10/07/09

Shocked at the previous reviews

by azgirl12345

I am shocked to read the reviews below. I was looking for the "why pay a lawyer" website, and came across these reviews. Mr. Berry and his team gets MOST of their business through referrals, and I have referred many of my friends, colleagues and family to use their services. People are pleased with the work he does, the advice he gives, and the constant interaction and consideration and ability of the team in that office to answer questions free of charge, help people in times of crisis, and generally work as fast as they can (it's a VERY busy office... at any given moment there are people on the phone, people in the waiting room, people with appointments...) given their busy environment. If you try and walk in without an appointment you may be waiting for some time, but he always comes out to check and see if he can quickly answer a question, or if he can refer you to someone else, or take whatever you have with you and get back to you about your questions later. It is OBVIOUS that he works hard to help people, and it's a shame to read these negative reviews from a clearly disgruntled past customer.

When I read this review I was shocked about Mr. Berry's past, and confronted him on these points. He was open and honest about them - but ALSO let me know that these convictions/etc occurred OVER 25 YEARS AGO - a fact that can be easily looked up and verified - people make mistakes. He offers a great service now, and has capable and efficiently working people in the office.

When I needed legal information and help, I came to the "why pay a lawyer" office, was given free consultation before I even had to make a decision about whether or not I wanted to use their services, and was promptly set up with an appointment when I had made that decision. I was able to pay in installments, call and ask endless questions. and felt very comfortable sitting there and discussing my issues with all the associates. Mr. Berry has a wealth of information like I've never known anyone to have, and is more than willing to generously impart that knowledge onto prospective, existing, and past customers. I have referred his services to many people, and will continue to do so in the future. In a time where legal issues affect people everyday, it's good to have a service available to us to make those costs minimal.

• Pros: Inexpensive, caring team of people, good advice

09/11/09

Ripped off by Why Pay A Lawyer and Richard Berry-disbarred a

by sinkingship

We are in the same situation as the first review. Paid over $600, and our case is getting dismissed because paperwork wasnt filed right, The only difference we can find an attorney to fix the problems because Mr. Berry messed th paperwork up so much, no one will touch it. We have start back at square one and were trying to save our house from foreclosure too now. Dont use this guy or his company, he has been disbarred. Convicted felon , he has served time. Very dishonest person.

• Pros: none
• Cons: disbarred attorney, convicted felon

09/04/08

Richard Berry had his license revoked by the Arizona State Bar - Has prior conviction...

by NowWeKnow

My husband and I used Why Pay a Lawyer to file a bankruptcy and paid over $600.00 for Richard Berry to "walk us through" the bankruptcy, including filing our paperwork, legal advice and more. Our Bankruptcy was dismissed at least three different times, due to Richard Berry and his associates forgetting to file paperwork on time, or failing to file paperwork at all. When we confronted him on this, and requested proof that he has filed the paperwork (as he claimed) he stated that all of his "filings are done electronically". We know now, after speaking with the Arizona State Bar that the only people who can file electronically are active, licensed attorneys, which Richard Berry is not. Check the Az State Bar web site; he had his license revoked and never reinstated, has been sanctioned, held in contempt, and served jail time for fraud. He continues to operate under the cloak of being a "retired attorney". At this time, our case has been dismissed and we have lost our property to foreclosure because Mr. Berry was referencing old Bankruptcy law BEFORE the 2005 changes took effect. He also falsified documents, changing them AFTER we signed them! We have now hired a lawyer to handle our case; we recommend anyone do the same. We didn't save money; we lost money- we also lost time, our property and more. Now we know why to "pay a lawyer" when they are needed. We are not the first to have been scammed, and we won't be the last...