Will PirrieGoogle review
I retained Rana Yavari at MacLean Law in early 2024 after an initial phone consultation. Based on the firm’s reputation and Rana’s experience in high-conflict family law matters, I felt confident moving forward.
After retaining her, there was an initial delay in getting started due to a form I had not signed (unbeknownst to me). Once that was resolved, communication over the following months was largely by email or phone. We did not meet in person until our JCC in November 2024 (the only time we met in-person). Given the complexity and high-conflict nature of my matter, I had expected more in-person strategy sessions.
At the JCC, Rana was professional and presented arguments very competently. However, I ultimately agreed to a 50-50 parenting arrangement after some discussion, despite originally seeking a 70-30 parenting time structure. In hindsight, I am not certain that this aligned with my children's and my own priorities at the time. I thought that was a big loss under the circumstances, but Rana seemed pleased with the fact that she avoided child support talks, even though that was not a priority. Shortly after the JCC, I was asked to leave a Google review, which felt premature given that my case was still in its early stages.
Over the following months, I complied promptly with all requests for documents and information. However, I did not feel that my matter was progressing at the pace I expected. Issues surrounding disclosure and compliance with court orders remained ongoing, and I often felt uncertain about the overall strategic direction. This disturbed me greatly because, as Rana very well knew, the kids and I were living in a very abusive household.
By May 2025, after approximately $40,000 in legal fees, I made the difficult decision to proceed on my own. Once self-represented, I was surprised at how much movement I was able to generate directly with opposing counsel. To give you an idea of how slow things were moving, the November 2024 JCC Order was not filed by MacLean Law until August 2025, which concerned me given the time that had passed.
Since moving forward without counsel, I have achieved more tangible progress in my matter than during the time I was represented. Currently, I do have 50-50 with my kids on an interim basis. However, the actual parenting time is 70-30 just like I originally asked for at the JCC. There’s still a long way to go, but I am feeling much more confident.
While others may have different experiences, mine left me feeling that the level of strategic guidance, responsiveness, and forward momentum did not justify the significant financial investment.
That said, I want to acknowledge Candice Pappenberger, Rana’s paralegal. She was consistently responsive, professional, and courteous. My interactions with her were positive, and she was often the most accessible point of contact throughout the process.
I chose MacLean Law because of its strong reputation. Unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations that led me to retain the firm.
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