I wasted an enormous amount of money and more than five years with a different attorney before I bit the bullet and made a change to Mr Fernandez. Five stars really isn't enough to convey how pleased and grateful I am that I made that change. If you begin with Mr Fernandez, as I dearly wish I had done, I'm confident you'll feel the same. I just want to list a few specifics:
- Because I was changing attorneys, I had 13 boxes (!) of files from his predecessor and it did take some time for Mr F. to wade through it all. Once he had finished, there was never a time when he didn't have every bit of the case "at his fingertips" so to speak. His memory is phenomenal and despite being a very busy attorney, he always seemed to be completely conversant with every aspect of my case.
- And this is a BIG one: Never, ever, did Mr F. say or do ANYTHNG that could be even remotely interpreted as "dragging things out". I am of the opinion that his predecessor and the opposing counsel did exactly that (billing by the hour is certainly an incentive for that kind of behavior) and I was on very high alert for more of the same. Didn't happen!! Mr F moved toward the goal of resolving all outstanding issues promptly and expeditiously--exactly as one would hope an excellent attorney would do.
- If something needs doing, Mr F does it. He doesn't wait to be asked. His predecessor had neglected to finish a process called "bifurcation" with the result that I remained married when I thought I was then single. He had forgotten--or hadn't bothered--to draft the necessary court order to complete the process. Mr F mentioned one day that he had finished that up "because he knew I was concerned about it". I hadn't asked him to do the work but he knew it needed to be done and he did it.
- Legal issues can be complex and difficult for the layman to understand. Mr F. has excellent communication skills. He explained everything clearly and carefully as needed. He didn't waste time over-elaborating; nor did he cut corners when I needed more explanation.
- Mr F is very, very smart and on top of the conversation. For example, at a recent settlement conference, the other party submitted a claim for reimbursement for some expenses that they felt should be my responsibility. In that circumstance it appears to me that there is an expectation on the part of attorneys that they tell each other the truth and so I have an impression that, once the reasoning for the claim is agreed to as it was in this instance, that the numbers themselves would not be questioned. However, Mr F didn't omit to carefully examine the document and quickly noticed that some values had been (accidentally I assume) double counted. That recognition saved me 1/2 of the total. It would have been very easy to skip that mental step and no one, especially I, would ever have noticed.
- Mr F. isn't only likeable--though he certainly is. He's totally respectable. He's someone you'd want for your neighbor.
The one bit of advice I'd offer regarding Mr. F is this: Ask his advice and then follow it! There were two instances in which I was convinced that I was right about something and he, surely, was wrong. So I spent a lot of my own time, and some of his, arguing those points. Fortunately, in time I came to realize the error of my ways. When Mr F says something like "I know you feel morally entitled to that money but the court isn't going to see it that way" just say 'ok' and content yourself with the knowledge that you saved $2000 by not arguing in the courtroom.
I'm sorry for you that you find yourself needing an attorney. I couldn't feel more strongly that Mr Fernandez is the best you can find.
