Patricia E. Ronan

Patricia Ronan

While it is a difficult part of my job to give bad news to people who call looking for a lawyer and trying to understand if they have a legal claim, it is an important and necessary part of my work. Giving unwelcome but honest assessments is just as important to being a good lawyer as giving my best efforts to clients whom I agree to represent. I cannot ethically aid misuse of the courts where a claim has no legal merit. I assume this review was someone with whom I spoke today who called saying no one had helped him. He was referred to me by a law firm that does not practice employment law, and simply as a courtesy refers cold callers to me to have their "cases" evaluated. This referring firm has never worked with me and I do not personally know any of the lawyers there, so I have no idea what they might have said about me. Regardless, this caller, like everyone with whom I speak, received an honest and free evaluation. We spoke briefly, but he became angry and so I terminated the call when he repeatedly called me names. I believe that he was angry because he was very disappointed and scared to learn that I did not believe he had a case. In fact, he told me that I was terrible at communicating with depressed people, which surprised me, because I frequently work or consult with individuals who have sought mental healthcare. I was not rude, dismissive, or in any way condescending with the caller. I was honest, direct, and to the point. My conclusion, based on our conversation, was that he had no case. I listened to what he told me, asked questions to learn other necessary facts to make an evaluation, and provided accurate and honest advice based on his responses. I did not call him names, but was honest that the consequences of his actions were that his employer reasonably understood that he had resigned his position when he said to his employers "I can't do this" in the middle of a meeting, then walked out of the meeting, did not correct his employers when the said they understood that he was quitting, and proceeding to leave his job that day without returning to work or initiating communication to advise his employer that he had not resigned over the subsequent two weeks. I was under the impression that the caller believed that, as a person being medically treated for anxiety and depression, he had a possible claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although the caller's job had been stressful, the work environment did not rise to the level of what I understand courts and the law to define as a "hostile work environment", nor were any of the comments made to him severe enough to rise to the level of "harassment" as I understand the law. Thus, as a result of his conduct and the surrounding circumstances, there was nothing I could do for him because I determined he had no legal claim. Unfortunately, the caller simply did not like that news, or that I was able -- as is necessary in my profession -- to make that determination in fewer than 15 minutes. The reviewer has given little information other than to say I am rude. I hope that if you are looking at this review, that you consider whether you have enough information from me and the reviewer to make a fair assessment for yourself. Addition: Caller found another attorney, and I wish him the best. If you are looking for an attorney, take time to consider whether you and the attorney will work well together and communicate well. Compatibility, mutual trust, and respect are important, because the representation may last for years, depending on the issues involved. This anonymous person did not establish rapport with me, nor I with him, during the call we had. I disagree that this makes me a terrible person or a bad lawyer, and I remember many of the details of our call very differently. I hope the anonymous person finds some relief in making these persistent negative reviews, having learned he did not want to use my services.