Contemplating Hiring Attorney for Countrywide Mod Attempt

[johnamac5]

Mr. Molinaro:

Do the attorneys in your office give out their email addresses? I called Mr. Hilton 7:30 this morning, as he instructed, but he didn't answer, and he has yet to return my call. I much prefer email since I like to have things in writing to reference if I need to.

Thanks!

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

First Initial Last Name AT fransenandmolinaro.com

-Paul

[Nathan Fransen Esq.]

I wanted to chime in on some of the new happenings at F&M. Currently we have 6 attorneys along with support staff. We have decided to increase our ratio of attorneys to staff members. There are many useful things that our staff can do, but there are limitations. Our goal specifically is to make sure that clients get ample communication and direction from an attorney within our firm. We have always mandated that every client talk to an attorney prior to being accepted as a client. We feel it is critical to properly set expectations and frankly if i was paying money to a law firm, i would absolutely want to talk with an attorney before doing so. With our changes, there will be increased involvement from our attorneys, even more so than at present. We feel this will allow us to provide a better service to our clients and accomplish greater results. With our staff adjustments, we have let go of several employees. These changes may have caused some unintended confusion. We are doing everything we can do resolve this as quickly as possible.

Nathan Fransen

[johnamac5]

Mr. Molinaro - thanks for the email info, but it comes back undeliverable. I'll just try to call later.

Mr. Fransen - question for you. I was told your office was referring non CA residents to local attorneys. Is this mandated or is this a client's choice? Can an out of state client continue with your firm if they want?

[deeezldoc]

Hello all. I started this thread and wanted to give an update. I have been very frustrated with g and a, and have spoken to pernell agdeppa and nathan fransen several times. I had a great conversation with nathan fransen yesterday evening. He has been courteous and is working hard to help me-i trust that his staff will get the best loan mod possible. I sense that nathan, his partner and staff are settling in and they are trying to help. Look at my earlier posts and you can see that it has been an uphill battle. I'm betting that f and m will be able to help. Hope this helps. I will update this thread with the results of my loan mods.

[Andrew]

Check your email

[Nathan Fransen Esq.]

johnamac5,
We are encouraging clients to obtain local counsel. Although we have worked as co-counsel in some out of state matters, we are continually looking at ways to see how we can better serve our clients, and to that end this is our recommendation.

deezldoc,
Thank you for the kind words. I look forward to discussing the success of your matter.

[Andrew]

johnamac5
alex@modifyloan.net should work

[gorvieto]

So, I retained G&A earlier this month to help with a forensic loan audit (found them by calling the 800 number on this site). I was dealing with a Legal Assistant who starting this Monday on his email signature says "Law Offices of Fransen and Molinaro". All my documents were signed with A&G though. I was also told on Tuesday that my file was transferred to Pernell Agdeppa's assistant. What does this mean? Who is representing me: A&G or F&M?

Moe - you are saying that the main reason why you are no longer advertising for A&G is because they simply cannot take more clients. Are there any other reasons? If I have paid to retain their services, should I be concerned?

Thank you.

[gorvieto]

Update to my last post ...
I just got off the phone with G&A's main office. For those of you who have already retained the services of G&A and are confused about who you need to contact, here are some points:
1- If you call 888-432-6634 you will get the front desk for Fransen and Molinaro, not Griswold and Agdeppa. DON'T CALL THAT NUMBER.
2- Anyone that was previously working for both firms is more than likely now working only for F&M, so if you paid G&A then those that were working with you (legal assistants, auditors, etc) will tell you that your file has been 'transferred' to someone else. This means that G&A took their files and totally moved them from F&M people.
3- You can call G&A's main office line. The person who answers the phone is not simply a receptionist, but someone that knows about the cases and files. She can give you info and more importantly SCHEDULE A CALL with the attorney, who after all is the one who can answer your questions.
4- G&A's direct line is 951-284-2148. This is the number you should call (again, only if you have already paid G&A).
When you get the appt. with the attorney make sure that you have a list of questions/concerns. I have spoken to Pernell Agdeppa in the past, and he seems like a good attorney. I like that he does not BS you. He'll tell you things the way they are, but at the same time won't treat you like an idiot for asking.
I believe that the recent confusion has come from G&A working together with F&M and that there really wasn't a clear division between the two firms. Now that they are "officially" split I don't see why people should have problems getting in touch with G&A.
Thanks.

[Moe Bedard]

Because of the employee transfer , phone issue and number of calls, it caused a bit of confusion on all sides of the equation. I apologize but i am here as well as the attorneys and their staff to expedite requests or concerns.

If you can email me your first and last name, I will forward it to Griswold and Agdeppa (G&A) to verify since that is who you have paid. I'll investigate and get verification. I am sure it is with G&A and the legal assistant now may work for Fransnen & Molinaro (F&M)

[Moe Bedard]

Thanks Gorvieto! I was typing and on the phone when you had posted your update.

[Paul Molinaro Esq.]

Again, and I know I'm getting that broken record thing going here, but G&A and F&M were NEVER working as one firm. We have always been two firms. I know because I am the M in F&M. That said, several weeks ago (maybe over a month now) a slew of people who had been performing services for G&A became employees of F&M. Once that occurred, they worked only for F&M. F&M not only took on that staff, but leased the building and equipment that these people had been using... we needed more room... thus they kept working in the same building and using existing phone system... the main F&M office is only a few hundred yards away from that building, so we did not think it was a big deal... that sai, it was a big deal... and caused confusion... but fortunately confusion was all... the files and clients are all being handled... it has taken a lot of hard work and overtime hours from my staff, but I am proud of them for taking on the challenge and handling every F&M client well with regard to the actual matter... though our phone service needs to be improved.
- Paul