Very friendly staff. While they couldn't help me with particular need, they provided referrals and…read morethrough them, I found and attorney to assist me.

Robert and his staff were great at helping me resolve a matter with a prior employer. They were…read moreresponsive, honest, efficient, encouraging, compassionate, and professional in every aspect; I highly recommend reaching out if you're in need of his representation.

If you're looking for someone who's great in dealing with family trusts you've come to the right…read morelawayer! Lorilee was able to answer all of my questions effectively and on point. No wasted conversation, just concise answers to a difficult family trust situation. Also, her assistant Monica is great in sorting out exactly what you need before meeting with Lorilee. I will use her again. I give her 5 stars! Kevin Rowland, Santa Rosa, Ca.

The Trifecta!! THE BEST LAWYER AND WORK ETHIC AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS we've met! In minutes she…read more"got it" in regards to a VERY complex trust case that other attorneys we had worked with (sadly) could not even comprehend!! Lorilee really knows her business and has a great network. When presented with our dozens of questions, she knew all the answers, and she gave us crucial advice we had never heard before!! In legal matters, you MUST know your attorney has your back - and she will have yours, too. WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!! PS - I almost never leave reviews - but this is an exception that must be made.

I had a consultation back in February with Erica Copenhagen…read more She was very professional and informative. I was under the impression that there was no charge for the consultation. It wasn't until over two months later I was billed $566.67 for the consultation because I did not go with their firm. The only thing they made clear was that if I did not show up or cancel within a certain amount of time that they do charge. But they certainly did not make it clear that if you don't use the firm that they charge you for your consultation. To be clear, I would never agree to a consultation to pay $566.67 to a business that I did not know whether I would choose to do business with them or not. Erica returned my phone call today May 18, 2026. I explained the situation to her and through the course of our short conversation she consistently cut me off and talked over me. I had to ask her to please let me finish my sentence. At that point, I was informed that she was busy and had a client she had to get to but all the same she continued to over talk me on the matter. BE AWARE THEY CHARGE YOU FOR A CONSULTATION WHEN YOU DON'T USE THEIR FIRM!!!!!! And now I see backpedaling and miss information from Erica's response to me. You are not telling the truth. There's no way in hell you ever told me that there was a $566.67 charge three times. I would not have a greed to a consultation especially at that price. I don't know how many ways to phrase it to you, Erica, but it was not made clear to me that if I did not use your services, I would be charged. It's that simple. I don't expect people to work for free! By the same token, I just came in for a consultation to see if what you had to offer, was compatible to what I was looking for in a law firm.

RUN! I wish there was something lower than one star to give. I live on the East Coast, and in…read moreSeptember 2024 I needed an estate attorney to assist my Uncle in his creation (and not long after) the implementation of his Trust. Erika did not provide the necessary and proper guidance. This resulted in going through a lengthy court process which I was trying to avoid by hiring her. When I asked her specifically why I was not informed I needed to take a particular step, she said "I did inform you." Which is a blatant lie!!!! Had Erika informed me I would have taken that step - why wouldn't I? I did everything she asked. She said do this - and I did it. She said pay this - and I paid it. I was hanging onto every word, advice, and counsel - I would have jumped off a cliff had she asked me (facetiously of course). The point is - I trusted her. I was following every instruction. At the final signing I asked if there was anything left to do? She said "no." I have never been through a Trust process before and communicated my naivety numerous times. I relied on Erika's guidance but am woefully disappointed. I have never written an online negative critique before. However, I feel compelled to share my experience in hopes of keeping someone else from poor advice. My Uncle's estate was small and uncomplicated. This should never have happened. The sad truth is, had Erika just owned up to the mistake, while disappointed, I would have understood (mistakes happen), and I would have stayed with her. But to lie about it and put the blame on me is beyond wrong. Not the adult or professional thing to do. Word of advice - Erika Copenhaver presents well, however she's a wolf in sheep's clothing. She doesn't truly care as she espouses. RUN!

After seeing several very positive recommendations on Next Door, I met with and decided to work…read morewith Brittany Birnie Greene on a restatement of my will and living trust. This is the third will/trust restatement/update I have done in the last 30 years and I found Brittany to be the most responsive, knowledgable, detail oriented, engaged. Also the first woman I've worked with, which was not a criterion but felt like the right choice. I found Brittany to be completely prepared to explain in clear language all the nuances and legalities of the process....or to not overexplain whenever I said I was pretty familiar with the various sections of the documents. I truly enjoyed working with her and was impressed not only by the reasonable fee but by her firm's (Just Brittany and sister Tate) generous policy with respect to updating certain parts of the trust and/or taking brief phone calls at no charge. I'm delighted that I chose Birnie Law and highly recommend them to others. BTW, I'm surprised there are so few reviews on Yelp. Probably just that most people are so glad to have this process 'done' that they don't want to think about it once it is. Worth noting that they do no advertising but are always very busy just from word of mouth. Again, just the kind of firm I like.

I needed a few legal questions answered concerning my mom's estate, but was having a devil of a…read moretime finding an attorney willing to sit down with me for an hour or so to resolve them. One cretin (name withheld out of courtesy) tried to get me to pay a $3,500 deposit up front, and he had the people skills of a sixth grade remedial student. Very lucky to have had a friend recommend Tate Birney in Sebastopol. I cannot remember the last time I felt so comfortable in a lawyer's office; and I left feeling like with a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders and that I really had found a caring and smart advocate, should I require services in the future. Very reasonable rates, especially for one who is clearly so capable and qualified. Even from just my one meeting with Tate Birney, I can, with intuitive confidence, recommend her highly.

One's own death is the most personal thing of all, yet there are legal requirements, financial…read moreconsequences, and medical decisions one had best consider in advance. I've worked with two other estate planners, compared to whom Roy Johnston has clearly superior skills, experience, and temperament. Now, following a few meetings, and at very reasonable cost, I've got a reliable plan for dealing with both the uncertainties and inevitabilities in my future.

Roy Johnston was excellent in helping us put together a family trust…read more He took us through the somewhat tedious process step by step in such a way that it did not feel tedious. He broke up the process into measurable tasks, and guided us through each step with consummate professionalism, aplomb, and humor. We felt like our financial issues were in the hands of someone who was not only an eminently capable attorney but also someone who genuinely cared about his clients and the quality of his work. His support staff was similarly capable, helpful and relational. My wife and I give Roy and the Law offices of Johnston Thomas the highest recommendation for this kind of legal work.

I recently worked with Julie during an extremely stressful and difficult child custody situation…read morethat was ongoing for eight years. Once i finally decided to hire an attorney last year, I was very fortunate to have found Julie. The very first time I spoke with her, i knew I was in great hands. She has been very easy to work with, to communicate with and her presence and way of communicating/ advocating for me and my Son in the court room was incredible!! She was a God send for me and I'm so grateful for her.

Julie and her team are incredible. I feel so well taken care of. Julie took the time to really…read morelisten and understand what I needed and what needed to be done regarding my custody case. When Julie wasn't available, her paralegal Ashley was always ready to answer any questions I had and keep me updated. I highly recommend them!!!! Thanks girls!

Cathy Lelmorini created my Trust, and she was detail oriented, flexible, knowledgeable, as well as…read morepatient. Good reminders and follow up also. Thank you Cathy!

Paul helped us completely rewrite all of our state documents. He's a pleasure to work with and very…read moreprofessional. And his fees were very reasonable, considering the amount of time he put into the project and the expertise that he brought to the table. I can recommend him without hesitation.

Jeannine Patterson is the owner and sole fiduciary of North Bay Fiduciary Services in Santa Rosa,…read moreCA. With over 10 years of experience as an estate planning paralegal at a local Santa Rosa law office, she brings knowledge, professionalism, and genuine compassion to her work. Jeannine is highly respected by clients, attorneys, and judges alike. She takes her fiduciary responsibilities seriously and is committed to ensuring her clients' wishes are honored--both during incapacity and in the administration of their estates. I would confidently recommend her to anyone looking for a trustworthy private fiduciary.

Jeannine's got decades of experience and it shows. She's professional and courteous but down to…read moreearth and can will get right down to business even with complex estate issues. Highly recommend for a personable, experienced professional with lots of local experience!