Law Office of George R. Horrigan - Bakersfield, California

Rendy Packer

Mr. Horrigan is great during a consultation. He knows what he is talking about and even judges ask for his knowledge on certain cases in court, he will let you know that.

My problem was he represented me from September 2016 until January 2024, he dropped me like a hot potato when I didn’t have another retainer fee. He wanted $6,000 (another retainer fee) in order for him to move forward with my case, as I still had so many loose ends. It makes sense why people refer to lawyers as sharks.

I had so many continuances throughout those years. I honestly think the attorneys play games and purposely drag things out, more time = more money. If they needed time to prepare for a client’s case that is one thing, but when you return to court a few months later and nothing more gets accomplished, it is very frustrating.

Most of the time Mr. Horrigan would walk right past me in the court hallway and had no clue who I was. You would think after over 7 years as a client and oodles of money spent, he would recognize me.

Mr. Horrigan is not totally to blame as I had three different paralegals during my time as a client. If he went to court on my behalf and said I didn’t need to be present, I had to call and find out what took place and look up on-line just to find out my next court date. Often times I had to call or email my paralegal to make sure paperwork was done and ready for the next court date too.

Beware if your paralegal is sick, has a baby, off due to surgery, etc. and is out of the office. I was told no one else could help me and I would have to wait until my paralegal returned.

Had any of my paralegals kept in touch with me and let me know what was going on from time-to-time, that would have saved me a lot of time, money and worry.

Anytime you call or email you are on the clock and they are billing for every minute. My emails most of the time were not responded to in 24, 48, 72 hours or even two weeks or longer. Often times I had no choice but to send a follow up email (which cost me more money that I was billed) to find out what was going on. I preferred emailing so I had things in writing. Over the phone it is a crap shoot she said/client said. Leaving me with no documentation backing anything up!

All of this to say, I think Mr. Horrigan needs to not represent so many clients at once and the communication with the paralegal and client needs to improve. I don’t think Mr. Horrigan actually really knows what is going on with each case as he has so many clients.

He does sound like he knows what is going on in the court room even if he was not stating facts. Not sure what he was going by? Maybe notes the paralegal gave him? Interesting……when they were clueless and too busy to really know all of the details.

One time I brought to Mr. Horrigan’s attention that I didn’t feel his paralegal was doing her job. He became very defensive and made excuses as to why it took weeks to get back to me. He let me know if I wasn’t happy I could go elsewhere. I should have left then, would have saved myself a ton of money.

Now I am representing myself. It does take a lot of time and energy to figure out everything but I have gotten more done on my own than when I was a client.

Just writing all of this so hopefully you can avoid some of the experiences I had to deal with. An attorney is only as good as his paralegal!!!

Mark Sinatra

We first came into contact with the law offices of George R Horrigan 10 years ago and have had a pleasant experience with them over the years. We have found them to be very honest, professional, relaxed, and extremely good at what they do. They have an expertise at Family Law and Divorce proceedings that are second to none. Please call them if you need help with custody battles or divorce, it's extremely important to have someone represent you who knows the law intricately as well as your rights who can use the complex California legal system to your advantage!

Jason Esposito

George represented me in a child custody case I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews yet knowbody has a 5 star rating George was great yes he’s a buisy man hard to get ahold of yet is in court everyday. It’s his job I’d hire again he does his job very well in the court room trust me he’s all about his job for his client.His staff was terrific Clair his paralegal was awesome very hard worker and put in a lot of time with my case couldn’t ask for a better team I’d actually hate to go up against him in a court room

Brandon Sheehan

Long story short wasted 9 years and tons of money on other representation found out about Mr. Horrigan through friends of the family and it was literally the best decision I ever made this man and his staff are caring and on point and literally read through my entire file and brought up things that happened years prior this man actually cares about his clients and is the ONLY ATTORNEY that I have met that actually has a heart and is human 9 years of constant court dates and things getting pushed out to Mr. Horrigan having everything done and settled in 3 months I can’t express how much of a blessing this man is ?

Miguel Davis

Words cannot express the amount of gratitude we have for George and his team. He was able to get exactly what was needed for my case for the safety of myself and for my children and I’ll be forever thankful. Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint to get the job done right and George did it!!

Kenneth Green

I am not really pleased with Horrigan this time around. When I first used him he was great. A few years go by and needed him again as he was my attorney before and it was like I didn’t exist. He seemed afraid to go up against Etchaverry. Almost like she had some black mail against him. I only ever spoken to him once and paid a little over $8k this time around. I am still waiting on my paperwork from the April court date and even reached out and asked. Still nothing. I am now $20k in the arrears and I have never missed a payment. So please be careful as he is not the same attorney I had once before. You would think a returning customer would be good. I was wrong. $2k more and I could have gotten Azmika brothers or hired a Texas lawyer who I can actually talk too and doesn’t seem to busy to deal with there clients who pay them.

Julie Alcala

This man will drag out court ordered divorce finalization FOR MONTHS. Judge decreed court orders of a settlement come to a complete standstill and he does not advocate for you.
He’s horrible as an attorney; great at developing divorce nightmare stress. He’s aweful

J S

This is one of the most aggressive attorneys in town. Hire George Horrigan if you want to get the job done! He and his office staff are so attentive and made me feel at ease during my whole divorce process. I HIGHLY recommend him.