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Michael John Harrington

32 years of experience
Bankruptcy, Divorce, Estate Planning ...
California

Client Reviews

tc S. December 20, 2021

Absolutely the worst! I am an out-of-state client currently represented by a reputable law firm here in my home state. Because the litigation here at home is tied to some post-divorce stuff in the California court, I had to hire someone there without much time for vetting. So I paid Harrington a flat fee to handle a post-divorce motion there in Joshua Tree. It was clearly established up front that the flat fee would cover everything -- no nickel and diming. Buyer's remorse quickly set in. From day one, Harrington demonstrated the most unprofessional attitude imaginable, manifest in classic passive-aggressive behavior. As a veteran college professor, I give Harrington an F on communications skills. He contradicts himself constantly, doesn't listen attentively, can't (or won't) answer the simplest, most straight-forward questions, and has refused to provide any details of what happened when he appeared in court on my behalf. Okay, so imagine my surprise when Harrington somehow managed to prevail on the motion I had hired him for. But I wasn't ready to celebrate just yet. The Court gave him 30 days to prepare and submit the Findings and Order After Hearing (FOAH), a standardized form that the California Courts use that I've since learned takes all of about 10 minutes to fill out. Harrington could still snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And he did. As feared, he blew off the deadline for submitting the FOAH to the court. But more than that, he sank to his unethical worst, trying to shake me down for more money, the implication being that he would finish the job only if I paid up, IMMEDIATELY. Just about now you're thinking it can't get any more bizarre, but get this: he suggested I pay this extortion money with Lowes and McDonalds gift cards. Should all this sound too incredible to be true, contact me and I will gladly share all my email exchanges. They document everything I have said here and more.

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Biography

An understanding lawyer with compassion. Listens to his clients concerns and develops a plan to best meet them.

Early in my career I practiced criminal, juvenile delinquency and juvenile dependency law. This background still helps today.

My practice focuses on typical family needs. Family law, child custody, consumer bankruptcy, and elder care. More recently, I have expanded to offer services to small and family businesses.

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief

Divorce: Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Estate Planning: Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Family Law: Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

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