I consulted Nidal Dirini at Helsell Fetterman for a WLAD discrimination case against a state agency. While the firm did waive the consultation fee after I explained my financial situation, I had concerns about the contingency agreement and the process overall: Fee Structure: The contract required me to pay 33-45% of the total recovery, including any court-awarded attorney fees. At the time, I didn't realize that under WLAD, defendants are supposed to pay attorney fees separately from damages. After my consultation, I did my own research and learned this is known as "double-dipping," which can significantly reduce a client's net recovery. Case Valuation: During our conversation, Nidal told me he did not see my claim reaching six figures. He seemed to undervalue the potential of my case, which prompted me to do more research on my own. Later, I discovered published cases like Snell v. DSHS, where plaintiffs in similar or even weaker positions received much larger verdicts. Contract Terms: I found the firm was not flexible on contract terms related to medical liens, termination penalties, or interest rates-terms I now know are important for client protection. Second Opinion: Weeks/months later after our discussion, I requested to speak with another attorney at the firm who specialized in employment law. I did not receive a response, which left me feeling unsupported. For anyone considering this firm: Make sure you understand how court-awarded attorney fees will be handled in your case. Do your own research on case values and contract terms. Be aware that you may not get a second opinion if you disagree with the initial assessment. I only give 1-star or 5-star reviews-pass or fail. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this firm for WLAD discrimination cases. read more

This review is for Scott Johnson at Helsell Fetterman LLP. Scott has represented our transportation company for over ten years. Scott He has negotiated company purchase agreements/buy-outs, assisted us with real estate matters and handled our environmental concerns. Scott is our go-to person whenever we have a legal issue to solve. Scott is one of a kind. He is very skilled in the law, measured and deliberate. He only renders an opinion after consideration and a lot of detail-oriented thoughtful work/research. He is super-efficient and extremely generous when it comes to billing. He can relate to all different kinds of people and explains concepts and concerns patiently and honestly. Scott has saved our transportation company hundreds of thousands of dollars. His judgement and advice have been time- tested and proven to be 100% correct. Scott sometimes declines legal work we offer him when it is outside his area of expertise/comfort zone. Luckily, his referrals have proven to be great, resulting in additional successful outcomes. read more

Don't recommend this law firm at all. My husband and I were referred to Sarah Elerson from a friend to help us resolve a family law matter regarding custody. My husband reached out and got into contact with her paralegal Rachel Torell. Rachel was very unprofessional and rude. We won't even bother for the $350 consultation PLUS $350 charge to review our case beforehand. What a joke. read more

Tried to engage this firm to do a review / refresh of my will and living trust. They sent a multipage form asking for all the details of every asset I own - account numbers, balances, etc. When I replied that I don't share this sort of information and it is not necessary for the work needed, they told me "I don't believe we are a good fit for you". The entire multi-email exchange made me feel like they were the customer and I was making it difficult for them. I've revised by will and trust three times through the years due to various situations, and I've never had to supply such detailed personal financial information, particular as a precursor to engagement. Avoid. read more

Attorney: Kameron L. Kirkevold Law: Estate Law My role as client: Personal representative/executor to my late mother's estate. How did I find him: Recommended by attorneys not affiliated with Kameron that practice other types of law and have no personal relationship with him. Why did I choose Kameron? The lawyers that are personal friends of my family all know of his great work and also of his father who also practices estate law (Kevin Kirkevold, Yakima, WA) Cost & Case Presentation Kameron presented the initial costs upfront to review the case and get the initial process started which was in the ballpark of a $2500. *Please note that the complexity of the case may affect cost. My mother's situation was very difficult and messy because of the following: 1. Owed several creditors (many I was unaware of). 2. Unpaid house from a reverse mortgage and the issue of selling it, deed in lieu of foreclosure issues, foreclosure, etc. (went into foreclosure, my choice) 3. Social Security was after her for a overpayment of almost $10K 4. A Labor & Industries settlement that was still being fought after her death in which monetary compensation was involved. 5. Properties that were under my late mother's name and mine. 6. My mom never made an official, legal will. 7. If money arrived to her after her death, how would that get taken care of? Personality: Kameron is very committed to doing a good job, well-versed and proved himself to be absolutely true to his word on getting things done. Also sympathetic and apathetic too. If anything, reminds me of a very modest version of television character lawyer Jeff Winger from the NBC show "Community." Competency: If Kameron doesn't know, he'll flat out tell you he doesn't know but he'll look into it. Mind you, there were a lot of twists in my mom's case that were uncanny and completely atypical of usual estate cases. Kameron consulted with other attorneys on their opinions on matters and never failed to follow up with me. Never did Kameron give me a feeling of doubt. As a client experience: Kameron always provided me informed choices laying out the good, bad and ugly of each of them. I always had a complete sense of informed decision. Very good about letting me know when he would be out of the office, following up via email and answering every question thoroughly. Service to value: I'm about 99.9% sure that if I took this to any other lawyer who practices estate law, I'd owe a lot of money or they turn the case away because of its complexity and difficulty. Would I recommend Kameron Kirkevold as an estate lawyer?: Yes. Would I have chosen Kameron if I had to do this all over again? Absolutely. For once, I could talk to a lawyer without being thrown a lot of unexplained law jargon at me. Case duration: 10/2009 - 2012. The house was finally foreclosed and sold which relieved me of my duties as executor. Other notes: Kameron Kirkevold does estate planning and also practices Elder Law for those who are dealing with medicare/medicaid issues, etc. I cannot say enough, I have complete confidence in Kameron and am a firm believer you are in the best hands possible with him and Helsell Fetterman. I hope Kameron makes partner, this guy deserves it! Their website: www.helsell.com read more

Lisa Gilmore is the absolute best and I am so thankful for her and her team during my long divorce. She is amazing in a courtroom, confident, caring, funny and is the best attorney I have ever seen. She and her team are fantastic and will tell you what you need to hear for the best potential outcome. Lisa Gilmore helped me at my lowest point in life and I will be forever grateful to her and her amazing staff!! read more

The lawyer we met with was very well versed in Elder law. He answered all my questions and was very honest about some possibly outcomes of my situation. He also guided me in the next steps I need to take to handle some issues I've been having with another family member taking advantage of my grandmother. He was sympathetic but also stayed on track. He definitely is experienced and appears to leave no stone unturned. I am glad to have spoke with him and have confidence he will take care of my grandmother. I will update after we have moved forward. Also, he was upfront about all fees- which I appreciated. read more

Tyler l Jones called me back in five minutes highly recommend him. He was very knowledgeable and saved me tens of thousand of dollars with his counseling. He's extremely competent and personable! read more

Debra Akhbari and Lauren Parris Watts from this firm have been helping me recently. I'm a realtor and I'd recommend them highly. I will definitely continue to use them for counsel and I will be referring them for all of my legal needs. Thank you both for all of your help. read more

Lisa Gilmore and her legal team are fantastic. I retained Lisa to represent me in my divorce proceedings and I couldn't be more thrilled with her work, nor more grateful for the outcome. My ex is a very high conflict personality (HCP) and chose "bulldog"-type lawyers to represent her during the protracted proceedings. Lisa is EXCEPTIONAL at dealing with HCPs--both opposing party and opposing counsel. Lisa represented me in court as well as during mediation (and everything in between) and won the claims that I needed every time. Lisa is a very collaborative-type lawyer and handles collaborative matters as easily as she does the exact opposite. For more than two years, Lisa looked after my personal well-being, preemptively addressed harassment and protection issues, guided me through strategic and long-term planning, and fought and won on my behalf the freedom from abuse and financial stability I relish today. I remain continuously grateful for all the hard work and craziness that Lisa and her awesome legal team put in on this case and heartily recommend her to anyone seeking experienced, strong legal counsel and representation in family law matters. read more

Attorney: Kameron Kirkevold and Mike Olver Yuri's complete and accurate review of Kameron is so well articulated; it doesn't leave much room for any more accolades! Nonetheless, kudos! The team leader on my case was Mike Olver. Together, Mike and Kameron brought my last 15 months of sister-hell to an end. Details of this estate-planning case is your worst nightmare. My estate planning attorney, not a litigator, recommended Mike. I highly value her input. Having worked previous cases with him she thought Mike to be extremely smart, savvy and most importantly, she valued his integrity. I agree. Mike was all that and more. He assembled a team of attorneys and took my case by storm. (My first litigator had the case for 8 months and was ineffective) In 5 months Mike and Kameron guided me through mediation, extracted me from sister-hell so I could find and restore my peaceful existance. It wasn't cheap but you get what you pay for! I needed the best and that's exactly what I got! read more

Please, please, please reconsider if you are desiring representation in Family Law! I am not going to tell you what or how I feel. I will only state what happened so you can make your own decisions. The first thing the judge said when our attorney presented our case was that our paperwork was incorrectly filed. It went downhill from there. We were charged for a child support modification, but in the end there was no modification done since the judge advised us that we couldn't change anything in that particular year and that our attorney should have known that. I am greatly saddened by the choice we made based on reputation which has caused us extreme emotional and financial devastation. Please reconsider. read more