Mary Fitzhugh
1/5
First, I should say that Paul Young came highly recommended, although I’m not quite sure why. He talked a big game but, never quite met his own narcissistic expectations. On several occasions, my son, has reached out to his firm as well as emailed him directly over approximately 3 weeks. He was concerned about the welfare of his minor son who resides with his biological mother. He had expressed his concerns about his son and wanted an Ex-Parte Petition/Order filed with the court as soon as possible. Since he had not heard back from Paul he had assumed Paul and his firm did not consider him a priority. Unnecessary delays and lack of communication could result in the harm of his son, which is unacceptable.
On August 2, 2024, I personally went to Paul’s office, to speak with Paul regarding the situation. I took time off work and drove 40 minutes, one-way, to Paul’s office, in hopes of getting a few minutes of Paul’s attention and he would take the situation with my grandson seriously, only to be treated like I was a burden and unworthy of the legal representation he was paid to do.
When Danielle presented herself, she was very “off-putting.” I was asked what I needed and when I explained I was there “in person” due to the lack of communication from Paul or your office for 3 weeks. Danielle told me she cannot give legal advice, which I am aware. I never asked her for legal advice. We retained “Paul” as counsel and expect “PAUL” to respond, as we have entrusted my son’s child’s wellbeing with PAUL. My son has called and emailed repeatedly for over 3 weeks each time has been told Paul is in meetings.
Not receiving a response from our attorney is definitely not the customer service I expected from my son’s attorney’s office. Especially when it is regarding a serious matter pertaining to a child and his safety. A little damage control would have been nice especially when it comes to my grandson being/living in a dangerous situation. I, myself, work for a law firm and our firm is “just” a personal injury firm and know the process of doing what it takes to help our clients through a tough situation they are going through and/or jump through hoops to make them happy. Paul, just because you are lazy, and don’t want to continue to work on my son’s case, does NOT give you the right to withdraw from this case because you think you and my son have a different opinion on the way you think this case should go. My son is his father. Maybe SOME communication skills would have been the way to go, instead of a COMPLETE lack of communication. Withdrawing yourself less than a month from the final hearing is a smarmy thing to do. Especially to a father who hasn’t seen his child in 3 years. You sir, took the coward’s way out! What a way to slink away. My son’s final hearing is in October, which he and his wife had purchased round trip tickets from NORTH CAROLINA which are NON REFUNDABLE.
Lastly, as I was leaving, I was waiting for the elevator to arrive, I overheard what was said about me and my son’s case. Danielle did not know I was around the corner, and I heard her blurt out, “Lord, I don’t know if I can handle these people today!” Perhaps before she says things like this, she should consider making sure that your clients are gone. Maybe if she spent more time doing her actual job instead of posting selfies on Facebook, she’d get something done. My son was charged a whopping $150 for this 2 minute encounter, which Paul was not even engaged in. This self professed pilot & ❤️ boat captain needs to focus more on his law practice, or he’s going to be the next attorney fighting a Grievance with the OOPC, you can bet on that.
I understand that poor communication is not grounds for a legal malpractice suit, but not working my son’s case could warrant a malpractice suit. Regardless of whether you agreed with filing the Petition/Order or not, as an attorney, you were bound by ethical rules that govern professional conduct to communication. This legal matter is stressful enough without the extra worry regarding the state of this case.
