Minella Law Group is not just any law firm; they genuinely care about their clients. They listen attentively and guide you through the entire process. They are always readily available to answer any questions or concerns you may have, providing prompt and helpful responses. The team at Minella Law Group is truly exceptional! read more

I am so impressed by the service and speed of the Minella Law Group! They were dedicated to assisting me even without a paid consultation. There was a sense of care, empathy, and curiosity from the entire team, but I want to give a special shout to Nicole, who listened. gave sound advice and was earnestly concerned about our issues. They were not concerned about a fee for advice on my fairly simple issue, which I could have handled pro se, but instead were willing to help. Some attorneys would hear an easy case and still charge a $10,000. Nicole even looped in Kathy to ensure we were getting good sound advice. We will not need their services this time, but I know who I will call if I ever have an issue. Thank you to the Minella team for your peace of mind! read more

I chose this law group because of the reviews on yelp but it ended up being the worst decision I've ever made in my life. I expected transparency, communication, and professionalism, and unfortunately I did not receive any of those things. This was one of the most vulnerable and stressful times in my life and I felt taken advantage of rather than supported. I was left financially drained with no outcome, and ultimately had to drop them before my case even made it to court because they did not advocate for me AT ALL. There were also other MAJOR issues with this law group that I am not comfortable sharing publicly due to the personal nature of the case but I'm sharing this in hopes of preventing someone else from going through the same experience. read more

********SAVE YOUR MONEY********** -Was referred to them via Legal Shield- I had a very disappointing experience with this law firm. From the beginning, they assured me they could handle my specific legal issue. However, once we got to the point of actually drafting a letter -- the exact service I came to them for -- I was told by the attorney, Jasmine, that it wasn't her "specialty" and that I would need to pay additional fees to work with a different type of attorney. This felt like a classic bait-and-switch. I only spoke with Jasmine once, and during that call, she repeatedly went over the same information, which seemed unnecessary and came off as a tactic to prolong the conversation and increase the billing time. She also committed to calling us back the following day -- that call didn't happen until five days later, and even then, it was only via email and text. She cited the holiday weekend as the reason for the delay, yet she had no issue continuing the conversation over text -- again, unnecessarily drawn out and clearly padded. Overall, this firm came across as disorganized, unprofessional, and more focused on billing than actually helping. I would not recommend them to anyone looking for straightforward, honest legal assistance. *******SAVE YOUR MONEY******* read more

Being a Grandmother is a beautiful and trusted position and it is extremely difficult to protect children alleging abuse without a Legal Representative like Kathy Minella Law Group. Kathy and her team are not only professional and reasonably priced but are all a very cohesive and amazing team working as one from scheduling and filings to listening to what your concerns and goals are. This is why not only did we WIN and bury and expose the inconsistancies of the opposing parties we did so in a professional and irrefutable manner presenting to the Judge the Merits of our case and the LIES of the other parties. Not only easy to communicate with but always on time and ready to do the hard work necessary for a successful outcome for her clients. It was a pleasure to pay her for the excellent service and cooperation with me and my goals were always the utmost prority. I owe her the lives of my grandchildren as their safety was at risk without her Team of professionals. God Bless and keep her and her team as we need more like her in this industry. read more

Minella Law Group - BLUE RIBBON SERVICE - Divorce & Family Law Near Me - San Diego, California

I often refer my family and friends who are seeking legal counsel in family law. Kathy has a wealth of experience practicing in San Diego and is the gold standard in family law. I also cannot recommend Minella Law Group highly enough for anyone seeking expert guidance in estate planning and trust creation. From the moment I reached out, their team demonstrated professionalism, warmth, and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in protecting my family's future. They took the time to explain every detail--from the nuances of revocable vs. irrevocable trusts to how to structure assets for maximum protection and tax efficiency. What really stood out was their ability to translate legal jargon into clear, actionable steps. I never felt rushed or overwhelmed; instead, I felt empowered and informed. The process was seamless. They were incredibly responsive, organized, and proactive in anticipating potential issues. I especially appreciated their attention to detail and the personalized approach they took to tailor the trust to my specific needs and goals. If you're looking for a law firm that combines legal expertise with genuine care for their clients, Minella Law Group is the gold standard. I now have peace of mind knowing my estate is in order--and that's priceless read more

I came in recently for a consultation and I could not be more pleased. Elizabeth Lafiti was able to assist me quickly but what I was most impressed with was the friendly and honest up front service. She answered all of my questions and was very knowledgeable. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for help. read more

I was very disappointed with my experience. My domestic violence restraining order was dismissed without prejudice, which means I now have to relive the entire case and spend more money. I expected stronger representation and better follow-through. If you choose this law group, make sure your case is not dismissed "without prejudice," because that basically means it can be refiled and you'll have to go through the process all over again. read more

I was referred to Minella Law Group and initially spoke with Kathy, which made me feel confident about my decision. However, I quickly realized that I wouldn't be working with her directly. Instead, I was first assigned to Hope, who was abruptly removed from my case without any notice to me. I wasn't informed of the change--I was simply passed along to Elizabeth without explanation. Throughout my case, there were delays caused by the opposing party, but I was disappointed that Minella Law Group was not proactive. I constantly had to follow up and push for action, rather than feeling like they were truly advocating for me. Instead of taking appropriate legal action to obtain necessary documents, they spent months essentially begging the opposing party to provide them. They failed to use common legal tools available to attorneys, wasting both time and money. Despite being assigned to Elizabeth, I hardly spoke with her. She always seemed busy and just didn't have time for me. Most of the work was handled by the paralegal, who probably did more than any of the attorneys involved in my case. That alone made me question what I was actually paying for. It seems like they take on way too many cases, and if you hire them, you'll just get lost in the shuffle. The final straw was during a status check in court when I asked Elizabeth a question afterward, and her response was, "I'm not sure, I haven't opened your file in a while." After paying thousands of dollars, that made me feel like just another number in a firm more focused on money than actually helping their clients. I switched attorneys a couple of weeks ago, and I've since learned that there was a critical timeline in my case--something that could have been addressed much earlier had they been more diligent. What's even more frustrating is that in the short time I've been with my new attorney, they have already done what Minella Law Group should have done months ago. It's clear that Minella dragged their feet and wasted both my time and money. I do not recommend Minella Law Group. They took advantage of a difficult time in my family's life, and it was clear that money was their priority, not their clients. read more

Kathy and her team were wonderful to work with. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and truly cared about my situation. Kathy made a difficult process much easier by guiding me clearly and keeping me informed every step of the way. I always felt supported and confident in her expertise. I highly recommend Kathy and her firm to anyone in need of a trustworthy family attorney. read more

Kathy Minella is extraordinary. I recommend her highly for many reasons. Hers is a well run, well respected San Diego family law firm with six female attorneys. See www.minellalawgroup.com and https://minellalawgroup.com/about/kathy-minella/. Kathy was rated "rising star" in 2019 and 2020, and ranked as a "Super Lawyer" in 2023 and 2024. I agree. As an experienced lawyer myself, I think I know a good one when I meet one. She deserves to be rated "Super". Her executive assistant, Jessica Nichols 619 289 7948 was also terrufic. She (and the firm) seem very well organized and immensely supportive. Kathy's business model is exemplary. She is happy to give a free consultation so both her and her prospective clients to get to know each other. (Many other firms I called demand a "consultation fee" of $300 - $500 to start. This is a practice that I personally find objectionable and separates the good lawyers from the hustlers. After 60 years in the game and with experience with dozens of lawyers in that time, I have found that the good lawyers don't charge for the first meeting because they know they are good. My own long standing practice is to avoid the scrounger.) Kathy spent 30 minutes with me, and would have given more if I had needed it. She went on line and reviewed the existing case (that had been handled by another firm until they were fired for charging tens of thousands of dollars and producing no results in what I think is a simple case.) After reviewing the case with me, she concluded that the matter does not seem to be complex and should resolve itself easily and quickly. She felt I could deal with it at the moment, but was available as a "behind the scenes" coach at $550 an hour and would be happy to support us if necessary. Wonderful experience. Thank you , Kathy. Highly recommended.b read more

Find another law group, a professional one that doesn't charge you for their own errors and doesn't mislead their clients. Not only did they over-promise and under-delivery in every aspect, they used the entirety of my $5000 retainer and then some just to file a few forms that I could've submitted myself! I hired them believing my situations was complex, but after having to look over their own work and correct them made me feel like they should be paying me. They hardly ever got back to me on time. I had to chase after them for updates even after I was told I would hear back in a day or two in some instances. I was also told that I would not need to be at the hearing and I made sure to ask several times (Kathy herself emailed me and said I wouldn't need to be there), only in the end to be told that I need to be there and now I have to provide evidence in court. This place is a scam. I would gladly give more money to a law firm that produces results and doesn't try to misguide people in order to misuse their funds. I ended our contract and will represent myself. I wish this firm the same treatment that they show their clients. What goes around comes around. Karma read more

Minella Law Group - One of many emails where I was told one thing and the find out another. - Divorce & Family Law Near Me - San Diego, California

I would not recommend this law group. They just kept asking for more and more money to add the retainer, and when they completely dry you out, they send you more bills and then send you to collections. Kathy was unprofessional by barely showing up to my court case late. The office calls and asks the same questions and then bills for the same conversations. Court cases keep getting pushed out for no good reason and they keep billing for frivolous items. read more

Don't take a chance. There are plenty of other options without running the risk. Yes, they seem great when they want you as a client. Yes, there are a lot of positive reviews for Minella and this is one of the reasons that I hired her firm, but if you pay attention to the details like I did, then you will notice way too many mistakes that cost money and time. I assume most of the positive reviews are from people that don't pay attention to the details and that think that a seemingly friendly person constitutes competence. Just because an outcome could have been worse, does not make it is positive. Do not be mistaken. At the end of the day Kathy is a woman seemingly only interested in how much money she can make. She is super friendly as long as you don't call her bluff. When I consulted with her, she was adamant that I would work directly with her. She quickly passed me off to an associate attorney that was part of her attorney stable aimed at churning and burning. This associate attorney made way too many mistakes and was rude when I needed to correct her. When I brought this to Kathy, she brushed it off and was indifferent. I found out after the fact that Samantha Edwards had only been with her firm for a few weeks, and Samantha does not have a good reputation. Samantha is sloppy at best in all aspects. Furthermore, she didn't know quite a bit about options, forms, and procedure. I am not an attorney, and I should not be the one bringing these issues to her. Pay attention to your bill. I paid for the time for them to correct their mistakes. read more

Thank you Kathy, Cassidy, Deborah and the whole team, everyone was excellent! From the get go, Kathy explained what to expect, how the process works & gave me an average range of the cost. (my cost was about $1,000 lower than the low end she estimated! ) Cassidy was very responsive & happy to answer any questions I had, which were quite a few She was also very patient with me when explaining terminology I did not understand. All in all, my experience was as pleasant as can be expected & I would highly recommend Kathy and her team! read more

Due to an unexpected incident involving my daughter's father and feeling desperate for guidance I reached out to Minella Law on the evening of Thanksgiving. Due to the holiday, I anticipated not hearing anything for a few days, potentially a couple weeks. To my surprise I received a response the next day and after an initial consultation I retained Ms. Elizabeth Lefiti as representation by that following Monday. From my first point of contact with her and through every step of the process Ms. Lefiti has given me a sense of not only security and understanding, but empowerment. In speaking to her, her paralegal, and all staff at Minella Law I have felt nothing but true interest and care for myself and my daughter. I feel confident, knowing that at any point if I have a question or need some direction, I can always reach out and I'm happy to receive a prompt response. Ms. Lefiti's knowledge and experience truly shines in the courtroom. Just this afternoon a coworker of mine asked if anyone knew of a good family law attorney and I couldn't shout her name fast enough! I cannot fully express my admiration and gratitude for Ms. Lefiti and would encourage anyone to reach out to her for peace of mind in any family matters you may be facing. read more

I recently contacted the office for additional help and was in a panic, I was not pleasant and had to contact them afterwards to apologize for my tone. They responded with grace and I continue to recommend their law firm for being at the top of their game. They deal with life's most precious events and at times, frustrated parents like myself but handle all of it with professionalism that's top tier. Thank you team, I know I have thanked you personally a few times already but we want to make sure everyone knows that this is the place to go for help when it comes to adoption attorneys. read more

I would give Lery, Paralegal Manager, 5 stars! She always went above and beyond her job description. I felt like I had a friend on the inside of this process. She was professional and respectful at all times. Lery was sympathetic to every concern I had and was patient when I needed her to be. Unfortunately, I was not happy with my attorney. I was forced to pay for one-on one time with her that I did not require. During this time she was shuffling papers and was distracted. There was no valuable information given during this time. In fact she did not give me any information at all. As a professional my time is equally valuable. More so, since I am the one paying her for something that was not beneficial. My divorce was uncontested with minimal property. There was no fighting. It was an easy divorce. It took approximately 12 months and cost around $12,000. There are many well qualified attorneys who will get is done for far less. I would not have changed working with Minella Law Group as the service provided by Lery was worth every penny. She was the light during a dark time. Furthermore, Cambria, who answers the phone when I call is always knowledgeable and willing to help whenever she can. I read more

Minella Law Group, APC was extremely helpful in ending our long and hard family law case. We have been through many battles in my daughter's divorce and custody case. Today we finally received a ruling in our favor. "Grandparents do not pay Child Support"! "Team Elizabeth Lefiti and Lery Rivel-Piring" have been helpful both personally and professionally in getting us through this case. If you have any family law issues, I highly recommend this wonderful team! GREAT JOB and THANKS for everything. read more

The team at Minella Law Group truly went above and beyond with my case. I cannot express how thankful I am that I chose this firm to help me with my dissolution of marriage. The entire staff was extremely knowledgable and willing to help me in whatever ways they could. However, Lery and Elizabeth were especially instrumental in my case and I was so impressed by their knowledge, professionalism, and skills. I would highly recommend Minella Law Group to anyone seeking legal counsel/representation!! read more

I am a trusted reviewer for yelp! And I managed professional staffing companies for 20 years so i know internal company culture well after working closely with with so many different industries. My goal was to find a child centric firm to represent my divorce. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ever working with this firm for the following reasons: -They lack basic organizational skills- accidentally attached someone else's (another client) paperwork with their private information in my paperwork to view and charged me for it as well until I asked them to remove. -They don't strategically plan who is handling your case in court until the day before. With a small attorney staff there is no reason other than poor planning and prep work to do this. -They do not provide full disclosure before having you sign forms and people with no legal background this is important in partnering with a firm -They give you notice 1 day before court cases to make a large (my opinion) payment otherwise they will not represent you. This is unethical. -They charge hundreds of dollars to even speak to the attorney and half the time the attorney had the wrong information on their screen and I had to remind them who my judge was, etc. during the call that I am paying for. -During a court meeting the attorney was not prepared and was nervous and stumbled her words during the meeting with the judge because they knew the opposing counsel was stronger with confidence. -On several occasions this firm did not call me to re-schedule appointments they missed due to their schedule. (This happens and they can be held up in court but the very basic professional courtesy would be for them to have their assistant reach out to notify you so it can be re-scheduled and your not wasting your day waiting. -I had to do all of the form filling it and responses in which according to the courthouse they never filed in their system after I spent countless hours preparing them. -They do not comprehend the empathy needed to work with women that have been through a traumatic experience to customize how to best service them in my opinion on that one. -Spent well over $20k and no results just poor advice and no follow through. I cancelled working with them after that and could not trust them with my case after all this. Being a Native to San Diego I felt it was important to inform other parents with a factual review. Divorce is a very stressful process already and working with a firm like this could have severe impact on your children's life down the road. read more

One tent away from a full blown circus. Extremely unprofessional, switched attorney on us at the last minute, opposing counsel wiped the floor with our stand in attorney. read more

Minella Law was outstanding in helping me with an urgent move away order. I was offered a job out of state that would significantly increase my ability to provide for my family. My so wanted to relocate with me as well. The team worked diligently to help me with the matter and within 3 weeks we worked together to get the results I was hoping for. They took the time to hear me out and address all my concerns. I would highly recommend Minella to anyone with family law concerns. If I ever have any other issues I won't hesitate to call. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Kathy Minella. I am in an attorney (non-family), and first met Kathy when she represented a client of mine on a family law matter. I was so impressed with her compassion and attention to detail that I recommended her to a very close family member. Due to my family member's medical issues, I was with him through every court date and meeting with Kathy and her team. Kathy was able to rectify most of the mistakes made by his previous attorney, and was extremely patient and professional with the VERY difficult opposing counsel and opposing party. Kathy did a great job on my family member's case, partly because the facts were on our side, but mostly because she was a zealous and effective advocate who really knows her way around family law. read more

Minella law group was helpful when it came to our specific needs and we feel everything was done in a timely manner. Jessica and Jasmin were especially helpful and attentive to our case and we appreciate all of their help. read more

Five stars! I have never dealt with such helpful people, they answered every question that I had, and re-explained in full detail when I didn't understand certain things. They helped me step-by-step with everything that I needed to go through and showed a lot of compassion during the process. I've dealt with a few different family law firms and this one is #1! read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Minella Law Group!!! Kathy and her team are compassionate, smart, informative, and show a true interest in you and your case! Kathy doesn't back down from a challenge, which was encouraging to me! They fought hard to make sure the outcome of my case was fair and something I agreed with and could happily live with! I appreciate them so very much! Thank you, Kathy, Jasmine, and Cassidy for holding my hand and getting me through one of the hardest times of my life! I hope I NEVER need y'all again, but if I find that I need an attorney, I will not hesitate to call y'all! Thank you, thank you, thank you! read more

I retained Minella Law Group 8-2021. I wasn't married but needed to legal help with daughter after end of relationship. after talking with Kathy Minella and was assured thereafter I would have representation for my Riverside County Restraining Order Hearing. My ex after years of me asking her to leave relocated to Riverside, CA. Our entire relationship consummated July 2019 in Point Loma San Diego where I resided until my ex moved in . Our daughter was born Early March 2021 at Mary Birch Hospital. Kathy sold me on hiring Elizabeth Lefiti (only other lawyer at the firm at that time) but assured me that there would be ample collaboration btw all of the paralegals and attorneys at the firm. I'm still rebuilding from this mistake. 1st red flag was when paralegal Lery said I could not check the box to seek reimbursement for the costs I'd be incurring in the case as plaintiff despite my actions needed to simply locate our daughter despite it being a box on the required legal document used to initiate proceedings as plaintiff. Getting Elizabeth to advocate for me was like dragging a heavy rock or performing dental work. She appeared as if she forgot to brush her hair and arrived a couple minutes late to the hearing time but at least in plenty of time before my case was called. While, I can accept & appreciate her advice that some of my evidence demonstrating the erratic behavior of my ex, wasn't relevant to our custody situation in San Diego, her unwillingness to present more evidence resulted in tragic results as far as ultimately limiting my involvement in our daughter's life. My Ex made unfounded allegations that I assaulted her, without any pictures, notes from seeking medical care, video, witnesses etc during our relationship in Point Loma and later La Mesa in Riverside County ~ 91 miles from where we lived. Elizabeth suggested I represent myself in Riverside County Court in August 2021. She said that if she decided to make the drive to Riverside she wouldn't say anything since there were no grounds for a restraining order. Elizabeth didn't question why there was no evidence and didn't submit photographic evidence I had provided. My Ex cried during the hearing. Although, a restraining order wasn't granted, a finding of domestic violence was made against me. It seemed as if she was unaware that such a finding could be made without a restraining order. This finding was the start of exponential life of misery for me. In September 2021 in San Diego County Court in El Cajon, at the conclusion 3 Ex Parte hearings resulting in me getting only 6 hours per week visitation with our daughter initially before more time would be considered, it became apparent it would have been in my best interest to request a 30 day delay in the Riverside County restraining order hearing & I likely would have had a more favorable outcome in my San Diego ex Parte hearings. At the conclusion of the hearing Judge Miller (now assisting Supervising Judge in Central San Diego), asked Elizabeth if an October 2021 date CUSTODY & VISITATION &CHILD SUPPORT would work. Elizabeth told Judge Miller she would be unavailable that date due to vacation, however she took the October Court Date for me explaining another attorney (presumably Kathy Minella since she was the only other lawyer) would cover for her vacation and appear virtually for my hearing date. As it got to be 1-2 weeks before my court date, I requested to speak with Kathy to update her on my family issues etc since Elizabeth wouldn't be representing me. I was then informed Kathy Minella was gone on maternity leave (presumably she would have been aware of this & Elizabeth's vacation schedule when I retained their firm) & unavailable. The firm actually tried to connect me to another lawyer Dawn Luchessi via email but then that didn't pan out. (presumably they tried contracting with her as a temp). My own law firm Manilla had to ask for a continuance of our lawsuit because no one could show up virtually in court on the date they said would. If Elizabeth would have just answered Judge Miller question in a forthright manner, no the Oct. 2021 date wouldn't workout, we could have likely gotten a date in November 2021. Since we asked for a continuance within less than a week or two of the hearing, my 1st CUSTODY & VISITATION &CHILD SUPPORT hearing after ex parte wasn't until January 2022 close to 5 months after I had retained Minella Law groups services. My ex retained an attorney in about a month after I filed as plaintiff to locate our daughter The opposing attorney, Paula Kleiman, asked for me to pay $7500 in legal fees to my ex. This incensed me considering I was told and coerced by Minella's paralegal Lery that I couldn't ask my ex to cover my legal fees ended up paying $14,000 to Minella and $7500 the other attorney to only see our daughter 1 day per week. I was Never Married, and no previous history of domestic issues and past children etc. unlike my Ex. read more

I am so happy I chose Minella Law Group to handle my case. I had a difficult and complicated custody case that needed an expert attorney. Ms. Minella and her staff were very receptive to my concerns and always on top of any upcoming events. I have to give a shout out to Para Legal Ms. Madeline who worked so hard on all filings and her attention to detail is outstanding. What a great asset she is to this law firm! I would highly recommend this law group. read more

I cannot sing enough praises about the Minella Law Group. I came to them after a year with another firm. I needed someone that would not only help me learn how to navigate a messy custody battle, but also be aggressive enough to deal with my ex husband's very aggressive lawyer. Her who practice made me feel like I was the most important client at that moment. When the time came to go in front of the judge, I felt confident in our approach. I never had to second guess myself on any terms or question what was going on. I recommend her to everyone who asks me about an amazing lawyer. I'm so happy that I found her. She has given our family closure and peace during a very difficult time. read more

Elizabeth Lefiti has been a life saver for my family! I wouldn't trust anyone else with our future. Professional and exceptional communication! read more

If you ever in need of a Family law attorney contact Minella Law Group they are VERY VERY good at what they do. you will get what you are entitled to get and they will go over and beyond, they will fight for you. They are professional, nice and understanding. I give them 5 stars read more

Kathy was the first attorney I have had that prioritized me, and more importantly my children's needs, recognizing that things needed to be executed quickly. I was extremely cautious about any involvement with another attorney, as I was let down and disappointed by several of them prior. On top of dealing with a complicated nightmare divorce (that lasted for years), my finances were nearly depleted. I desperately needed help, but was afraid of the endless amounts of paperwork being filed, thousands of dollars monthly, and the inevitable passage of time with no updates, responses, or sense of urgency, when it was needed most. She was the first attorney that attempted to understand my personal experience, not wasting time on irrelevant details, but truly assessing what was needed and getting it done quickly. She was upfront and honest, and for the first time, I felt I was treated fairly and not grossly overcharged. I felt that every penny was more than well spent. She and her staff were friendly and responsive, answering my calls and e-mails usually the day of (which I found was very rare previously). When something needed to be edited, or revised, she very thoroughly went over it, making sure everything was correct and was quick to make any necessary changes. Kathy had a very human, common sense approach, while at the time, applying her knowledge of the law to my specific case. I am so happy I chose her, and won't hesitate to contact her again with any future legal needs that may arise. Needless to say, I highly recommend her. read more

Kathy and her team helped me get through a custody trial where we fought to keep my daughter happy and healthy with me. They reassured me that honesty and facts help prevail against emotions and drama, and staying focused on that is what led us to victory. I love knowing that my daughter will remain safe and thriving, and I owe that to this proactive, efficient, and compassionate team! Thank you again read more

Minella Law Group - Divorce & Family Law Near Me - San Diego, California

Elizabeth and her team are truly top notch. Extremely professional and truly on your side step by step. Elizabeth helped me through a tough time in my life. I didn't always make it easy on her, but she handled it with class and like a true professional. She helped make sure I retained custody of my 2 kids which I can't thank her enough for. The team handled everything for me and gave me great advise. Hopefully I will not need another attorney for my custody issues, but if I do I'll be sure to call her. 5 Stars all the way! Thanks again Liz! read more

If I had one word to describe our counsel and experience with Minella law group it would be heartless, second would be careless.We contacted Minella law firm because Kathy was recommended from a friend, I believed after initially talking to her on the phone that we would be well represented. When it was time to obtain counsel we were told Kathy wasn't available and we're transferred to Elizabeth. During the entire preparation for our first formal hearing to discuss child custody, correspondence was lacks at best, oftentimes downright unresponsive. When we did finally meet face-to-face to discuss and prepare, we were made to feel as though we were burdens , we all were rushed, placated, and pacified that they are aware of all nuances pertaining to our case and that we are in good hands because they will handle it. We'll the day of the big show, Elizabeth showed up extremely late blaming traffic, she never went over material with client before hand because the time left was time she needed to hustle and make back door deal with opposing counsel. She didn't go over what to say or what she discussed in private with opposing side. She was not prepared and carelessly convinced us that we should agree to a restraining order, which we never wanted to agree with. Stating that this is us showing that were compliant and only want what's best moving forward. Well, it turned into a disaster that cost over $7500 for less than 20 hours of work. A worst situation than when we began, and to top it off having to see my kids while I am paying for a random court appointed supervisor who is I'll equipped and hard to deal with, watching me hang out with my children for a couple hours a week. Minella law group prey on people in bad situations, they don't care about coming to justice or fairness for both parties. They claim to care about the children ,if in fact that was true, they would do the right thing by actually listening, showing up and providing service. Best thing I did was get different representation. Wish I would've done it sooner. Save your Money. You're gonna need it it to clean Up Minellas mess. Good luck to everyone struggling. read more

I would not hire this firm.  I found her through Legal Aid. BEWARE!! I paid $3,500.00 retainer fee and Kathy took her time returning emails and standing up for me and my rights as a Mother. I believe that she was prejudiced against me due to some of the facts of the case, which were lies but Kathy didn't fight for me or my daughter's rights. I have been a stay at home mother and recently have become the victim of of my ex-husband. I was the primary caregiver of my daughter for 7 WHOLE YEARS!!! Her whole life. My ex husband set me up and took custody of my daughter via restraining order. First, I had to call Kathy and get her to actually start working on my first court appearance.  I hired her 7 days prior and she still did not get the paperwork from the previous attorney, speak to opposing counsel, or even look at my case.  Second, she spoke to the opposing attorney and immediately agreed with him and his strategy to do mediation and let me see my daughter with supervision. She said that if I tried to fight, I could lose my daughter forever!!! I have no idea what my rights are!  Or what I may or may not counter offer!  Don't I have rights as a Mother???  This is the attorneys job, right?  To stand up for my rights?  She is a FAMILY LAW attorney! I felt scared and defeated!  I had just paid an attorney $3,500.00 to do what I could have negotiated all by myself!!! (I had been in contact with the opposing attorney already.) After a few emails to Kathy, she decided that she would ask for unsupervised visits. Unfortunately, she had already made an agreement with the opposing attorney.  Third, she was late to my first court appearance.  The opposing counsel used the verbal agreement as a scare tactic and stated that we went back on our "Deal" and continued to spurt out accusations to the judge about me. Kathy just sat there.  She said ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  I continued with her on my case simply because she was already on the docket. I felt like she was not standing up for me or doing any due diligence in regards to the specifics of my case.  I felt alone and scared.  Finally, after doing most of the work myself we got the opposing party to agree to unsupervised visits. In the stipulation we made agreements. My ex husband broke them. #1. The dates of visitation were not agreed upon (there should have been set dates BEFORE signing or agreeing) leaving me, again, to fend for myself.  My ex husband was still giving me a difficult time about when I could see my daughter.  #2. My ex-husband was getting away with moving and closing accounts. Which was against the restraining order and stipulation.  #3. He was supposed to give me all of my personal property by a set date, he did not.  #4. He was supposed to give me some money and he did not. (until I hired another attorney.) I signed an agreement and he broke it. Where was my attorney??? I have no idea!!! She had someone else in her place for the next hearing. She was out of the office for the whole week!!! Who leaves the office in the middle of someones hearings??? This is MY LIFE AND MY DAUGHTERS LIFE. Kathy had no interest in as to what my ex husband was putting this poor, innocent, child through. She lost her Mommy, the only person that took care of her. Kathy did not gain me any more rights to my daughter or anything else that I couldn't have negotiated myself. Please, do not hire Kathy Minella. read more

The Minella Law Group delivered great advise and service to me during my entire divorce. From the moment that I contacted Kathy Minella, to the very end of my divorce, she and her excellent staff informed me what to expect during the entire process. In addition to Kathy (Lawyer), her staff, Amanda (Paralegal) and Anna (Office Guru) were professional and caring to all of my needs and questions. I would recommend the Minella Law Group to anyone who is looking for a caring and knowledgeable attorney. read more

Good for small, simple divorces. Good payment agreement. Anything requiring much detail or larger teams there's probably firms elsewhere.

Kathy Minella and her team were incredibly helpful navigating an unpleasant family law case. They were able to deal with a dangerous situation that protected us legally from further harassment. Kathy's work was dynamic, responding to curve balls with professionalism and legal skill. read more