J. MICHAEL KELLY Attorney An INCOMPETENT SWINDLER with his paralegal HOWARD KAISER an EQUALLY GREEDY and INCOMPETENT CROOKS Santa Monica California

My ex-wife just retained Mr. Kelly's firm and I've found a lot of reports like this online from frustrated ex-clients. I thought I would add my 2 cents as a self-represented opponent. First of all, I did my due diligence and checked his disciplinary file at the State Bar Association (in person - there are no details online). It explained a lot, and I would encourage anyone who is considering hiring this firm (or up against them) to check it out. You don't have to go there, you can get a copy of the file by mail for a small administrative fee (probably less than it costs to park in downtown LA!)

It's early days yet and my ex has had so many previous attorneys I don't know how long this one will last. However, in the two weeks or so that he has been retained he has shown no interest whatsoever in settling even the most tirivial of matters. All of his actions so far have (I assume) been very costly for his client, my ex-wife. For example, an ex-parte application was made and one of his attorneys appeared in court, with Mr. Kelly, just to continue our next hearing.

I'll keep you posted...

Kelly's little explanation is meant to steer the blame elsewhere. I am telling you all that this attorney, and his firm, especially Mitchell Sperling, did absolutely nothing in our case except bill like crazy. He had no idea what the case was about, neither did the attorney put on the case. They switched attorneys all around, they did simply nothing for 6 months of time. Nothing at all. The worst part is their collection department, Jack, just makes calls all day long to "collect" fees, fees which are neither deserved nor earned. They double-bill. They are a bunch of idiots. Simply put.

I posted a report a few years ago on this website and have noticed many more complaints since. Too bad these people didn't see my report before they hired Michael Kelly. I would like to give everyone an update.

I sued Mr. Kelly in court for the money he said I owed him. We went back in forth in court because he wanted me to be the defendant because I was the one who owed the money. I told the judge however you want to do it is fine with me. So I went back as a Plaintiff and Mr. Kelly didn’t even show up to court! He then files in Santa Monica civil court to gain home field advantage. In the mean time his paralegal's are trying to make offers to me to settle for about half the amount out of court. I told him that I was not interested because I want the court to see what Mr. Kelly is doing to his clients.

This time Mr. Kelly shows up to court and presents his pitiful case. I know California law better than this man who has been practicing law for over 40 years. You have 30 days after arbitration to file a court case. You can do this is small claims court and Mr. Kelly said I filed in the wrong court to begin with. Strike one! Once a case is filed in a court you can't transfer or file it in another court. Strike two! Mr. Kelly mentioned over and over that the arbitration decision in binding! Its not binding if you file within 30 days whether you show up to arbitration or not! Lets face it the arbitrator is just another lawyer. Strike three! The judge said he would get back to us with his decision. He called me the next morning and then called Mr. Kelly with a 3 way call. He laid into Mr. Kelly telling him he should know better and awarded in my favor!

A few months after I beat him in court he re-filed against me. I get a phone call from his paralegal. He said Mr. Kelly would drop the new lawsuit if I take my initial report off this website (www.ripoffreport.com) and all other negative remarks on the internet. I told him it is impossible because it is the policy of these website never to delete information once its posted. I also mentioned to him that the statue of limitations in CA is 2 years on verbal and 4 years on written contracts. I told him I will see you in court again and embarrass your boss Mr. Kelley and your firm again. Mr. Kelly did not show up to court that day! He still to this day is sending me bills even after losing in court! Let me tell you just one of his ridiculous charges on his bill. I finally get my court case after over 1 year. He wasn’t even trying to get me into court and stretching out the process as long as possible. In the meantime charging me for things he wasn’t even doing. When I finally get to court he doesn’t show up a sends another attorney from a completely different office to continue my case. I asked him where Mr. Kelly is and he told me he was in Santa Monica court working on other cases. Mr. Kelly had the nerve to send me a bill for $500 to pay this other attorney for coming to court to continue my case.

If anyone has been a victim of Mr. Kelly and has additional information please email me at (((Redacted))) or call me at (((Redacted)))