John Arthur Smitten's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.5 /5.0

30 Client Reviews

5 star (17) 4 star (2)

3 star (0)

2 star (0)

1 star (11)

Showing 1 - 5 of 30 client reviews from Avvo

Posted by anonymous | September 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney

Adoption

Was not happy that we had to file the paperwork 3 times! The whole reason of hiring an attorney is that it's done right, he should have made sure everything was correct on first filing. Then when adoption was finalized and I called to inquire about revised birth certificate that was to come in mail a...ll I got was paperwork to file on my own with a more saying he was no longer with the firm!

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Posted by anonymous | March 5, 2017 | Consulted Attorney

Grand Theft

Mr Smitren was arrested in Feb. 2017 and was charged with Grand Theft in the first degree for stealing over $120,000.00 from a prior employer.

Posted by Debbie | April 28, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

Impressed!

He wasn't my attorney, he was my ex-husband's and I was pro se. He has done a lot of work because I didn't have an attorney. Always honest and open. If I ever need an attorney again, I will definitely look at hiring him.

Posted by Janet | April 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Very disapointing...

I hired Mr. Smitten for a family law case based on an excellent experience with another attorney in the firm he works for. From the beginning Mr. Smitten seemed arrogant and acted as if he were doing me a favor. I thought I was imaging things but should have seen it as a red flag. He didn't care to a...nswer my questions, causing me to have to ask him the same things several times. He then would respond rudely about multiple emails when all he had to do was answer my questions, which he seemed to feel he was above. He didn't keep me up to date on court dates, I'd often hear about dates from my adult children and have to ask him if there were dates set, only then would I find out. He didn't prepare me for what would happen so I went to court totally unprepared. I thought he was going to state my position in court, like the opposing attorney did for her client but was caught off guard when I was to answer questions directly from the court and was totally unprepared. The worst part was he kept at least one correspondence he wrote to the opposing attorney from me, where he gave information about another case the firm he worked for did, without my knowledge or permission when I specifically asked him not to- but he believed he had every right. He was also supposed to ask the court to order my attorney fees to be paid by the other party, but instead he asked for additional fees for himself when we had a flat fee contract. I didn't know about this until his request was granted by the court, again he did not do as I asked in my case. I had to ask to see what he requested as he didn't show me in advance. I made it clear I wanted to see everything in advance but he didn't seem to think it was necessary. I wouldn't recommend Mr. Smitten for family law cases, this was a horrible learning experience for me. In retrospect, our personalities clashed from day 1 and I should have found another attorney. People should listen to their instinct about an attorney and chose the best one for your personal case. Contact ACAP so they can look into complaints about bad attorneys.

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John Smitten

Replied last April 19, 2016

Sorry you feel the way you do Ms. Tirado. Have a wonderful Spring and Summer and God Bless You.

Posted by Rick Klingenstein | March 24, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

divorce and auto insurance fraud commited against me

I have used John in the past for my divorce and for a fraud case against me... No fuss no muss I gave him the info he needed to do his job and he did it! He never even bothered me with multiple phone calls or emails. When things were done I got a letter informing me of victory. Yes I have recomended ...John Smitten..

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John Arthur Smitten's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John

Sergio Cabanas

Unknown lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. John is a very knowledgeable and professional attorney."

Jarica Cairns

Family lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"John is certainly a force to be reckoned with. I enjoyed working with John as opposing counsel on a hotly contested case. John is a hardworking attorney who I personally believe does not sleep because he is always working for his clients. I would highly recommend John for both a family law matter and a personal injury matter to his firm. Above all else, he's a good guy to know."

Katherine Neal

Family lawyer | Jun 15

Relationship: Co-worker

"John Smitten works harder than most any lawyer I know! He spends countless night and weekend hours preparing for trials and medications. He would be a fantastic choice for any family law client...you won't find a more prepared or dedicated family law attorney around!"

Michael Loberg

Family lawyer | Apr 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John has been an outstanding member of our legal community for many years. He is well respected by his peers and he works hard for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."

David Veenstra

Family lawyer | Mar 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have practiced against Mr. Smitten and find him to be a professional litigator who staunchly advocates for his clients and their best interests. I am pleased to endorse this lawyer."

Aaron McAllister

Family lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Donald McBath

Family lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. John is an attorney who is knowledgeable in family law and works well with his colleagues in resolving family law matters. He's someone you can count on when going through the most difficult time of your life. He has earned the respect of his clients as well as the opposing parties. In doing so, he has earned the respect of other attorneys as being fair and not near sighted. It's been a pleasure to have worked with him over the years."

Sean Cleary

Family lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Other

"This lawyer is knowledgeable, efficient and talented. I endorse this lawyer."

Paul Maney

Family lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. John is an excellent attorney."

Douglas Borthwick

General practice lawyer | Oct 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Lilian Demonteverde-Hoats

Family lawyer | Sep 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John O'Brien

Family lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Hovanes Margarian

Family lawyer | Jul 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Jun 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Daniel Tam

Unknown lawyer | Feb 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. It is clear by reading the answers in the AVVO community that this lawyer is a top notch attorney who is highly respected in the legal community."

John Phillips

Unknown lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Smitten. 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"

David Papa

Litigation lawyer | Nov 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Edward Beckham

Family lawyer | Sep 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An attention for detail; a committed advocate."

Carol Lawson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Smitten and I have been on opposing sides of cases in the past, but he has always been a zealous advocate for his clients and a pleasure to work with."

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