Brown Dutton & Crider Law Firm - Marietta, Georgia

Tawanda C.

I am so pleased with the outcome of my case. Carrie was excellent to work with. She initially helped me to understand what my situation was from a legal point of view and what options I had to pursue. Carrie counseled me and put my mind at ease with a lot of things I had been worried about in what turned out to be a high-conflict case. Ultimately, the case was resolved in a just and equitable manner, which is the outcome I was hoping for. Carrie and her team were very professional and helped provide a soothing calmness during a difficult time. I recommend working with the firm if you're looking at different options since my case was resolved in a manner that exceeded my expectations.

Kathleen W.

Carrie has been an amazing attorney. Her commitment to our case was above and beyond what you would expect from a law firm. We started with a foster care case that moved to an adoption case. It took a very long time ( 5 years ), and Carrie stuck with us. We had a very complicated case that spanned over two states. She worked the plan and used the law for our benefit. She always communicated honestly and with confidence in our situation. My husband and I would use her again and recommend her to all that would need family attorney.

F K.

I regret to share my disappointing experience with Brown Dutton & Crider, specifically, Carrie Owens, one of their divorce attorneys, during my complex divorce case. Despite spending over $18,000, the firm achieved only one significant milestone: dismissal of the temporary protective order through a compromise agreement that presumed guilt, despite my later acquittal by jury verdict.

Communication and advocacy issues became apparent during my case. When I raised concerns about billing practices and hearing preparation, my assigned attorney, Carie Owens, withdrew from representation at a critical juncture. The billing practices were concerning - I was charged for administrative tasks like court notifications about attorney leave, which are typically submitted electronically as batch filings. Additionally, despite my known financial vulnerability and the lack of significant case progress, the firm charged me a substantial fee even for their withdrawal from my case.

The firm appeared to operate with a high-volume approach that lacked personalized attention. I felt my representatives presumed guilt rather than advocating for my position, while maximizing billable hours. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend their services.

Update to firm's response to my review:

Thank you for your reply. While I appreciate your response, I feel it's important to clarify several factual inaccuracies:

1. I was not merely "dismissed" of criminal charges as you stated. My case proceeded to trial where a jury reached a "not guilty" verdict, completely exonerating me.

2. My concerns about representation quality were substantive, not baseless allegations. Specifically, my attorney arrived inadequately prepared for the mediation - a critical proceeding that directly impacted my case outcomes.

3. While I did request you remain as counsel during a vulnerable point in my case, this was due to the timing constraints and potential harm to my position - not because I was satisfied with the representation.

4. The TPO dismissal you reference came via a compromised consent agreement that inherently presumed guilt, despite my later vindication by jury. This approach fundamentally failed to advocate for my position.

5. The billing practices I questioned remain concerning. While you provided explanations, certain practices such as individually billing for batch-filed court notifications still appear excessive relative to the actual work performed.

6. Your characterization of the withdrawal as "amicable" is misleading. I specifically objected to your proposed withdrawal, requiring you to seek judicial approval - hardly an amicable separation.

7. Most concerningly, while your withdrawal was still pending, my former spouse filed a contempt motion. Despite remaining attorney of record during this critical period, your firm failed to represent me at the contempt hearing, leaving me vulnerable at a pivotal moment in the proceedings.

8. Despite my known financial vulnerability and limited progress on my case, you still charged a hefty fee for your withdrawal - adding financial injury to the professional abandonment.

I believe these clarifications provide important context regarding my experience with your firm. My review reflects genuine concerns about advocacy, preparation, billing practices, and abandonment that significantly impacted my case.

And finally, the reason my review is TWO years after I was a client of your firm is because the case just recently came to conclusion. Your firm's failures in the case is one of the reasons it took so long to conclude.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Tish K.

I hired Jenni Brown the first time in 2012. I was impressed with her legal skills and fairness when logging hours to charge my account, so when I needed legal advice again, I hired Jenni and Lance Dutton in 2021.

Over the near decade working with Jenni and now Lance, I have also referred several friends and colleagues to their firm. I can’t thank Jenni and Lance enough for how they fought for me and my children recently when I found myself in what I thought was a losing abusive battle. Needless to say, they won my case and set my kids and I up safely.

Thank you, Jenni and Lance!

faustooliveira1

I cannot recommend Lance highly enough. From the moment I first consulted with him, I felt confident that my case was in the best hands. Lance demonstrated exceptional professionalism, compassion, and expertise throughout the entire process.

He took the time to understand my situation fully and worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome for my family. Lance always kept me informed, explaining every step in a way that was easy to understand and made sure I was comfortable with the decisions being made.

He went above and beyond to advocate for my rights and the needs of my children, making a very stressful process much more manageable. I am incredibly grateful for Lance’s dedication and hard work. If you’re looking for a family/ child support attorney who truly cares about their clients and delivers results, look no further!

Corrie W.

I had the privilege of working with Lance Dutton on a family law case, and I cannot speak highly enough of the experience. From the very beginning, Lance demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, empathy, and expertise. Navigating the complexities of family law can be incredibly stressful, but Lance made sure I was informed and supported every step of the way.

What stood out most was Lance's ability to listen attentively to my concerns and provide clear, actionable advice. Whether it was through phone calls, emails, or in-person meetings, I always felt like my case was a priority. Lance was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the law but also compassionate in understanding the emotional aspects of family matters.

Throughout the entire process, Lance fought diligently for my best interests, always keeping me updated and explaining each decision. I felt completely confident that I was in capable hands, and the outcome of my case exceeded my expectations.

If you're looking for a family law attorney who genuinely cares for their clients, I wholeheartedly recommend Lance. He is truly exceptional, and I am incredibly grateful for him and his team's support.

Ken H.

Lance Dutton is fantastic. From the first time we talked about my family law case to its closing, I found him to be very easy to work. Moreover, he gave me great advice, was always available, and was professional and informative. I highly recommend him!

Cori J.

I actually found Jenny through Tik Tok. When she heard the details of my case, she referred me to her colleague and partner Lance. My case is an absolute mess and he has been able to dig deep into every law and every detail of my life to show the truth And to think outside of the box to paint a full picture of reality. My daughter and I were desperate for the right person to be able to help us. And while the outcome of my case is still hanging in the balances, I know no matter what happens. I had the most amazing person representing me and fighting for my daughter and myself