Bruning & Associates ico

Bruning & Associates

Lawyers Near MeIllinoisMcHenry CountyCrystal LakeCommerce Drive

333 Commerce Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, USA

3.0

I have to agree with all the negative reviews with this law firm. I believed they would amend my trust and I waited over five weeks only to receive a very poorly “cut and paste” document done by their paralegal. I never met or talked to a lawyer at this firm. I sent an email to Kevin Bruning expressing my disappointment and he agreed to refund me half my payment. Two weeks have passed and I have not received the check he promised. Please look at the dates of these reviews. Positive reviews were posted five to seven years ago. The most recent reviews are negative and disappointing. This is not a good, honest or ethical law firm. Do not even consider them for any of your legal needs.

Cathryn Samson
  • Overview
  • (815) 455-3000
  • www.bruninglaw.com

Hours

Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Bruning & Associates Introduce

In the digital landscape of "Lawyers Near Me," a platform designed to connect local users with legal professionals, we turn our attention to Bruning & Associates, a law firm situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Located at 333 Commerce Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, USA, Bruning & Associates offers legal services to the community. They can be reached by phone at (815) 455-3000 or via mobile at +1 815-455-3000, providing various contact avenues for prospective clients.

Operating within the "Lawyers Near Me" category, Bruning & Associates aims to provide legal assistance across different practice areas. Based on the provided client feedback, their services have, at times, touched upon areas such as estate planning, specifically trust amendments, and other general legal needs that clients might bring to a local firm. It's important for potential clients utilizing a platform like "Lawyers Near Me" to understand the breadth and depth of services offered by any firm they consider, and to assess whether those services align with their specific requirements.

The environment at Bruning & Associates, as perceived by clients, appears to be varied. One review specifically highlights a positive experience with an individual, Nicole Vernagallo, describing her as "professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to achieving the best outcome." This suggests that within the firm, there are individuals who foster an environment of clear and timely communication, ensuring clients feel informed and supported throughout their legal process. This positive interaction indicates a dedication to client understanding and satisfaction. Conversely, another review paints a picture of significant dissatisfaction, citing a "poorly 'cut and paste' document done by their paralegal" and a lack of direct attorney interaction. This indicates a potential inconsistency in service delivery and client engagement. The varying experiences suggest that the client experience within the firm might depend on the specific attorney or paralegal assigned to a case. A law firm's environment should ideally be consistently professional, efficient, and client-focused, regardless of the individual handling a specific matter. The physical environment of the office, while not detailed, would typically be expected to provide a private and professional setting for legal consultations, consistent with standard law firm practices.

Regarding the services offered by Bruning & Associates, the provided reviews specifically mention "amend my trust" which falls under estate planning. Law firms of this nature typically offer a range of services that might include, but are not limited to, general civil litigation, family law, personal injury, real estate transactions, and business law, in addition to estate planning. However, based on the provided information, the only confirmed service area is estate planning, particularly trust amendments, though the quality of this service is disputed in one review. When considering a law firm through "Lawyers Near Me," it is crucial for clients to verify the specific practice areas in which the firm holds expertise and to ensure that their legal needs align with the firm's strengths. The disparity in client experiences suggests that while the firm may offer a range of services, the consistency and quality of delivery can vary.

The features of Bruning & Associates, as derived from the customer reviews, present a mixed picture. A significant positive feature highlighted is the individual performance of Nicole Vernagallo, who is praised for her professionalism, knowledge, dedication, and clear, timely communication. This indicates that the firm does possess individuals capable of delivering excellent client service and expert legal guidance. Such qualities are highly valued in any legal practice and represent a strong asset for the firm. However, a contrasting feature, as presented in another review, points to concerns regarding the direct involvement of lawyers in specific cases, the quality of paralegal work, and follow-through on commitments (such as refunds). The phrase "I never met or talked to a lawyer at this firm" for a trust amendment is a notable concern, as direct attorney oversight is typically expected in such critical legal matters. The observation about the shift in review sentiment, with positive reviews being older and recent ones being negative, is a critical feature for potential clients. This trend suggests a potential change in the firm's operational practices or client service standards over time, which is an important consideration for anyone seeking legal representation. The firm's responsiveness and transparency regarding issues, as evidenced by Kevin Bruning's agreement to a partial refund, could be seen as a positive feature of accountability, although the delay in receiving the refund diminishes this positive aspect.

In terms of promotional information, the direct customer reviews on platforms like "Lawyers Near Me" serve as the most potent form of promotion or indeed, deterrence. The positive feedback for Nicole Vernagallo is a strong endorsement of her individual capabilities and could attract clients seeking a dedicated professional. Her ability to make the process "understood every step of the process" and her "expertise and support" are highly valuable promotional points. Conversely, the negative review acts as a significant cautionary piece of information. The strong warning, "Do not even consider them for any of your legal needs," accompanied by concerns about honesty and ethics, is a powerful dissuading message. The observation that "Positive reviews were posted five to seven years ago. The most recent reviews are negative and disappointing" is a critical piece of promotional context, as it highlights a potential decline in service quality over time. For a firm operating under the "Lawyers Near Me" banner, current and representative client experiences are paramount for building trust and attracting new business. While the firm's contact information (phone: (815) 455-3000, mobile: +1 815-455-3000) and address (333 Commerce Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, USA) are readily available, the weight of recent negative reviews significantly impacts their overall promotional appeal within the local community seeking legal services.

In conclusion, Bruning & Associates in Crystal Lake, IL, as presented within the "Lawyers Near Me" platform, offers legal services with varying degrees of client satisfaction. While individual members like Nicole Vernagallo are highly praised for their professionalism and support, other clients have reported significant concerns regarding attorney involvement, quality of work, and follow-through. The shift in review sentiment over time is a crucial observation for prospective clients. Those considering Bruning & Associates for their legal needs, particularly in areas like estate planning or any other advertised service, are encouraged to conduct thorough due diligence, perhaps by scheduling direct consultations to assess the current level of service and direct attorney engagement, ensuring their specific legal requirements will be met with the expected level of expertise and dedication.

Bruning & Associates Photos

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Bruning & Associates Location

333 Commerce Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, USA

Reviews

I have to agree with all the negative reviews with this law firm. I believed they would amend my trust and I waited over five weeks only to receive a very poorly “cut and paste” document done by their paralegal. I never met or talked to a lawyer at this firm. I sent an email to Kevin Bruning expressing my disappointment and he agreed to refund me half my payment. Two weeks have passed and I have not received the check he promised. Please look at the dates of these reviews. Positive reviews were posted five to seven years ago. The most recent reviews are negative and disappointing. This is not a good, honest or ethical law firm. Do not even consider them for any of your legal needs.

May 04, 2025 · Cathryn Samson

I had an excellent experience working with Nicole Vernagallo. She was professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to achieving the best outcome. Communication was always clear and timely, and she made sure I understood every step of the process. I’m incredibly grateful for her expertise and support!

Mar 31, 2025 · Alla Harnish

I highly recommend Bruning & Associates for your legal needs. Attorney Nicole Vernagallo and the staff have been professional and sensitive to the legal needs of my custody Case for my son . Attorney Vernagallo was really helpful and addressed my concerns promptly and no other attorney in the area would take my case the ones who tried weren'tas responsiveand attentiveas she was , Bruning & Associates stepped up and resolved my case as best possible. If I ever need and attorney I'm definitely going to Nicole Vernagallo here at Bruning & Associates thank you for everything you have done I highly appreciate your hard work

May 09, 2025 · Christopher Perez

I highly recommend Bruning & Associates for your legal needs. Attorney Nicole Vernagallo and the staff have been professional and sensitive to the legal needs of my Probate Case. Attorney Vernagallo layed out each of the options for my case and addressed my concerns promptly. When no other attorney in the area would take my case, Bruning & Associates stepped up and resolved my case as best possible.

Feb 27, 2025 · Patricia Marie Kelly

DO NOT HIRE THIS FIRM! I hired this firm back in April 2024 for a relocation case. Twice they threatened to pull out even with a financial agreement with Matt. AS of today Kevin decided my case wasn't worth the firms time and wants the attorney I had to focus on " money making" cases! I understood my case was going to be lengthy cause of my ex hence why I made a financial payment plan agreement with matt. Also the payment plan was inplace cause the office was vebally over the phone taking payments and not applying them. I did not expect the firm to back out and make me feel as my case wasn't important. I have jumped through every hoop asked. I was completely blind sided 9-5-2024 . If you are so unlucky to hire this firm, protect yourself and get everything in writing! DO NOT HIRE THIS FIRM

Sep 05, 2024 · Alecia N

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