Kathleen A. Cieslik

Competent estate planning, but communication could improve

I hired Kathleen Cieslik at Varnum's Birmingham office to help my family update our wills and establish a basic trust. Her knowledge in trusts and estates is evident, and I appreciated that she was recognized by Best Lawyers, which gave me confidence in her technical ability. She efficiently navigated the complexities of Michigan probate law and provided clear, legally sound documents. However, my experience was mixed. While the final work product was solid, there were noticeable delays in email responses, sometimes taking several business days for a reply. This created some anxiety during the process, as we had questions about beneficiary designations that lingered. The meetings themselves were professional, but I sometimes felt the explanations were a bit rushed, assuming a level of familiarity I didn't have. For straightforward estate planning, she gets the job done correctly. I just wish the client communication and management of expectations had been more consistent. She is a capable attorney, but the service aspect felt merely adequate.