Hardin & Ball, P.A.

Zero stars. My experience with this law firm has been so terrible that my usual reluctance to speak publicly has been overwhelmed by my desire to prevent others from enduring the incredible and unnecessary suffering I experienced by engaging Hardin & Ball. Over the course of a multi-year, complex legal matter, I was subjected to provably excessive billing, across multiple categories, to a degree that I can only interpret as systematic and deliberate overcharging. At the most sensitive and critical point — when a settlement agreement was finally on the table — Ben Hardin III and Julie Ball imposed a charging lien, which I believe was intended to pressure me into paying even more to the firm. This impeded my ability to resolve the matter for which I needed an attorney in the first place, and came after years of overbilling, including charges just to accept my payments. (THAT'S RIGHT: THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE TIME IT TOOK TO ACCEPT MY MONEY FOR OTHER TIME CHARGED!) After conducting a careful analysis of my billing statements, I attempted to raise these concerns, but Ben Hardin III had conveniently left the firm shortly after our last meeting. Instead, I received a written response from Julie Ball, who — rather than addressing the overcharges — offered to withdraw from the case and forgive a bill representing less than 20% of the total overcharge, on the condition that I remain silent about my experience and never speak publicly about it. There are so many specific and troubling actions taken by this firm that it’s difficult to summarize them in a single review. Consider this review the tip of the iceberg. In my experience, the firm’s self-interest has consistently taken precedence over their ethical duties to their client. I believe this conduct violates the trust at the heart of the attorney-client relationship and reflects a serious departure from the standards clients should be able to expect. If you're navigating a legal crisis and want to make it even more difficult — because you don’t mind confusion, emotional distress, or being treated like an adversary by your own legal team — then Hardin & Ball is the right firm for you. However, if you value professionalism, transparency, advocacy, or even basic decency, I strongly recommend: Don’t go where they play Hard Ball with their own clients.

I have had Ben Hardin, of Hardin & Ball, represent me on numerous occasions. He and his staff have always come to my aide during horrible circumstances. We were successful every time. If you are in need of the best legal representation...I highly recommend that you call them.

I agree with other posts that Mattie is very professional and efficient. We used this lawyer office for one business need and one personal need. The first was an online services user agreement and it took 3 months. The initial lawyer was Benjamin Hardin and he got nothing done. Then Matti stepped in and it was done in a couple of weeks. Price paid was as agreed. The second need was to do a estate planning with creation of a Trust and Will. The estimate on cost was $2000-$3000 (Like all other estimates we received). After 3 months the cost was $3100 and they had not even started on writing the actual Trust or Will. Our estate planning and will they said was complex and we agreed. Mr. Hardin SR. was pulled in and this partly drove the cost up. Yet again, no Trust or Will had even started to be written for $3100. We decided to cut our losses and they reduced by $500 to $2600 but all we received was "notes" on our needs. We went to Racheal Rudin PA in Tampa. It literally took her 3 weeks after initial visit and she completed the entire Trust & Will for $2000. Long story short. Hardin & Ball should not handle difficult estate planning but if you want them to expect to pay 2X what other qualified PA's charge. Mattie was professional and pleasant, but the overcharging is inexcusable.

I met with Mattie on Wenesday. Thank you for the advice and your honesty. I started squeaking as soon as I got home. You were right, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. After six months of silence I got a call from them on Friday. It's to early to have a resolution but the word refund was mentioned. I am hopeful. Thanks again for good advice at a bargain price.

These offices were extremely professional, knowledgeable, and will always be my first stop in the future.

My experience with Mattie Tonderault has been a positive one. She is straightforward and professional. She has helped me through a multi-year issue and I appreciate her service. One critique: law services are expensive. Would work with again.

No help at all. Three consultations totaling $1000 with zero benefit. I beat myself up for going back for the third time. Don’t bother. *Edit* 8.1.22 11:12 am- I just received a phone call about this Google review.I decided to revisit my review as well as look at others for this law firm. I would like to have given ZERO STARS but a GOOGLE review requires at least one star to post. Because the reviews for other attorneys in the office were positive I wanted to clarify that my three appointments were with Julie Ball. I neither spoke to nor had any interaction with any other attorney up to now. My review is specific to Mrs. Julie Ball. I stand by my review.

I don't often need an Attorney, but when I do, it's Harden and Ball P.A. Everyone here is down to earth and super friendly. They really care about you and your issue. Ben Hardin, Jr. got the ball rolling then handed us off to his son Ben Hardin III. Ben III hit it out of the ballpark!! He is a very intelligent young man with an extremely promising future ahead. The truth prevailed and those that were less than truthful were shut out. Ben III made the seasoned prosecuting Attorney look like a rookie and himself the seasoned one. Ben III interviewed one opposing witness after introducing himself, before court, and was successful in having that witness dismissed. That is "handling business" right there! With Ben III's counseling and guidance we prevailed with the truth. One Attorney (BEN III) and myself were able to shutdown seven opposing witnesses and one well versed Attorney. You could easily say that Ben III did this on his own as all I did was tell the truth. At closing arguments Ben III was "loaded for bear". It was astonishing how prepared he was. He had done a lot behind the scenes. Opposing Attorney could do nothing but hang his head low. This is a GREAT Law Firm! "The truth will set you free" George Mitchell Mitchell Construction

Great attorneys and staff!!

Very smart and knowledgeable Received excellent advise Takes personal interest which is paramount in her line of the law Very empathetic Comfortable to work with

Ben Hardin is the best! I wouldn't want to be on the other side.

Quick & easy meeting.