Gemma Elisabeth Fenimore

Gemma Fenimore agreed to send a letter on my behalf to the management of a Tucson theater where I had been a successful volunteer usher for about 3 years, until experiencing discrimination due to my hearing impairment (one deaf ear) during a particular event. (I also ushered elsewhere for 15 years wi...thout incident.) I would like to have had an apology, and to return to my position with no fear of reprisal. I quit because of being treated disrespectfully by the usher manager. To my knowledge, there was no formal process for ending my services. Ushers at this theater agreed to work on a show-by-show basis, as few or as many as they chose, during the years I was there. It was difficult to work with Ms. Fenimore, and I should have stopped when I realized this, fairly early on. She seemed to think that she needed to change my way of presenting the situation, and my request for redress. I believed that it would be be appropriate to express the facts and my feelings my way. I needed her legal expertise and authority to indicate the seriousness of the situation to the director, and to give input about wording, but not to cancel out my personal experience. It was a struggle to get her to include statements I believed were important. However, I didn't know if I would find a better lawyer in a timely way. When a reply to the letter was finally received, it was not good. A policy was stated, with a long contract, which essentially said that volunteers are there to serve the theater with no expectation of any benefit. (Nor obviously of respectful treatment.) Ms. Fenimore basically threw up her hands. I think she could have sent a second letter to remind the theater management that: 1. I had been hired prior to this new paperwork being demanded of volunteers; i.e, I should have been "grandfathered;" and 2. Because of the issue of discriminating against me re my disability (which, again, did not affect my job performance), an apology would still have been appropriate. I wish this had occurred to me at the time. But it should have occurred to the lawyer, in my opinion. Ms. Fenimore had overcharged me for the letter she sent, in my opinion, and it did not seem that she would send a follow-up without another out-of-line fee. Bottom line: she really didn't care. Her area of law did not qualify her to act on my behalf, which she should have been honest about. I was left feeling under- represented and taken advantage of. This experience left a very bad taste in my mouth about her. I advise anyone to look further for meaningful representation.

Gemma Fenimore is very professional, pleasant and thorough. She provides quick and complete answers to questions. Gemma is very knowledgeable but is willing to consult colleagues if needed to ensure her feedback is accurate. I have contacted Gemma a number of times over the years and she helps get... quick resolution to my issues. I would highly recommend her.