Megan M. Gilbreth

I feel like the Blake Law Group pulled a bait and switch on me. I originally retained Jennifer Behme, whom seemed very knowledgeable, then was assigned Megan Gilberth without explanation. Megan Gilberth has absolutely no business practicing family law. She is not knowledgeable on the subject. I hired... the Blake Law Group to represent me to get arrears removed and obtain a modification of my support order. I found more information on my case on Google then I did from her. She does not respond to emails, calls, or voicemails. I only met with her a few weeks before going to court, she didn’t remember meeting me before while in court. The results in court were laughable. I am now in worse shape than before hiring the Blake Law Group. Ms. Gilberth refused to fight for me. I already felt like a caged animal because of a narcissistic ex-wife that has manipulated me and my children. Now I’m in debt to a horrible attorney with a resolution that I could have been had without any representation. She knew the history of the judge we were to argue my case in front of but failed to tell me that most of my evidence would not be admissible. The whole case could have been over for the $500 retainer. $10,000 later and I am worse off than before. After complaining about Megan’s service to the managing partner, Edward Blake, the firm withdrew from my case.

Mrs. Gilbreth was assigned to my divorce case by Edward Blake in Belleville, IL. Throughout the entire proceeding, Mrs. Gilbreth was very slow at answering emails, if she answered at all, but charged $25 for every email I sent whether answered or not. Mrs. Gilbreth provided absolutely no direction ...or strategy suggestions for my case. Literally none. This being my first experience with the legal system I didn't know what I should have expected and was too scared to start over with a new firm so I continued to trust in her and the Blake Law Group hoping I would be more vigorously represented once we got into the court room. That was certainly not the case. The only two objections Mrs. Gilbreth made on my behalf were after I desperately insisted she speak up during the hearing. The firm refused my offer to pay them $1500 per month toward the then $8000 in fees and then filed for withdrawal for non payment of those fees. My total fees ended up exceeding $30,000 for a divorce that involved no custody argument and involved a total of $27,000 worth of asset division. While I'm sure they are more than capable of providing legal services and probably will contest these statements, this was my experience with Megan Gilbreth and the Blake Law Group. In fear of some sort of retaliation I was reluctant to post this review but I will post this review anonymously in hopes of helping others with their choices.

My attorney at the time didn't respond to emails in timely manner, it took 2 weeks for a question/request to be responded to or answered. She appeared not to be knowledgeable in areas of divorce, based on my research about divorce laws online, and using the Marriage/Dissolution Act. As my attorney I ...would expect for her to advise me what to do, yet I advised her as to what should be done. I believe she didn't believe in me and my issue, thus causing a breakdown in communication. She was hired to represent me, but instead I receive all the reasons why she couldn't fully represent me. None of my request was unethical, she just didn't want to do it I believe. Although the case was given 2 months to prepare for a trial, she didn't do her discovery until 30 days before the hearing and it takes 28 days for a response from the respondent. Then, she withdrew from the case, before the hearing. I believe she helped me the best she could, not the best that could be done.