Tuella O. Sykes

Absolutely the worst experience I’ve ever had with an attorney. After taking my money, she failed to provide the service she promised. Completely unprofessional from the start — at one point, she even began shaking her hands and neck aggressively, like she was in a street fight rather than a professi...onal setting. Her attitude was shockingly disrespectful and combative. She showed no empathy, no compassion, and clearly had no real knowledge of the law or how to help her clients. I was left feeling taken advantage of and completely unsupported. Avoid this attorney at all costs — she is not someone you want representing you in any legal matter.

We retained Tuella in February of 2012 and paid a $1,000 retainer. Even though we provided all of the proper information relative to our previous bankruptcy, her office didn't inform us until after we paid the retainer the law had changed and it was eight years instead of seven. Because they cashed t...he check, we were stuck with her firm and had to wait for roughly four months before we could proceed. While the handling of the petition was very standard, I was a bit concerned about delays in communication and Tuella’s very “cold” disposition. She was not friendly by any means. I warned her about a particular group of malicious creditors and she told me she was willing to handle the case on contingency with another lawyer if something came up. At the 341 hearing, Tuella met us at the court house and I watched her surf celebrity gossip on her mobile device while the trustee went through other parties. When our turn arrived, the malicious group of creditors I warned her about sent a high paid lawyer to derail our proceedings. Tuella’s performance was abysmal as she completely mishandled properly representing and protecting us and even acted in a hostile fashion towards us during the hearing. After the hearing was concluded she took us into a private office and proceeded to berate me in a hostile and angry fashion, behaving in a completely unprofessional manner. I never raised my voice at her or got angry with her. I had to act passive just to calm her down. It took a month before she informed me she would need $5,000 up front in order to handle an upcoming exam (money she knew we didn't have). We informed her we didn't have the money and had no choice but to seek other counsel or act pro se. Tuella submitted a notice of withdrawal to the Court claiming I had not complied with the terms of our agreement. We also found out a Creditor had sent her a reaffirmation agreement more than a month before (which she didn't disclose to us until we ended our relationship), and she failed to file a change of address form I personally handed to her at the hearing. We were never comfortable with her, and our experience was a terrible one.

Long story short - if you want your case to be decided by late and incomplete work, Tuella is the attorney for you. Tuella is highly disorganized, and routinely missed filing deadlines and failed to understand and include key facts in filings. Tuella’s time management is so incompetent, her inac...curate and largely incomplete work is provided with minutes to review prior to the submission deadlines, allowing for her sloppiness and failure to understand the facts to decide key legal matters. Tuella is similarly incompetent as a litigator, commonly failing to effectively communicate basic and decisive facts in litigation despite her stated ‘mastery’ of the concepts.

The Law Office of Tuella Sykes was recommended to my by someone I work with. She was able to meet with me on a Saturday morning, as I wasn't able to take off of work during the work week. I was seeking a lawyer who was up to date on the bankruptcy law and who would have my best interest at heart. She... and her Paralegal walked me through the process in a gentle and kind manner. If you're looking for an intelligent articulate highly motivated lawyer then I would recommend Tuella Sykes. There is none better.

Tuella Sykes office came to me per recommendation from a previous client. He raved about her abilities and intelligence. I can agree that my Chapter 7 was handled in both great care by her and her staff and I was always updated during the process. If your looking for an Attorney that will get it done... even on a moments notice she is the one I recommend you call.