The Law Office Of Michael E. Bryant

Michael is a cookie-cutter lawyer. If you’re a father staring down the barrel (figuratively), I would avoid him. Before retaining Michael, he told me that he was confident he could get my CSEA-recommended child support order down. However, during the case (after retaining him), he switched the narrative and wanted me to take the offer from CSEA, a sixfold increase from my previous court order. This was extremely upsetting, especially after I had already paid his retainer fee of $2,500. I have my kids 50% of the time. I take them to school, doctor appointments, and extracurricular activities—I truly have half the responsibility. My original order (at the time of divorce) was based on shaky reasoning. But as I stated, Michael wanted me to give in at every turn, as so many lawyers before him had done. This is what landed me in a bad custody/child support situation to begin with. The positives of retaining him: He submitted papers and got me in front of a judge so that I could mildly argue my case. However, Michael did not want to make the slightest arguments for a father who literally has 50/50 time and expense share; he didn’t even prepare me on how the meeting in front of the judge would go during an objection hearing to the CSEA’s ruling. I felt like I was walking into the lion’s den, because I was led in by my lawyer, blindfolded. He didn’t coach me on anything. Having any knowledge of this process would have been pivotal. But even after he failed to prepare me, I, myself argued my perspective, and received a reasonable outcome: a 50% deviation from my order. Of course, Mom appealed the judge’s decision. I felt that this was a moment to push forward with my own objection because Mom’s contest highlighted greed, not need. The best interest for my kids has never been to give extra monies to their mother (sadly). But Michael was still afraid to push. I was not even made aware of the judge’s decision or Mom’s objection until almost five weeks after both had been submitted. After I was finally made aware, Michael submitted a response on my behalf (which I did not agree to), only to recuse himself from the case afterward (which may have been illegal?). This could’ve been a monumental case for fathers in Ohio. Unfortunately, we will never win because lawyers like Michael are too afraid to use their knowledge, voice, and influence. Stay away from him.

Michael was fantastic. Whenever I had questions, he was always sure to give me an answer. Whenever something new would come up, he had a way to navigate it. I never felt pressured in any scenario and he got me everything I needed or asked for.

Very kind.