Complaint Review: Clark/skatoff

 hiring a lawyer is stressful. hiring a incompetent lawyer means a loss of money. i called jeffrey skatoff and in our first evaluation i informed him one of the first order of buisness was a court report that i needed to understand in order to address. mr skatoff made promises such as hiring professionals if we need etc. when it came down to actually doing so i was informed it would be much to costly. other promises followed suit. he transfered me to jordan hammer. i am aware it takes time for lawyers to assess ones case but my case had a specific time frame and certain documents would have to be by certain dates. i called to discuss the first order of business but mr. hammer never returned my call, ever. i was fored to speak to susan, para professiona or secretary.  i eventually found out any information i provide to her was never relayed to mr hammer who informed me he did not know who i spoke to ask their was two susans in the office. to make it clear all the information i received was on final call based on a court order which i will explain. mr. hammer would never return my call or inform me any vital information on my case. the information i requested on the first form from the other attorney was ignored and i never found out what it was pertaining to. i called as the time frame was lapsing and i found out after my call that the answer to the other attorney was done on the final day to respond. i was suppose to be informed as to signing but this was not followed through. understanding lawyers at times answer on the deadline date i at least was pleased this was accomplished. one answered call discussed negotiations (particulars unimportant).

  i received a letter from the other attorney negotioations were not legally binding as my attorney, jordan hammer sent in the response 5 days after the due date assigned by the court. this cost me a loss of $6,000. i received notice from the opposing attorney that a court date was scheduled in a few days. my lawyer did not feel this was impotant to inform me and i had to call the bar to request mr. hammer to get in touch with me. some particulars mr. hammer said he had to review as he never looked at my case file and finally called me back to inform me of a court date in three days. i told mr jordan our representation was over. i received a letter fianlly from mr. skatoff who told me he was no longer representing me and was filing that he was letting me go with the courts and informing the other attorney. the other issue was that i wanted my will etc and i requested on five occassions and i was told by the other susan they would get back to me. no one ever did.  i spoke to both susans, mr hammer and still no one assisted me.  If you want to hire a lawyer understand you have a right to be contacted by the lawyer. mr. hammer did say to me that he has other clients but eventually appoligized. although they dropped the ball, neglected to file on time and did not informe me of a court date they blamed all on me and was quite rude.