Messner Reeves LLP

For individuals in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas searching within the "Lawyers Near Me" category for legal representation, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and consider all available information before making a decision. This introduction addresses Messner Reeves LLP, located at 14 N Sierra Madre St Suite B, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, USA, based on the publicly available reviews from individuals who have engaged their services. It is important to note that the information presented here is derived solely from these customer testimonials and aims to provide an objective overview of the experiences shared.

While the physical environment of Messner Reeves LLP in Colorado Springs is not described in the provided reviews, the address indicates a presence within the city's downtown area, likely situated in a professional office building. However, the focus of the available feedback overwhelmingly centers on the billing practices and professional conduct experienced by clients, rather than the physical attributes of the office itself.

Based on the two detailed customer reviews available online, the experiences with Messner Reeves LLP, specifically concerning attorney Brenda Bartels in the Colorado Springs office, have been overwhelmingly negative. These reviews detail significant issues related to billing, transparency, and the quality of legal service provided. One client described their experience as "absolutely terrible," alleging hidden charges and fees that tripled the initially quoted price. This client claimed to have been billed for hours of "work" that were never agreed upon and for services that were not actually rendered, even resorting to using an alternative service (LegalZoom) to obtain necessary paperwork that Messner Reeves LLP failed to deliver in a timely manner. Furthermore, this client reported repeated ignored requests for a full breakdown of billing hours and payments, instead receiving a threat of collections.

The second review corroborates these concerns, describing a chaotic billing system where charges appeared weeks and even months after the date of service and after previous bills had been paid. This client referred to these as "backdated charges," making it impossible to verify the accuracy of the billing and creating an "endless loop" of charges. The billing process was described as originating from the Messner Reeves headquarters in Denver, where individual lawyers submit their charges. This client also expressed dissatisfaction with the legal representation received from Ms. Bartels, stating it was "ineffective" and that a new lawyer achieved more progress in one week for a fraction of the cost. Alarmingly, this client alleged being billed for the time Ms. Bartels claimed she didn't even spend reading emails. This individual explicitly advises others to "steer clear of this law firm," citing the chaotic billing practices and unverifiable charges as indicators of serious underlying problems.

Given the consistent and serious nature of the complaints in the available reviews, several critical features and potential issues emerge regarding Messner Reeves LLP and specifically attorney Brenda Bartels:

Lack of Billing Transparency: Both reviewers highlight a significant lack of transparency in billing practices, with allegations of hidden charges, unexpected fees, and the inability to obtain clear and detailed breakdowns of services rendered and associated costs.

Questionable Billing Practices: The accusations of backdated charges appearing months later and billing for services not rendered raise serious concerns about the ethical and professional standards of the firm's billing department and the involved attorney.

Poor Communication and Responsiveness: The first reviewer explicitly states that their requests for billing clarification were "completely ignored," indicating a lack of responsiveness to client concerns regarding financial matters.

Failure to Deliver Promised Services: The allegation that the firm failed to provide necessary paperwork in a timely manner, forcing a client to seek alternative solutions, suggests a potential lack of reliability in delivering on their professional obligations.

Ineffective Legal Representation (as perceived by one client): One reviewer explicitly stated that the legal representation received was ineffective, leading them to seek alternative counsel who achieved better results at a significantly lower cost.

Potential for Financial Scams (as perceived by one client): The description of an "endless loop" of backdated charges leads one reviewer to suspect the billing practices may constitute a "scam," a serious accusation that potential clients should consider.

Lack of Accountability: The second reviewer's complaint to the billing department in Denver allegedly went unanswered by the president, suggesting a potential lack of accountability or effective resolution mechanisms for client grievances.

Based on the information available in these reviews, there is no indication of any promotional offers or incentives being provided by Messner Reeves LLP or Brenda Bartels. Instead, the strong negative feedback serves as a cautionary warning for potential clients in the "Lawyers Near Me" category.

In conclusion, for local users in Colorado Springs seeking legal representation and considering Messner Reeves LLP, it is imperative to carefully review the publicly available feedback. The two detailed reviews present serious allegations regarding billing practices, transparency, communication, and the effectiveness of legal services provided by attorney Brenda Bartels. These accounts suggest a pattern of financial mismanagement and a lack of client care that should give potential clients significant pause. While every individual's experience may vary, the consistency and severity of the issues raised in these reviews warrant extreme caution. It would be prudent for individuals seeking legal counsel in Colorado Springs to thoroughly research alternative law firms with more positive and transparent client feedback to ensure a more reliable and satisfactory legal experience. The information available strongly suggests that engaging Messner Reeves LLP, and specifically Brenda Bartels, may carry significant risks of financial distress and unsatisfactory legal representation.