James Michael Gallagher

Michael was regularly verbally abusive to me as well as advised me to engage in parental alienation behaviors. I almost fired him in the middle of the hearing, I wish I had at this point, I have a new attorney and it's like night and day. He had no problem taking my money I hired this lawyer and eh ...took over $20,000 and barely got anything done and wouldn't ever shut his mouth. Don't give this person any money, he needs to retire.

I believe that divorce is a always tragedy, even if its for the right reasons. J. Michael Gallagher is a brilliant lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the legal system. He is clear, direct and objective focused. He maintains excellent client control to achieve the most desirable outcomes possiable. ...As a prospective client it is important to fully understand that you as his client must cooperate with him, and then keep out of your own way and allow him to do the job you have hired him to do. Mr. Gallagher can be pretty gruff, but he truely values positive co-parenting strategies and what is in the best interest of children...and he expertly holds people accountable. J. Michael Gallagher as a law firm has a unique, but very reasonable fee system. The flat fee for two months covers ALL his, and his legal aid Sharon's, hours. Typically, a firm will both charge a large retainer and a high hourly rate. I am completely satisfied with the value and level of service he and Sharon have provided to my case. I cannot imagine going through any of this without them in my corner. Michael and Sharon, thank you so much for all your remarkable work on our behalf! I thank God for you both.

Mr. Gallagher couldn't seem to stay focused on anything. He was late by 10-15 minutes for every meeting I had with him and would often eat lunch or play on his laptop while I was trying to discuss my case with him. I would meet with him once a week and would have to repeat everything we had discuss...ed at the previous meeting because he had either not paid attention to or had forgotten the facts of my case. After filing my paperwork, he realized the day before the hearing that he had not filed all of the necessary paperwork and we had to ask for a continuance. I did not feel like Mr. Gallagher cared about my case or the outcome of our motions that were filed. All he cared about was how much money he could get out of my wallet.

He was never prepared for hearings, conferences, etc. He did not listen well, did not address salient points, engaged in playful, inappropriate banter rather than focusing on the actual issues involved in my divorce case. Should have been a relatively simple dissolution of a very short term marriag...e (a year and a half), with no children. I expected to leave the marriage with at least what I had when I entered the marriage, forget about 50% of the assets acquired during the marriage that I was legally entitled to also. For example, I owned a home prior to marriage, the person I married owned nothing. I worked full-time at all times during the marriage, the person I married couldn't keep a job. Mr. Gallagher's incompetence cost me dearly. I ended up paying my ex-spouse & Mr. Gallagher a ton of money that neither deserved. I was so worn down I made the mistake of trusting this attorney to do his job, which never did happen, while I paid & paid & paid. Many regrets! I should have fired Mr. Gallagher & hired a competent attorney that would have been willing to actually do some work & represent me fairly. In retrospect, I should have filed a formal complaint with the WSBA, also. His behavior was inappropriate; far too much personal interest. Live & learn.

It was a long and challenging journey. Mike is smart and professionally aggressive and represented me well both in and out of the courtroom. He understands the father in the divorce and I have the time with my two little daughters that I deserve. Thank you Mike for all you did for me and my daughte...rs.