KEN MCKENNA | KEN MCKENNA RENO SCAM LAWYER SCAMS RETAINER FEES BY ASKING TO PAY "UPFRONT" FOR SAVINGS THEN BLOWS YOU OFF!!!! RENO, Nevada

  Full story: Reno Gazette-Journal

  Real-Time News

Sep 21, 2010 |

'Aggressive excellence' lawyer Ken McKenna faces federal income tax charges

Ken McKenna, a well-known Reno lawyer, has been charged two federal misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes.

Ken McKenna, a well-known Reno lawyer, has been charged with two federal misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes.

(RGJ; Thanks, Tipster!)

Ken McKenna

3 reviews

Category: Divorce and Family Law  [Edit]

544 W 1st St
Reno, NV 89503

(775) 329-6373

http://www.kenmckenna.com

3 reviews for Ken McKenna

3 reviews in English

• Review from Cheryl M.

• 5 friends
• 40 reviews
• Cheryl M.

Sparks, NV

I went to arbitration regarding the fee dispute that I'd filed with the bar.  Ken was only willing to refund $750 of the $2,500 fee.  I settled just because I didn't want to drag it out any further.  He had no time records with him to substantiate his position that he spent more time on the case than the $2,500 fee, so that was not a real surprise.  Was nice to finally meet the man who "spent so much time on my case" that I never even met him in person.  Just remember, you get what you pay for - or in some cases ... not.

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I hired Ken back in December of last year to wrap up a few items from my divorce.  I paid a $2,500 flat fee to resolve two issues:  1) to determine how the balance in our client trust account with my ex would be distributed, and 2) how to ensure my liability tied to my former business connection with the ex might be limited thus providing me more protection.  He accomplished neither - but I did get an accounting spreadsheet from my ex's former attorney finally at the end of July (took eight months to get one half-page spreadsheet).  This is when Ken dropped me as a client citing that I was abusive to his staff.  While it is true that I communicated primarily with his staff never having the opportunity to meet him face-to-face, I never raised my voice and never used language inapprorpiate in a business climate.  For the $2,500, he filed one motion not correctly identifying the issue which resulting in my ex's attorney interpreting the order to their benefit and my receiving no funds from the community trust account (the ex received nearly $10k - the balance remaining).  

I have since filed a bar complaint and request for refund based on a number of infractions including RPC (Rules of Professional Conduct) 1.4 for Communication or lack thereof, RPC 5.3 regarding Non-Lawyer Assistants, and SCR (Supreme Court Ruling) Rule 1.16 regarding the Termination of Relationship.  

Every single person I've spoken with since having this negative experience, including other attorneys, said "I wish you would have asked me about him before you hired him."  I'm understanding that while the flat rate seems very attractive to the budget-conscious litigant, the services are limited at best, and most likely all you will get is the assistance of a paralegal or legal assistant handling a majority of your case.  You may even get to meet this attorney whose trial experience includes the famed Judas Priest case - whereas he lost, but still rides on this infamous and unfortunate personal tragedy.  

I would recommend that before hiring Ken McKenna - ask around and you'll likely get the same response I did.  No wonder he didn't win political office - this is a small town and people do talk!

I have since had a good experience with "We the People" on South Virginia.  I would recommend them for low-cost solutions pertaining to divorce and trusts.  They are considered a document preparation service and have an attorney on staff for legal issues for only $125/hour, half of the average hourly rate of any other legal firm.

I have additionally settled the fee dispute in arbitration whereas Ken provided a $750 refund - not enough - but not worth the trouble of going further as he kept no time records to substantiate his position that he spent more than $2,500 in time on my case.