Hatch, Little & Bunn, L.L.P.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I cannot say enough great things about Aaron! He has consistently gone above and beyond for me, and I am truly grateful for his kindness, professionalism, and willingness to help. Whether I actually need legal assistance or simply need guidance or help documenting a situation, Aaron has never hesitated to be there for me. He has never made me feel like my concerns were too small or that I was wasting his time. Even when I have needed legal assistance outside of his area of practice, he has always been willing to point me in the right direction and help me find an attorney who could handle my case. It's rare to find someone who genuinely cares about helping people, even when there's nothing in it for them. Aaron has always made me feel heard, supported, and comfortable reaching out whenever I need guidance. I truly appreciate everything he has done for me and would recommend him to anyone looking for an attorney who is not only knowledgeable and dependable but also genuinely cares about the people he helps. Thank you, Aaron, for always being someone I can count on!

On June 11, 2026, I received correspondence from Hatch, Little & Bunn regarding my representation. I did not respond immediately because I wanted time to reflect on the full experience before putting my assessment in writing. I was found not guilty of both counts of misdemeanor cyberstalking following a jury trial on June 2, 2026, before Judge Cole. The verdict, however, is separate from the quality of the representation I experienced. The central issue was the gap between having counsel and feeling represented. Devon A. Newton was assigned to my matter. Because Mr. Newton and I are both Black, I initially expected that shared racial identity might translate into greater understanding of my circumstances. My experience was the opposite. Shared racial identity did not and does not translate into the understanding, communication, preparation, or advocacy. That experience changed how I understand representation. Representation cannot be reduced to demographic similarity between attorney and client. It is demonstrated by whether counsel listens, investigates relevant information, communicates consistently, explains strategy, challenges the evidence, and advocates diligently for the client. What I ultimately needed was not simply an attorney who looked like me, but one who listened to me, examined the information I brought forward, communicated with me, challenged the State’s case, and made me feel my defense was being actively pursued. Throughout my case, I was often responsible for gathering information, identifying witnesses, locating evidence, and bringing those materials to counsel. Some leads were not pursued with the seriousness I expected, and I was at times left to figure it out myself. Some information and evidence I provided did not appear to be retained or prepared for trial. Communication was another consistent concern. I generally received vague/ some updates only after initiating contact. I was sometimes told one thing and later saw something different occur, while other issues simply did not move forward. The plea discussions were particularly difficult; communications felt inconsistent, and at times I felt pressured or managed rather than fully informed. Regardless of intent, that affected my trust. Aaron Goforth later appeared on the matter. I did not initially understand his role and did not experience a clear sense of coordinated involvement between him and Mr. Newton. Taken together, the representation did not feel like a coherent defense strategy. It felt like process without a plan. At trial, I observed what I considered limited advocacy. The State still carried the burden of proof, and in my assessment, its inability to establish the charges did more to determine the outcome than the defense presentation I observed. I understand that attorneys may transition from prosecution into criminal defense. There is nothing inherently wrong with that path. However, at times Mr. Newton’s approach felt closer to prosecutorial habits than the defense advocacy. I am not criticizing his résumé; I am explaining why I did not feel represented. I would not choose this firm again. I would rather have worked with counsel who treated the information I brought forward as constructive, communicated proactively, explained strategic decisions clearly, and made me feel that I had genuine defense advocacy throughout the process. Save your money. Regards, Jaeda