Wickens Herzer Panza Cook & Batista Co.

Understanding.......truly fee they want to help & make a difference !!

(Updated May 8, 2019) These people misrepresented what they would do for me, took my money and when they didn't do what they said they would and I called them on it they stonewalled and then cut off communication entirely. This firm is fond of saying that their clients (and their outcomes) are of the utmost importance. But all that's really important here are billable hours. The details: My wife and I were both disabled. She lived in a nursing home. We asked for asset protection from her nursing homes bills. We were told it would cost $8500 for the legal work. We paid the fee. We were instructed to dispose of 75% of our assets so that my spouse could obtain Medicaid eligibility. We did so. Then when she died the story somehow changed. I was told that they would be unable to obtain even a penny's worth of coverage for her nursing home bills after all. So now I've paid their legal fee, I'm left with only 25% of the assets we used to have and I'm still liable for nursing homes bills which threaten to devastate me financially. They seem quite happy with this outcome. Updated April 8: Upon my posting of this review a representative of the firm contacted me via telephone on Feb. 28, 2019. In a 20 minute conversation I fully explained my concerns. I was told that the number of hours worked on my case would be the basis of any modification made to my final fee. My argument regarding the basic inequity of the final cost/benefit outcome seemed to fall on deaf ears. This appears to prove the point for me that billable hours really are what matters here, not their clients' outcomes. He asked for a few weeks to review the file. Then he sent me a letter which did not address my concerns. He said that if I wish to discuss my concerns any further I should contact his assistant to make arrangements to meet with him. I'd already fully explained my concerns on the telephone. I'd also explained that my disability makes meeting difficult for me, that I handle business remotely. Upon learning of my concerns this firm has engaged in a strategy of delaying their response and of insisting on additional meetings which would impose a significant hardship on me. In other words, a classic stonewalling approach. I regret getting involved with this firm.

I have no specific relationship with this particular law firm but they participate in spam email campaigns. I have a problem with this. For example, who did they get my email from and why are they soliciting for business to random individuals. I have never met Douglas J. Swearingen Jr. Esq. But the only impression he has made is a negative one. Update: The owner has since apologized which I appreciate and have adjusted my review accordingly.

If you want the best, this firm is who you hire.