Mastriani Law Firm Review: Avoid This Debt Defense Scam
Mastriani Law Firm has a documented history of taking retainer fees and providing zero legal services. Clients report unanswered calls, no court representation, and default judgments in their cases. You can respond to your debt lawsuit yourself with proper guidance and avoid the risk of hiring scam attorneys.
Answer Your LawsuitYou’ve been sued for a debt. Mastriani Law Firm promises to help you fight back.
Don’t fall for it. The firm has a documented history of scamming vulnerable consumers.
Don't Get Scammed—Respond to Your Lawsuit Today
You've been sued by a debt collector and need to respond before your deadline. Skip the risky attorney search and answer your lawsuit with professional help in all 50 states.
Respond to Lawsuit NowMany clients paid retainer fees and received zero legal services. You deserve better options when facing a debt lawsuit.
What Mastriani Law Firm Promises
The Mastriani Law Firm website looks professional and polished. You’ll find impressive claims about their success rate.
They claim to eliminate interest for 95 percent of clients. They even promise to wipe out your entire debt without bankruptcy.
The testimonials sound almost too good to be true. Customers describe John Mastriani as a miracle worker who defeats creditors single-handedly.
One review calls him “The Man” who fights for debtors. Another claims he’s lenient with payments and recovers money from creditors.
These glowing reviews should raise red flags. No lawyer is Superman.
The Reality Behind Mastriani Law Firm
Independent sources tell a completely different story. The Mastriani Law Firm has scammed countless debt lawsuit defendants.
Here’s what actually happens when you hire them:
- You pay a retainer fee upfront
- No one returns your calls or emails
- The firm doesn’t submit any court paperwork
- No attorney shows up to represent you in court
- You lose by default judgment
- The firm keeps your money
The Houston Better Business Bureau has received more than seven complaints against the firm. The earliest complaint dates to July 2017.
The BBB profile includes a stark warning about the firm. It states that Mastriani Law has engaged in misleading and deceptive business practices.
The warning notes that the firm accepts funds for incomplete cases. They don’t issue refunds and fail to communicate with clients.
Most complaints sent to the BBB go unanswered by the firm.
A Real Victim’s Experience
Bobby hired Mastriani Law Firm in January 2019. He paid a $500 retainer for legal representation.
He made countless calls and left messages. No one ever called him back.
The firm was a no-show at his trial date. Bobby lost his case by default judgment.
He had to hire another attorney to try fixing the damage. Mastriani Law took his money and provided zero services.
What to Do If Mastriani Law Scammed You
You can take action if an attorney defrauds you. Several options exist to hold them accountable.
The Client Attorney Assistance Program can help reopen communication channels. You can also report the attorney to the state bar association.
In cases with documented fraud history, you may qualify for reimbursement. The Client Security Fund sometimes compensates victims of attorney misconduct.
Filing a bar complaint protects future victims from similar scams. Your actions could prevent others from losing their money.
You’ll still need to address your underlying debt lawsuit. Consider working with our partner Solo to respond to your case properly.
Our Verdict on Mastriani Law Firm
We give Mastriani Law Firm a rating of 0 out of 5 stars. The firm exhibits two levels of incompetence.
First, they provide zero actual legal representation. They don’t submit required court documents or show up for hearings.
Clients stand alone in court with no defense. The court automatically rules against them.
Second, they run their business dishonestly. No one answers phones or responds to emails.
The office doesn’t even have an answering machine. The firm ignores paying clients completely.
A lawyer who won’t communicate and abandons clients is a scammer. Avoid Mastriani Law Firm at all costs.
Respond to Your Debt Lawsuit Without an Attorney
Finding a trustworthy attorney takes time and money. You risk hiring scammers like Mastriani Law.
You can represent yourself effectively in a debt lawsuit. Our partner Solo helps you draft a proper Answer document.
An Answer document responds to the allegations in the lawsuit. You deny false claims and assert your legal defenses.
Solo’s platform works in all 50 states. Licensed attorneys review your document before filing.
The service includes filing your Answer with the court. Solo also serves the opposing party for you.
A Success Story
John was sued by LVNV Funding for an old credit card debt. He used Solo to draft and file his Answer.
An attorney reviewed his Answer before filing. Solo handled filing and serving the document.
John denied most claims and asserted his affirmative defenses. A few months later, the case was dismissed.
He saved thousands by representing himself. John won his case without hiring an expensive attorney.
How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit
You must respond within the deadline stated in your summons. Most states give you 20 to 30 days.
Your Answer should address each allegation in the Complaint. Admit what’s true, deny what’s false or unknown.
Include affirmative defenses that apply to your situation. Common defenses include statute of limitations and lack of proof.
File your Answer with the court before the deadline. Send copies to the plaintiff’s attorney as well.
Missing the deadline results in a default judgment against you. The collector can garnish your wages or freeze your bank account.
You can also negotiate a settlement during the lawsuit. Many collectors accept less than the full amount claimed.
You might force the case into arbitration if your original contract included an arbitration clause. Arbitration is often cheaper and faster than court.
Protect Yourself From Legal Scams
Always research an attorney before hiring them. Check their bar association status and complaint history.
Read reviews on independent websites, not just the firm’s site. The Better Business Bureau lists complaints and ratings.
Watch for warning signs of potential scams. These include upfront fees with no work performed.
Legitimate attorneys communicate regularly with clients. They return calls and respond to emails promptly.
They also show up for court dates and file required documents. Real attorneys keep you informed about your case status.
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. You have options beyond hiring a traditional law firm.
Responding to a debt lawsuit yourself is completely legal. You don’t need an attorney to file an Answer.