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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about John Bales Attorneys

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I am a successful lawyer who worked at John Bales Attorneys and has since gone on to a great law firm. John Bales Attorneys is a laughingstock in Tampa Bay. No one except Bales and his nut-job administrator have worked there more than four of five years (only only a handful of people have made it past four years). Bales is a big phony, a mean and selfish...

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John Bales Attorneys Atty Susan Fischer

I have been a client of this firm since 2006. This firm is the most unorganized firm I have ever heard of. My attorney has been switched numerous times without reason. I was once switched to Attorney Susan Fischer. She is a joke of an attorney. She doesn't even dress like a normal attorney. She clams up in the middle of my deposition and doesn't even speak up to the opposing council. She doesn't even know how to do research on my case. And everytime I call to check on my case, even if I ask to speak to her, I have to speak to my case manager, Loretta, who is just as rude as the rest of the people in the office. I simply cannot wait til my case is resolved with this firm. I would never suggest this firm to anyone. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL!

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DJMMSSAJF
Tampa, US
Apr 26, 2011 8:12 pm EDT

MANDATORY SATURDAYS REALLY SUCKS, THIS IS SUPPOSE TO INCLUDE EVERYONE... JOHN BALES GET YOU'RE LAZY ### AND WORK A SATURDAY IF YOU WANT "ONLY YOURE WORK" TO GET DONE. THAT LAW FIRM IS JOINT WITH THE KKK... BEAWARE EMPLOYESS AND CLIENTS...

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John Bales Attorneys Beware

This law firm is the worst law firm in the Tampa Bay area to work for as an employee or to take your case to as a client. I worked at this firm for a little over two years and I saw at least 75 employees come and go from this firm, either they were fired, or they could not take the overwhelming amount of pressure that this firm puts on it's employees.

The biggest problem with this is not the employee problem, it is what this does to their client relations. The clients are not respected at this firm. Each and every one of them are treated as just another case.

Consumers: BEWARE! Do not take your case to this firm. The attorneys at this firm do not even touch your files. They have the staff do everything on the files and when they go to court, they don't even know who you are.

Employees: BEWARE! They will work you to the bone for very little pay, promise things they never follow through on and once you hit your two year mark, they will fire you and put someone else in your place that they can pay less.

JUST WORDS OF WARNING about this company. I also believe the management team in this firm is somewhat cultish, they act as if they are in a cult and if you don't want to become a member, then you are out.

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user1684389
, US
Jun 19, 2017 10:23 pm EDT

This firm is an absolute joke. They could care less about any of the clients. They check the policy limits and if they're not "high enough" and they can't make money then they never touch the case again. When the clients call for an update nothing has been done since intake and client managers are forced to lie. Attorneys refuse to talk to the clients. Cases sit with out being touched for YEARS. I literally referred to it as a cult quickly after starting there. Stand around every morning taking about our feelings but nothing ever gets done. Working there is like being on a treadmill. You get nowhere. Everyone is constantly being replaced to avoid pay raises, unemployment eligibility, or if you know too much about what's actually going on. I hope to see them completely go under as they're definitely on their way there.

Don't forget to help each other help your clients haha

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Paralegal Rockstar
, US
Nov 15, 2017 1:37 pm EST

I worked there [protected]. Sounds like nothing has changed with the exception of Scheerbaum not being there anymore.

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Kathryn Myrick
, US
Jun 12, 2017 3:44 pm EDT

I am a current client and I am experiencing lies upon lies from the dozen or so different employees that work for John Bales. I settled my case a little over a month ago and is not satisfied with the outcome. They basically made me feel like a victim all over again and being taken advantage of by the people who are supposed to advocate for me are now in consorts with the opposing sides. I would never refer anyone else to this firm for anything including directions to the bathroom.

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Anonymous50
, US
Feb 28, 2016 11:56 am EST
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I worked for John Bales Attorney. I walked out and quit. They don't train you for any position. They have out dated guidelines and they are also missing steps in these guidelines. They expect you to walk in and learn your job strictly with guidelines.
The receptions is a joke. She is rude, hangs up in clients and listens to music loud while singing along with clients in the office. The HR women does not care and just goes along with what ever everyone says. They do not care about their employees. The only way you can make it there is if you kiss ### and cater to them.
Horrible horrible place to work. Do not apply here. If you do, you too will regret it, and you too will leave and move one. They also have workers that will pretend to be nice and earn your trust. Then tell everything you say to HR. So watch your back. No one here is your friend. Be careful and don't trust anyone.

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John James Dunne
, US
Dec 30, 2015 1:54 am EST

John Bales took me for 16.000 and I got 4, 000 for wrongful termination lawsuit after being sick and fired from my workplace how is that for cruel that was in 2012 its 2015 now and I have not worked since now on disability with nothing thanks john bales you ruined my entire life

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Unkown Smith
, US
Aug 27, 2015 3:00 pm EDT

This is the worse attorney I ever worked with, they don't do what they say and lie to their clients. They have everyone's hands on the clients information and no one knows what the others are saying or doing. I had to get my own papers from the hospitals and doctors and at the end they never got to work my bills out and had to pay full price because they couldn't do there job and I still had to pay them for work I had to do for my own case. They are so quick to pass the buck on to someone else instead of people you out.

I would NEVER EVER go back or send anyone I know to them.

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Mikeintampa
, US
Nov 08, 2011 10:12 pm EST

I am a successful lawyer who worked at John Bales Attorneys and has since gone on to a great law firm. John Bales Attorneys is a laughingstock in Tampa Bay. No one except Bales and his nut-job administrator have worked there more than four of five years (only only a handful of people have made it past four years).
Bales is a big phony, a mean and selfish man. He is the reason attorneys quit within a year. His administrator is either manic depsressive or bi-polar (and, sadly, anorexic). She is the reason non-attorneys leave so quickly.
The turnover is so high that it is impossible for clients to receive quality representation. How can they when their attorney and case managers keep changing? Bales and his adminstrator blame the turnover on lazy and/or incompentent employees. Really? You mean that the THOUSANDS of employees who have quit since you opened 11 years ago are all to blame, but you and your adminstrator are treating people well? You two are right and thousands are wrong? It is time to look in the mirror, pal. At this rate, your firm will be out of business in a few years.

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jbamss
, US
Jul 13, 2011 3:15 pm EDT

I completly agree %100 on what Exeee had commented i was an employee and client in that law firm and it was horrific... never in my life ive been treated like a fish outta the water. They are very dedicated employess and only one attorney at that law firm (JBA) that enjoys helping people and keeping them as clients. But for the rest they just look at you like a million bucks try to be nice too you then when settlement comes thats when all hell breaks loose. Care Quality and Respect needs to be earned and at John Bales Attorneys none of those 3 words apply to them.

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trishkv
, US
Dec 08, 2016 12:38 pm EST
Replying to comment of jbamss

I always thought (JBA) should leave and start his own firm. I am sure everyone of the employees would have been happy to walk out behind him and help him run it.

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Exeee
Wasilla, US
Apr 14, 2011 12:40 am EDT

This firm claims its "cultural values" to be "Care Quality and Respect." In my opinion, there is no care, there is no quality, and there is most certainly no respect for the clients of this law firm. This is a volume-driven plaintiff's personal injury law firm, staffed by personnel who are measured only by the dollars the firm recovers, not the quality of the representation. As a client of this firm. you represent nothing but dollars to it. Often, the firm personnel (including firm management) insult you and make fun of you. In my opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice if you retain this law firm to represent you and you should seek representation elsewhere. I have been inside this firm, and I can say that in my observation the firm couldn't care less about you, does not provide quality service to you, and has zero respect for you.

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jpdmep66
st petersburg, US
Mar 28, 2011 2:18 pm EDT

john bales is the worst attorney ever he cant even speak up for his clients nor his staff he is a racis [censor]. Him and his little partner Ms Michelle Scheerbaum r the worst people u can ever work for period. they both have no heart and only care of what they can get in there pocket out of you. Mon-Friday 9-6pm and now mandatory fridays is a joke hes the only one that dosent show up on saturdays but wants us all to work as a team... So much for CARE QUALITY AND RESPECT those 3 words dont match up for this law firm i feel bad for some poeple that have to but up with this place just to make a good penny.

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trishkv
, US
Dec 08, 2016 12:36 pm EST
Replying to comment of jpdmep66

Oh my, his lil she devil side kick. I heard not long ago, she finally split too. Always wondered what could have made someone with less of a heart than him, to finally walk out. they both suck, suck, suck

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trialhound
St Petersburg, US
Jun 22, 2010 8:23 am EDT

As another former employee, I agree completely with this comment. Particularly about the way they treat their clients.

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trishkv
, US
Dec 08, 2016 12:34 pm EST
Replying to comment of trialhound

You both took the words right out of my mouth! Whenever trying to explain my hate for working at this "Factory/Mill" I have always first used the word "Cult" and stress the lack of care for their clients. insanity. My last day there, (I quit before even completing my 90 days) one of the Attorneys had shown up with a huge moving truck and was packing up his office furniture and client files, as "John" had screwed him out of his share, which was agreed upon when he joined. (I was not there long, like i said. But it sound exactly like him. $$$$$$ was all it was about and how fast you could get in the most. I am also very close with others who had been their longer and who spoke personally with the departing attorney. It was verified that was exactly what he cut ties.)

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