Cynthia Renz First

I’m a criminal defense lawyer with 45 years of experience, so when it came to my own difficult, complicated divorce, I knew I needed the best lawyer possible. My first lawyer was, at best, mediocre. Then, during a court zoom hearing a couple of months into my divorce, I watched and listened to Cynt...hia First representing another petitioner. It took me five minutes to make the decision to see if she would represent me. I know lawyers and the quality of what they do, having worked with or opposite as many as 400 of them. There are three at the top of the list, lawyers who are brilliant, caring, dedicated. Ms First is one of those three. She’s super smart and knowledgeable not only about the law but also about people and situations. Her skills in representation go beyond that: She cares about her clients. My emails were answered immediately, even during off hours. Superlative representation. Class act. Terrific person, terrific lawyer.

From my initial consultation I could tell that I was in good hands. Ms. First is clear, direct, approachable, a great listener, and efficient. Beyond that Ms. First is highly effective and GETS THE JOB DONE! This includes how she managed me, as I was clearly and emotional wreck and extremely stre...ssed throughout the divorce process but more importantly, it was how she took charge and managed the mediation and closing procedures. What I had expected to be as one of the most painful days turned out to be quite tolerable if not almost pleasant. Overall I was quite pleased with how justice prevailed for BOTH parties. Typically divorce is a lose lose for all parties and I would not wish it on anyone but at times in the end it is a necessary event for both partners to move on so they can continue growing, and eventually heal. Ms. First's decades of experience, professionalism, and insightfulness affords clients the opportunity for these processes to begin almost immediately. I found that her fees were indeed fair but I found what I got for those funds was well worth the investment. This was for an uncontested divorce, no children, one party asking for the moon and the other initially shaking in their boots but finishing feeling like there was a great weight lifted. Thank you again, Ms. First. I hope I never need your services again but should that need arise you will absolutely be the first lawyer I call or refer. Sincerely, Very Grateful and Satisfied Client

When I needed a divorce attorney, I asked my friends - who have you used? who do you trust? who is the best? Cynthia's name came up more than once, and after meeting her, I knew she was the right person to represent me. I knew things wouldn't be straight-forward, but I didn't expect my spouse to choo...se an attorney who was unpredictable, even bordering on unethical. Cynthia took it all in stride. I felt protected, no matter what came our way. When emotions clouded my thinking at times, she grounded me and helped me see that sometimes it's best to sleep on an idea, and come back to it in the morning, with a clearer head. Cynthia kept amazing control of my case, she kept me informed and she presented me with all of my options. She thought of things I would never have, and her experience and knowledge of the law was outstanding. I know I could not have found a better attorney, both for the work that was done, and for someone who was a good match for me. Cynthia has a great personality, she's easy to talk to - even when the topic is somewhat sensitive. She has a great sense of humor as well, something that needs to come out in the midst of any divorce case. She saw me through one of the toughest experiences in life, and she did so with dignity and grace. Going forward, when a friend or colleague asks me for a reference to an attorney, Cynthia's will be the one I recommend.

Waited for a first appointment for 2 weeks to see her, day before I got a call that she couldn't be there, so we rescheduled appointment for another 1.5 weeks. Received a call hours prior to 2 appointment telling me she could not be there either. After rescheduling appointment for a 3rd time and wai...ting almost a month I came to her office. She charged me a $ 250.00 for a consultation. Came to room 8 minutes late and left 10 minutes early. Even after telling me her consultations are $ 250.00 for an hour, which she didn't even fully give me. Later she tried to charge me $ 310.00 for that consultation . I sat in the office for some 15 minutes like an idiot after Cynthia got up and left, I waited for Cynthia to comeback, give me some papers or instructions, shake my hand, or simply say thanks for giving her business and $ 5000.00, but she just left and never came back. I thought since she charges $ 325.00 an hour to represent , she probably is a good lawyer , right? Wrong! She tried to have me switch to her coworker for $ 165.00 and asked me two times if I may be interested. I said I found here here on Avvo and wanted to hire her. She never was available, never called me once in 1+ month period of time, being out of city and only communication I have received from this agency was from other staff members. I faxed my tax papers and everything she needed and asked me for.When I Emailed to Cynthia, her assistant would respond, when I called Cynthia, her paralegal would handle it for her. After all said and done another 1.5 months have passes by, no motion was filed and it started from thanksgiving , than went to first week of December, than Christmas. On some 20th of December I received an email from Cynthia's coworker (another Lawyer, telling me that she has reviewed my paperwork and documents and will be taking over the case from Cynthia. I was in shock. Cynthia never emailed me, called me or send anything ,to let me know she can't, or will not be representing me anymore and without my authorization passed on my file to some other attorney. I emailed and called and asked her to refund my money , because it has gotten to far and almost two months were wasted. She didn't refund all of the money, I paid her. O when I gave to Cynthia my retainer, her office staff ended up giving me the Original Contract as my paperwork. Sharp Staff. I faxed my tax papers and everything she needed and asked me for. I would not recommend using this Attorney, because in my opinion she seemed burned out and lost any interest in representing clients. I am going through a divorce , I see my little girl , very limited amount time, pay money for supervision and what is very sad , that some lawyers have no respect to peoples time and how painful it is to be going through the divorce process to begin with. I wasted thousands of dollars by hiring Cynthia. If you Can't represent, or if you are to busy, or if you are burned out, DON'T COLLECT $5000.00 RETAINER, if you don't have any intention to represent Cynthia.