Michael J. Kretzmer - Manhattan Beach, CA

I hired Michael Kretzmer in January 2026 and terminated him three weeks later for gross negligence. He is, without question, one of the most arrogant, incompetent, and unprofessional attorneys I have ever encountered. Although he was recommended by a trusted family law attorney, I deeply regret ignoring the numerous negative reviews I found online. From the very beginning, Michael displayed an extremely short temper. He repeatedly yelled at me, cursed, insulted me, and spoke to me in a condescending manner. His behavior was shockingly disrespectful, especially toward a paying client. He frequently belittled me and made me feel foolish for asking questions. On the first day of court, he arrived five hours late. The day before, he had assured me he would make it on time after handling another case in Downtown LA — something that was clearly impossible. He repeatedly gave me incorrect information about DCFS requirements. When I confronted him about it, he dismissively told me to “get over it” and that “it’s not a hill to die on.” He also advised me to speak with the police without an attorney present, which I found highly unusual and concerning. After everything I experienced, I find it difficult to believe he has 40 years of experience. His lack of basic professionalism, poor client treatment, and apparent unfamiliarity with DCFS and Juvenile Court procedures were alarming. When we appeared in Juvenile Court, no one seemed to know who he was, and the judge even questioned whether he was qualified to practice there. I strongly recommend avoiding Michael Kretzmer. This was a very costly and stressful mistake.