Brown Hay & Stephens - Springfield, Illinois

Michelle Q.

I hate leaving reviews like this but I don’t want to see anybody else get screwed over like I did. Please look elsewhere for a family lawyer, Robert Rolland Cross didn’t even stand behind me and I had forked over thousands. I spent my life savings fighting for my boys and ended up with nothing. I had to beg this man to do his job and defend me. He never subpoenaed needed documentation for my case, he ended up withdrawing like a coward. He takes your money and leaves you without representation.
In the end I ended up representing myself and did a better job. Please read these reviews, I wish they were here when I hired him a few years ago.

Update: I represented myself against my ex and although it was extra work, I got my boys back. I now volunteer helping other single parents that are financially drained by their exes and scammy attorneys.I just wish I had that $$ I gave this law firm and took my boys to Disney.

Chatham C.

This is my first review ever as I believe businesses do try their absolute best. Mrs Schmidt agreed to a case without any detail was passed to Eric Riplinger and told they would both work on my case in fact never heard from Mrs Schmidt again. 5 years later some delays in accounting I have spent thousands of dollars pushing emails trying to get a situation resolved. Finally gentleman named mr cross then was handed my case after no response or updates and missed deadlines I start the same process get with Mr cross. After forwarding all information needed. I was told that I missed some deadline but no clear indication or help on what was missing. No document showing what deadline and what I missed. Next a withdraw letter from my case and another $800 bill. Zero help zero representation I am certain and very possible I was confused on many matters but no response or explanation nor items promised to help protect my interest. Almost seems criminal. Buyer beware.

Kimberly A.

My husband had Rolland Cross as a GAL in his custody case. In all of my years working in child protection, I’ve never seen a GAL so unconcerned, and unwilling to get to the bottom of the truth. His ego lead him through everything instead of the truth. You can see other reviews on here that say that it’s almost as if Rolland was picked on as a child, and now is a bully to the “cool kids” as revenge. I also believe this to be true.

In the end, my husband turned Rolland into the ARDC to report his shortcomings. Unfortunately, the ARDC could not investigate Rolland because my husband was never Rob’s actual client, however; I do think that if it weren’t for that small technicality, there would have been an investigation.

My opinion is to avoid Rolland Cross at all costs if you want a fair solution.

Scott

My parents, colleagues, and I have leveraged the value of this firm for a variety of different legal needs. We have definitely been very pleased with the legal advice/support provided at every step.

They have assisted in divorce proceedings, crafting of wills, real estate transactions, letters of incorporation, navigation of non-compete employment contracts, commercial purchase negotiations/contract redlining, and much more. I would highly recommend this group if asked!!

Marty L.

My original lawyer was Erica Riplinger. She was professional, and in my opion an exceptional lawyer. She will fight for you and what you wanted. Communication is through emails, which is a little strange but it gets the job done. Erica went on maternity leave and I was assigned Roland R Cross. This was the worst thing that ever happened. Mr. Cross is very unprofessional and will agree with other lawyer, and is very arrogant. He will not fight for you and if something doesn't go his way, he will withdraw from your case. This is my story. My middle son called his mom while with me for the weekend to ask if he could stay longer. She said no. He left her a mean message because he wasn't happen he couldn't stay. My ex than sent the message to her lawyer and she emailed my lawyer. Mr Cross did not contact me first to ask what my side of the story was. He just agreed with other lawyer that I "coached" my son into saying what he did. This was wrong and I did not "coach" him in any way. I emailed Mr Cross telling him I did not do such a thing. He than emailed me back and said "I still think it is coach". Let me tell you, I lost all faith in him at that time. I emailed him letting him know I was not happy with his services and wanted Erica back. Postpone my hearing until she gets back, I asked. He spoke on Erica's behalf and said Erica could not handle my case now. He withdraw. I evern said in an email, If you are willing to fight for me, I have no problem with you as my lawyer. I just want someone to fight as if it were there own case. This would have NEVER happened if Erica was not on maternity leave. This should tell all of you to STAY away from Roland R Cross. I would even stay away from this law firm. It is not worth it guys. In my opion, he should be disbared and should never be in a court room.

Boozka W.

Roland Cross is very arrogant, unprofessional, sides or agrees with your ex wife attorney. You do NOT want this guy representing you. He will not fight for you at all. And if something doesnt go his way he'll withdraw from the case like a little baby. This is how he is in control of you. If that makes since. It is almost like he was bullied in school and now takes it out on clients. Just read the other comments other people posted about him.

Mushroom M.

This review is an edit from my original one. My original review was a simple one sentence and based off my initial consultation with the firm.

I was referred to Brown, Hay & Stephens by a reputable attorney with whom I had an existing relationship with who does not offer criminal defense.
I was told they were very good, "impressive to see in action" were this person's exact words.
So I took their advice and got in contact with Brown, Hay & Stephens.
My attorney was Dan Fultz, and when we met for the first time he explained part of what his approach would be. He said he would get some of my charges dropped on the basis of technicalities. He also assured me in that first meeting that I was not going to be looking at jail time. He took my case and even agreed to a payment plan to make it easier for me.
So, my spirits lifted, I was EAGER to sign on the dotted line and agree to his proposal.
As a little back story, the first attorney I tried to hire before learning of this firm, had "unofficially" agreed to take my case. During this time I had a first hearing which I thought that other attorney just mentioned would be present to represent me. But since he and I did not have an agreement in place, I did technically "no show." Well I told Dan about this and he contacted the state's attorney to see if I had a warrant issued. He said that he would let me know later that day if there was a warrant. I did not hear from him later that day. I had to call his office again to get a clear answer, and I was told "no, there are no warrants for you."
Dan then said he would submit an entry (or whatever) to my case as my counsel and speak with state's attorney about any missed hearings. Well I don't know what happened or where the screw up was, but later that week I was pulled over and arrested for failure to appear. I called Dan before the cop cuffed me and left him a message. He called right back and said he didn't know why this had happened but would talk with State's attorney. So later that day when I posted bond and called Dan again, he said they had told him it must have been a miscommunication somewhere....yeah, right. But okay, whatever, ultimately I'm the one who was responsible for making sure me or my lawyer was there at that hearing, so I should be the one to pay the price.

After that little snafu, he and I didn't speak for many months.

Then we had the Corona virus hit and close courthouses across the nation, so there couldn't be any progress for anyone. Fast forward about a year and Dan and I have another phone call. In this call he informed me that the state wants me to do jail time. I was shocked, because of his overly confident tone about me not seeing any jail time, which is what convinced me to hire this firm. He didn't explain anything about whether or not he viewed body camera footage. Did not say anything about those technicalities that were supposed to get some charges dropped. In fact, he didn't have any suggestions for how we might counter offer, or ANY kind of defensive maneuvering. He basically listened to my reaction and said he could get a continuance.

So here I've paid literally thousands of dollars for a glorified, extremely expensive public defender.

The thing is my crime did not hurt anyone, and it wasn't against any other person. I have intentionally been vague and not given any identifying information here because I fear retaliation. Most people know that these lawyers all have social relationships where they bump elbows, and trade a loss here for a win there. My crimes were wrought of a serious addiction problem, an overly eager prescription writing doctor, and I have dealt with that and made tremendous personal progress.

Do I deserve to just walk away scott-free, no I do not. Is it Dan's fault that the state wants to see me, the Big Bad Wolf, locked up? I imagine not. But for a professional on this level to make promises they cannot keep, just to suck a prospective client in, is partially the reason why lawyers get a bad wrap.

Do yourself a favor and steer clear of this firm.

Cyrus W.

My wife and I started working with Brown Hay & Stephens a little more than a year ago to do our estate planning. In the time since, we have had the opportunity to work with and get to know a few of the attorneys on their team. In my experience, I have found them to be nothing short of responsive, professional, and thorough.

If anyone asks me for a lawyer recommendation, this is where I’ll send them.