Stevenson Law Office

Choosing a legal firm to represent your interests, especially in sensitive areas like trust and estate law, is a decision that requires careful thought and thorough evaluation. For individuals and families across California, particularly within the Sherman Oaks area, finding legal counsel that aligns with their expectations for professionalism, communication, and client advocacy is paramount. Stevenson Law Office, located in Sherman Oaks, aims to provide legal services to clients navigating various legal challenges. This article will outline their location, contact information, and delve into the nuances of client experiences as shared in public reviews, offering a balanced perspective to assist you in making an informed choice when seeking legal representation in California.

Stevenson Law Office, led by attorney Todd Stevenson, operates within the legal framework of California, offering services in areas that typically include trust and estate matters. The firm's approach and commitment to client representation are often reflected in the feedback from those they have served. Public reviews can provide valuable, albeit sometimes contrasting, insights into the client experience.

One client shared a highly positive experience, stating, "I had an excellent experience working with Stevenson Law Office. From start to finish, they were professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Todd Stevenson and his team took the time to explain everything in detail and made sure I understood all my options at every stage of the process. Their communication was outstanding—I always felt informed and confident that my case was in good hands. The outcome exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their hard work and dedication. If you're looking for a law firm that truly cares about their clients and fights for the best possible result, I highly recommend Stevenson Law Office. They made a challenging situation much easier to navigate, and I’m incredibly thankful for their support." This review highlights professionalism, clear communication, a caring approach, and favorable outcomes.

Conversely, another client presented a significantly negative account: "I hired Todd Stevenson as my trust attorney and ultimately had to fire him after years of disappointing representation. Todd fought harder for his fees than for my rights as trustee. Despite my 4+ years and over 1,000 hours of work, he negotiated a flat $17,500 trustee fee — and then sought $285,000 in legal fees for himself. When I challenged that imbalance, he refused to reduce more than 15% and eventually filed a motion against me to enforce the full amount after I paid him over 60% of his legal fees. Throughout the case, Todd repeatedly deferred to opposing counsel, failed to push back when needed, and ultimately lost track of the case as it dragged on for years. He did not advocate for my interests or adequately protect the trust. His own inefficiencies prolonged the matter and increased costs unnecessarily. During a hearing, another female trustee also objected to Todd’s billing, sharing similar concerns. Opposing counsel in my case — who achieved favorable outcomes for his clients — charged just 30% of what Todd billed. It’s particularly upsetting that after lowballing me as trustee, Todd now expects to capitalize on interest from his disputed fees. I would not recommend Todd Stevenson to anyone seeking ethical, balanced, or client-focused representation. My experience left me feeling misled, unsupported, and financially burdened by someone who was supposed to protect my interests." This contrasting review underscores the importance of individual client experiences and the need for prospective clients to conduct thorough due diligence.

Stevenson Law Office is conveniently located in the heart of Sherman Oaks, California, providing a central and accessible point for clients across the greater Los Angeles area. Their office is situated at 15250 Ventura Blvd #1102, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, USA. This prominent address on Ventura Boulevard is a well-known commercial thoroughfare, making it relatively straightforward for clients to find and reach.

For those traveling by car, Ventura Boulevard offers direct routes from various parts of the San Fernando Valley, and generally, there are parking options available in the vicinity of the building, though availability can vary. The firm's location also benefits from its proximity to major freeways such as the US-101 (Ventura Freeway) and the I-405 (San Diego Freeway), which facilitates access for clients commuting from different regions of Southern California. Additionally, public transportation routes serve the Ventura Boulevard corridor, providing another layer of convenience. The office suite number #1102 indicates a professional setting within a larger commercial building, typically offering a private and conducive environment for client consultations. This accessible location emphasizes the firm's intention to serve the local California community effectively.

While a comprehensive and detailed list of all services offered by Stevenson Law Office is not provided in the given information, the client reviews strongly indicate a specialization in trust and estate law. Based on these insights, the firm likely offers services related to:

• Trust Litigation and Administration: As evidenced by the trustee-related review, the firm likely handles legal disputes and administrative processes concerning trusts, including issues of trustee duties, beneficiary rights, and the interpretation or validity of trust documents.
• Estate Planning: It is highly probable that as a trust attorney, Todd Stevenson also assists clients with broader estate planning, which involves creating wills, trusts, and other documents to manage assets, plan for succession, and address end-of-life wishes.
• Probate: Given their expertise in trusts, the firm may also handle probate proceedings, which involve validating wills, settling debts, and distributing assets of a deceased person's estate through the court system.
• Other Related Legal Counsel: Law firms specializing in trusts and estates often provide advice on related matters such as asset protection, elder law issues, and charitable giving.

Prospective clients are strongly encouraged to contact Stevenson Law Office directly to obtain a precise and current list of all services offered and to discuss how their specific legal needs align with the firm's areas of practice.

Stevenson Law Office presents a complex profile of client experiences, revealing both strong positive attributes and significant concerns.

• Reported Professionalism and Knowledge: One client highly praised the firm for being "professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate," indicating a capacity for expert and empathetic legal service.
• Detailed Explanations and Communication: According to a positive review, Todd Stevenson and his team take "the time to explain everything in detail" and maintain "outstanding communication," ensuring clients feel informed and confident.
• Client-Focused Approach (Reported Positively): One client felt the firm "truly cares about their clients and fights for the best possible result," suggesting a strong dedication to client interests and positive outcomes.

However, it is crucial to consider the contrasting features highlighted by another client:

• Billing and Fee Disputes: A significant concern raised was the attorney's perceived prioritization of fees over client rights, including a substantial disparity between the trustee fee and legal fees sought, leading to a dispute and motion filed against the client.
• Lack of Advocacy and Protection (Reported Negatively): The client stated that the attorney "did not advocate for my interests or adequately protect the trust," suggesting a perceived failure to push back against opposing counsel or effectively manage the case.
• Prolonged Proceedings and Increased Costs: Concerns were raised about the firm's "inefficiencies" prolonging the matter for years and "increased costs unnecessarily."
• Discrepancy in Fees Compared to Opposing Counsel: A direct comparison was drawn to opposing counsel charging significantly less for achieving favorable outcomes, highlighting a perceived imbalance in billing.
• Client Feeling Misled and Unsupported: The negative review explicitly states the client felt "misled, unsupported, and financially burdened by someone who was supposed to protect my interests."

These contrasting perspectives indicate that while some clients may have excellent experiences, others may encounter significant challenges, particularly concerning billing practices and perceived advocacy.

In the legal profession, particularly for firms specializing in areas like trust and estate law, it is not customary to advertise "promotions" or "special offers" in the way a retail business might. Legal services are highly individualized, and fees are typically structured based on the complexity, time commitment, and specific expertise required for each case. However, many law firms, including Stevenson Law Office, may offer an initial consultation. This initial meeting serves as an opportunity for prospective clients to discuss their legal needs, gain preliminary insights into their situation, and understand the firm's approach and potential fee structures, often without an upfront charge for the consultation itself.

For specific services, such as drafting a will or trust, firms might offer flat fees. For litigation matters, hourly rates are common, or in some specific types of cases (e.g., certain personal injury cases, though not indicated as a primary focus here), contingency fees might be applicable. It is strongly advised that individuals interested in Stevenson Law Office directly contact them to inquire about their policy regarding initial consultations and to get a transparent understanding of their fee arrangements for the specific legal services they require. This ensures clarity and helps manage expectations from the outset.

For those in California considering legal services from Stevenson Law Office, the following contact details are publicly available:

• Address: 15250 Ventura Blvd #1102, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, USA
• Phone: (818) 784-5404
• Mobile Phone: +1 818-784-5404

The firm typically operates during standard business hours, generally Monday through Friday. It is highly recommended to call ahead and schedule an appointment. This proactive step helps ensure that the appropriate legal professional is available to discuss your specific needs and that your visit can be productive and focused. Utilizing these contact methods is the initial step for any potential client seeking to engage with the firm.

For residents and families in Sherman Oaks and across the wider California region, Stevenson Law Office's location on Ventura Boulevard provides convenient physical access, which is a practical consideration when seeking legal services. Their reported focus on trust and estate law suggests they could be a resource for locals needing assistance with wills, trusts, and related matters, which are common and crucial aspects of financial and family planning for many Californians.

However, the suitability of Stevenson Law Office for locals presents a nuanced picture, largely shaped by the significantly contrasting client reviews. While one client lauded the firm's professionalism, clear communication, and compassionate approach, leading to a successful outcome, another experienced prolonged issues, perceived a lack of advocacy, and raised serious concerns about billing practices and client support. This divergence in experiences highlights that while the firm may deliver positive results for some, others may encounter challenges.

Therefore, for locals considering Stevenson Law Office, it is paramount to engage in thorough due diligence. This includes not only an initial consultation to gauge the firm's responsiveness and transparency but also asking pointed questions about fee structures, communication protocols, and caseload management. While the convenience of location and reported expertise in trust law might initially appear suitable, the widely divergent client experiences underscore the critical importance of a personal assessment to ensure that the chosen legal representation aligns with your specific expectations for advocacy, financial clarity, and overall client care.