Tavis & Bunyard

Be aware of this firm make sure you bring your wallet or get a loan because they will take it all! I was referred to them by a very prominent family in town when I called they wanted to size me up by what I could afford so they but me with a junior attorney instead of Linda Tavis herself acting like they wanted to save me some money. When we got there we met with Shawn Bunyard to make this a short story we worked out a payment plan to cover there huge retainer fee we left there with him telling us he would email the fee agreement back later that day. After calling him back the next day and leaving messages he finally emailed me back the next day at 5:00pm saying that he would have to have all the money upfront and it would be more, a lot more. I told him that was not are agreement he basically just said sorry so you cant trust them and also when I was leaving without signing anything that said how much he was, they charged me over $ 300 for that time with him. 20min of the time was talking about his fees!
After finding another attorney I have come to find out that my case can be handled for about 20% of there fees.
Be aware!!!
This says a lot about this company when they have to hire another company to write good things about them and those so called good reviews are being filtered because Unilocal question their legitimacy.

I went to the Tavis firm in November hoping to have Linda as my lawyer. But after telling them my single mom financial status, I was given to Shawn Bunyard. His initial meeting was mostly spent on trying to figure out the assets, and would get excited if it seemed like there was money to be had. Once I hired him (against my better judgement but with the reassurance he would be meeting weekly with Linda who would oversee his work), I realized what a mistake I made. Papers were not filed to the court on time, I would rarely get responses concerning important matters, and he mumbled in the courtroom and made horrible decisions. I ended up worse than when I started (when I didn’t have a lawyer!). After a devastating court hearing, I sent an email asking him what happen and why things went so horribly wrong. I got no response for 10 days, but in those 10 days, I somehow managed to accumulate $ 2000 in fees. They lied about not receiving a check that they had received and only confessed when I told them I had a copy of the canceled check. We parted ways in Feb, but I did not receive a final statement (despite asking several times) until end of April!!! He also was friendly with opposing counsel and unprofessionally discussed my case with her (found out because my ex told me things he should not have known!). One day in the court room hall, I met a man who had used Shawn as well. I asked him why he no longer used his services, and he said he could not afford him anymore, his money disappeared too quickly. Shawn would also brag about how he and several psychologists such as bob cassinova had «an understanding» showing me his elbow, like they were buddy buddy and would work towards serving each other’s clients. This seemed very dishonest on his part. He is a very scheemy lawyer, that does not really take a personal interest in your case, but more so in your wallet, and in conning other professionals in the field to get what he wants. I never met Linda, so I can’t say if she works under the same principal. I think hiring Shawn was a mistake on her part. He is doing a diservice to a reputable firm, and does not live under the reputation Linda has worked so many years to obtain.

Getting a divorce is like operating on yourself; its messy, painful and bloody. Linda’s patience and wonderful (courtroom) bedside manner got me through this event, never promising anything she did not believe she could deliver. She is very well respected in the legal community because her work is resourceful, through and accurate. I may get married again just to have Linda and her team represent me in another divorce case. If you live in Sonoma County and want the best possible attorney to represent you call Tavis Law. If Linda is representing your spouse — good luck.