Andrea Fugate Balian

Competent and recognized, but communication could improve

I engaged Andrea Fugate Balian of Harris-Ginsberg LLP for a complex post-divorce modification involving child custody and support. Her 12 years of experience and recognition in Family Law by Best Lawyers were evident in her strategic approach to my case. She has a solid grasp of California family law and her advice during negotiations was sound, ultimately leading to an acceptable settlement. However, my experience was a mixed bag. While her legal expertise is not in question, I often found communication to be lacking. Responses to emails were sometimes delayed by several days, and there were instances where I felt I had to follow up repeatedly for updates. For straightforward legal matters, her competence is clear, but if you value frequent, proactive communication, you may need to set very clear expectations from the outset. She is a capable attorney, but the client service aspect felt just adequate.