M. Elizabeth Varela

We hired Elizabeth for a child custody case. From the moment we hired her, she gave us advice that was harmful to our case. She consistently tried to lengthen phone calls and rewrite documents in order to run up the bill, but not once did we feel she did something that was in our child’s best interes...t. She will tell you “ it should work” or “it should be okay,” but there is no action behind it. The other parent’s attorney walked all over her. By the time we realized she was not working our case and making progress, thousands of dollars were spent and it was too late to get another attorney. My teen daughter who was so hopeful for a change, became hopeless when nothing changed and Elizabeth did not fight for her voice to be heard.

She is absolutely the worst public defender. Does not stay in contact or explain legal strategy with client. ( I doubt she has one ) she refuses to file motions that are requested for example a bail review. We had to contact someone else in the office and had them schedule a bail review. Even the ot...her public defenders said they were sorry we had her for an attorney. When the court date arrived she didn't even know her client had a bail hearing. This case has been open for over a month and the evidentiary hearing is in one week; she has yet to speak to witnesses and has only spoken with her client 3 times. If you get her I would suggest requesting a new attorney. I would not give her one star but it is mandatory. Hope this helps.