Law Office Stephaie Murphy Scam/Fraud - beware of lawyer takes your money and does nothing. Sarasota, Florida

Please beware of this scam artist. I hired Ms Murphy in Sept 2012 To process a divorce Ms Murphy was paid a Fee and an additional retainer of $10,500. She did 3 motions I am aware of. In December she was kicked out of the law firm she worked for and never notified me Once I discovered This and tracked her down she complained of financial problems at her new office Ms Murphy was extremely non responsive, her office Staff was quitting and seemed have new members each time I contacted her firm, and each time I was told time I was told the lawyer would Get back to me before the end of the day. This never occurred and I was told the same thing for weeks. When I resorted to call in as a new client the lawyer would Answer but if I called back I was told she hadn't been in for a week.

When I confronted this lawyers office about her lack of information and responsiveness and the fact she had done nothing and even made my case more difficult due to their lack of Attention I was told they didn't want to represent me. A withdrawal hearing was set, I received a 24 hour notice via email and received via. USPS notification after the hearing. I was refunded, $1,500 of The $10,500. Her office legitimately did $2,500-$3,000 of work and stole the remainder. Services were not rendered. Ms Murphy filed papers and never appeared In court.

When I finally received a bill I noticed multiple charges for The same thing and being bill 1 hour at $275 an hour for calling to set up An appointment, please think about it calling to set up an appointment takes 2-5 min.

Bottom line this lawyer is extremely unprofessional, dysfunctional and most of all A thief.

As a result of her poor legal representation she has cost me Tens of thousands of dollars.