Law Office of Sami Haddad, APC

I walked into Mr. Sami Haddad’s office scared and with very little knowledge of the legal process. He took the time to listen to my story, made me feel heard, and gave me confidence when I needed it most. He guided me through every step and stood by my side during the toughest day of my life. I am incredibly grateful for his support and dedication. I highly recommend Mr. Haddad to anyone seeking a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney.

I retained attorney Sami Haddad for my family law case and had a very negative experience. I paid him a flat fee of $3,650 in advance. I am a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, 100% VA disabled, and the primary caregiver of two children under three years old. Not only did Mr. Haddad jeopardize my case and time with my children, but he also refused to refund any part of the fee when asked. He initially told me he wanted to keep costs low, but later claimed my case had become "high conflict." I made it clear I was willing to discuss additional costs if needed. Instead of being upfront, his lack of timely communication caused me to miss critical hearings and opportunities for parenting time. August 18, 2025 - Missed Custody Hearing: I had a hearing scheduled at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Haddad only vaguely said it was about custody and suggested we'd have a phone call beforehand, which never happened despite my follow-up. He never gave me details about where to appear. I texted him at 7:48 a.m. from the courthouse, and again at 8:47 a.m. saying I had been waiting almost an hour. He finally replied at 8:53 a.m. telling me it was on another floor. By the time I arrived, I was told the other party had already been dismissed. This was an FCS Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) session that could have provided me more meaningful time with my children. The opposing attorney later sent a confirm letter stating, "Your client did not appear for FCS mediation. This is concerning, as this is the second FCS mediation missed by your client and was already reset once." Only then did Mr. Haddad acknowledge his mistake. July-September 2025 - TRO Mishandling: On July 21, 2025, I filed a counter Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). On July 23, Mr. Haddad assured me, "I will serve her through her lawyer. No issue serving her." That never happened. On August 29, 2025, a San Diego Sheriff's detective called me directly to inform me that the judge had signed the TRO but it had never been served. I confronted Mr. Haddad by text the same day and received no reply. On September 3, 2025, he finally attempted service by mail, which was not valid. I had to return to the courthouse myself on September 12, 2025 to file paperwork for the Sheriff's Department to properly serve her. Even law enforcement and other attorneys noted his reputation for being overextended. A deputy taking my DV report told me Haddad is "very busy," and another attorney said she worked with him before and that "he often takes on more than he can handle." In my opinion, Mr. Haddad takes on more clients than he can manage, and my case was neglected as a result. I lost confidence in his representation, filed an MC-050 to represent myself. My advice: stay away. He may sound affordable at first and is quick to send payment info, but after that, you will rarely hear from him. If you are seeking family law representation, you may get better results representing yourself with the free resources available at the courthouse than by hiring Mr. Haddad. **UPDATE:** After posting my original review, I submitted a formal complaint regarding my former representation to the State Bar of California. The State Bar reviewed/investigated my complaint and ultimately closed the matter without disciplinary action against Mr. Haddad on May 1, 2026. I am adding this update for completeness and transparency. My original review continues to reflect my personal experience and opinions regarding the representation I

Although my case is still ongoing, I wanted to share how thankful I am for Sami Haddad. During one of the hardest times in my life, Sami has been much more than my attorney. He has been a true advocate for me, someone I could trust, and someone who made me feel supported. From the beginning, Sami has treated me with kindness, patience, and respect. He listens, answers my questions, and always takes the time to make sure I understand what is happening. He has made me feel like I was speaking with a close friend or a family member, not just a lawyer. Sami is extremely intelligent, thoughtful, and dedicated. He understands the details of my case and works hard to protect my rights and my family. What makes him truly special is not only his legal knowledge, but the care, compassion, and commitment he shows to the people he represents. I have never felt like just another case. Sami has stood beside me during one of the most difficult times in my life and has given me confidence and reassurance when I needed it most. I truly recommend Sami Haddad to anyone looking for an attorney who is not only skilled and knowledgeable, but also a caring person and a true advocate for his clients. Thank you, Sami, for all you do.

I have worked with Sami for about five years and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Throughout multiple court proceedings, he has consistently provided exceptional legal advice, thoughtful guidance, and unwavering support. My case involves a very high conflict co-parenting situation and Sami has been instrumental in helping maintain my restraining order and advocating for orders that protect my daughter’s best interests. His knowledge, professionalism and calm approach have given me confidence during some of the most difficult years of my life. What sets Sami apart is that he truly cares about his clients. He takes the time to explain every step of the process, answers questions thoroughly and always makes me feel supported. I have complete trust in his judgment and know that he is always fighting for the best possible outcome. I already recommend Sami to friends and others who need a family law attorney, and I will continue to do so without hesitation. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has done for my family.