Ron Wael Makarem did not tell me until too late that he lost all jury trials taken to completion even though he fraudulently advertises himself as an experienced trial lawyer. Ron Wael Makarem told me how he disdains Israel, after I voiced support for the country, and told me how he lost a trial because his clients were Muslims. Sir, you lost the trial because your lawsuit was frivolous and you are an incompetent jury trial lawyer. Makarem has committed misconduct during trial in Wolfson v. Tukatech, Inc., 2010 WL 3170521 (Cal. Ct. App. 2d Dist. Aug. 12, 2010). The court of appeal stated: "Because the record supports a finding that Makarem repeatedly argued unauthorized instructions whose flaws should have been obvious, even after repeated objections to those instructions were sustained, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its broad discretion by finding that misconduct occurred." I originally had high hopes for this firm based on their numerous misrepresentations and was emotionally devastated to find out they were not who they claimed to be. Makarem overbilled me outrageous hourly rates for producing next to nothing. This firm sure does like to print out huge trial binders from a template, put together by a legal assistant, then charge attorney rates with no intention of ever going to trial. After the Makarem fiasco, my new attorney from a different firm, Jeff Roberts, didn't find much use for these heavy useless "trial binders" filled with wasted paper. Jeff Roberts (Roberts Law Firm in Orange County) later won the trial for me despite being handed a case heavily damaged by Makarem and Associates. If I would have hired Jeff Roberts before Makarem, I strongly believe my judgment award would have been much higher. Ron Makarem used what he learned from the Cassel decision (Makarem was plaintiff attorney in Cassel decision, which Makarem lost) to commit and attempt to shield his legal malpractice actions during my mediation including assaulting an elderly relative (pushed back into his chair as he gathered things to leave), who was manipulated by Ron Makarem to fly out from the east coast for mediation to simply be used as a pawn. That relative subsequently filed a police report against Makarem for assault and battery and sought to press charges. Additionally, Makarem lied and stated that a settlement with defendant #2 would not be binding unless a global settlement was also made with defendant #1. He then proceeded to state the settlement was ratified with defendant #2 despite me not settling with defendant #1. This allowed defendant #1 to use the empty-chair defense at trial diluting the value and judgment of my case. Makarem even had the shamelessness to take a nap during mediation lying down by the window counting his billable hours. Although I still won despite Ron Makarem's and Jean-Paul's best attempts to derail my case, the judgment would have been much higher if it wasn't for Makarem's acts of legal malpractice. Makarem originally quoted a flat rate for trial, then later after I repeatedly insisted that I would not budge from refusing the defendant's insulting settlement offer and that I wanted to go forward with trial, Makarem then approximately tripled the rate (to over $120,000) as his way to demoralize and coerce me to give up and settle at a loss. I refused to be intimidated by Makarem's coercive, deceptive, and unethical behavior; Ron Makarem subsequently proceeded to file a motion to dump me as a client on the same day my mother was diagnosed with six months to live. I was completely overwhelmed and distracted by this news and focused on visiting my mother. This was Makarem's perfect exit point, after he had extracted all he could from me as his personal ATM machine; close to $80,000! I later found out that this was not the first time Makarem has taken advantage of sickness to scheme his way to advance his own position. Like a Machiavellian dictator, Makarem staged a "coup" at his old firm and took full control of it after his partner Steve Ruben had a heart attack and pushed Ruben out.

Ron Makarem and his entire staff of professionals handled a very difficult case for me in the best possible manner. He is highly experienced & knowledgeable, and made me feel like I was his only client......an attribute that is most unusual in his field. I was extremely pleased with the settlement terms of my case, and would not hesitate to recommend him to my family or friends in the future.