Arizona law firm, Hartley Law, Chills a Client’s Right to File an Honest Review

I just had a call from someone who hired Hartley Law, in Arizona, to file a bankruptcy. Matthew Hartley owns this firm.

Never hire a law firm that requires you to agree not to file honest reviews.

Hartley Law’s retainer included this language:

14. NON-DISPARAGEMENT. Client agrees that they will do nothing to disparage Hartley Law its people, services
or products, either professionally or personally via the Internet including, without limitation, on Yelp, Google, Yellow
Pages, Yahoo, Better Business Bureau, Ripoff Report, Facebook, LinkedIn, or similar electronic media. For purposes
of this Section, “disparage” shall mean any statements, reviews, comments, or feedback by or at the direction of Client,
regarding Hartley Law Its services, communications, pricing, people or products which is intended, or would reasonably
be expected, to cast Hartley Law its people, services or products in a negative light, regardless of whether the Client
might reasonably believe such information to be true. The parties to this Agreement agree and acknowledge that this
non-disparagement provision is a material term of this Agreement, the absence of which would have resulted in Hartley
Law refusing to enter into this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Client may provide information or answer
questions as required by a valid court order or subpoena and communicate freely about Hartley Law with the Courts,
US Trustee, Court appointed Trustee, State Bar and prosecutors, as well as with Client’s own attorneys.

A good attorney would never include such a clause in their retainer agreement or communicate the policy to their clients.

A good attorney does their best to take care of their clients; they do not start their relationship by saying they cannot speak out about truthful issues.

Never hire a law firm that instructs you to contact the court for information that your attorney has a professional duty to provide.

Case Status and Court Filing Fees:

If you have questions regarding your filed bankruptcy case status, hearing dates, court filing fees, or payments, please contact the courts directly at 602-682-4000 (Option 0).

Never Hire Someone Who Starts the Relationship by Chilling Your Rights to Complain About Their Services

Filing for bankruptcy is challenging enough for someone who does not know the law, process, or responsibilities. But that client’s own attorney should be their advocate and guide.

Note from Diane: I have practiced since 1985 and have seen some awful Arizona consumer bankruptcy attorneys. As soon as we bring one to justice, another shows up.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Never sign anything you don’t understand or agree with. Never sign anything without reading it. There are excellent lawyers who care more about their clients’ rights than their pocketbook. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.