I was forced to accept William Bloch when I tried to hire an attorney that was recommended to me. That attorney was out of town and told me to drop off my paperwork at the office he shared with Bloch. When I got to the office Mr. Bloch had a retainer agreement prepared along with the news that if I wanted to hire the other attorney, Martin Berman, I would have to agree to hire him as well. I have subsequently learned that although they are not partners they always seem to work together. William Bloch misrepresents that he has a firm. He is a solo practitioner renting a Fegen suite with other solo practitioners and calls this "firm" LASuperlawyersInc. Now, consider what type of narcissist would name his "firm" Superlawyers when he is NOT on the list of Superlawyers. He also works under the firm name of Excelus. I was double teamed and double billed by both Bloch and his friend Berman. Within 5 days of paying the $2500 retainer, I was asked to come to the office and was presented with a bill for $8860. When I looked at the bill it was very vague, appeared padded and duplicative so I asked for more detail. Bloch's comment was, "That's the way we do it." Subsequent bills were done the same way. All of my conversations and emails, in the period between signing the retainer and this meeting, were with the paralegal not Bloch. Although we had not gone to Court yet, I was charged for parking. They failed me in all areas--refusing to use the evidence I provided as well as not obtaining crucial audio evidence from the opposing party that would have won my case. At the first scheduled court appearance, my case was not on the calendar. Yet both Bloch and his crony, Berman, remained at the courthouse and billed me for the whole day when one could have left. I was charged over $6000 for nothing for aimless wandering. The brief was written by his paralegal but I was charged the attorney rate of $450/hr. Since I was not allowed to sit at the table with my attorneys it was difficult to pass a note to Bloch regarding false testimony by the opposing party while being questioned by Berman. I had to write the note and ask the bailiff to give it to Bloch. He just crumpled it up and put it in his pocket. When I expressed my concerns and dissatisfaction with the way they were conducting the case Bloch became very hostile. He described their work in superlatives while stating I was enraged, hysterical, insulted my intelligence and character. He never missed an opportunity to insult me. Bloch is the one with a rage issue--he got into a physical altercation with another attorney at a deposition using "foul and profane" language. Without asking my permission, he had a giant poster made and charged $164.12 but refused to present a receipt. He lent me a jumpdrive that had other clients' information on it. After I uploaded my information I returned it to him yet he charged me $7.90 for it. I was coerced into signing a settlement agreement that was not beneficial to me because they told me without it the judge was going to rule against me. The only good part was provision for dismissal with prejudice. Three hours after I signed and returned it; the opposing counsel insisted the dismissal be changed to dismissal without prejudice. Bloch did not object to, nor prevent, that change. Neither attorney showed up at the last court appearance. I spent a lot of money and felt that Bloch and Berman betrayed me, didn't represent my interests and the end result was spending a small fortune for nothing. I requested and paid for fee arbitration. Bloch lied to the Arbitrators saying I REFUSED to pay their bill along with other comments designed to defame and smear my character. Prior to the Arbitration he insisted on non binding arbitration. The day of the hearing he suddenly changed his mind. Bloch has an unpaid judgment against him for almost $57,000. He avoided paying his debt by declaring bankruptcy. I was not really given a chance to present my side at the Arbitration because Bloch and friend spent most of the time engaging in character assassination rather than discussing the billing. After we were notified of the award, he demanded FULL payment of the award in 3 days threatening me with a judgment, collections and wage garnishment if I didn't comply. It was a severe hardship and I had to take money out of my savings. I paid him one day earlier than his deadline yet he said I failed to pay him the interest for the FOLLOWING day! In checking Bloch's record I discovered he has been sued for malpractice on more than one occasion. After the award I requested my physical file. He claimed it didn't exist and gloated that arbitrators ruled in his favor. Look on the LA Superior Court website to verify the above information and more. I suggest that anyone considering Bloch should check out the Court website as well as Google. Had I done this before I met him I would not have hired him. I feel I would have gotten a better result representing myself! read more