Hawthorne & Vesper, PLLC - Buffalo, NY

Open app Your location Hawthorne & Vesper, PLLC 43 Court St Suite 1121, Buffalo, NY 14202 Family law attorney Jaime DiFrancesco 42 points a minute ago I did not intend on posting a negative review, until every other means I have taken was ignored by this law firm. I was a client of Ms. Hawthorne for approximately 6 years between 2015 & 2021. I thought she represented me well in child custody matters at that time. A new issue arose in July of 2024, so I contacted her office to retain her for the new matter. I paid the full retainer fee up front, and Ms. Hawthorne agreed to represent me. Long story, but here is the point of the review, & caution to others who rely on reviews to choose an attorney. 1) Ms. Hawthorne repeatedly dropped the ball when it came to being prepared for court dates. I would ask a simple task be handled, & she arrived at court telling me she didn't have the information needed to pursue. It could have been addressed by a quick phone call so the information would have been presented on that court date. 2) Ms. Hawthorne avoided ALL of my emails with questions regarding legal representation & how to proceed with our Court matter. I was only able to get basic responses and interaction with her staff member, Ann. 3) I ended up having to fire Ms. Hawthorne 3 months after retaining her due to ZERO direction and follow up from her on Court deadlines. I was left on my own, when I hired her for legal representation. 4) I fired Ms. Hawthorne before all the retainer fee was used up, and by law, & by the legal code of attorney conduct, any monies paid has to be earned. Refunds are to be issued for any unused portion. 5) I terminated Ms. Hawthorne's services on October 3, 2024 & requested a current statement of services rendered. I requested a refund on that date. It was nearly a month before I received the requested statement. It showed that I had $855 CREDIT. 6) I sent several emails to Ms. Hawthorne & her office, requesting the refund, as I had to retain a different attorney to represent me for the job she failed to do. I was charged double for work Ms. Hawthorne didn't complete, and new attorney had to follow through on. 7) I filed an attorney grievance for her unethical standards pursuant to the Attorney Code of Conduct. Ms. Hawthorne lied in that case & claimed she WAS representing me. 8) When emails were repeatedly ignored for my refund, I called the Office & left a message (10 weeks after initial requests) This is why I am resorting to a public review. No other means I have followed through with are being received and dealt with. I am just asking for the money I paid UP FRONT to be returned to me for the unused portion of $855. I have other attorney bills to cover thanks to Ms. Hawthorne not doing her job.