Law Office of Maurice T. McDaniel

I paid the retainer fee hadn't heard nothing else from him I've been trying for almost 6 months to get back the binder that I give him with all the research and information in it so he wouldn't have to do any work really except for file paperwork and can't even get ahold of my binder

We hired Maurice McDaniel in good faith and paid him in full and then had to hire another attorney to fix all of his errors, and there were a lot! Using the words of the Judge in his transcript, “bad lawyering” is the only way that I can describe him to warn others not to waste their money nor time. Do your homework. Just because the attorney is “nice” and “says” he will follow through doesn’t mean it will happen. Mr McDaniel charges the same, if not more, than someone with more experience.

I hate posting this as, I have known Maurice most of my life. I grew up with his family. I requested his help, as an attorney, and he told me he would treat me like family. Unfortunately, that never happened. I hired him a year and a half ago for help with my case about my daughter. Mother refusing to let me see her and lives out of state. Not going into detail, but my case is complicated and has several issues going on. Maurice looked at the paperwork and listened to what was going. I told him if this was not a case he felt he could not work, no hard feelings, refund my money and I would find another attorney. His response was that he would, and could, do it. I have received little to no contact from him since. In the beginning we spoke (maybe) 2 or 3 times. He had said he would take care of me. I hired him at the end of January 2021 with no movement on the case at all. The last time I spoke with him was September of 2021. He said he would file paperwork with the court in October/November. That was the last time I spoke with him. I have called his office several times and his secretary said she would have him return my call. Knowing him personally, I even tried calling his cell phone. He never answered my calls. I have emailed him. No reply. This is unethical for an attorney. Especially, someone who I thought was a lifelong friend.

Took my money and did nothing, ran a few reports on the computer, that was it. I hired him and his PI, Black Diamond 65 Investigations to find my husband. Both took my money and came up with nothing. HIs investigator even gave me false information. Be very wary.

After he was paid he became very non-responsive. I hired him because I thought he’d help my kids (case had already been ruled on and he knew that- but on the phone he mentioned filing an emergency custody order which was why I hired him.) He never filed anything to help my kids (I paid him $2,000). He did help me to not have to pay child support, and I’m grateful but that’s not why I hired him, and never would’ve hired him just for that. Other attorneys offered to help for much less. Many times I called and emailed. Many emails- he didn’t respond, several calls I was told by receptionist he’d call me back (but he didn’t). Sometimes he have excuses for not doing anything or returning messages. Getting the leftover money he didn’t use in my case is also not an option (he made me sign a non-refundable retainer). Therefore, I felt like I basically was manipulated and flushed money down the drain. He won’t return the unused money but also won’t be responsive when I try to get him to work off the money I paid him. It is what it is. Update: About a week after review I received a check with a small amount (a little over $200) for my “refund” of unused retainer. An itemized list was sent with $25 per email he “reviewed” (1-3 sentence emails.) And also a letter where he makes the excuse my emails went to his spam (yet he charged $25/email- also charges excessively for taking phone calls (these aren’t 20 min calls, these are 5 min calls, either from me or once from opposing attorney). Way to try to whittle-down the retainer, lol. I understand compensation for time but this was obviously excessive. I lost track of how many times I tried to call and couldn’t get a hold of anyone or the receptionist tells me he’ll call me back but days went by and I received no return call.) In the letter, he tries to severe the already severed business relationship (I already told him and his staff I’m done trying to get his “help”. He blamed me in his letter for refusing to set an appt and come in- (so my calls don’t get returned, emails don’t get returned, but somehow it’s my fault for not coming in?? Figure that one out. If you choose to go with this guy, be forewarned.