical access? Maybe it wasn’t a conscionable process of thought, but it sure seems incompetent. As I've had more than a year to consider this, it's become more evident just how dysfunctional this divorce disaster became. I wouldn't hire her again if she were the last attorney on the planet. Maybe to the point, it seems she's now moved to an estate-planning, probate field of law. Good luck with that. And best of luck to any loving father who needs an honest, experienced lawyer to represent them in a high-conflict divorce but makes this choice. This was the worst of all possible choices for me.