Erin Webster O’Brien, PC

I hired Erin in 2012 to handle custody modification and support cases.
Although I absolutely have a personal bias regarding Erin’s passive approach to my cases, I also have professional and educational experiences which cause me to be wary of her lack of understanding as to how litigation should be approached for the best interest of her clients and the children involved.
Specifically, I have 8 years of college education (undergrad and graduate degrees in psychology), and for the past 3 years I have studied and conducted research regarding the effects of divorce.
My frustration with Erin’s approach to my cases is perhaps best summarized by her suggestion of ‘putting together something that will pass through the court’ (her words — verbatim on 3-​23-​2012) rather than doing what I felt was in the best interest of my children. I believe that her approach to my case was extremely passive and felt as if she was simply pushing papers rather than fighting for the best interest of my daughters and myself.
In court Erin laughed and joked with the opposing counsel while I waited to speak with her, and while we were waiting for our case to be heard she sat with opposing counsel, still joking and laughing, rather than sitting with me to discuss the case.
Throughout the process, I asked Erin and her staff many technical questions about the process of and implications custody and support litigation, and I think that she interpreted this as a threat rather than as an opportunity to educate a client in order to be as informed as possible. Many of my questions went unanswered, and some answers that I received from her and her staff were so heavy in legal-​speak that I did not understand. When I informed Erin that I was upset that she withheld information from me and that I disagreed with her approach, Erin walked away from my case, citing a ‘breakdown in communication’ and keeping ~$ 2,500 of my retainer.
I also had other disagreements with Erin’s approach to my cases, and it’s my opinion that if you simply want an attorney to file papers and to show up to court, then she will do a fine job. However her fees are rather high ($ 6,000 retainer, $ 200 non-​refundable consultation fee, $ 200 – 300 per hour thereafter). And in my cases she did not advocate on my behalf or present herself in court with enough assertiveness or client-​centered empathy to be effective.
Please contact me for additional information or for details about this review.