Lavan

Great team approach to legal matters.

Unacceptable or unprofessional behaviour is just that..... LAVAN LEGAL? My personal opinion and recommendation is to stay as far away from the firm as possible.  Explore a smaller more intimate firm.   Managing Partner at Lavan Legal (Western Australia), Dean Hely states on their website that he wants Lavan to be the "go to" legal firm. Personally this is laughable and this blog is about the view I have on my experience with Lavan and what I believe Lavan refuses to admit as failings, to address failings and/or to simply respond.  On possibly one of the most emotional and sensitive issues of a deceased estate of a Mother, here is a firm that forgot, not one, but two important legal deadline dates including a hearing and affidavit submission.  This is a firm that provided representation despite complaints about their representative, Lorraine Madden. and request for alternate.   When Ms Madden wasn't sick she just appeared flustered and disorganised. It is regrettable that she gave the impression of having more sympathy for the those bringing the claim than her client, as evidenced by her Court appearances which I found conciliatory rather than defensive or critical of the other sides position.  Her idea of defence was I agree with the Court. It is telling that in a final message to Ms Madden from the other side, which they knew would be passed to me, they stated essentially , and in a separate line for highlight, that they felt she "did a good job" .  This should be considered by any potential client. In addition, Lavan repeatedly had communications with the other side without referring to their client for authority and instruction.  In what might only be described as astounding, James Steedman a partner charged with overseeing Madden, forgot a key date and then sought to defend the handling of my defence. On more than one occasion Steedman had to fall back on "I was on holidays or away or too busy with other matters" when I pleaded for help or clarification.  In the sensitive area of Estate reconciliation I personally find it hard to think of a more insensitive firm than Lavan.  And that might be appalling enough, except that Lavan incorrectly demanded funds that had already been paid - twice, and then failed to send my file after months of demand. Eventually Hely advised the file was sent on the 4th April however this can not have been true with the file showing having been post marked on 17th April some two weeks after. Misrepresentation, statements which are not factual, and so far unable or unwilling to admit or refute these claims satisfactorily, save for saying they think otherwise or just don't refer to them.  This method of defence by them can be understood,  but not accepted by me.  So take my story, question it as you see fit, but don't ignore what seems to be a firm without even an effective diary or process system.  And I would caution against the "phone call" from Lavan to discuss your matters which I found simply repeated what had already been advised while ticking up the charges by Lavan. A stealth way of increasing revenue ?  Note that Ms Madden during this process when from Senior Associate to Special Counsel - you can look up what that means to a solicitor, however I do not view that as an accolade but rather as some indicate, that they are removed from the path to partner or further entrenchment in the firm.

Highly experienced Human and Industrial relations adviser at Lavan.

Excellent firm. Highly recommended.

Just about the money, not about the client. Would not use again.