Law Offices of Stephen Duringer

We’ve used them about 4 times for unlawful detainers (evictions) and haven’t had a problem with them. Everything went smoothly. They’re quick with emails, for us at least. We just do what we’re told, collect rent or not, issue this notice on this day, serve it via _​_​_​, etc.

Absolutely hate working with these people. Staff is unfriendly and unhelpful! I get passed around so much whenever I call. no follow up regarding the cases. If eviction process is new to you and don’t understand the process they don’t care to explain things patiently. They get very short and brisk when questions are asked. I would not work with them again!

I would give this office a –0 if I could, but for the sake of having to rate a 1, so I did. First and foremost the staff in this office are very RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL. I have called the office several times to conduct business, each and every time the secretairies have yelled at me or either hung up. Don’t even bother thinking that driving to this office will make things efficient and expedient. You will wait for an extended period of time in the lobby, while all the office staff stares you down, and does everything but assist you. And when someone comes to assist you, they are rude and will talk down to you. I have gone to this office and asked for an attorney I was working with, that I never met. I was told that the attorney wasn’t there, and asked to leave, and the attorney would be asked to contact me at a later time. As I was leaving, the attorney I asked for came out, and asked if I was gone yet. How unprofessional. I later returned on another occasion and again, waited for an extended period of time, before Eric Bautista came out to assist me, he was very rude and unprofessional. I was delivering goods and was prommised a receipt in return. He demanded the goods, however refused to provide a receipt as promised. I was later asked by this office to return to the office with the goods, in exchange for a receipt. I revisted the office and met with Stephen, he yelled at me and called me names and continued to use profanity. All for no reason. I would NEVER EVER refer or recommend anyone use this firm, unless they have money to lose. Do your research, his office is known for taking clients’ money and being unprepared for represenation. BEWARE!!!

I replaced my old lawyer with Steve Duringer because they have fought the tenant’s lawyer in court and supposedly won. Worse mistake ever. 2 weeks of work and slightly over $ 8000 for an eviction case that I was advised 2 weeks later to settle. Something my first lawyer asked me to do but I could not stomach giving the non-​paying tenant money. Well, 2 weeks later, Steve Duringer’s office recommended I settle because if I go to court it will cost me up to $ 20,000. Not what Steve Duringer quoted me in an email before I changed lawyers. I still have that email. So I called Mr Duringer to negotiate that bill. Nothing like your lawyer turning on you. He was firm and did all the talking. If you want to see the email with his quote and the final bill, just ask me. Steve Duringer said my situation required a discovery and deposition which they did not know about when I transferred with them. They knew the DAY AFTER I signed up. What about recommending I settle right after you got my file because of the cost involved. You charged around $ 1200 just to view the file. Another close to $ 5000 for the discovery and deposition. Those costs were never mentioned the day you got my file. But two weeks later, you recommend a settlement. And I still did not know what I owed you. The shock came later when I got the bill. All I wanted was a lawyer I could trust, and now I feel betrayed.

When I first used the company starting about a year ago I was treated with respect and the staff knew me by name. Now there is a turn over in staff so when I call I need to explain who I am over and over each day I call. Then came a unlawful detainer, This is my first time challenged in ten years, I was told don’t worry It will be fine. Now the dead beat tenant has a Lawyer asking for money to move !!! They have no lease and its non rent control and have been there 3 months without paying rent !! Oh now there Lawyer wants a jury trial, I was told they cant get one. We were scheduled to go to trial. I showed up for the trial with 4 Witnesses to disproved the tenants lies. No attorney showed up to represent me. I was panicking then at the last minute it was passed off to another attorney who was there. She never asked me anything about my case then went in front of the judge and acted like a meek pussy cat !! The defendants attorney was in complete control and dominated the court to get what he wanted !! We wasted our whole day, Myself, the Manager, The handyman, The HVAC repair company employee, And the pest control employee. Seven hours wasted. I called Steve the owner, he told me «you don’t understand the California legal system» !! He started talking down to me for the third time and I have had enough! The were negligent to say the least by not having an attorney who is familiar with my case and defend us against the bully lawyer that was representing the dead beat tenant. Now we are waiting for another trial date but wont be going with Durenger Law Group take my advise look elsewhere for a lawyer.

Right from the beginning I got bad vibes, impatient & rude staff & Steve, the owner, impatient but overly happy & wise-​cracking (strange). They listened very little & gave zero instructions, no problem, it’s a simple eviction — if there is anything significant I’m sure they will tell me.
For 3 months I let them do their thing & they let me do my thing, including rent collection … oops. case dismissed even before the trial. Steve told me it was very stupid of me to collect the rent, ok, but lots of people are ignorant of the law. Aren’t «retained» attorneys obligated to look-​out for their clients, stupid or not, wasn’t his obligation to admonish me in regards to the the most basic & obvious mistakes a (his) client would make? Although the case never went to trial, he refuses to return my original retainer & requires a new retainer if I want to go forward with him.

I highly recommend Stephen Duringer and his staff for your legal needs. He and his great staff have handled many evictions and legal matters for me and my family. They have also been helpful to several of my landlords with problem tenants. I have found them to always be professional, honest and extremely knowledgeable.

Just had another that Duringer won for us. Now they’re helping collect the outstanding amount.

I’ve worked with Steve for 15 years in my portfolio. His firm has been attentive, professional and speedy. Cindy is especially amazing! I highly recommend Steve!

This place is a rip off! I went from trying to get my tenant to pay me rent, to trying to get Duringer Law to pay me back my deposit. The customer service is some of the worst I’ve ever had. Every time I was on the phone with one of the receptionists, one girl’s name was Melissa, they were incredibly rude. It was as if I was inconveniencing them, and making them have to actually provide help. They are very impatient, and I will absolutely under no circumstances do business with them again.

Save your money and find an attorney that’s not a rip off! I did all the filing and serving and all they needed to do was show up in court. Should have cost me about $ 400 max. 10 minutes court time, and filing documents. Cost $ 1000, what a rip off! Do not use them!