The Jersey, Channel Islands law firm Appleby has kept my US$1, 600 retainer, made nearly no effort on my behalf and achieved zero results.

Advocate Louise Richardson did little more than chat with me for 45 minutes ( before I paid the retainer) and then had her secretary Fiona Emmit send a meek and mild email that didn't even merit a response from the defendant's atty. My case goes unresolved.

Ms. Richardson is busy in court on other matters and whenever I sent her an email an automated "out of office" was the response, followed by galling requests for more money, which were denied. Her boss Michael Cushing is convinced Appleby has done no wrong and is entitled to charge thousands of dollars for essentially nothing at all.

My experience with Appleby has been extremely poor. To anyone contemplating hiring counsel, take heed: Appleby may leave you poorer with nothing to show for it.