Kermisch & Paletz LLP - Divorce Lawyer ( Family Law & Child Custody Attorney ) - Studio City, California

manuel torres

Daniel and Lauren are absolutely brilliant. They both truly care about their clients and go above and beyond to make sure you understand your case and rights. My case was far from easy, but thanks to Daniel and Lauren’s vast knowledge, they were able to help me secure full custody of my daughter. I am forever grateful for their team’s hard work and dedication. Highly recommend!!!!

Dr. Andrew Jones MD MS

I had a deeply disappointing experience with my attorney, William Kermisch during my recent child support case.

Aug 11: I notify William of a child support case notice dated 7/30/24.
Aug 12: He responds and requests documents and a retainer.
Sept 19: He reschedules the Oct 31 court date to Nov 13
Sept 20: He notifies me he will be out of town that day for Halloween
Nov 6: He shows me a copy of the wrong address served to my ex
Nov 7: He requests a list of expenses and gross income
Nov 8: $12,050 taken from my bank account for Sept/Oct child support. I'm confused because I have been following William's lead since day 1.
Nov 13: My case was continued because the opposing attorney hadn't received requested documents. Additionally, a request was made for my personal car and home loan applications, yet my attorney did not pursue similar documentation from my ex, even though I had informed him she was hiding assets (which she later confirmed she was).
Nov 25: $12,050 is taken out of my account for Nov/Dec. I tell William as I'm confused why he didn't direct me to make any payments since Aug. I am not allowed to speak to the bank levy department because I have a lawyer and William did not call them when I pleaded to help me.

By Dec 2, I sent the requested documents, which were extensive and required multiple emails. However, in the days that followed, my attorney failed to review or discuss them with me. Aside from a single question about the date of a loan application, there was no communication or mention of needing supplemental documents.

On Dec 12, I received a late email reminding me to attend court the next day, but there were no details or strategy outlined. Despite my concerns, I trusted his expertise.

On Dec 13, just before the hearing, he EMAILED me asking where I was, then called me from a blocked number, further illustrating a lack of regard for client rapport.

During the hearing, the judge almost called for another continuation because she hadn't received the documents I sent weeks earlier. My attorney's explanation? "The file was too large, and I didn't know how to send it." This response was not only unprofessional but also deeply frustrating.

Throughout the trial, my attorney's lack of preparation became glaringly obvious. He failed to address key aspects of my case, such as my bankruptcy filing, which the judge noted was relevant to my "true financial situation". He also allowed the opposing attorney to question me extensively about my transactions without stepping in, even though the answers were in the documents I had provided. His lack of proactive questioning during cross-examination of my ex was equally disheartening--he missed critical opportunities to challenge her financial claims.

To make matters worse, after lunch, my attorney was late to court due to having another case and showed little engagement when the judge disallowed several of my deductions due to insufficient documentation--documentation I had already provided but which he failed to utilize effectively.

Following the trial, I received a dismissive email stating that the outcome was "less of a reduction than we hoped for but still worth doing." This summed up his apparent lack of concern for my situation. Despite filing bankruptcy and providing detailed financial records, I was left with an outcome that felt preventable had my attorney been more prepared and attentive.

In hindsight, I feel I could have represented myself with the same results, saving both time and money. It was evident that my attorney prioritized moving to his next case over providing me with the representation I deserved.

While I considered addressing these issues with my attorney, his lack of professionalism and communication throughout the process has led me to simply move on. This was a hard lesson learned, and I've shared my experience with the friend who referred me.

gary

If you are looking for a lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also genuinely cares about his clients, Daniel Paletz is the person you want on your side. He has made a profound difference in my case and secured joint physical and legal custody. His knowledge of family law and strategic approach are the keys in achieving positive outcomes.

Nirmal

I would like to share my candid review about the services of Daniel J. Paletz, a family lawyer. Having had the opportunity to witness his professional practices closely, I feel compelled to address certain aspects of his service that need improvement. My intention for this review is constructive and is intended to shed light on areas that may benefit from a change in approach.
Firstly, communication is key in any profession, especially law. However, Mr. Paletz has, on more than one occasion, displayed a lack of tact during interactions with others, even going so far as to speak over Honorable judges during legal proceedings. This practice has led to moments of discomfort and unease, potentially damaging relationships within the court.

Secondly, while all lawyers should have their clients’ best interests at heart, I observed a concerning pattern of Mr. Paletz not taking personal responsibility for his actions. For instance, in one particular instance, Mr. Paletz failed to adhere to a court order. Rather than acknowledging his own role in the issue, he chose instead to deflect and shift the blame onto his client. This left a particularly unsavory impression on those involved.
Furthermore, effective communication isn't limited to speaking but also to ensuring that all parties are kept up-to-date with relevant information. Mr. Paletz's approach fell short in this aspect, as he failed to notify the opposing side in due time, breaking simple court procedure. This lack of transparency led to avoidable frustrations and delays.

It's important to note that despite having an initial conversation that left a positive impression, working with Daniel J. Paletz turned out to be an entirely different experience. This inconsistency in professionalism led to many unexpected difficulties. With that in mind, I must convey that engaging Mr. Paletz's services, given my personal experiences, might be an unsatisfactory choice for those seeking a family lawyer.

While this review may seem negative, I have shared these observations with the intention of providing constructive feedback and helping potential clients make more informed decisions regarding their legal representation.

Felipe Cardoso

Mr. Paletz, Cattarina, and their team have been instrumental in navigating my divorce case. Mr. Paletz's admirable reputation and incredible expertise, alongside Cattarina’s empathy, knowledge, resourcefulness, and professionalism, are truly remarkable, providing reassurance and calm during one of the most challenging times of my life. Their teamwork has been crucial in helping me navigate the immense difficulties that have deeply impacted both my life and my daughter's. I am very grateful for their support and dedication, and I highly recommend this firm for its exceptional service. Thank you for everything!

SH S

My family and I have been involved in the court system for well over a decade, experiencing numerous judges and attorneys. I hired highly recommended attorneys, accumulating countless files and filings over time. Despite knowing what I needed, some attorneys failed to display their knowledge and expertise effectively in court, impacting my life with my children. Then, we met Daniel through another professional, the first attorney my family trusted completely. Daniel approached our case with dedication, studying every detail, asking the right questions, and focusing on our goals. Unlike previous experiences of constant emails, calls, and paperwork, Daniel's approach was different—he was knowledgeable, concise, and didn't overlook any information. He is the only attorney I recommend to those in need. I'm immensely thankful to him and his law firm. He is a family man and a father who understands.

Tina Swithin

At the very top of my gratitude list for 2024 is Daniel Paletz and Kassandra Velasquez of Kermisch & Paletz LLP.

I was recently subpoenaed to serve as a witness in a high profile domestic violence trial, which was initially very unnerving. Daniel and Kassandra sprung into action and I was instantly reassured by their professionalism and expertise. Daniel assisted me through a three hour deposition and was my voice and advocate. I felt even more confident after watching him in action against opposing counsel during the deposition.

I have served as an advocate to victims of domestic violence in the family court system for the past 13 years and historically, I’ve had a pretty healthy distrust of family law attorneys. It has been refreshing to witness first-hand that not all family court attorneys are the same.

This team truly cares about their clients and about victims of domestic abuse. If I were personally navigating the family court system, this is the team I would want on my side.

Thank you to Daniel and Kassandra, I am forever grateful.

Evan A

Daniel Paletz is an incredible lawyer. I couldn’t be happier with his work and the outcome of my case. Jorge Velasco, who also worked on my case, was exceptional as well. Daniel is a master in the courtroom and his knowledge of the law and ability to effectively communicate it to the judge was the best I’ve ever seen. If you retain Daniel, you will be in good hands.