Emily Maire Staker

I am sharing my personal experience to help others make an informed decision. While Emily was pleasant and professional, I was ultimately dissatisfied with the representation I received. I paid approximately $20,000 in legal fees before discovery was even really started, averaging about $5,000 per... month. During this time, I felt that some key issues were not adequately addressed. For example, omissions in the pre-trial order prepared by opposing counsel were not challenged, which resulted in my assuming responsibility for a $10,000 loan. I was also ordered to pay over $2,000 in alimony. In my opinion, this could have been structured more equitably, as a lower amount would have resulted in more comparable incomes. I also had concerns about how safety-related matters were handled. Based on my understanding, my ex (he)regained possession of a firearm before moving out, despite prior statements that raised safety concerns. I did not feel confident that these issues were advocated for as strongly as they could have been. At times, I felt there was an expectation that opposing counsel would act reasonably, which did not align with my experience of how the case unfolded. Billing was significant and included time spent learning local county procedures and consulting with another attorney in the office. Although I drafted substantial portions of my own declaration, I was still billed at a high rate. After hiring new counsel, I experienced more progress in four months at a lower overall cost. This comparison helped me recognize areas where closer attention to strategy and experience may have improved my earlier representation. Emily is kind and well-intentioned, but based on my experience, I believe additional experience and a more strategic approach would have been beneficial. I ultimately achieved a fair outcome, but I did not feel that way during the time I was working with Emily.