Semrad Robert J

Nearby Lawyers Illinois Cook County Chicago South Side South Western Avenue

(23 reviews)

Contact Info

Location 11101 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643, USA
Phone +1 312-432-9009

Reviews

Do not use this law firm. They will say anything to get your business and not follow through. I wish I would have looked at the reviews before. They make promises and can't keep them. Would never recommend them to anyone.
I would not recommend doing business with this law firm to help resolve your bankruptcy due to the fact of the lack of communication and the way the staff maneuvers. I fell behind in my payments due to loss of employment and then I became ill and was hospitalized and didn’t start back working until almost the end of October. I had just filed my case with Debtstoppers the first week of September. I had to request from my lawyer and explanation and breakdown of my payment plan and who would be payed what amount, I was told I had to surrender my tax refund which was not true to a degree, I didn’t receive a call about my case being dismissed until 3 days before the court date and the letter that was suppose to arrive to me about the court date for 01/22/24 was postmarked 12/19/23 and didn’t get to my mail box until 01/24/24. I don’t know if it’s a language barrier with the staff or lack of comprehension but they can be very rude when you’re asking questions pertaining to your case and they do not answer their phones. They do not explain all of your options to you either so that you make the best decision to assist in preventing you from having to file bankruptcy again. Then after my case was dismissed the paralegal sent an email that she would direct me to the team who can assist me in refiling. No thank you, I immediately consulted another law firm that is led by a husband and wife team and they take their time to speak to you and to explain everything to you and guide you through the process. I recommend Gleason & Gleason. They are going to advocate for you and walk you through the process.
My BEST advice is...Do NOT trust this company.They are lining their pockets with your hard earned dollars. Filing bankruptcy isn't the most difficult thing in the world. In fact you could learn how to do it in a couple of days with a little guidance. Question?....If you're already broke and in debt why pay the Semrad Law Firm an astronomical amount of money, upwards of $5,000, to do something as simple as filing a Chapter 7 or 13. I originally filled my case with this firm. They took all their attorneys fees up front nearly $5,000 and when I was laid off my case was dismissed. Now, 5,000 was not put into your actual debt repayment (Ch. 13) the lawyers takes their cut from the top, so if anything risky happens they are good. They are counting on you to fail and continue using and needing their service. I was UTTERLY disgusted with the way this place treated me. They Don't return phone calls, and the persons handling your case changes frequently. THEY PREY ON YOUR IGNORANCE.....AND DESPERATE PEOPLE (meaning you) MAKE BAD DECISIONS. You could file your entire case for a fraction of the cost with just a little education. And that exactly what I did. I wouldn't recommend this place in a million years. This is simply not the answer.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I have been a client since 2015. Yesterday 02/18/2019 I called the office and talked with Eliza Marrero and have to say she helped me understand what is going on with my case, took time to explain to me what the next steps are that I need to take and made sure that I had all of the information I needed. Eliza is truly a vital resource of this law firm.
Robert and Patrick Semrad care about their clients more and simply get things done. Thank you for all your hard work. They are a highly recommendable lawfirm.

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About Semrad Robert J

When local users search for legal assistance through platforms like "Nearby Lawyers," they often rely heavily on reviews and objective information to make informed decisions. This introduction to Semrad Robert J, associated with the firm Debtstoppers, located at 11101 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643, will present information based on publicly available client feedback, aiming to provide a balanced overview for potential clients.

The office environment of Semrad Robert J, operating as Debtstoppers, at its Chicago address, would typically be a professional setting designed for client consultations regarding financial legal matters. As a law firm specializing in bankruptcy, the environment would be expected to facilitate confidential discussions about sensitive financial situations. However, specific details about the interior or the direct client experience within the physical office are not provided in the reviews. The reviews focus more on the firm's operational aspects and client interactions rather than the physical space.

The primary service offered by Semrad Robert J, under the Debtstoppers brand, is bankruptcy resolution. This involves assisting individuals who are facing significant financial hardship and are seeking legal pathways to manage or eliminate their debt. Bankruptcy services typically include advising clients on Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings, preparing necessary legal documentation, representing clients in court proceedings, and negotiating with creditors. The goal of such services is to provide a fresh financial start for clients struggling with overwhelming debt. Based on the reviews, clients approach this firm with the expectation of expert guidance and support through the complex bankruptcy process.

However, the features highlighted by real customer reviews paint a critical picture of the firm's service delivery. A significant concern raised by clients is a perceived lack of follow-through on promises. One review states, "They will say anything to get your business and not follow through. I wish I would have looked at the reviews before. They make promises and can't keep them." This suggests a discrepancy between initial assurances and the actual execution of services, leading to client dissatisfaction and a feeling of being misled.

Another prominent issue is poor communication. A detailed review explicitly mentions "the lack of communication and the way the staff maneuvers." The client recounts a situation where they had to "request from my lawyer an explanation and breakdown of my payment plan" and did not receive timely notifications about critical case updates, such as the dismissal of their case. The client received a notice about a court date three days before it occurred, and the official letter arrived after the court date itself, indicating severe communication breakdowns. This suggests that clients may experience delays in receiving vital information, potentially impacting their ability to respond effectively to legal developments.

Furthermore, the reviews highlight issues with staff demeanor and responsiveness. Clients report that staff "can be very rude when you’re asking questions pertaining to your case and they do not answer their phones." This indicates a frustrating client experience where attempts to seek clarity or assistance are met with unhelpful or dismissive responses. The difficulty in reaching the firm by phone suggests a systemic problem with client accessibility and support.

A critical feature mentioned by a client is the perceived failure to explain all available options. The review states, "They do not explain all of your options to you either so that you make the best decision to assist in preventing you from having to file bankruptcy again." This points to a potential lack of comprehensive guidance, where clients may not receive a full understanding of their legal alternatives or strategies for long-term financial stability. The client's experience with incorrect advice regarding surrendering a tax refund further underscores concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.

From a promotional standpoint, the available information is largely negative. The reviews explicitly contain strong admonitions such as "Do not use this law firm" and "I would not recommend doing business with this law firm." The clear suggestion to look for other legal counsel, specifically recommending "Gleason & Gleason" as a firm that "take their time to speak to you and to explain everything to you and guide you through the process" and "are going to advocate for you and walk you through the process," serves as a direct counter-promotion. These statements highlight the critical deficiencies perceived by former clients and steer potential new clients away.

In summary, while Semrad Robert J, operating as Debtstoppers, located at 11101 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643, aims to provide bankruptcy legal services, the objective information available through client reviews raises significant concerns. These concerns include a perceived lack of follow-through on promises, severe communication deficiencies (including untimely notifications and unanswered calls), rude staff interactions, and a failure to provide comprehensive explanations of legal options. The overall sentiment from former clients is highly negative, with strong recommendations against using their services for bankruptcy resolution. For local users in Chicago utilizing the "Nearby Lawyers" category, this information suggests exercising caution and thoroughly vetting legal representation, especially given the critical nature of bankruptcy proceedings. Potential clients are encouraged to compare these reported experiences with other firms that prioritize clear communication, transparent guidance, and consistent client support. Contact information for Semrad Robert J (Debtstoppers) is provided as (312) 432-9009 and +1 312-432-9009, but prospective clients should proceed with full awareness of the critical feedback available.