Patterson Law Firm, APC

Welcome to Patterson Law Firm, APC, located in Brea, California, at 1800 E Imperial Hwy STE 110. As a local law firm listed under the 'Nearby Lawyers' category, Patterson Law Firm, APC offers legal services in the area of family law to the Brea community and surrounding areas. However, it is imperative for potential clients to carefully and thoroughly review the extensive negative feedback provided by multiple past clients before considering engaging this firm for their legal representation. This introduction will objectively present the detailed accounts of client dissatisfaction, highlighting significant concerns regarding the firm's services, billing practices, and overall effectiveness in family law cases.

The physical environment of Patterson Law Firm, APC, situated in a suite on East Imperial Highway in Brea, likely presents a standard professional office setting. Clients would typically expect private meeting rooms for consultations and discussions regarding sensitive family law matters, as well as administrative areas for staff and case management. The Brea location offers accessibility for individuals residing in the area seeking local legal counsel for divorce, child custody, and other family law issues.

The primary service offered by Patterson Law Firm, APC is family law. This encompasses a wide range of legal matters related to domestic relations, including divorce proceedings, child custody and visitation disputes, child support, spousal support, property division, and related issues. Given the nature of family law, clients typically seek legal representation to navigate emotionally challenging situations and to protect their rights and the best interests of their children.

However, the overwhelmingly negative client reviews available paint a concerning picture of the services provided by Patterson Law Firm, APC, and specifically attorneys Steven Patterson and Ryan E. Dryer. One client who retained Steven Patterson for a divorce in 2016 expressed significant displeasure with the services received. This client reported incurring exorbitant legal fees exceeding $44,000 without achieving satisfactory outcomes. A specific point of contention was the recommendation to hire a consultant to evaluate the ex-wife's potential income, which ultimately proved inaccurate. Furthermore, the attorney allegedly failed to negotiate crucial terms in the divorce decree, such as a termination clause or timeframe for spousal support, resulting in the client having to pay substantial ongoing support and needing to hire new counsel years later to attempt to modify the order. The client explicitly labeled this experience a "scam."

Another, even more detailed and scathing review strongly advises others to "STAY AWAY" from Patterson Law Firm (PLF). This client, who was represented by Ryan E. Dryer under the supervision of Steven R. Patterson, described the legal representation as "lackluster." The reviewer alleges that the firm was outmaneuvered by opposing counsel and exploited a highly contentious divorce to prolong the legal proceedings over four years without ever reaching trial. The client accused PLF of prioritizing their own financial gain through prolonged litigation and excessive billing rather than effectively advocating for their client's interests.

A particularly alarming accusation is that Patterson Law Firm employed a tactic of delaying trial through repeated postponements at court hearings, often involving private meetings in the judge's chambers where no official record was kept. The client suggests that these delays served to extend temporary support orders and necessitate the repeated filing of financial declarations, thereby generating ongoing legal fees for the firm. This is characterized as a deliberate strategy of "over-billing."

The client further states that they received "no fight" from PLF, only "politics," and that despite four years of representation and significant legal fees (reportedly exceeding $175,000), their case never went to trial, which allegedly benefited the ex-spouse who continued to receive high temporary support and benefits. The client details paying a substantial portion of their net earnings in temporary spousal and child support for a period exceeding half the duration of their short-term marriage, without any strategy from PLF to reduce or eliminate this support over time.

The reviewer recounts settling the case under duress with a "LOPSIDED" financial settlement that favored the ex-spouse, alleging that Mr. Dryer conceded to stipulations without consulting them and provided ill-advice that resulted in further financial detriment. While acknowledging that Mr. Dryer is "nice," the client emphasizes that niceness is insufficient in contentious divorce proceedings. The reviewer ultimately chose to represent themselves in post-divorce child custody matters and reports achieving more positive results in a few months acting "In Pro Per" than in four years with Patterson Law Firm.

These detailed and highly critical reviews raise serious concerns about the effectiveness, billing practices, and overall client advocacy provided by Patterson Law Firm, APC. The allegations of prolonged litigation for financial gain, failure to protect client interests, poor communication, and ultimately, unfavorable outcomes are significant red flags for potential clients seeking family law representation in the Brea area.

Given the gravity of the negative feedback, it would be irresponsible to offer any positive "promotional information" for Patterson Law Firm, APC based solely on the provided data. Instead, the objective presentation of these detailed client experiences serves as crucial information for local users to consider as part of their thorough due diligence when selecting a family law attorney. Potential clients are strongly advised to carefully weigh these accounts of significant dissatisfaction before making a decision that could have profound and long-lasting impacts on their lives and financial well-being.

For local users in Brea seeking family law services, it is strongly recommended to explore alternative legal representation options and to seek out firms with consistently positive client reviews and a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes for their clients. The detailed negative experiences shared by multiple individuals regarding Patterson Law Firm, APC should prompt potential clients to exercise extreme caution and to prioritize finding legal counsel who will provide diligent advocacy, transparent billing practices, and effective communication throughout their family law proceedings. Thorough research and consultation with multiple attorneys are essential steps in making an informed decision that best serves your legal needs and protects your future.

In conclusion, while Patterson Law Firm, APC is listed as a local family law firm in Brea, the available client reviews present a disturbing pattern of significant dissatisfaction with their services, including allegations of excessive fees, prolonged and ineffective litigation, poor communication, and ultimately, unfavorable outcomes for clients. Local users seeking family law representation in Brea are strongly urged to carefully consider this negative feedback and to conduct thorough research before entrusting their sensitive legal matters to this firm. Prioritizing firms with positive reputations for effective advocacy, ethical billing, and client communication is crucial in navigating the complexities of family law.