I hired Michael 7 years ago. I delivered enough "material" to him tied in a pretty red bow that…read moremade the divorce a no brainer. (Yes, I realize Texas is a no fault state.) This was Sept 2013. By Jan. '14 there still were no TO's filed. Michael made it clear to me, "you aren't in CA anymore sweetheart. You need to get spousal support out of your mind." (Really, because 3 of my friends who have divorced over the last 7 years received spousal support. And yes, my ex and I were married well over 10 years.) My ex has his own very successful financial planning company. I had been with him 14 of the 20 years at that point. However, Michael refused to insist on a Forensic Accountant to come and provide a Business Valuation and to look for hidden assets. Hello!!! I am the client and the one paying for these people. Who are you to tell me it will be a waste of time!?!?!?! My ex is extremely financially successful and Michael refused to fight for more child support than the Texas Family Code allowed for. I had quit my job of 20 years to stay home and care for the children 6 years prior to the divorce so to re-enter the mortgage industry post '08 crash in an entirely new state when my client base of 20 years was in another state was not going to provide the income I once had. Not to mention the mortgage underwriting guidelines had dramatically changed so it did not make sense to go back to that field. I trusted Michael to get me and my children the best settlement. In hindsight I am told by many different attorneys that "my attorney most definitely could have gotten me more child support than standard Texas Code when the children have been accustomed to a certain lifestyle and receiving the standard child support would mean they would not be able to continue living in the manner they have become accustomed to." Michael didn't do that for us. He took the easy way out. Michael never fought for me on anything. My new husband's decree and many friend's decrees state the two parties will split extra curriculars 50/50. My ex and I split them 50/50 for a few years until he just decided he didn't want to do that anymore. I have no recourse now. In the Springtime of 2014 we went to mediation. Michael was useless and didn't fight for me at all. Of the EIGHT HOURS we were in mediation, my Ex had the mediator for 6.5 HOURS and I had the mediator for 1.5 HOURS!!! That's it!!!! COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!!!! When we were FINALLY go to court in May for our Temporary Orders hearing (WHICH WAS AFTER MEDIATION?!?!), Michael, my ex and my ex's attorney already had a divorce settlement prepared for me to review and sign off on that day. Michael had NO INTENTION that day of having a TO hearing. When Judge McMaster asked how long we would need for the TO hearing, Michael said, "Your Honor, we actually have a settlement prepared for my client to review so if we could have about 3 hours to go over it, I believe we can be finished today?!?!?!" I was in shock, horrified and blindsided! I knew NOTHING about this! Michael did the strongest used car salesman pitch on me for the next 3 hours as to why and how this settlement in front of me was such a great deal. It was a Friday. He never once encouraged me to take it home over the weekend and think about it before I signed it. He just wanted to be done. Then in the fall when my daughter started saying things that indicated she might be being sexually abused by my ex's friend, and my 4th and 2nd grade boys all of a sudden had porn on their kindle's at the same time I FREAKED OUT and called Michael. He told me to "relax, I'm sure all is fine." A report was filed by CPS by one of my family members and I told Michael I was taking my kids to Dallas until this was cleared up. I just was not comfortable returning the children to my ex until there was certainty about what was going on in his home. He said, "I understand. I just don't recommend it." On late Sun night he called me at me at my parents to tell me Judge was requiring me in court at 9am following day. MICHAEL TELLS ME "JUST STAY IN DALLAS WITH THE KIDS. I'll handle this for you." INSTEAD, Judge was INCREDIBLY ANGRY AT ME for not appearing and has been angry ever since! Michael did NOTHING for me except cost me almost $20,000 in attorney and court fees and get me a divorce settlement that I have had to fight and deal with one regret after another for the last 7 years. Do not even think of using Michael Burnett. You will thank me.

I'm so very disappointed in Michael Burnett, the lack of genuine effort he gave my case, his…read moreparticipation in the family law systems' racketeering, and his deceitful techniques. He knew how my case was going to turn out before he even really lifted a finger, which reflects how broken the system is and how little invested he was in helping my son and me. I've met some other parents who had similar experiences with him; hence, me learning that some of his actions were actually common techniques of his. It's so heart-wrenching because these are families in crises and typically one parent gets alienated from the child[ren] and extremely abused by the family law systems. Clients be wary of Mr. Burnett's close connections with Jake Gilbreath (attorney involved in the tragic Kaplan case) and that he and Turner were once partners with Mr. Piper and several other attorneys. All these attorneys are fish swimming in the same pond. The judges swam in that same pond, too; many of them are golf and former drinking buddies. Not only are there paradigm issues, but also loyalty and implicit & explicit bias issues. Parents really need to understand that family law is a complete racket. Just so the readers know, I was able to resume 50/50 JMC once the attorneys got out of the picture and my ex-husband was no longer negatively empowered by the family law systems. So often when a parent posts a negative review, the attorneys will come back with a statement to invalidate the review. I believe the attorneys are in the front lines of accountability for the violence these families in crises are experiencing. If anyone would like additional information regarding what I've shared, please email ATX change agent at gmail dot com.

I simply cannot adequately put into words how amazing Ben is. The short version of this review is,…read moreJUST HIRE BEN! The long version is as follows: Ben was the second attorney I hired for my divorce and he should have been the first!! Ben makes you feel like you are his only client. He is extremely responsive (a rarity in this field--trust me, I am a family law paralegal) and knowledgeable. Ben is beyond intelligent. He also acts voraciously and proactively on his client's behalf and protects their interests. He is a "bull-dog" in the Courtroom. My case had several depositions and hearings and I always felt extremely confident to have Ben representing me. He always knew what to say, his statements always backed up with facts and case law, and his intellect unmatched. I always felt like I had the upper-hand with Ben by my side. Ben does not sugar coat anything. He is honest and straightforward and will realistically manage your expectations. He under promises and over delivers. He also bills incredibly fair. He's the only lawyer I actually WANT to give me money to!! Throughout this intensely difficult and emotional process, Ben has been by my side, fighting for me and my two children. Ben truly cares about his clients. I am unduly grateful that I found Ben! Thank you for everything.

I worked with Ben through a long, hard-fought divorce and custody trial in Hays County. From the…read moredate of separation to the final jury trial, this was roughly a year-long process with a lot of litigation and a ton of stress. The stakes were huge (my son's future) and Ben delivered and we won at trial! What stood out most: 1) Ben is aggressive! This was not a "let's all cooperate and it'll be fine" case. There were recurring issues with incomplete document production and lack of transparency, and Ben didn't tolerate games. He took an assertive approach and stayed focused on the facts and the record. That style was exactly what my situation required. 2) Prepared and strategic at trial. When it came time for trial, Ben's preparation and courtroom strategy were on another level. He knew the details cold, anticipated the arguments, and didn't waste time on distractions. The end result speaks for itself: we won! 3) Extremely responsive and reliable communication. Ben was consistently available and responsive--calls and emails were returned quickly and it wasn't unusual to hear back late at night after I emailed questions I thought of late in the day (I'm glad we're both night owls). In a case like this, that responsiveness matters because deadlines, filings, and strategy decisions move fast. 4) He expects you to do your part (that's a good thing). Ben is not the kind of attorney who does everything for you while you sit on the sidelines. He will tell you exactly what he needs, when he needs it, and why it matters. If you're organized, responsive, and follow his directions, you'll feel better knowing Ben is on your side and where your case is headed. If you need an attorney for a high-conflict case, Ben is the person you want in your corner. Thank you for helping my son and our family!!!

I cannot say enough about Becca Kennedy and Jordan Thomas. When this case started, I was facing an…read moreextremely contentious divorce with my relationship with my daughters and much of what I had worked for at stake. As a father going into family court, I was genuinely worried about what the next couple of years would look like and, most importantly, what my relationship with my daughters would look like when it was over. Becca and Jordan were there through all of it. They were honest with me even when the answer wasn't what I wanted to hear, knew when something was worth fighting over, and were incredibly responsive. There were even weekends when I would send something expecting an answer on Monday and hear back that same day. I don't like saying anyone "wins" a family law case because there really aren't winners when a family is being divided. But the results speak for themselves. I came out of the case with 50/50 custody of my daughters, while my house, vehicles, bank accounts, and separate property remained protected. If I could go back to the beginning of this case and read a review from another father who had been through something similar, this is what I would have wanted to know: Becca and Jordan will be honest with you, they will prepare, they will answer your questions, and when something needs to be fought for, they will fight for you. I'm extremely grateful I had them in my corner, and I would recommend them without hesitation.

Attorney Becca Kennedy and her paralegal, Jordan Thomas, have helped me navigate a difficult…read moredivorce with competence, experience and thoughtfulness throughout what can be an overwhelming and complicated process. I especially appreciate Becca's insight and judgment. She takes the time to explain issues, clearly, anticipate questions and concerns, and helps me understand not just what is happening, but why. Becca and Jordan are responsive and considerate and I have always felt that my questions and concerns are taken seriously. I also appreciate how respectful they are of the costs involved in litigation. They are mindful of billing and use their time efficiently, which is particularly important in a divorce case where legal expenses can add up quickly. They have treated me with kindness and respect while remaining professional, practical and focused. Their experience, attention to detail, organization, and steady guidance have given me a great deal of confidence during a very difficult time. I would highly recommend both Becca and Jordan to anyone looking for knowledgeable, capable, and conscientious representation in a family law matter.

How do you find the words to describe the worth of your quality of life? The worth of your…read morechildren's future and best interest? The worth of less conflict and stress? The worth of your safety, sleep, time, and financial means? Divorce and custody matters can be life altering. One choice can greatly change the course and outcome. Making the right choices are difficult when you are scared, vunerable, or facing the complex issues that are common during a family law matters. However, the single MOST IMPORTANT choice you will make in a family law matter is who you choose to represent you. Last year I cringed, with my stomach in knots, at the thought of hiring another lawyer. After four years of suffering through constant litigation, I said enough. I began researching, and was on a mission to find the best law firm for our family, particularly for our children. We needed someone that understood high conflict. We needed someone who cared about what really is in the best interest of the children. We needed someone that understood our past legal experiences, and our need to feel we could trust again. Today, we couldn't be more happy and relieved with the choice we made. I could say all the things that help you feel warm and fuzzy. I could say all the things Evans Family Law greatly possesses and surpasses- Professionalism, efficiency, tactfulness, communication, strategy, and attention to detail. Or, I could just say what is most important. We hired the best person to represent our family, and most importantly our children. I absolutely believe our custody matter was treated as if it were our lawyers own. Evans Family Law settled our ongoing high conflict case, carried us through the adoption process and ensured our children will have a future that aligns with their best interest. A future that includes an actively involved, nuturing, and supportive father. Most importantly, they enabled us to gain our joy and quality of life again. We will recommend Evans Family Law over and over again. I will never find adequate words to describe how grateful we are. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Jimmy, Jenni, Katherine and the entire firm at Evans Family Law Group.

My girlfriend used Jimmy and would come home crying from all his false promises and delays in her…read morecustody battle. She wasted thousands of dollars and so much time. Jimmy Evans is a smooth talker who tells you what you want to hear, drags out your case to take all your money, and will never fight for you in front of a judge. My girlfriend now has another attorney that is honest and finally making traction.

My life was shattered January 2015. I hired a lawyer and boy did that go terrible....he wanted me…read moreto fold, my family wanted me to fold; I was distraught. I fired THAT lawyer!!! Later to find out that lawyer was disbarred. Thank goodness for my gut feeling. Nobody believed me, not even my own family...Until I hired Mr. Pennigton and his team. He and his team took it from there. Let me tell EVERYONE who is in a divorce, your lawyer is only as good as their client. With the info I provided to the Pennington team they were able to pull a feat nobody could have believed. We did it...I did it...HE DID IT. His knowledge of the law is unquestionable. Shout out to Jesse and Geoff who were also there for me every step of the way. To just make it clear....What Mr. Pennington did for me as a lawyer changed me and my families life for the best. It changed into something I would have never even imagined. This nightmare is finally over...Life is much better now. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PENNINGTON LAW FIRM!!!! God Bless to him, his family and his team.

Very thankful & impressed by the knowledgeable, professional, understanding, and sharp minds at…read morePennington Law. Pennington Law was referred to me by a family friend who had a divorce and won full custody of his son. Which I thought rare in Fathers cases. Still the news was inspiring. The Team at Pennington law helped defend and win my case. We share joint custody, but I possibly might have lost my son to the petitions of changing locations the other parent could move 6hrs away and would have had to pay thousands more in support. Thanks to Pennington Law and specifically Daniela Ibarra's knowledge of case law, preparation, and stoic presence in the court room; the judge ruled in our favor. So my son gets to stay here and not be moved 6hrs away and my child support doesn't go from $600 a month to $1300 like they wanted. My son and best friend now get to enjoy the entire summer swimming and fishing with Dad as it should be. Thank God and thank you Pennington Law!

Christian Smith is legit. She does not waste time. She is to the point and honest. She told me I…read moream not therapist, but here is a number. I feel she genuinely cares about her clients and has your best interest. That being said she is stone cold assassin in the court room. She completely annihilated my X wifes attorney. ROI was made and then some. Once it was all said and done I would never not go back to Christian and I have referred two of my friends to her law firm and they both won there cases. Holly her paralegal is the best. She helps you throughout this process and tells you what to do. I would not trust another law firm. I will be back for my son.

They will drop you as soon as you don't have any funds left even if you've been with them for…read moreyears. Charged over 6k just to go to court for 3hours. Ended up paying more money than what I was trying to get anyways. Super expensive to end up losing anyways. Spent tens of thousands for nothing. Would not recommend.

Thank you! Davis Law Group, P.S. For all your hard work on my case. Your expertise and…read morededication made a real difference. I appreciate everything you've done on my settlement Check (Final Disbursement)..

I made a big mistake in hiring this attorney to represent me in what should have been a simple…read morefamily law matter. I could have left this review back in 2021 but I held out hope that this would be made right. I hired Mr Davis in 2021 for minor modification and enforcement of visitation. Mr Davis asked me to drive to Austin for the consultation so I drove almost 5 hours to meet with him. At conclusion of the consultation, Mr Davis said I have a good case. Mr Davis recommended that I should go for full custody back as I had the full custody of my son raising him for 5 years after his mother abandoned the child when our son was just 14 moths old. Mr Davis requested a retainer & as I recall, I paid him $15k. He claims he was given a retainer of only $10k, but let's be honest - that is still a lot of money to get enforcement of an existing visitation agreement or even to go back to court for a full custody modification, isn't it? Fast Forward to the day of the hearing. I had a witness fly in from the east coast - we had a mutual ex-wife. My witness and I observed Mr Davis enter the court house and my witness pointed out Mr Davis in discussion with our ex-wife's attorney. After this chat ended, Mr Davis approached me telling me to go find another lawyer. Mr Davis then departed, abandoning me right before the hearing with no prior notice that he wanted to withdraw. Mr Davis to this day has refused to tell me why he abandoned me and my case immediately preceding the hearing. After repeated attempts to get Mr Davis to do what I paid a retainer for or at least give me an explanation for why I was left to fend for myself, I finally submitted a complaint with the State Bar of Texas & the Texas Attorney General's office reporting my experience for them to investigate. I have also filed a lawsuit for this abandonment situation in District Court in Austin. May justice prevail.

Carl and Amanda were absolutely great. I never felt alone They always answered every question. I…read morecould email Amanda and she would answer within 10 to 30 minutes. They guided me through every step of the way. I had two car accident and they get me very fair results. I highly recommend them.

​"He is an excellent lawyer, and I highly recommend him for his assistance with my friend Carolyn."read more