Our Attorney

[tomaran 0]

I'm not sure if this post is valid on this part of the forums, but i am hoping that perhaps anyone can share expereinces. We enlisted the aid of an attorney at visaatty.com, the law offices of MIchael O'Toole.

Has anyone ever used this guy? We are having a nightmare in trying to get hold of this guy on ANY GIVEN DAY!! and whenever we do get hold of him, his responses are that of someone who is uninterested and whenever we do talk we feel like we are being a burden to him. We wouldnt mind so much if he instilled us with some kind of confidence instead of giving excuses etc... All we want is a simple update of our case file. His attitude is in stark contrast to his website which boasts him NEVER losing a case and providing that personal touch and this is the quote that frustrates the heck out of me..

'With our secure online case management service you can update your case and get information about the progress of your case 24/7. This service streamlines the application process and allows us to seamlessly exchange information with our clients and process their cases quickly and efficiently.'

This quote is flawed in several ways.

Firstly with reference to the case management system - we filled out the forms online and posted the hard copies to him. It is then his responsibilty to update the so called case management file with our info etc.. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE EVEN THOUGH WE FILED MONTHS AGO!

Secondly and more frustratingly is the use of the words quickly and efficiently, which in our case is snails pace and gung-ho.

I cannot believe that this guy has taken payment and not done a blasted thing and is the most difficult guy on the planet to get a hold of.

Any suggestions on what to do?

Has anyone else ever used him before?

Any feedback would be comforting...pleaaaaaaase!!

[*Snowdrop* 604]

We haven't used a lawyer so I can't help with your direct query. It sounds like he is very frustrating to work with if he's not answering when you call.

However - having a lawyer cannot make the actual process go any faster and it can be a very long and slow process. Is your case outside of the normal processing times? How does it compare to other people on this site?

It might be that he has nothing to tell you because nothing has happened yet.

[tomaran 0]

The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!

Thanks for the reply btw

Edited November 27, 2008 by tomaran

[*Snowdrop* 604]

So he's had your forms since June and you don't know if he has even sent them off yet?

That's terrible. Can you set up a face to face appointment to get to the bottom of it?

[Marmite Lovers! 0]

Have you ever met the guy? Can you go and knock on his door?

[tomaran 0]

So he's had your forms since June and you don't know if he has even sent them off yet?

That's terrible. Can you set up a face to face appointment to get to the bottom of it?

Yes he's had them since June! And has yet to give us a conlusive answer as to whether or not he has even checked over the forms or not.

I live out of state and to be honest i have thought of just turning up at his address but would be seriously p****d if he wasnt there, wasted journey and all that.

But i will give him until after thanksgiving before taking some kind of corrective action

[MARM 7]

Well, I feel like I am in the same boat...not that my attorney is giving me major problems, but I would not have hired her had I found this website earlier. She charged $500, and they "guarantee approval" I don't know if the guarantee applies to just the NOA2 or the K-1 visa. And they refund all the money if you are not approved. I found her on this website: http://k1k3visas.com/. I plan on continuing with her for AOS, but just because it will be of no extra cost to me and she already has the paperwork. She was very helpful in filing all the correct information and necessary paperwork, and she even got the case# from USCIS for me to track, BUT she did not tell me that I was supposed to get the NOA1 (I-797) in my mail, which I did not, and now, almost 100 days later, she tells me that I should have received the NOA1 in the mail a week after they got my case...even though I specifically emailed her and asked her about this about 90 days ago...and whenever I ask her any questions, it seems to me that she just feels burdened by my questions, although they are all legitimate questions, and she has given me some wrong information about I-134's, which thanks to this website, I found the correct information, and her answer to everything is: just wait, we will sort out everything at the right time...BUT on the other hand, she is very prompt in her replies to my emails to her and phone calls, even though I may not be satisfied with the answers, she does answer all of my attempts to contact her, and she did prove to be dependable in terms of filing the correct information and all, no RFE's for us. Oh and yes, I ended up calling USCIS and they put in another order for my NOA1 (I-797), so I should be receiving it in about 1 week...

Bottom line: I would not have hired an attorney if I had found this website earlier..

[rocks 494]

i'm sorry to hear about your problems. perhaps reading this would be beneficial...

http://www.mass.gov/obcbbo/complaint.htm

i would call him and ask him whether he has filed the petition or not. if he still cannot provide you with an answer perhaps if you inform him that you will lodge a complaint against him he might try a little harder to find out whether he has looked over your forms and submitted them or not.

i would also advise that if your case is straightforward and does not require a lawyer and he hasn't filed your petition that you forget about him and do it yourself using the guides on this site. i would definitely file a complaint against him if he hasn't.

Edited November 27, 2008 by rocks

[daboyz 36]

The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!

Thanks for the reply btw

[tomaran 0]

Well, I feel like I am in the same boat...not that my attorney is giving me major problems, but I would not have hired her had I found this website earlier. She charged $500, and they "guarantee approval" I don't know if the guarantee applies to just the NOA2 or the K-1 visa. And they refund all the money if you are not approved. I found her on this website: http://k1k3visas.com/. I plan on continuing with her for AOS, but just because it will be of no extra cost to me and she already has the paperwork. She was very helpful in filing all the correct information and necessary paperwork, and she even got the case# from USCIS for me to track, BUT she did not tell me that I was supposed to get the NOA1 (I-797) in my mail, which I did not, and now, almost 100 days later, she tells me that I should have received the NOA1 in the mail a week after they got my case...even though I specifically emailed her and asked her about this about 90 days ago...and whenever I ask her any questions, it seems to me that she just feels burdened by my questions, although they are all legitimate questions, and she has given me some wrong information about I-134's, which thanks to this website, I found the correct information, and her answer to everything is: just wait, we will sort out everything at the right time...BUT on the other hand, she is very prompt in her replies to my emails to her and phone calls, even though I may not be satisfied with the answers, she does answer all of my attempts to contact her, and she did prove to be dependable in terms of filing the correct information and all, no RFE's for us. Oh and yes, I ended up calling USCIS and they put in another order for my NOA1 (I-797), so I should be receiving it in about 1 week...

Bottom line: I would not have hired an attorney if I had found this website earlier..

Hey buddy if i had your attorney i would be happy as larry. at least she responds back in a timely manner. I have been trying to get hold of mine all week and not just calling once or twice a day but at least 10 or more times a day!! and at various intervals too and each time i'm greeted with the same leave a message hoohaa...and for the record leaving messages is a waste of my breath because last time i left a message he called back a week later. in the time which he we retained his services we have spoken to him perhaps 3 or 4 times and in fact the last two conversations was to tell us he received the forms, they are on his desk but he will be away for a week and will look through them when he gets back. So the 2nd conversation is when he returned after the week away to tell us that he trusts the forms are in order and will send them off. To me that indicates that he hasn't even looked at them and is just trusting us that they are correct. So correct me if i'm wrong but isnt that the whole reason we hired you? so that we didnt make any mistakes and so that he can correct us or tell what else is needed if anything?

He certainly does not inspire or fill me with confidence and i may cease to do business with him after the holidays.

Thanks to rocks btw for sending the links to the massachussets state bar complaint forms

[*Snowdrop* 604]

The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!

Thanks for the reply btw

If you read the thread you will see that the OP cannot fill in their timeline as they have no idea if their petition has even been filed yet - so they have no information to add to a timeline.

[rocks 494]

Thanks to rocks btw for sending the links to the massachussets state bar complaint forms

no problem, i hope it helps you.

i would speak to him before filing the complaint just to see whether he is concerned about a complaint or not. if he isn't and doesn't provide a sufficient answer to your question you can include that in your complaint.

[tomaran 0]

The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!

Thanks for the reply btw

If you read the thread you will see that the OP cannot fill in their timeline as they have no idea if their petition has even been filed yet - so they have no information to add to a timeline.

Thanks Isma

and to the OP I will post one , hey i'll even do it when I actually get through and talk to that pinche lawyer (oops they wont kick me off for cursing will they??)

[Marmite Lovers! 0]

The only reason we used a lawyer is so that we got the forms right first time, after alll thats another claim that he made in that many of the forms get rejected because of lack of info etc... so we felt if that was the case in his expereince it would be wise to hire him for this purpose only! And yes he's had the stuff long time June this year in fact. But the problem is the complete lack of communication all we wanna know is does he have all the info, is it correct and if so then when are you going to send it off dammit!

Thanks for the reply btw

If you read the thread you will see that the OP cannot fill in their timeline as they have no idea if their petition has even been filed yet - so they have no information to add to a timeline.

[Marmite Lovers! 0]

Well, I feel like I am in the same boat...not that my attorney is giving me major problems, but I would not have hired her had I found this website earlier. She charged $500, and they "guarantee approval" I don't know if the guarantee applies to just the NOA2 or the K-1 visa. And they refund all the money if you are not approved. I found her on this website: http://k1k3visas.com/. I plan on continuing with her for AOS, but just because it will be of no extra cost to me and she already has the paperwork. She was very helpful in filing all the correct information and necessary paperwork, and she even got the case# from USCIS for me to track, BUT she did not tell me that I was supposed to get the NOA1 (I-797) in my mail, which I did not, and now, almost 100 days later, she tells me that I should have received the NOA1 in the mail a week after they got my case...even though I specifically emailed her and asked her about this about 90 days ago...and whenever I ask her any questions, it seems to me that she just feels burdened by my questions, although they are all legitimate questions, and she has given me some wrong information about I-134's, which thanks to this website, I found the correct information, and her answer to everything is: just wait, we will sort out everything at the right time...BUT on the other hand, she is very prompt in her replies to my emails to her and phone calls, even though I may not be satisfied with the answers, she does answer all of my attempts to contact her, and she did prove to be dependable in terms of filing the correct information and all, no RFE's for us. Oh and yes, I ended up calling USCIS and they put in another order for my NOA1 (I-797), so I should be receiving it in about 1 week...

Bottom line: I would not have hired an attorney if I had found this website earlier..

Hey buddy if i had your attorney i would be happy as larry. at least she responds back in a timely manner. I have been trying to get hold of mine all week and not just calling once or twice a day but at least 10 or more times a day!! and at various intervals too and each time i'm greeted with the same leave a message hoohaa...and for the record leaving messages is a waste of my breath because last time i left a message he called back a week later. in the time which he we retained his services we have spoken to him perhaps 3 or 4 times and in fact the last two conversations was to tell us he received the forms, they are on his desk but he will be away for a week and will look through them when he gets back. So the 2nd conversation is when he returned after the week away to tell us that he trusts the forms are in order and will send them off. To me that indicates that he hasn't even looked at them and is just trusting us that they are correct. So correct me if i'm wrong but isnt that the whole reason we hired you? so that we didnt make any mistakes and so that he can correct us or tell what else is needed if anything?

He certainly does not inspire or fill me with confidence and i may cease to do business with him after the holidays.

Thanks to rocks btw for sending the links to the massachussets state bar complaint forms

I'm sorry to hear you are having HUGE problems with your attorney! Damn!

May cease??? I'd blow him right off.

OK, now your in a bit of a pickle....take a step back and think about how to resolve the matter. There are plenty of people here to help.