BUYER BEWARE: This firm was hired to appeal my county assessment. After presenting my case (which they believed went well), I received the county notice informing me my value didn't change. The best part was the reasoning, "EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO CHANGE VALUE". Isn't this the only reason why anyone would hire a law firm...to pull and provide the proper evidence! That's the whole reason for their existence! I spoke with my Trautman representative who informed me he believed they did their job and it's a standard county excuse (not buying it). I asked for the evidence they presented during the hearing...since I paid for it. He stated he would oblige my request (I haven't received any presented evidence) and for an additional fee, which they would apply a $100 credit since I was upset, they could represent me if I chose to appeal. This firm is an example of what gives attorneys a bad reputation. If you're looking for legal representation, at least during assessment appeals, you would do yourself a favor by passing on their services.

Update: I was notified by the law firm that there was an administrative issue that resulted in no change to my assessment. As a result, the law firm presented a motion for a new hearing which was accepted by the judge. So, there is hope, yet. Original post: I hired David Trautman to appeal my property assessment. The hearing was in October, 2013. I was notified this week by Allegheny County Assessment Board, that the appeal was now closed and my assessment was not changed. I thought I had good documentation showing that my assessment was way out of line with my neighbors' assessments and with properties that were recently sold, inlcuding my own property which I purchased for about one-half of the assessed price three years earlier, and was sure that, if properly presented, I would get relief. I did not. I don't know if the county assessment board or the law firm is to blame, but the bottom line is that I wasted my money hiring Trautman and Associates.

These people have a one track mind. I tried to get help with an unemployment case I was dealing with. I had a seemingly productive talk with Mr. Trautman, who said if I emailed him the documents I had, he would look over them and call me after the weekend. He never did call me. I called the office repeatedly, and he was never available. Finally I asked the secretary if there was someone I could talk to about an unemployment appeal, and she said she'd have someone call me back. I spoke to three different people. Each of them said they were calling about my property taxes, and when I explained that wasn't what I was calling about, they said they'd have someone else call back, but they were as clueless as the first guy. I never got my issue resolved. I won my case without help from these guys. Maybe try these guys if you need property tax help, but good luck talking to anybody who knows jack about anything else.