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James Brunovia Google

25 days ago

My family used Mackenzie Hughes since the 1970s. They were expensive but reliable. Not so now. My wife and I engaged the firm to put together our will and estate planning. Over the course of months we worked with an attorney. She was not skilled in communicating complex legal matters to university educated lay people, throwing out arcane legal jargon and showing an inability to explain things in plain English. Worse, she was abrupt and lecturing at times. In short, she lacked the personality and social skills to deal with the public. It got even worse. I had lined up the trust department of a regional bank to take on trustee obligations and put them in direct touch with our lawyer. After paying Mackenzie Hughes thousands of dollars and too many hours of our time, the bank officer, months later, informed us that they could not take us on as a client because of the way our lawyer had organized our estate planning, which didn't meet their standards. Rather than expend more money and precious time trying to get the lawyer to get things right with the bank, I gave up, too furious to have to return to dealing with an unpleasant person who seemed not to be able to do her job right. After two years of sulking, on the recommendation of a financial planner, we engaged another top Syracuse law firm to start the process all over again from scratch. They were familiar with the obstreperous Mackenzie Hughes attorney with whom we had worked, noting her reputation was well known in the legal community. In commiseration with our negative experience, this new firm gave us a discount on what they charge. Their assigned attorney and her paralegal are outstanding in how they explain things. Moreover, they have organized our estate planning in a much improved way compared with the Mackenzie Hughes attorney. Bottom line is this: I have terminated a 50-year family association with Mackenzie Hughes. To use a legal term: caveat emptor.

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Christine Archungvia Google

over 1 year ago

Mary Anne Cody represented my sister and I in a complex trust settlement. There were many moving parts and a lot of back and forth with my brother’s attorney. She was on top of everything and kept great communication going between us all. The fact that she is a CPA along with an estate attorney proved very beneficial. I would highly recommend her to handle your estate settlements. We also needed someone to process the sale of the house. Ted Spencer was hired for that and also did an amazing job completing the transaction.

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Kathy Chappinivia Google

over 1 year ago

I have only good things to say about Mary Anne Cody, Estate Attorney and Ted Spencer, Real Estate Attorney. Mary Anne took on our difficult case involving a Trust with unique clauses. She had to do quite a bit of unraveling to get it straightened out. She kept a cool and calm presence in a sometimes chaotic scene with problems with a sibling. The advice and information she gave to me was priceless. We were able to settle the estate and all the accounts. Ted Spencer, did the closing of our father's property while making sure the Trust was followed correctly. This was very important in settling the house. All in all, we will recommend Mary Anne Cody and Ted Spencer to anyone we know. This firm is one of the finest in Syracuse.

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Tim Mikusvia Google

over 5 years ago

They refused to look into an ongoing estate issue that involves a public organization that is supposed to help families but instead takes , looses, gives away family heirlooms and costs literally thousands and thousands of dollars acts like a bully and is about as transparent as lead underwear. This law firm came highly recommended because they are supposed to be the most powerful and the caved to the bully as well. This organization is tucked away in a private practice and has gone untouched with no checks or balances for years. I thought for sure these guys would help and unfortunately however not surprised I can now add them to the growing list of over 12 attorneys afraid to look into this.

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Alyna Raevia Google

about 6 years ago

This place represented a buyer for the sale of my multi family property. The client/ buyer just to say was very ill advised leading to a very shady deal and inappropriate dealings. Would warn anyone to please do some research before you choose to allow these people to represent you. I also find it quite interesting and very supportive to my claim that the first review on this page is stating in one word the same thing I am trying to warn people of. Shady! Of course only one star because you have to