21 verified family lawyers in Nelson
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Clients consistently praise Sarah Moon and the Clean Break team for their compassionate, clear, and professional approach during difficult separation and property matters. Many mention feeling nervous or overwhelmed initially but finding reassurance and calm through Sarah's patient explanations and support. The firm is lauded for demystifying legal jargon, providing timely communication, and achieving fair outcomes, even in complex cases. A few clients specifically highlight the office dog as a bonus.
Clients consistently praise Andrew Shaw for his expertise, empathy, and dedication, especially in complex family and guardianship disputes. Many highlight his clear communication, ability to achieve better-than-expected outcomes, and willingness to go above and beyond, including evening and weekend availability. While costs are noted, clients feel the fees are justified by the results.
Clients consistently praise the firm for exceptional service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Many highlight specific staff members like Niall, Connor, Kathy, Nicola, Robyn Dewson, and Violet for being friendly, efficient, and caring. Reviewers appreciate clear communication, off-street parking, and the team's ability to handle complex transactions smoothly. No negative feedback is noted.
Clients consistently praise the firm for being professional, approachable, and excellent communicators. Specific lawyers like Alex, Paul, Laura, and Michelle are frequently mentioned for their knowledgeable and efficient service in business sales and property transactions. Clients highlight the firm's ability to navigate complex matters with ease and their empathetic, fair approach, making them highly recommended for commercial and property law.
Clients overwhelmingly praise Michael Ducray (and Jess) for being professional, friendly, and efficient, especially in property transactions. Many highlight his clear communication, thoroughness, and ability to make the process stress-free. One negative review criticizes a rude phone manner and refusal to give a fixed fee quote, but the vast majority express high satisfaction and strong recommendations.
Clients highly praise Margot Harkness and the team for being professional, friendly, and efficient, especially in property and family law matters. Positive reviews highlight clear communication, prompt service, and reasonable fees. However, there are significant concerns about unprofessionalism, including ignoring clients, not taking on new clients, and poor communication. Some clients felt discriminated against or received incorrect advice.
Clients describe Pitt & Moore as helpful, professional, and efficient, with several praising clear explanations and excellent service, particularly for property matters and minor legal issues. One reviewer highlighted that they were not charged for a minor matter, while another highly recommended the firm, mentioning lawyer 'Kaye' by name. However, there is a serious complaint about delayed document processing (two months), overcharging, and failure to liaise with the client's bank, leading to a strongly negative review. Overall, most reviews are positive, but the single negative review raises concerns about consistency.
Clients praise the firm for professional, helpful, and efficient service, with specific commendations for lawyers like Geoff Caradus, Nick Mason, and others who provide clear guidance on immigration and property matters. However, many negative reviews highlight extremely high costs, excessive billing for minor tasks (e.g., $100 for a 'thank you' email), and a perceived lack of basic legal knowledge or follow-through, with some clients switching firms. Mixed experiences suggest that while some find value, others advise obtaining written quotes upfront and caution against the firm's pricing.
Clients describe the team as knowledgeable and reassuring, praising their ability to put people at ease during stressful legal matters. Overall sentiment is highly positive.
Clients praise Josh Friend and Steve as brilliant and excellent lawyers, noting they are genuine, supportive, and professional. However, multiple reviewers report extreme difficulty contacting the firm—left voicemails and emails go unanswered for months, and a court-appointed legal aid lawyer was unreachable. The receptionist is described as abrupt and unhelpful, and some feel the firm does not want new clients. The feedback is split between glowing endorsements and serious communication concerns.
Clients consistently praise Michael Vesty for his top-notch legal representation, describing him as skilled, reliable, and responsive. Reviewers highlight his fair pricing and dedication to clients, with specific mentions of his quick response time and impressive performance during their legal matters.
Clients have mixed experiences at Glasgow Harley. Many praise Miro Booth and Brent McDonald for being clear, approachable, and efficient, especially in property and employment matters. Others commend Gerhard and his team for handling complex family and property transactions with empathy and professionalism. However, serious concerns are raised about Jeremy Glasgow's lack of empathy in a child-related family matter, and some clients report unprofessional conduct, poor communication, and perceived sexism in family law cases. Negative reviews also mention lawyers not following instructions or failing to explain processes.
Clients praise Rob Somerville for his dedication and support throughout their legal matters, highlighting his commitment to sticking with them until the end. They express deep gratitude for his time and effort, indicating a highly personalized and caring approach. The review emphasizes reliability and thoroughness in handling sensitive situations.
Clients often praise the firm's lawyers as helpful and knowledgeable, with some appreciating their advocacy for 'the little people' against government overreach. However, several reviews highlight serious concerns about poor service, lack of emotional intelligence, and mishandled cases, particularly naming Tony Bamford and Michael Vespa. One client reported that a lawyer failed to appear in court, leading to an unnecessary conviction, while another warned that clients end up in prison. Overall, the feedback is polarized, with both high praise and deeply critical reviews.