A. Spencer Bergstedt

Timeline of our dealings with Spencer; Feb 16- First meeting with Spencer. I told him we had to have everything done by May 1; we were leaving for an extended trip on May 1. He promised a completed trust document in 2 weeks. In addition, he promised to get the witnesses and notary required and we'...d sign the documents. He'd file them and everything immediately afterwards in just a few days. I said fine. He asked for the entire fee up front. I balked at that so he said fine, give him 50% up front. I wrote him a check which he cashed within days. Mar 2- I emailed him some requested info-my delay. Mar 3- I emailed him requesting status of docs. Mar 18 - After several unanswered phone calls, I emailed him more info on our real estate holdings with additional questions for him. The info I sent him on 3-18 was not holding him up on creating the trust doc. Mar 21- , I email him again with specific questions and asking for draft docs. Mar 25- Spencer responded apologizing for delays. He promised draft docs "tomorrow." Mar 29- I emailed him again asking for draft docs. April 5 – I emailed again asking for draft docs and reminding him of our schedule and his original commitment of “2 weeks.” April 9- Almost 2 months after first meeting, Spencer finally emailed me a draft trust document. April 6- I emailed him several questions raised by his draft trust doc. April 11 - I emailed him with several questions asked previously that he had never answered at all and a couple of additional questions his draft doc had raised, and an error correction in the draft. I suggested a meeting be set up to soon and of our soon upcoming departure! Next 2 weeks-- I made many unanswered phone calls to him! May 2- I emailed him telling him our departure was delayed to May 12 and we could still get the trust completed. Never heard any more from him.

Run don't walk, run! Went in for a chapter 7 and had good feelings about after the initial meeting. Paid retainer, gave him all the necessary info and then did not hear anything from him for two months. After many attempts I finally went to his office and confronted him. I told him that we decided to... move on with another attorney since we had such difficulty just being able to check in. He mentioned that he was "nearly" done with our filing work. Two days later we received a packet with our filing paperwork, much of which had incorrect info and looked to be hastily completed. Long story short we hired a competent attorney, paid them and they took care of everything flawlessly! Still have not received monies from Spencer but more importantly a break down of what work was done. Very unprofessional!

My husband and I had an unusual legal issue that needed to be settled. It was also complicated by being out of state. Spencer was just great at listening to us and making us feel heard. He did the research necessary and we just always felt like we had a strong ally. We ultimately had him send a lette...r on our behalf, which was done on time and as expected. We found his billing to be honest and fair. I wouldn't hesitate to call him again.

I went to him for a bankruptcy in September 2012, he said it would be a simple Ch 7 and when I asked if it could be done before the end of the year he said yes. As of today, it has not been filed. I have had no correspondence from him since January 2013 when he emailed to explain why he hadn't worke...d on my case. No return of my calls or emails. He came highly recommended and my appointment with him gave me no impression that he would be anything less than good. I have asked for my file and retainer 2 weeks ago, and have heard nothing.