If I could leave a negative star that would be the case for this law firm. They started out caring and nice with the impression they will have your backs but need the full retainer before court starts, which is understandable . After they received the retainer they had went shopping or something as they had no clue regarding the wickedness of my case and didn't even object or insinuate they knew law. This firm will come up with every excuse in book why they couldn't assist you properly and blame you for things you asked for assistance for. Most of us didn't go to school for law and that's the reason we hire lawyers. These guys are mascots pretending to be lawyers. They charge me twice for one hearing stating they had to prepare twice for my one hearing and a hearing they had no clue regarding law about. They couldn't object to anything relevant, site any other cases dealing with law why some things should be admitted or not and the most unprofessional law firm around. They will quit on you asap and over charge for everything. You shouldn't have to ask your lawyers what's going on in your case and how to get updates . They want you too so they can charge you for communication. it's sad folks. Don't run, sprint faster than Usain Bolt away from this firm. Don't even think of them and they still owe me money . Bunch of money grabbers with incompetent brains. read more

Keep copies or screenshots of every communication. Poorly run practice with poor communication. Do not recommend.

I wish I would've read Yelp before hiring this firm. RUN! Don't walk but RUN! They sound great in the initial meeting and have a whole plan right up until the day you pay your retainer. Then it's crickets. I have a log of missed calls and unreturned messages. Tried to get them to file an emergency TRO and that was unsuccessful because they were unprepared and when our attorney went to our hearing, he was so unprepared, he could not answer basic questions on our case. I fired this firm and simply asked for my retainer back. But apparently money is more important than client satisfaction because Ms. Gauthiers response was, they are paid for the work they do not the outcome, and they were planning on filing an emergency TRO this afternoon. Funny how they would file that considering it hasn't even been signed. Do not use this firm. And before Ms. Gauthier denies my claims, every unanswered email, and unanswered message is logged and despite her claim, calls are not returned withing 72 hours. Even the email she just sent, after I fired here, claiming work was being done. But the response was the fastest ever! Want to get a call back? Either want to be a client or want to fire her, better yet save yourself the trouble and check her bar complaint. read more

I hired this firm to help me appeal my divorce judgment, and it was one of the worst professional experiences I've ever had. After paying thousands of dollars, absolutely nothing was done. Communication was almost nonexistent -- emails and calls were rarely returned, and when I did get a response, it lacked clarity, urgency, or any real strategy. There was no follow-through, no clear action taken on my case, and no sense that anyone was truly advocating for me or my children. I trusted this attorney to guide me through one of the most emotionally difficult seasons of my life, and instead, I was met with delay, indifference, and complete lack of effort. This law firm displayed everything a family lawyer should not: lack of transparency, poor communication, and zero sense of accountability. I would not recommend them to anyone -- especially not someone needing real support through a sensitive and high-stakes legal matter. read more

Run, as fast as you can. They took our money, never filed even a one page sentence in the case then withdrew. They made up all kinds of reasons why there was a dispute. Still trying to get our money back. We called/email/text response is " a member of our legal team will get back to you shortly." But you never hear back, even if there is a trial the next day!! The didn't even show up. These are people's lives you're messing with, something needs to change, and fast. If all prior clients get together, they'd have a pretty heavy judgement to repay all of us. Does their insurance cover class action claims? Keep eyes open folks. read more

Please run far away from this firm. They'll give you free consultation with a paralegal. Then once you've been assigned a lawyer 4-5 months later, everything you were advised from paralegal was wrong information. Paralegal is a salesmen hypes you to give them your hard earned money because you believed this was a strong firm (nope). Over a yr later for a simple case, still awaiting the services I've already paid for a year ago. Getting a hold of anyone that actually practices law for that firm to ask a question or update, is nearly impossible. But don't worry they'll send you a text every 3months to ensure you that you can always call their operators if you had any questions, which leads to a wasted phone call with an operator that can't answer any of your questions or direct you to who can. Please find a lawyer that actually cares, because these guys don't. Also I'd like to add they act so caring at first but once you pay, you will not hear from them until who knows when. I've had call and remind them several times waiting and waiting. This firm should be shut down, they are thieves. read more

Potential clients beware. You will see them at an inital free consult, be told how much they care and that children is important to them..(custody case) and then never hear back. Avia the principal of the firm stated that she is a litigator and a founder and that's why she didn't call back which is all horseplay. The worst part was I asked for my file and I'm being told I'm not tech smart or knowledgeable enough to know how to click on a link. So here they are fooled me out of $6500, then clowning on me when asking for my file when their file doesn't work. I failed to check the state BAR complaints database and all the disciplinary actions, or id seen the sanctions and be $6500 richer. Please don't be a single Dad spending hard earned money for his little girl all to see it go up in smoke to firms that play on your emotions to get your money and then clown on you later for things much less take accountability or offer some of your funds back and apology and plan to make it right. Its like they knew exatly what they were doing, so when services were terminated it was just a regular day for them and they came out happy that the swindled me out of $6500 for no works done other than filing a notice of appearance and canceling out current hearings already set by the court as a reason to keep billing...Broke, angered, and feel like a fool! Dont let it happen to you! read more

I paid $1,000 towards the retainer and immediately after the communication stopped. No work was done on my case after almost a month's time. The case was not filed. I said cancel my contract and give me my money back. They are trying to not return my money. DO NOT go with this law firm. They'll just take your money and run. read more

If I could give 0 stars I would, they had represented me for 4 years, their communication was absolutely horrific, if I knew I could do better I would have left a lot sooner, and they constantly tried to withdraw from council, I didn't realize why until recently when I questioned some invoices that I got charged for multiple times, I even found out through a new attorney that they charged me for something they never even did! Twice! I put my child's future in their hands and they screwed me and my child's future! They completely tainted my name, lied to the court, and if they would have done what I requested and paid them for which was for the other parents rights to be revoked and my husband to adopt my child, the case would have been over TODAY. They were completely unprofessional when I questioned where my money went, but because they apparently have never been told to F off when they're yelling at you and you can't get a word in, apparently that's the worst they've ever been talked to, which I doubt. But because they didn't do what I requested 100's of times and it was too late by the time I obtained a new attorney, I now have to go through the process again, the heartache again, the torture, the money, and time, all over again. Not only that but I found out she had been suspended while she was my attorney! It's on the state bar of Texas's website! Do NOT let them fool you, they know how to lie, cheat, and steal! I'm so disgusted and I hope this saves at least one person from heartbreak. I'm sure I will receive some sassy response from them, as they never can just admit they've done harm. Lessons have been learned. read more

The Gauthier Law Firm - State Bar Disciplinary History - Divorce & Family Law Near Me - Richardson, Texas

For some reason they neglected to add the step down amount in my divorce agreement despite me asking about it at the time which resulted in more court and court cost only two years later. read more

Will update and explain but trying to get their attention as I am still without even a temp order for custody almost 8 months later and it took them 3 months to respond to my next steps email after they told me they used all the retainer . . . WHAT!!! read more

My husband and I came to this firm with a very simple small claims case, and immediately after paying the retainer, communication stopped. We tried to ask questions about when we could expect any replies to calls or emails, but were told we just "needed to decide" instead of getting any real help. After our experience and reading the other one-star reviews, we terminated the contract immediately. My husband left a one-star review on thumbtack, and she accused him of lying. She will probably accuse me of the same, but these are the facts. She could not respond to calls or emails for days at a time, even with us constantly checking in--obviously all documented on our end. She gaslighted us and said that she never received our communications. She couldn't remember details from the original consult and said that we communicated with opposing counsel and a mediator, even though all of that happened before we retained her. The mediator and opposing counsel had to reach out to us after the retainer because her office had not responded to a time-sensitive matter from them for days--making us look bad to the opposing party. We only responded to their communications after we formally terminated Avia Gauthier. As soon as we terminated and left the first poor review, she was miraculously able to respond almost immediately. She obviously seemed very confused and uninformed about the details of our case. She will likely accuse me of lying in this review, but that's okay. We have documentation that proves each claim made in this review, and as a retired & disabled Army officer, I know how important honesty and integrity are. STAY AWAY FROM THIS LAW FIRM. You will be lied to, left dry, and gaslighted when you try to advocate for yourself as a paying client with worries, needs, and questions. The other poor reviews accurately describe this firm. Find someone who will take care of you and your family; it will not happen with this firm. When you have a bad experience and try to warn others with a review, she will gaslight and accuse you of lying. I'm sure you'll all see for yourselves in her response below. You've been warned. Edit: as soon as this was posted, my husband received an email from Avia: "You will find out soon enough who will have the last laugh." read more

It's been three months and I am still waiting on a refund from this law office. No response to emails. Totally being taken advantage of at a very stressful and crucial time of my life and my kids life. God is the ultimate judge though and I know He will set things right. read more

DO NOT HIRE THEM, they will make a stressful time that much more stressful. I practically did all the work for them, it was ridiculous! Took forever to get back with me, would not take my calls and took their time responding to my emails. Every step in the process literally took over a month. Took advantage of me in a time when I needed someone to do right by me and advocate for me and my children. They practically charge you for every email and phone call. Avia's paralegal does not follow up or keep up with anything and Avia covers for her when she is the one in the wrong! The work ethic is very poor. Avia understood my wants and needs about not doing 50/50 for my temporary hearing but gave in to this one major thing that I would have never given in to during court if I thought it could not be changed. When I spoke up during court, she told me it was temporary and could be changed later. This was not a win for me instead my child has suffered from it. When I said something about it a few weeks later she said it was too late. MY MOUTH DROPPED OPEN! I am still trying to get this fixed but who does that when it comes to something so serious and a temporary order is very hard to change. WOW! HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE service. And when I decided to fire her and hire another attorney of course I was told there was no refund coming back to me. Save yourself the heartache! read more