We retained Dan Pilka to represent my father in a probate matter and unfortunately had a very frustrating experience.
The most serious issue was that we were not provided with a complete client file after representation ended, despite multiple requests. Key documents were missing, including materials necessary to respond to an upcoming summary judgment, placing us at a significant disadvantage under tight deadlines.
Additionally, documents from an unrelated third-party client appeared in my father’s file more than once. This raised serious concerns about file management and confidentiality. After discovering this issue for a second time, I sent an email on April 27th advising the office of the continued presence of another client’s documents. We have not received any response to that communication. Given the repeated nature of this issue and lack of response, I ultimately felt it was necessary to notify the affected client directly.
Communication overall was inconsistent. Requests for clarification or follow-up were often delayed or went unanswered, making it difficult to move the case forward efficiently.
There were also multiple instances where information provided to us was incorrect or inconsistent with the actual documentation, which required additional time and effort to verify even basic case details.
We also experienced pressure to pursue settlement despite clear direction that this was not our intention at that stage. This added further frustration and undermined confidence in the representation.
This was a time-sensitive probate matter, and the lack of organization, incomplete file production, inaccurate information, and communication issues made an already difficult situation significantly more stressful.
I would strongly recommend that anyone considering representation ensure clear communication, confirm file completeness, and document all exchanges.
Edit #2: After this review was posted, the unrelated client materials previously referenced were removed from my father’s file. That change confirms the accuracy of the concerns raised. However, no acknowledgment or correction was made to the firm’s public response disputing those same facts.
The issue is not only that the materials were present, but that they were identified, reported, and left unaddressed until after this review, while being publicly denied.
Edit to respond: Dispute?
As of this writing, materials belonging to another client remained accessible within my father’s file. That is not an allegation, it is an observable and documented fact.
We also have written correspondence acknowledging the initial breach, as well as no response to our follow-up regarding the second occurrence. The presence of these materials is precisely how I was able to identify and notify the affected client, which would not have been possible if your denial were accurate.
Additionally, the file provided to my father is incomplete. It lacks correspondence from opposing counsel related to certain photographs included in the production. Given that unrelated client materials were included more than once, there is a legitimate concern that other documents may be missing or misfiled.
These issues render the file unreliable as a complete and accurate record. Documentation supporting these concerns has been maintained, and multiple attempts were made to resolve these issues directly without success.
Your response does not address these specific deficiencies. General statements regarding firm policies do not resolve documented, case-specific issues. Disputing verifiable facts while declining to address the underlying documentation only reinforces the concerns raised.
The attached images reflect materials appearing within the file and later being removed. Had these issues been addressed when first raised, this review would not have been necessary. Instead, the concerns were ignored, and the firm publicly suggested that these issues were not accurate.
That is unacceptable.