Northwest Justice Project

I was very disappointed in the so-called assistance by Lawyer Steinberg at the NWJP office in Wenatchee. He was half an hour late so 4 clients including myself were waiting before he even arrived. I had been instructed to have all my paperwork gathered and filled out prior to my appointment, which I did. I also completed the required credit counseling, and the counselor there was far more helpful than the lawyer was. When the lawyer finally saw me he read me my bankruptcy rights as if he were rattling off Miranda rights. He gave me the paperwork. He was not the least interested in my personal situation. He did not ask me any questions. I had to interrupt him to ask him a few questions of my own. I felt he had already made assumptions about my situation, and I felt "talked down" to. He seemed in a hurry. There was an intern present and I hope to god the intern did not take for granted this is how low-income people should be treated when they come in for help. I was no more informed when I left than when I arrived. I asked him if that was all he was going to do for me and he replied that the paperwork was "straight-forward" although the legal assistance websites state that long-term negative results could happen to you if you try to file bankruptcy without a lawyer. I do not recommend this office for help, unless Steinberg is just a bad egg and I was unlucky enough to pull his name.
17 years ago (04-07-2009)