Forest Dean Morgan's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

35 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | 1 star

Posted by David | January 22, 2015 | DUI & DWI

AVOID AT ALL COST

This guy is all talk, and will tell you he's not in it for the money when it's so clear that he is. Unprofessional and suspect on all his credentials based on this experience. He tells me that in my situation it was suitable to go to preliminary hearing so he could go in and review the officer's p...aper work procedure to see if the officer had done anything irregular or illegal so we could see if we should fight the case or go on with the ARD program. In his emails he goes in great detail how extensive his knowledge is in the DUI field and his expertise gathered from seminars hosted around nationally. This guy not only shows up 30 minutes late keeping the officer and the judge waiting, but goes into the room for only a few minutes. He says he specializes in the DUI field and probably tells all his clients his extensive classes he took at these conferences, but don't be fooled. We met right after and his half ass attitude about the whole thing was underwhelming. He briefly tells me we could fight it, then changes and says its not a bad idea to go ARD because your BAC is low. Tells me officer did the sobriety test correctly on me. What was funny was he spent more time telling me why he was late then actually telling me how he just wasted my first $600 to him for coming to a preliminary hearing that he came late and did absolutely nothing prior, during and after the preliminary hearing. It concluded by him telling me if I wanted to continue his service it would be another $600 more. I had asked him to negotiate the next retainer fee but it was denied and said I was free to find other legal advice. Why did this man show up late to my court date when I paid the 650 retainer fee? He says he was in a courthouse and overheard a lady who didnt have an attorney to defend her when the prosecutor/judge was going after her for something ridiculous. So he pretty much goes on to defend her in court, who didnt pay a dime, yet comes late to a client who paid money for your service. Go figure. And don't expect emails from him unless its about payment plans. Once i paid I was the one to initiate any type of communication (has payment been received, can you give me a call, what is the next step). "When you retain me, you can be assured that I will be focused on your case, not searching for the next client. I would be happy to meet with you as often as necessary after being retained. " "To ensure the most efficient use of our time/efforts, I do not offer in-person meetings until after I am retained. To fully understand our services and the reason why our clients consistently report their satisfaction (including 100% communication satisfaction and 99% overall satisfaction)"

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Forest Morgan

Replied last December 10, 2014

David, Thank you for taking the time to write this review. However, I believe it would be appropriate to fully inform the reader of your circumstances. Prior to retaining me, you received a comprehensive case evaluation. You quoted this in your review. You received a 40 page legal guide. You received a copy of our case results and client reviews. You received our fee agreement. You were fully advised of your options, including the option to not hire a lawyer if you wished to pursue ARD. You were given the option of hiring me for the entire process or merely for the preliminary hearing. On August 15th, you hired me for the PRELIMINARY HEARING ONLY. This means, after the preliminary hearing, you ceased to be my client. On August 15th, a letter was sent to your address confirming receipt of the payment and my representation. You were provided a copy of the document "Preliminary Hearing Answers." You were advised, "Should you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to contact me. " During the time between retention and the preliminary hearing, my clients are free to speak with me at a time of their choosing. All they have to do is ask. In fact, many of my clients take advantage of this. YOU NEVER ASKED. Your hearing was scheduled for September 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Due to time constraints imposed in Lancaster County regarding ARD Applications, an unavoidable scheduling conflict occurred. I attended a hearing for another (paying) client at a nearby location. That hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Unfortunately, a number of unrepresented individuals were scheduled for 8:45. Because they were unrepresented, their process took longer. To move my client's forward, and to do, as we all should expect lawyers to do, I provided pro bono services to an unrepresented person who would otherwise have been screwed by the system. Interestingly, you find fault in this. I think most of my clients (as identified in the 11 5-star reviews) would say this in consistent with my approach to the law. I helped someone who needed help without concern for money. I did apologize to you and to the court for my tardiness. The judge was understanding as was the officer. Until this moment, 3 months later, I thought you were as well. With respect to your case. Your BAC was low. ARD would result in no loss of license and no conviction. Whereas, going to trial in front of a judge sitting alone, would likely result in a conviction which would remain on your criminal record until you are 70 years old. You were advised of your options and you were told that the choice was yours. You have correctly identified that I did nothing for you after the preliminary hearing. As stated above, you only paid for the preliminary hearing. After the preliminary hearing, you were no longer my client. It appears you are under the mistaken impression that I should do work for free. Interestingly, it appears that although you express dissatisfaction over my performance at your hearing, you acknowledge that you subsequently wanted to hire me. Why? Unfortunately, you sought a discount. Let us not forget that you drive a 2014 2014 Mercedes Benz E350. We can agree that you are not suffering from any substantial financial hardship that would necessitate a discount.. We can also agree that the fee I charge pays for my outstanding assistant's salary, my overhead, and most importantly, the food that my children eat. Therefore, your attempts to "negotiate" were met with a denial. Any lawyer without the spine to compromise on something as important as his own fee likely lacks the spine to effectively represent someone in court. And again, we must note that you drive a 2014 Mercedes Benz E350. Hardship does not exist. You correctly state that you were advised of the opportunity to find other counsel. You did. I wish you well.

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Forest Dean Morgan's Lawyer Endorsements

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Michele Kluk

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is a well respected attorney across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Attorney Morgan's has a wealth of knowledge and experience in DUI/DWI law."

Mark Clay

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Morgan. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact him for help."

Dmitriy Shakhnevich

Business lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Hovanes Margarian

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Sean Cleary

Criminal defense lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."

John O'Brien

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. An outstanding and well respected attorney in the legal community. I would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone needing legal representation."

Megan Roper

DUI and DWI lawyer | Oct 11

Relationship: Friend

"I recently met Dean at a national DWI seminar. I was immediately impressed by his knowledge and passion for defending those accused of crimes. If you want a smart and enthusiastic advocate in your corner, Dean is your man."

David Shrager

Unknown lawyer | Oct 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is an excellent DUI attorney."

Edgar Reynoso

DUI and DWI lawyer | Oct 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Forest's dedication to artful advocacy is first-rate."

Brian Crockett

DUI and DWI lawyer | Sep 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Morgan has to be one of the hardest working, most compassionate and client oriented advocates to be practicing law. I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher Leroi

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Morgan is an exceptional attorney. I have been an attorney for 24 years and served as a judge, magistrate, prosecutor, law professor, and private attorney. However, even with all of that experience, I learn from his answers on Avvo each and every day. If you have the chance, hire him in an instant."

David Dagle

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

James Garrett

Criminal defense lawyer | May 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Forest Morgan is a talented and well respected criminal defense attorney who I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a lawyer who really cares about his clients."

David Lewis

Criminal defense lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher Patterson

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Dean is a fine lawyer whom I no hesitation in referring a case to."

Bryan DePowell

Litigation lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dean is, by far, one of the best and most aggressive litigators I know. His unique experience combined with his tenacity in the courtroom makes him a zealous and effective advocate for his clients. I highly recommend this attorney."

John Phillips

Unknown lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Morgan. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos."