Ralph Thomas Santoro Jr.

I hope you are reading this review before you consider selecting Schoenberg to represent you. Unfortunately, I did not see all these negative reviews until it was too late. When I first met with Debra and she was very empathetic, appeared to be competent and had some creative ideas for me to consid...er. I paid the $7,500 retainer and that was the last time Debra helped me; I was handed off to Ralph Santoro. Seven months and $18,000 later my situation had not been advanced in the least. When I finally complained to Debra, I got a quick 3-page CYA letter from Ralph which I thought even Debra would find offensive and totally lacking in customer service. I immediately fired them and cut my losses. There was no attempt to retain me as a client or an apology for it not working out. As with other reviewers, this firm is unscrupulous and preys on you once they have you hooked by the amount you have invested with them. Hiring this firm was the biggest and most costly mistake I have ever made. My new lawyer did infinitely more in the first two hours with him than Debra and Ralph did in 7 months. Don’t let them take advantage of you. Run fast; don’t walk, as you can away from this evil, soulless firm.

Ralph gave me great advice about how to accomplish my goals, but better yet, he gave me some other options to consider that I had not previously considered. I would refer him to anyone I know who needs legal advice or representation. He is a great advocate both in deciding how to act, and a great ...representative once one chooses their path.

A week before my family court hearing I was extremely upset with how my case was being handled by my previous attorney. I thought it would be an easy case but after my ex started making false accusations towards me along with his girlfriend and friends of theirs, I knew I needed a lawyer who was agg...ressive. From the first day I spoke with Mr. Santoro I knew everything would be ok. He is extremely knowledgeable with family law and made the most stressful time of my life a lot easier to deal with. He was well prepared for my hearing after such sort notice and still got me the outcome I wanted. The only thing I regret was that I did not hire him sooner.

Ralph helped me with a very escalated child-custody situation, with results that exceeded my wildest expectations. He was extremely organized, responded to my multiple emails, phone calls, and inquiries quickly, concisely, and patiently (including on evenings and weekends), and guided me through the ...difficult and stressful process. Ralph excels at being objective, prepared, succinct, and goal-oriented with his outcomes. He prepped me for mediation, making sure I knew important points to discuss. He validated my concerns and guided me to focus on facts and details that helped my case, and he was able to help me keep emotion out of the equation (which is difficult, if not impossible, when your child is involved). When my situation required aggressiveness, he was not afraid to act quickly and forcefully, resulting in the opposing party having to concede to our requests/demands. His knowledge of the court systems, processes, procedures, and timelines helped me tremendously, as this was all new terrain for me. Ralph is intelligent, engaged, wants his clients to get their desired outcome, and genuinely cares about his work. He is assiduous and confident in a manner which best serves his clients--when in court or dealing with opposing counsel, one must seek an attorney that will go to bat 150%--this is Ralph.