Vonder Haar Law Offices

White male? He is your man. Everyone else? Omg lol beware! He is horrible... One star. As a woman, I experienced what I believe was blatant gender bias from this attorney, and I deeply regret ever hiring him. I retained him for an extremely serious domestic-violence and custody matter. Instead of feeling protected, heard, and advocated for by my own attorney, I felt repeatedly dismissed and demeaned while he appeared far more willing to accept my ex-husband’s version of events than mine. What disturbed me most was the gender dynamic I personally observed. He was arrogant and condescending toward me, and I also witnessed him speak to his female paralegal in a way that I found degrading and disrespectful. Meanwhile, when my male ex-husband made statements in court that I believed were false or materially misleading, my attorney failed to challenge them with anything close to the force I expected from someone I had hired to represent me. I cannot overstate how disturbing it was to sit there and feel as though my own attorney was giving more credibility and deference to the man I was litigating against than to me, his own female client. Based on my personal experience, I believe gender bias affected the way I was treated and represented. I would strongly caution women—especially women involved in high-conflict custody or domestic-violence cases—to think very carefully before hiring him. The outcome was devastating: my ex-husband received sole legal and physical custody, and I received no visitation. I understand that no lawyer can guarantee a result. That is not why I am writing this review. I am writing it because I believed I hired someone to advocate aggressively for me, challenge misrepresentations, understand my evidence, and make sure my side was actually heard. Instead, I left court feeling abandoned by my own counsel. I genuinely believe I could have represented myself more effectively that day. I fired him immediately after the hearing. I would never hire him again, and based on my experience, I would never recommend him to another woman facing a serious custody or DV matter. Good luck girls/ladies! <3

One star (too bad there aren't negative stars lol!). I deeply regret hiring this attorney. I retained him for an extremely high-stakes domestic violence and child-custody matter, where the consequences could not have been more serious. I expected an attorney who would be prepared, assertive, and able to challenge material misrepresentations made by the opposing party. That was not my experience at the hearing. Not even close, it was pathetic. I watched significant factual issues and misrepresentations go inadequately challenged while the case moved toward an outcome with devastating consequences for me and my children. I had to email real-time corrections to them based on evidence already provided, but Counsel did not even look at the factual corrections as cited in my initial documentation until after the hearing, despite the fact that I called their office to flag it. I understand that no attorney can guarantee a particular result, and I am not criticizing him simply because I lost. My criticism is about the quality of representation I felt I received when it mattered most. I did not feel that the evidence, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies central to my case were presented and challenged with anything close to the force, clarity, or preparation that the circumstances demanded. I honestly could have represented myself better... This was the type of hearing where an attorney needed to know the record cold, react quickly when facts were misstated, protect the client’s position, and make sure the judge had an accurate picture before making life-altering custody decisions. I left the hearing feeling profoundly underrepresented. I hired counsel precisely because I knew the stakes were too high to navigate alone. Instead, I walked away wishing I had chosen different representation from the beginning. I terminated the attorney-client relationship immediately after the hearing. If you are a white male, definitely hire him. If not, do NOT! Anyone considering this attorney for a contested DVRO or custody matter should ask very detailed questions about how they prepare for evidentiary hearings (they do not lol), how aggressively they address inaccurate testimony, how they plan to present conflicting evidence, and exactly what advocacy you can expect in the courtroom. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend him.

Jon did an amazing job in my case and turned the tables around completely. He worked hard to make sure the courts understood the dynamics of the situation and helped me be patient in probably the hardest time of my life. Custody disputes are very difficult but our case was insane. He helped me stay calm and patient and with his encouragement and support, we ended up with an ideal situation for my children and eventually be brought whole with the arrears balance that was owed to me. I can’t thank Jon enough for all his help and highly recommend him for the best outcome in your case.

Jon and April are great. They took a super high conflict situation and made me feel like there is another way to make it successful. I am still working with them on my case but Jon definitely brings light to a situation and is very realistic. I recommend their services to everyone i know that has custody issues. 1000 stars!!!