Nanette Augustin McCarthy

anonymous · family law · May 2026

I hired this law firm and I paid $ 5000 upfront, initially I talked to one lawyer, but, after payment I was assigned to a different one with way less experience! My husband and I came to An agreement and settled the case in about a month and half time, so basically not a lot was done in my case at al l as there were no disputes! My case ended October 3rd ! I received multiple invoices with unbelievable amounts and now even after ending the case they keep billing me and asking me to pay another$ 2000 on top of the $5000! I he worst part is they sent me a bill for temporary maintenance charges for NOV 11th way more than one month after ending my case! Go figure.. Rip off artists and money hungry! Someone needs to investigate this law firm and their overcharges and reimburse people who are cheated by them!

Greg · family law · May 2026

After 6 months, 2 court dates and $5000 in legal fees, Robert and his senior associate Renata Musial were unable to establish any visitation, custody, parenting time or child support agreements and withdrew themselves from our custody case. --- We arranged for a consultation and on-boarding with Ro bert in November 2022 following a Petition for Parentage for my son in the Cook County Circuit Court. Robert initially assured us that with a $2500 retainer, he could use his expertise to get us visitation somewhere between 2 weeks to a month through the use of emergency visitation rights. After on-boarding, we later found out the following week that Robert was not going to actually be handling the case but instead, trusted us to his paralegals and senior associate Renata. They immediately scrapped the possibility of filing for emergency visitation and began working on financial reviews. It turns out that during this time, Renata had "assumed that opposing counsel would agree to paternity" and by New Years Eve, after realizing this was not the case, a paternity would need to be ordered (18 DAYS BEFORE COURT) that she claimed would be covered by the court fee waiver. After many visits at Daley Center, city clerks had to explain to her over the phone that the court fee waiver would not cover test. We had to go back to the DNA center once again the following week and finally pay out of pocket as it turned out that the legal team did not file the case as the fee-waiver approved judicial type. By the first court hearing January 20th, judge dismissed session as paternity had still not been established, resulting in wasted court appearance and zero progress two months after onboarding with Robert. By this time, retainer had been completely used on financial reviews that were not yet necessary due to unconfirmed paternity tests and Robert was requesting an additional $1600 in fees for work they had done. We should have jumped ship at this point but after many complaints, Robert reduced bill to $700 and apologized for mishaps. Our next court appearance was for March 27th and we figured that the positive paternity results would make smooth sailing. Instead, Renata and newest paralegals had requested that we re-visit the previously compiled/completed financial affidavits from months before, citing that too much time had gone by. This incurred an additional several hundred dollars and additional discovery requests from the opposing counsel, all of which could have been completed at once now rather than months in advance at the cost of missing paternity deadlines. A week before next hearing, Renata provided what she believed to be a good offer: 1.5 hours of supervised parenting time per week at a museum 50 miles away from both the mother and I, with the condition of 10-panel ($500) drug test despite no criminal or drug abuse history or evidence of such. We had to point out to Renata that not only is this offer absolutely insane, but Illinois drug test court order form itself requires "evidence of potential drug abuse pursuant to IL Rule 215 (a)" which she previously dismissed at not applicable. At next court appearance on March 27th, because I was sick with stomach ailments, my parents sat in on the zoom hearing. It lasted all but 5 minutes and per their witness, opposing counsel made a series of unsubstantiated allegations concerning potential drug abuse until the judge asked for evidence which they could not provide. Renata remained quiet entire time and provided absolutely no defense to accusations nor did she bring up potential visitation or parenting time despite fact that paternity had finally been established. Zero progress again and we received her withdrawal 2 days later. We appreciate Robert's corporate professionalism but his team's mismanagement and inexperience has cost us thousands of dollars, zero results and valuable parenting time.

Agnes · family law · May 2026

I don’t normally post long reviews, but my experience with Buchanan Law Group was so costly and stressful that I feel obligated to warn others. I hired this firm for my divorce case, which should have been straightforward since my husband and I agreed on everything. Yet my case dragged on for a full year, and I spent nearly $20,000 with nothing completed and no meaningful progress to show for it. I ultimately had to hire a new attorney just to finally close out my file. The biggest issue was that the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) and Allocation Judgment were never completed correctly, despite being billed for more than 15 hours of “drafting,” “reviewing,” “revising,” and “case reviews.” Important components I requested such as the child schedule, true-up language, and a provisional clause were never added, even after months of corrections and repeated emails from me. I often received “revised” documents that looked nearly identical to previous versions. Communication was poor throughout the entire case. I was never informed that a scheduled court date had been stricken. Whenever I asked questions by email, the responses were vague, incomplete, or evasive, forcing me to send multiple follow-ups just to get basic clarity. This made an already difficult time even more confusing and stressful. The billing practices were some of the worst I’ve encountered. They bill bi-weekly, and the moment your retainer dips or you go a single week without replenishing it, you receive an email threatening that they will file a motion to withdraw from your case. Meanwhile, they burn through your retainer performing constant “case reviews” and “review settlement emails” that resulted in zero progress. It often felt like they were billing for the sake of billing not to move the case forward. I was also charged attorney rates for blatantly clerical tasks like: – Adding a case number – Saving documents – Gathering and emailing files – Basic filing tasks These were billed at $325/hour, which is shocking considering the lack of actual legal progress. Perhaps the most serious issue was the mishandling of the SDU and child support filing. The paperwork was submitted incorrectly, which caused delays in my child support payments. I had to notify the firm that payments were not being processed due to their errors and then I was billed for their responses about the issue that they caused. After a year of constant “case reviews,” vague explanations, incorrect filings, and thousands of dollars wasted, I still did not have a completed MSA or Allocation. I ultimately had to hire a new attorney to finish what this firm never did. My experience with Buchanan Law Group and Rebecca LaRocque was extremely disappointing and financially draining. If you are considering this firm, please proceed with caution and monitor every invoice, every draft, and every communication. I genuinely wish someone had warned me before I spent so much time, money, and emotional energy with so little to show for it.

David · May 2026

They have automated system no live person they want your money that’s all run don’t go get

anonymous · litigation · May 2026

Withdrew from my case after spending more than what I originally was told I would have to. Zero communication throughout case. Spent many nights worrying about the status of my case, Irina, Robert, and Rebecca purposefully kept communication to a minimum to run up the bill. Highly recommend looking a t any firm other than this one.

Feliza · family law · May 2026

I retained Jonathan Steele and his firm, Beermann LLP, for nearly 12 years and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for representation in a high-conflict family law case. In 2025, I was forced to change counsel after discovering—on my own—that Beermann was involved in a federal lawsuit where my judg e was a named defendant. The lawsuit was repeatedly referenced by the opposing party, who even quoted Mr. Steele as saying, “We’ve got (our current judge).” Despite this lawsuit actively undermining my case, Mr. Steele never disclosed it or advised me of the clear conflict of interest. He continued billing me for work affected by it and failed in his ethical duty of transparency. When I respectfully transitioned to new counsel, he ignored all efforts to resolve my final bill—including requests for a payment plan and reference to a discount he had previously agreed to via text. Then he appeared in court to file a fee petition, knowing I had been actively trying to settle. Jonathan’s actions felt retaliatory and showed a complete lack of integrity. I strongly advise others to seek counsel elsewhere.

anonymous · family law · May 2026

I wish I had discovered Jonathan/Beermann Law during my divorce proceedings. He is kind, caring, thoughtful, and an exceptional attorney. He resolved a long-standing post-divorce issue for me quickly and professionally. I recommend him highly for his expertise, compassion, and diligence. Hopefully, I will never need a lawyer again, but if I do, I will contact him for guidance or a referral.

Feliza · family law · May 2026

I retained Jonathan Steele and his firm, Beermann LLP, for nearly 12 years and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for representation in a high-conflict family law case. In 2025, I was forced to change counsel after discovering—on my own—that Beermann was involved in a federal lawsuit where my judg e was a named defendant. The lawsuit was repeatedly referenced by the opposing party, who even quoted Mr. Steele as saying, “We’ve got (our current judge)", implying improper influence.” Despite this lawsuit actively undermining my case, Mr. Steele never disclosed it or advised me of the clear conflict of interest. He continued billing me for work affected by it and failed in his ethical duty of transparency. When I respectfully transitioned to new counsel, he ignored all efforts to resolve my final bill—including requests for a payment plan and reference to a discount he had previously agreed to via text. Then he appeared in court to file a fee petition, knowing I had been actively trying to settle. Jonathan’s actions felt retaliatory and showed a complete lack of integrity. I strongly advise others to seek counsel elsewhere.

Adreana · family law · May 2026

I hired, Jonathan Steele, to represent me in a domestic violence case, and I am more than grateful for his exceptional work and support. My case was quite difficult, as it involved personal and business matters intertwined, multiple forms of abuse, and custody for my dog. Mr. Steele’s experience, co mpassion, and guidance, ultimately got me through the most difficult and confusing time of my life. From the beginning, to the very end, he kept me informed, advised, and overall prepared for every step in my case. Most gratefully, he lead and represented me to the end, in which I was granted my protective order, and (I’m most thankful for) was finally granted full custody of my dog, who’d been taken from me, before we began this legal process. Whatever the case is, I’m more than confident, there is absolutely no better representation, other than Jonathan Steele. Thank you endlessly for your support, and for all you have done throughout my case!!!

anonymous · family law · May 2026

I cannot thank Jonathan D. Steele enough for the outstanding legal support he provided during my divorce. From the moment I reached out to him, I knew I was in capable hands. Jonathan’s expertise in family law is unparalleled, but what truly sets him apart is his unique combination of legal acumen an d cutting-edge cybersecurity knowledge. When I first hired Jonathan, I was dealing with a high-conflict divorce where both my financial well-being and personal safety were at risk. Not only did Jonathan skillfully navigate the complexities of the divorce process, but he also detected something I hadn’t even suspected—my spouse was secretly surveilling me. Thanks to Jonathan’s keen technical expertise, he identified this violation and immediately took steps to protect both my privacy and that of my daughter. His guidance was invaluable throughout the entire process. Jonathan didn’t just handle the legal side; he went above and beyond to ensure that my digital and personal security were safeguarded. He walked me through essential steps to protect my devices, accounts, and data, which provided me with peace of mind during a time of extreme uncertainty. His advice was practical, easy to follow, and made me feel empowered to take control of my situation. Jonathan's approach was holistic—he understood that my legal challenges weren’t just about the law, but also about protecting my family and my future. He provided clear, honest communication at every step, and his calm, strategic demeanor in court helped me feel confident that I was being represented by someone who truly had my best interests at heart. What also impressed me about Jonathan is his comprehensive knowledge of the law, paired with his technical certifications in cybersecurity. He’s not just an expert in family law, but also in understanding the evolving digital threats that can affect individuals in complex divorce proceedings. This rare blend of skills gave me an edge in a very challenging situation and ultimately led to the best possible outcome. If you’re facing a complex divorce or need an attorney who truly understands the intersection of family law and technology, Jonathan Steele is the one you want by your side. I’m incredibly grateful for his dedication, expertise, and the security he provided during one of the most difficult times of my life. Thank you, Jonathan, for everything!

Alice · family law · May 2026

It is with the highest regard that I recommend Nanette McCarthy of Griffin, McCarthy and Rice LLP. Nanette represented me in my 2018 divorce. Her expertise and experience in family law and her determination to achieve a fair outcome were apparent when navigating through the challenges of my divorce. The longevity of my marriage and a complicated financial situation made settlement negotiations difficult. Nanette and her associate, Lisa Cervone, displayed tremendous analytical skill and tenacity necessary to maneuver through a web of financial complexities. Nanette’s guidance during the arduous process of property division helped to keep us moving forward. Any contention or road blocks were met with logic, pertinent information and a calm professional demeanor. Nanette made herself available for communication, kept me aware of all correspondence or documents, involving me in all decisions. Nanette is clearly a knowledgeable and well prepared attorney. I always felt that she and her associates were committed to my best interests during an extremely difficult, life changing event. She is dedicated to her clients while maintaining the highest regard for the law.

Emily · family law · May 2026

I worked with Molly and Nanette at their practice during my 2018 divorce. I had original hired another lawyer and quickly realized I needed to change to get a fair deal. Divorce is hard and I'm still salty about the financial outcome, but it was a best case scenario situation with my ex who was askin g for a a lot. I really felt heard while working with them.

peter · family law · May 2026

My divorce came out of nowhere and it turned out my (x)spouse had planned this for years. The divorce started out simple enough with each of us having what I would say are nice lawyers. Suddenly, my spouse changed gears, fired her lawyer and went with another lawyer who had no problem instilling hate and high hopes to my spouse of what could happen if we really go after this 'guy.' I immediately realized that this is going to be a contentious, hate filled journey. To protect myself and my children I sought new attorneys that could handle the onslaught of legal action coming at me. My cousin is an attorney to whom I asked if he could recommend a top divorce attorney. He mentioned Nanette McCarthy as someone I should consider. After contacting Nanette and giving a brief description of what had happened thus far, she scheduled a meeting between us early the next morning. We immediately went to the business of protecting my rights. There were such low points in this ordeal and looking back I'm so happy that I went through it with Nanette's firm. Throughout the near 4 year ordeal Nanette and her wonderful associates could not have handled the case in a more professional, caring, yet aggressive manner. Constantly faced with harsh opposition, my attorneys kept a steady forward push to maintain and enforce my rights. Having the proper attorney during this major life changing time is so very important. From the parenting agreement to the splitting of assets, you will not find a better firm to represent your rights during this extremely complicated, emotional, delicate and exhausting process.

Lauren Dillon · family law · May 2026

From intake to resolution, GMR was professional, level-headed, equitable, & a diplomatically-fierce advocate for me & child. Cannot say enough good about this firm. I could sleep at night (sometimes only) because I knew Nanette, Molly, and a Higher Power fully had me in their competent hands. While t he system is fraught with frustrations, inconsistencies and slowdowns, GMR did their best to provide context, head off troubles, and be empathetic. They know the space, the people, the power dynamics, and the strategy to navigate the courts for the betterment of families & children. At no point did they contribute to our already-fragmenting family; instead, they sought the betterment of all. This set them apart.

Joni · family law · May 2026

Nanette McCarthy handled my divorce, and somehow managed to make an extremely stressful situation completely manageable. I could not have been happier with how quickly she got back to me after each hearing, and how expertly she handled what was kind of a sticky divorce. I was relieved and totally sa tisfied with the resolution of my case. I can’t say enough nice things about her professionalism and know-how. Worth every penny and then some!