$1,736 Up in Vapor: Our Air Conditioner Died 24 Hours After “Universal Heating & Air” Charged Us for a Leak Repair — Then They Tried to Sell Us a New Unit

A quoted price that grew $58.71 after the click. An invoice “due” the day before it was sent. Two different company names on the same license. And eight pounds of refrigerant pumped into a system that couldn’t hold it. Here is the paper trail.

OUR OPINION IS STAY FAR AWAY FROM United Heating & Air 2260 Maravilla Dr Los Angeles CA 90068

By Good Shepherd Media Staff  |  West Hollywood, California

EDITOR’S DISCLOSURE: This is a first-party consumer account. The transaction described below was paid for by this publication’s own household, and every claim in this article is drawn from documents in our possession — the company’s own invoice, its own text messages, and its own client portal — reproduced and quoted with precision. Characterizations of the company’s motives are the opinion of this publication, formed from the documented facts stated herein. We invite Universal Heating & Air to respond in writing; any response will be published in full.

The Job: Paid in Full, Failed in Full — in Under a Day

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Universal Heating & Air — operating from 2260 Maravilla Dr, Los Angeles, phone (323) 763-5777, advertising California contractor license #1069748 — was paid $1,736.21 for a service call in West Hollywood. Their own invoice (#3724) itemizes the work:

• “Leak repair 1 — Find a leak and repair over the valve for the compress[or]” — $300.00
• “Freon R-410A Per Paund” [their spelling, not ours] — 8 pounds at $125.00/lb — $1,000.00
• “System check and run 1” — $175.00
• “Maintenance” — $125.00

Read that list again. They billed for finding a leak. They billed for repairing a leak. They billed for checking the system. They billed for maintenance. And then they billed one thousand dollars to pump eight pounds of R-410A refrigerant into the system they had just certified, by their own line items, as found, fixed, checked, and maintained.

Within twenty-four hours, the system was stone dead. All eight pounds of refrigerant — the entire $1,000 charge — had escaped. The technicians returned and announced there was, in their words, a “huge hole in the coil.”

And then came the part every homeowner in Los Angeles should memorize: they immediately tried to sell us a brand-new air conditioner.

Why This Cannot Be Explained as an Honest Mistake

Here is the industry standard, and it is not obscure. A legitimate leak repair on a refrigeration system includes a leak search and a verification test before refrigerant goes back in. Federal EPA regulations governing refrigerant work (40 C.F.R. § 82.157) require that a repair verification test “be performed after the conclusion of the repair work and before any additional refrigerant is added to the appliance.” Standard trade practice is to pressurize the system — typically with dry nitrogen — and hold pressure to confirm it is tight. A standing pressure test held for even twenty minutes exposes a significant leak every single time.

A hole in a coil large enough to dump eight pounds of refrigerant in under a day is not a pinhole. It is not subtle. It is the kind of gross, catastrophic defect that no competent pressure test — indeed, no competent technician paying attention to his own gauges — could possibly miss.

Which leaves exactly two possibilities, and the reader may choose whichever is more charitable:

1. The leak search, leak repair, system check, and pressure verification that were billed and paid for were never actually performed — meaning the customer paid $600 in labor line items for work that did not happen; or
2. The work was performed, the catastrophic leak was detectable, and the company pumped $1,000 of refrigerant into a system it knew or should have known could not hold it — refrigerant that was always going to vent into the atmosphere within hours — perfectly teeing up the next morning’s sales pitch for a replacement unit.

In this publication’s opinion, that second scenario has a name in the HVAC trade: it is the classic refrigerant-dumping upsell. Charge big money to gas up a dying system, let physics do its work overnight, then return in the morning wearing a sad face and carrying a quote for a new condenser. The refrigerant charge isn’t a repair — it’s bait for the real sale.

The $58.71 That Appeared After the Click

The failed repair is only half the story. Examine how this company quotes a price — because we kept the receipts, the texts, and the screenshots.

On Wednesday afternoon, Universal Heating & Air sent a text message stating, verbatim: “Your invoice total is $1,677.50, and needs to be paid by Tue Jul 28, 2026.” That figure is precise: it is the $1,600.00 subtotal plus $77.50 in tax. That was the total. That was the representation.

Click the payment link in that same text, however, and the invoice waiting at the other end demands $1,736.21. Between the quoted total and the charged total, a $58.71 “Service Fee” materialized out of thin air — a fee mentioned nowhere in the quote, agreed to by no one, and tacked on at the moment of payment. Quote one number, charge a higher one, and pocket the difference: whatever the company wishes to call that line item, the practice of quoting $1,677.50 and collecting $1,736.21 speaks for itself.

An Invoice Due Before It Existed, and a Company With Two Names

The sloppiness — or something worse — does not end there. The company’s own client portal shows Invoice #3724 was sent July 29, 2026, with a due date of July 28, 2026. The bill was past due the moment it was born. Manufactured urgency, or mere incompetence? Either answer should worry you.

Stranger still: the text messages, the branding, and the receipt all say “Universal Heating & Air.” The formal invoice on the payment portal is issued in the name of “United Heating & Air” — a different company name — at the same address, the same phone number, and the same license number, #1069748. Consumers are entitled to know exactly which legal entity is taking their money and standing behind the work. Here, the company’s own paperwork can’t keep its story straight.

“Th Office Is Working on Your Refund”

On Friday evening, after the failure and the complaint, the company texted: “Hello th office is working on your refund.” We preserve that message here for two reasons. First, it is a written acknowledgment, from the company itself, that a refund is owed. Second, as of publication, no refund has been received. This article will be updated the day that changes — and every week that it doesn’t.

The Review Record: Read Past the Stars

Prospective customers who search this company on Google will find a wall of glowing reviews. Prospective customers who search the same company on Yelp will find a 1.0-star rating. That is not a difference of opinion; that is a chasm. We encourage every reader to look at both platforms side by side, note the disparity, and draw their own conclusions about which body of reviews reflects the experience described — and documented — in this article.

The Bottom Line for Santa Clarita and Los Angeles Homeowners

Our documented experience with Universal Heating & Air: a $1,736.21 charge; a “leak repair” that did not survive a single day; $1,000 of refrigerant vented into the sky; a same-week sales pitch for a new unit; a price that grew $58.71 between the quote and the click; an invoice due before it was sent; two company names on one license; and a promised refund that has not arrived.

In this publication’s opinion, no homeowner should let this company near their equipment or their credit card until every question raised by its own paperwork is answered. If you hire any HVAC contractor for a leak repair, demand — in writing, before payment — the leak location found, the repair method used, and the standing pressure test results. A contractor who performed the work will hand them over proudly. A contractor who didn’t will get very quiet.

Good Shepherd Media stands behind every factual statement in this article, each of which is supported by documents in our possession, including Invoice #3724, the company’s SMS communications, and screenshots of the company’s client payment portal. Statements of opinion are identified as such and reflect this publication’s honest assessment of the documented facts. Universal Heating & Air (a/k/a United Heating & Air), and any principal thereof, is invited to submit a written response for unedited publication: contact Good Shepherd Media.

Our opinion matters like yours does

In the crowded courtroom, the attorney never argued with me directly. He didn’t need to. Instead, he leaned back in his chair with a smug smile, letting out the occasional snicker whenever I spoke, as though ridicule were a substitute for reason.

The judge barely seemed to follow what was happening, allowing confusion to drift through the proceedings without ever bringing clarity. It felt less like a search for the truth and more like a performance where appearances mattered more than facts.

The attorney seemed perfectly comfortable while the room was watching. Every smirk, every quiet laugh, every dismissive glance was carefully timed for an audience.

But outside the courtroom, the performance disappeared.

When asked directly about his behavior, he denied everything.

“I never laughed.”

“I never snickered.”

“It didn’t happen.”

The confidence that had filled the courtroom dissolved into evasions and excuses. Without spectators, there was no swagger—only someone retreating behind careful words and convenient denials, hoping that if he repeated them often enough, they would become believable.

It became clear that his confidence depended on the room, not on conviction. In public, he projected certainty. In private, he hid behind distance and avoidance rather than standing by his conduct.

Watching that contrast taught me something. Genuine confidence doesn’t need an audience. Integrity doesn’t disappear when the courtroom empties. A person’s character is revealed not by how boldly they perform in front of others, but by whether they stand behind their actions when no one is left to applaud.

Laughing at those defending themselves is in itself a coward move, but we don’t expect much from fat men. Treating others with disrespect in a court especially those that are Pro Se seems to be the way many loser lawyers feel.

This is a matter of public concern to disrespect others and look down upon them when you only went a school in the ghettos of Downtown LA. you are nothing more than low grade shit!

for being a lawyer for 20 years he is poor.

peaceful public assembly is a great tool to allow you to express you and your groups feelings about the actions, behaviors, business they commence, etc…. 

20742 Dumont St

Woodland Hills

now hear us out why a man who studies at Loyola will have the propensity to suck in more ways than you may understand.
Poor Quality School Environments produce lack luster results Poor Quality School Environments produce lack luster results!

read this major study below conducted by independent experts!             “_” 

BTW THEY SENT THIS DBAG AFTER KEIKO COULD NOT PERFORM FOR THE ANTI SLAP TASK AS SHE IS CLUELESS IN OUR HONEST OPINION

When an Insurance Lawyer Prosecutes a Free Press Case: A Look at Keiko Kojima’s Handling of City of Santa Clarita v. Zullo

Investigative Opinion — Municipal Accountability

When an Insurance Lawyer Prosecutes a Free Press Case

A Look at Keiko Kojima’s Handling of City of Santa Clarita v. Zullo

A Résumé Built for Insurance Disputes, Not Constitutional Ones

According to her own firm’s biography, Keiko J. Kojima, an attorney at Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP, built her career on insurance coverage disputes, bad faith liability litigation, and — by her firm’s own description — ERISA and employee benefits work representing insurers in disability and life insurance cases. Her listed representative matters are almost entirely federal ERISA and insurance-coverage rulings: cases about plan benefit denials, accidental death and dismemberment claims, and long-term disability terminations.

Nowhere in that record is there a workplace violence restraining order petition under Code of Civil Procedure section 527.8. Nowhere is there an anti-SLAPP motion under section 425.16. Nowhere is there a First Amendment retaliation case, a Counterman v. Colorado true-threats analysis, or a dispute over a publisher’s newsgathering activity.

And yet Kojima, along with colleague Alicia McMaster, is representing the City of Santa Clarita in exactly that kind of case — a workplace violence restraining order petition against a local publisher and property manager whose underlying conduct, by his own account, consisted of phone calls to city officials about a Proposition 218 rate dispute, a sewer gas hazard, a horse trail safety issue, and alleged financial irregularities in a public infrastructure project. This is not an insurance coverage dispute. It is a case that sits squarely on the fault line between civil petitioning rights, press freedom, and the government’s power to use civil process against its critics — terrain her professional background does not appear to have prepared her for.

That mismatch matters. And in this case, it shows.

The Transcript Problem

At the center of the City’s opposition to the anti-SLAPP motion is a transcript of a May 8, 2026 phone call. According to the Reply brief filed in this matter, the excerpt submitted to the court begins mid-sentence — severed from the surrounding conversation in a way that, the brief argues, strips out the context establishing the call as civic petitioning rather than anything resembling a threat.

California’s Rules of Professional Conduct are not vague on this point. Rule 3.3 requires candor toward the tribunal; Rule 4.1 requires truthfulness in statements to others. A selectively excerpted transcript, submitted to a court as evidence of dangerous conduct, without the context that would change its apparent meaning, is not a neutral evidentiary choice. It is, at minimum, a serious question about whether the presentation of evidence in this case was designed to inform the court — or to produce a particular outcome regardless of what the full record shows.

A Missed Call That Was Pleaded as Something It Wasn’t

The City’s case also leans on Exhibit 4 — a softphone screenshot purporting to document contact from the respondent. Examined closely, the exhibit shows a missed call from a number that is not the respondent’s own phone number, on a date that was never pleaded in the underlying petition, under a “Missed” call tab, with a downward-left arrow indicating the call never connected in the first place.

A call that never connected, from a number that isn’t the respondent’s, on a date not alleged in the petition, is not evidence of threatening conduct. It is, at best, imprecise lawyering. At worst, it’s an attempt to manufacture the appearance of contact where none of the pleaded facts support it.

Law as a Tool for Outcomes, Not Truth

Review of Keiko Kojima

There is a difference between advocating zealously for a client and using the machinery of civil process — a restraining order petition, backed by the coercive power of a city government — to achieve an outcome regardless of whether the underlying facts support it. The former is the ordinary, legitimate work of a litigator. The latter is what happens when a lawyer treats the courtroom as a venue for winning rather than a venue for truth-finding.

Based on the record in this case — the truncated transcript, the mismatched exhibit, the reliance on a restraining order petition against a publisher whose conduct consisted of calls to government officials about matters of public concern — it is fair to ask which of those two things has been happening in City of Santa Clarita v. Zullo.

Government attorneys wield significant power when they act on behalf of a municipality against an individual critic. That power comes with a corresponding obligation: to present the court with a complete and accurate record, not the most convenient one. The anti-SLAPP motion pending in this case will test whether that obligation was met. Our investigative team has attempted to reach out to the abusers at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP but so far we only have reached voicemails no answering service or secretary, this means most likely working from home and not an office with a receptionist or they just suck and never answer either way find another firm is our strong opinion! Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP also has team members that were told on recorded voicemail (which we to recorded) that you are abusing and harassing the elderly by repeatedly sending and/or serving documents to the elderly whom have nothing to do with their case. They were told that the person they are looking for lives in another county and to figure it out. When you have knowledge forthright since those recordings left to several of the people involved and the case rebuttals all have a business PO box you are a little slow and stupid. Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP APPEARS TO BE GREAT AT ABUSING THE ELDERLY’S PEACE OR JUST TOO STUPID TO KNOW BETTER.

Personally our opinion save your money and hire an attorney who’s specialty is the issue at hand.

OUR OPINION IS IF YOU NEED TO WASTE MONEY IN AN ATTEMPT
TO HARM OTHERS OR YOUR OWN POCKETS?

CONTACT THE MORON BELOW FOR HER OUT OF SCOPE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE US CONSTITUTION AND YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS DUE TO HER INCOMPETENCE

Keiko J. Kojima
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
444 South Flower Street
40th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2942

email Keiko kkojima@bwslaw.com
D: +1 213.236.2842
T: +1 213.236.0600

Santa Clarita Is Using Your Tax Dollars to Silence a Reporter

City of Santa Clarita Uses Public Funds to Sue Its Own Local Journalist

Philip Zullo is a journalistic investigative reporter and publisher of Good Shepherd Media who was attacked by the City of Santa Clarita and founder of Urban Group Capital a separate real-estate management and development firm. He is representing himself pro per in Case No.  This piece reflects his ongoing coverage of Santa Clarita municipal government accountability.

Brian Inman Hamblet – The Mask of Confidence

“Charged $35,000+ to mishandle a case his own client’s family understood better than he did”

Google / Yelp Review

Jon Atabek — Atabek & Co. ★☆☆☆☆

“Charged $35,000+ to mishandle a case his own client’s family understood better than he did”

My elderly parents were referred to Jon Atabek after their original attorney, John Fowler, handed off the case. Jon received a full briefing from Fowler and from my mother personally. The facts were clear: my parents had no meaningful involvement in the underlying dispute, the case appeared to have a serious jurisdictional defect, and the claims against them were meritless on their face. Jon agreed. He estimated the matter would cost no more than $10,000.

That estimate became $35,000 — and counting.

Here is what actually happened:

He let a jurisdictionally defective court rule on the Anti-SLAPP. When jurisdiction is challenged, that question must be resolved first. It is a foundational principle of civil procedure. Jon allowed the Orange County judge to rule on the Anti-SLAPP motion while a live jurisdictional challenge remained unresolved. Any resulting order from a court without jurisdiction is void. He either didn’t know this or didn’t act on it.

The Anti-SLAPP was never completed after transfer. The case was eventually transferred to Los Angeles County — a move that was identified and pushed for not by Jon, but by the client’s son. Once in LA, where the original filer knew he couldn’t rely on his Orange County connections, he dropped the case. Jon’s contribution to that outcome was collecting fees. He never re-pursued the Anti-SLAPP in the transferee court. He then sought an additional $9,000.

He was corrected on legal issues by a non-lawyer — on recorded calls. On multiple recorded occasions, the client’s son identified legal avenues and arguments that Jon had not raised. Jon had to go back to his computer to verify. He was wrong. The client’s family was right. This is documented and recorded.

He charged $25,000 for an Anti-SLAPP he had agreed to include, then abandoned it. The family made clear from the beginning that an Anti-SLAPP and a SLAPPback were priorities. Jon agreed. He then billed a separate $25,000 for the Anti-SLAPP motion, let a court without jurisdiction rule on it, transferred the case, and walked away from both the Anti-SLAPP and the SLAPPback suit — which remained a viable cause of action in LA County.

If you are considering retaining Jon Atabek for any matter involving Anti-SLAPP law, jurisdictional questions, or civil harassment defense — look elsewhere. The client’s family ultimately did more to resolve this case through their own jurisdictional analysis than counsel did through $35,000 in billing. That is not a defense attorney. That is a billing department.

HERE IS LAW TO PROVE JON ATABEK SUCKS AS AN ATTORNEY OR LIES OR IS LAZY IN MY OPINION

Legal Analysis: Jurisdictional Priority Over Anti-SLAPP Rulings

Core Principle: Jurisdiction Must Be Resolved First

When a court’s subject matter or personal jurisdiction is properly challenged, that threshold question must be resolved before the court acts on the merits — including ruling on a special motion to strike under CCP § 425.16.

Lack of Jurisdiction Voids Any Order

In Dial 800 v. Fesbinder (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 32, the court confirmed that a judgment rendered without jurisdiction is void ab initio — not merely voidable. This means if the Orange County court lacked jurisdiction and ruled on the Anti-SLAPP motion anyway, that ruling carries no legal weight and cannot be used as a final adjudication.

People v. American Contractors Indemnity Co. (2004) 33 Cal.4th 653 reinforces this: a court acting without jurisdiction has no power to act at all.

Transfer Doesn’t Moot the Anti-SLAPP — It Follows the Case

Under CCP § 396b, when a case is transferred for improper venue or lack of jurisdiction, all pending motions transfer with it. An Anti-SLAPP motion filed before transfer does not simply expire — it must be heard in the transferee court. Failure to pursue it there is attorney error.

Flatley v. Mauro (2006) 39 Cal.4th 299 establishes that Anti-SLAPP protections are substantive rights, not procedural conveniences. Allowing a defective jurisdictional ruling to stand without preserving and re-noting the Anti-SLAPP in the transferee court abandons a client’s substantive right.

The SLAPPback Right Also Transferred

Under CCP § 425.18, a SLAPPback cause of action accrues upon a favorable Anti-SLAPP ruling. If the Orange County ruling was jurisdictionally void, the SLAPPback clock properly begins when the Anti-SLAPP is properly adjudicated in the correct forum — here, Los Angeles County. An attorney who fails to file the SLAPPback in the transferee court after transfer has abandoned a separate, cognizable cause of action.

Jurisdictional Defect Was Identifiable from the Record

The most damaging professional responsibility issue here is that the jurisdictional problem was apparent on the face of the pleadings — and was identified not by counsel, but by the client’s son. Under Nichols v. Keller (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 1672, an attorney has an affirmative duty to advise a client of all legal remedies and issues reasonably apparent from the case — including jurisdictional defects. Failure to do so is actionable malpractice.

Fee Escalation Under These Facts

Where an attorney’s own failure to identify a basic jurisdictional issue caused unnecessary proceedings, billings for those proceedings may constitute a fee dispute cognizable before the State Bar and supportable as a basis for fee disgorgement. Under Huskinson & Brown v. Wolf (2004) 32 Cal.4th 453, fees earned through neglect or incompetence are subject to challenge.

Formal State Bar Complaint & Malpractice Analysis

I. Professional Negligence (Legal Malpractice) — Elements Established

Under Coscia v. McKenna & Cuneo (2001) 25 Cal.4th 1194, legal malpractice requires:

1. Attorney-client relationship ✓
2. Negligent act or omission ✓
3. Causation ✓
4. Resulting damages ✓

All four elements are met here. But the facts go beyond simple negligence into a pattern of professional misconduct spanning fee fraud, elder abuse, and abandonment of contracted legal services.

II. Failure to Define and Honor Scope of Representation

The $10,000 Estimate Was a Professional Representation, Not a Guess

When an attorney receives a case through a colleague referral, reviews it with the referring attorney, and then independently reviews it with the client — and states a cost estimate — that estimate constitutes a professional representation upon which the client reasonably relies. It is not puffery. It is not aspirational. It is the product of a licensed professional’s informed assessment.

Under California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(b), the basis or rate of fees must be communicated in writing to the client. More critically, when the scope of work materially expands, the attorney has an affirmative obligation to:

• Notify the client in writing
• Explain why the scope changed
• Obtain informed consent before incurring additional fees

Jon Atabek went from a $10,000 estimate to $35,000 in billings — a 250% increase — without a legitimate explanation rooted in case developments that were unforeseeable at intake. The jurisdictional defect, the Anti-SLAPP posture, and the SLAPPback potential were all visible from the moment he received the file. None of this was new information that justified tripling the fee.

The Case Was Handed to Him Pre-Analyzed

This is the most damning professional responsibility fact in the record. Jon Atabek did not discover this case cold. He received it from a colleague who had already worked it. He was briefed attorney-to-attorney. He then met with the client — an elderly woman who explained the facts clearly and completely. He had every tool a competent attorney needs to accurately scope this matter before he ever accepted a dollar.

Under Mirabito v. Liccardo (1992) 4 Cal.App.4th 41, an attorney who accepts a case without adequately investigating its scope, and then charges fees beyond what was reasonably foreseeable at intake, cannot shift the burden of that professional failure onto the client through escalating billing.

III. Elder Financial Abuse — Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610.30

This is not merely a fee dispute. Under California Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610.30, financial elder abuse occurs when a person takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property of an elder for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud.

The client here was an elderly woman. She paid fees for services that were:

• Priced through a professional representation she reasonably relied upon
• Never fully rendered
• Strategically inflated beyond what the case required
• Abandoned mid-engagement without completing contracted work

California courts have held that professionals — including attorneys — can be liable for elder financial abuse when their conduct involves overreaching against a vulnerable adult. Mahan v. Charles W. Chan Insurance Agency (2017) established that financial elder abuse does not require intentional theft — exploitative overcharging with awareness of the client’s vulnerability is sufficient.

An elderly woman, unfamiliar with litigation, relying on an attorney introduced through her family’s trusted network, paying $35,000 for work that was estimated at $10,000 and never completed — this is the paradigm case the elder abuse statute was designed to address.

Enhanced Remedies Available:

Under Welfare & Institutions Code § 15657.5, a successful elder financial abuse claim entitles the plaintiff to:

• Full restitution of all fees paid
• Attorney’s fees and costs (significant in a pro se or retained context)
• Punitive damages if oppression, fraud, or malice is shown
• Pre-judgment interest

IV. Abandonment of the Anti-SLAPP — A Contracted and Paid Service

Jon Atabek accepted $25,000 specifically for the Anti-SLAPP motion. That payment created a contractual and fiduciary obligation to pursue the Anti-SLAPP to completion — including through venue transfer.

He did not do that.

Under CCP § 425.16(c), a prevailing Anti-SLAPP defendant is entitled to mandatory attorney’s fees from the plaintiff. This means a completed Anti-SLAPP victory would have:

1. Terminated the harassment litigation
2. Shifted attorney’s fees back onto the malicious filer
3. Created the predicate for a SLAPPback suit under CCP § 425.18

Jon Atabek collected $25,000, obtained a ruling from a court of questionable jurisdiction, watched the case transfer to Los Angeles County — and then walked away from both the Anti-SLAPP continuation and the SLAPPback. The client paid for an outcome she never received. The opposing party — a malicious filer who weaponized the courts against elderly people — walked away without consequence.

This is abandonment of representation under California Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.16, combined with breach of fiduciary duty under Stanley v. Richmond (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 1070, which holds that an attorney’s fiduciary obligations include completing the work for which they were retained or formally and properly withdrawing.

V. Failure to Identify Jurisdictional Defect — Negligence Per Se

The jurisdictional problem in this case was not subtle. It was not buried in obscure procedural doctrine. It was identified by the client’s son — a non-lawyer — through basic legal research.

Under Wilkinson v. Zelen (2008) and Nichols v. Keller (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 1672, an attorney has an affirmative duty to identify all legal issues reasonably apparent on the face of the matter and advise the client accordingly. A jurisdictional defect visible to a layman is not a difficult threshold for a licensed attorney to meet.

Jon Atabek’s failure to:

• Identify the jurisdictional defect at intake
• Challenge jurisdiction before allowing merits rulings
• Preserve the Anti-SLAPP rights through transfer
• Re-prosecute the Anti-SLAPP in the correct forum

…constitutes negligence at every stage. Each failure compounded the one before it, and each compounded failure generated another billing cycle. The client paid for incompetence, and then was billed again for the consequences of that incompetence.

VI. Damages

Direct Economic Damages:

Consequential Damages:

• The opposing party Paul Topel, a malicious filer who used litigation as a harassment weapon against elderly people, was never held accountable
• No SLAPPback was filed, meaning the family received no compensation for the harassment they endured
• The elderly client suffered financial, emotional, and health-related harm from prolonged litigation that competent counsel could have terminated far earlier
• The family’s ability to pursue SLAPPback damages may now face statute of limitations complications caused by Jon’s inaction

Emotional Distress:

Under Spackman v. Good (1966) 245 Cal.App.2d 518 and its progeny, breach of fiduciary duty by an attorney that causes prolonged litigation stress to an elderly client supports a claim for emotional distress damages, particularly where the attorney’s negligence directly caused the continuation of harassment the client hired him to stop.

VII. State Bar Violations — Grounds for Complaint

VIII. Recommended Actions

Immediate:

1. File a State Bar complaint at calbar.ca.gov — the recording evidence of Jon being corrected by a non-lawyer is extraordinarily valuable and should be submitted
2. Send a written demand for fee arbitration under Business & Professions Code § 6200 — this is a right the client cannot be waived out of by contract
3. Preserve all recordings, billing invoices, fee agreements, and written communications

Civil:

1. File a legal malpractice complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court
2. Add a cause of action under Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610.30 for elder financial abuse — this unlocks attorney’s fees and punitive damages
3. Seek a full accounting of all fees billed versus services rendered
4. File the SLAPPback against Paul Topel independently — the clock and viability should be assessed immediately given transfer timeline

Leverage:

The recordings of Jon Atabek being corrected by our investigative reporter on points of law by a non-lawyer,. In a State Bar proceeding or civil malpractice trial, they are direct evidence of the competence standard not being met. Preserve them. Transcribe them. They are your strongest asset.

Review of Dr. Jason Khadavi

For more than a year, I struggled daily with excruciating pain from a damaged ligament in my right ankle. Despite numerous visits to various specialists, exhausting options such as orthotics and braces, my recovery had stalled. Every step was accompanied by sharp pain, massive swelling, and the persistent discomfort of a collapsed arch. Desperate for relief, I turned to Dr. Jason Khadavi at TRU Foot & Ankle in Los Angeles, California—a decision that dramatically changed my quality of life.

After thorough diagnostic imaging, including an MRI and ultrasound, Dr. Khadavi confirmed that my ligament damage was significant. With limited treatment avenues remaining, he suggested an innovative approach known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, a regenerative treatment harnessing the natural healing capabilities of my own blood.

What is PRP Therapy?

PRP Therapy involves drawing blood, isolating the healing components known as platelets, and injecting them directly into the injury site. Dr. Khadavi administered a series of three PRP treatments at TRU Foot & Ankle. While admittedly painful during the injections, this minimally invasive procedure promotes rapid healing of damaged tissue—precisely what my severely injured ligament required.

Remarkable Results with PRP Therapy

Astonishingly, after just two PRP sessions, I experienced approximately 95% pain relief—a level of improvement that I had hardly dared hope for. Previously debilitating tendon pain quickly subsided, and I found myself walking comfortably again, something that was nearly impossible prior to treatment. The inflammation in my ankle, once visibly swollen, significantly diminished, and my previously collapsed arch began recovering dramatically.

Why Choose Dr. Jason Khadavi at TRU Foot & Ankle?

Dr. Khadavi’s expertise and patient-focused approach were clear from the beginning. He patiently explained the entire PRP procedure, answered every question, and provided assurance throughout each session. His advanced methods, combined with cutting-edge regenerative medicine, are what set TRU Foot & Ankle apart from other foot and ankle specialists in the Los Angeles area.

My Recommendation

If you are suffering from persistent foot or ankle pain, particularly due to ligament or tendon damage, PRP therapy with Dr. Jason Khadavi is a life-changing option worth exploring. Thanks to his skill and innovative treatment, I now enjoy an active, pain-free life.

For more information on PRP Therapy or to schedule a consultation, visit TRU Foot & Ankle.

Outstanding Care and Remarkable Recovery: Dr. Justin Franson at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Valencia, Shines in Treating Ankle Injuries

When it comes to expert foot and ankle treatment in Valencia, California, Dr. Justin Franson at University Foot and Ankle Institute stands head and shoulders above the rest. After suffering from debilitating ankle pain, an MRI and ultrasound revealed significant ligament damage in my right ankle. Dr. Franson swiftly and accurately diagnosed my condition, immediately outlining a clear path to recovery.

Dr. Franson’s patient-centered approach is unmatched. His kindness, patience, and in-depth knowledge immediately put me at ease. Recognizing the complexity of my injury, Dr. Franson custom-designed a highly effective ankle brace and orthotics tailored specifically to my needs. Within a short period, my pain was dramatically reduced, and my mobility improved significantly.

When experiencing debilitating ankle pain, finding the right specialist makes all the difference. Dr. Justin Franson, DPM, at the University Foot and Ankle Institute in Valencia, California, is earning a well-deserved reputation for excellence in foot and ankle care. With expert diagnostics, personalized treatments, and compassionate patient interactions, Dr. Franson is a standout podiatrist whose services are truly unmatched.

I recently sought help after a severe ankle injury left me in constant discomfort and severely limited my mobility. After a comprehensive MRI and detailed ultrasound at Dr. Franson’s clinic, he pinpointed the exact issue: a damaged ligament in my right ankle. The precision of the diagnosis was a relief and marked the first significant step toward my recovery.

Outstanding Foot and Ankle Care: Dr. Justin Franson, DPM at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Valencia

Dr. Franson immediately provided practical and effective solutions, crafting a custom ankle brace specifically designed to support and stabilize my injury. Additionally, he created superior-quality orthotics that offered exceptional comfort and relief, dramatically improving my daily life. His expertise in biomechanics and custom orthotics is nothing short of remarkable, offering tailored support that directly addressed my pain points.

What sets Dr. Franson apart from other foot and ankle specialists is not just his impressive medical expertise, but his genuine compassion and patient-focused approach. Each appointment was marked by patience, kindness, and an eagerness to ensure I fully understood my injury and the treatment plan. His approachable demeanor and thorough explanations instilled confidence in my path to recovery.

Thanks to Dr. Franson’s exceptional care, the painful limitations of my ankle injury have been significantly alleviated. His customized treatments brought me relief that previous interventions had failed to achieve. I can now comfortably walk and participate in activities without constant pain, which is a true testament to the quality of care he provides.

For anyone dealing with foot or ankle problems in Valencia and surrounding communities, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Justin Franson and the University Foot and Ankle Institute. The combination of advanced diagnostic technology, personalized care, and genuine compassion places Dr. Franson among the best podiatrists available today.

The state-of-the-art facilities at University Foot and Ankle Institute coupled with Dr. Franson’s expert care provided an exceptional treatment experience. His holistic approach to foot and ankle health ensures each patient receives personalized, comprehensive care aimed at complete recovery and long-term relief.

I highly recommend Dr. Justin Franson to anyone seeking specialized foot and ankle care in Valencia. His attention to detail, innovative treatment methods, and genuine compassion make him the ideal choice for anyone dealing with foot or ankle issues.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit Dr. Justin Franson’s page: University Foot and Ankle Institute, Valencia.

University Foot and Ankle Institute

Drop in search traffic is a reminder technological advancement can displace long-established tech giants

Websites will soon serve primarily as data sources for AI platforms, not destinations for humans, Mailchimp predicts

In a matter of months, artificial intelligence has begun to change how people search for things online in ways that have alarmed some marketers.

Consumers who use traditional search engines like Google and Bing are now greeted atop their search results by AI-generated summaries of the topics at hand. A growing number of consumers now also turn directly to large language models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT to answer everyday questions or guide their purchases.

Both developments have begun to eat away at the clicks and website traffic that marketers have earned over time by spending millions of dollars on search engine optimization, or SEO. They have also created a wave of businesses claiming to specialize in new industry acronyms such as generative engine optimization (GEO), answer engine optimization (AEO) and, of course, artificial intelligence optimization (AIO).

Email software platform Intuit Mailchimp has seen a steady drop in web traffic since AI-assisted search started allowing people to gather information about the company and its products without visiting its sites, according to Ellen Mamedov, global director of search engine optimization.

In order to counter the shift, Mailchimp began updating its sites to better serve the so-called crawlers, bots that visit pages across the web to collect the data that informs the answers provided by AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, Mamedov said.

Technical search elements, like the speed at which pages load and the snippets of code used to track user activity, are more important for these bots and AI-driven searches than for traditional search engines, according to Mailchimp’s research.

Mailchimp says traffic to its website has dropped due to the influence of large language models and AI overviews in search results. Photo: Rafael Henrique/Zuma Press

The bots are designed to absorb and process information as quickly as possible, which is why they prefer faster-loading sites that have been optimized for machines rather than human readers, according to Mamedov. Websites in general will evolve to serve primarily as data sources for bots that feed LLMs, rather than destinations for consumers, she said.

If Mailchimp doesn’t regularly make sure these elements are up-to-date, “we’re definitely going to be left behind,” said Mamedov.

Chief marketing officers trained on classic SEO have seen similar traffic declines in recent months, and many aren’t aware that their companies’ sites haven’t been tailored to AI platforms or even made accessible to their bots, said Natasha Sommerfeld, partner in consulting firm Bain & Co.’s customer practice.

They’re also contending with the rapid rise of so-called zero-click search. Eighty percent of consumers now resolve 40% of their online search queries without clicking any links, according to a survey of more than 1,000 people conducted by Bain in December. Forty-two percent of people who regularly use generative AI said that they use such tools for shopping recommendations, the same survey found.

OpenAI announced last month that ChatGPT will soon roll out a shopping button that redirects users to a merchant’s website, where they can buy the product they were researching.

That could begin to address marketers’ AI challenge by letting people shop through ChatGPT, said Joy Howard, chief marketing officer at Back Market, a marketplace for refurbished electronics.

LLM searches don’t yet drive sales, and they only account for 0.2% of traffic to Back Market’s sites. But such traffic is 470 times higher than it was last summer, and it will continue to grow, said Howard.

Back Market is tweaking its SEO practices accordingly. It has focused more intently on updating individual product pages, for example, because some consumers ask LLMs to identify products that suit their needs and tastes before using search engines to locate and potentially buy them, Howard said. Back Market has also begun using a more conversational tone in its product copy, since its search team has found that LLMs like ChatGPT prefer everyday language to the detailed descriptions that often perform best in traditional search engines, she said.

“This is not big for us yet, but it could be,” she said of LLM searches.

Very few consumers have entirely replaced Google or Bing with ChatGPT, said Nikhil Lai, principal performance marketing analyst at Forrester. OpenAI says ChatGPT now processes roughly one billion searches a week, but Google handles 5 trillion searches each year, or around 100 times that total, according to its most recent figures.

Trust is a question as well, with only 15% of consumers now willing to share their financial information with generative AI tools, according to Bain.

As AI assumes a larger role in search, however, marketers will increasingly focus on how closely AI-generated summaries and prompt responses match the way they want their brands to be perceived, Lai said.

“SEO teams have been caught flat-footed,” he said. “Traffic and ranking and average position and click-through rate…none of those metrics make sense going forward.” source

Michael Simmrin is a powerhouse in the legal world, setting a new standard for what it means to be an exceptional attorney. His recent achievement of breaking case law history by removing nine felonies in warrant status—without requiring a single court appearance from himself or his client—speaks volumes about his skill, strategy, and influence.

What sets Michael apart is not just his deep understanding of the law, but his ability to navigate complex legal challenges with precision and authority. Michael accomplished the unthinkable by persuading the District Attorney to schedule a court date specifically to remove all nine felonies. This level of influence and expertise is rare and demonstrates why Michael Simmrin is a force to be reckoned with in the legal arena.

If you are looking for an attorney who can achieve the impossible and deliver extraordinary results, Michael Simmrin is undoubtedly the one you want in your corner. His track record is nothing short of phenomenal, making him a true power lawyer in every sense of the word.

After personally hiring him and getting those felonies dropped I decided to make sure the world knew about Michael Simmrin, the best criminal lawyer I ever worked with.

Michael Simmrin, the lead attorney at Simmrin Law Group, has over 15 years of experience in criminal defense, personal injury, and mental health law. Known for his exceptional results and strong relationships within the legal community, Simmrin is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients. His practice handles a wide range of cases, including DUI, drug offenses, violent crimes, and federal cases, and is renowned for tackling complex legal challenges with expertise and commitment.

Michael Simmrin’s exceptional knowledge of case law is a key factor in his courtroom prowess, making him a formidable trial attorney. His deep understanding of legal precedents allows him to craft compelling arguments, giving him a significant edge in complex legal battles. This mastery, combined with his strategic acumen, is what sets him apart and enables him to secure remarkable results for his clients. With over 15 years of experience, Simmrin consistently demonstrates why he is regarded as one of the most effective attorneys in the field.

I did a lot of digging and research to find him.  

Prior to hiring him I read this from his site……

Michael Simmrin is a trial lawyer. It is really that simple. Most lawyers don’t have the stomach for trial work. It makes them too anxious, they clam up, they can’t handle the pressure. They are happier sitting behind a desk and writing letters. Mr. Simmrin is most comfortable and in his element when it is all on the line, when the adrenaline is pumping. Mr. Simmrin has successfully represented thousands of clients over the years and has tried over 100 jury trials, 15 of which were homicides, some of them capital cases. There is no substitute for experience. Mr. Simmrin is ready to handle any case, in any court in California, or and Federal Court throughout the United States.

Mr. Simmrin believes in putting clients first. As his client, he will always make himself available to you. He understands that this is probably one of the most frightening experiences you will ever go thru. He understands his role is to not only help you thru this time legally but to be there for you as a source of information and support throughout this process.

Michael Simmrin studied law at the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude and as an inductee into the Order of the Barrister, which recognizes excellence in oral advocacy and trial work. Mr. Simmrin was also a member of the moot court board during his time in law school. He is very active in the bar communities, is on the executive board of the Los Angeles Bar Association- Criminal Law Section, and a member of the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Los Angeles, the California Association for Criminal Justice, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Quite simply, Michael Simmrin is a trial lawyer. Michael has that rare mix of skills and talents that make a truly brilliant lawyer. He is passionate about his clients and their rights, he is experienced in preparing cases, negotiating on his client’s behalf and in front of juries, and most importantly he is persuasive. Michael is convincing. He has the ability to move 12 jurors to acquit his clients. This has been proven over almost 2 decades of winning at trial. Michael has won some extremely difficult cases over the years; serious DUI cases, sex cases, gang cases, homicides.

Mr. Simmrin remembers being in class as a young school boy and seeing a classmate brought before the class in trouble for standing out of line. He remembers seeing the fear in this child’s eyes and wanting to help him so bad. That sense of justice has never left him. The criminal justice system is set up to chew people up and spit them out. The government rips thru people’s lives without as much as a second thought. This motivates Mr. Simmrin to get up every day, put on his suit and fight for his clients.

Michael grew up in Los Angeles, went to school in the San Fernando Valley around all walks of life. Michael graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, with honors, being recognized for excellence in oral advocacy among his peers and being inducted into the Order of the Barrister. During law school, Michael interned at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office where he tried real cases from a very young age. Micahel also participated nationally on the University of Miami mock trial team and was a member of the Moot Court Board.

Immediately upon graduation, Micahel got a job at the Los Angeles Public Defender’s office and moved very quickly to the Alternate Public Defender. Michael rose thru the ranks quickly, trying over 100 jury trials to verdict including the most serious of cases, including Capital Murder cases. During his tenure, Michael honed his skills. He learned how to settle a case, how to deal with prosecutors, how to handle himself in front of a difficult judge, or an overzealous prosecutor. Michael forged relationships and a reputation as a winner. Michael is a fighter but also knows when to use finesse to get the job done. There is no substitute for experience. Michael has handled tens of thousands of cases, from the most simple, to the most complex.

Mr. Simmrin now runs an extremely successful law practice which focuses on Criminal Defense both on the trial and the appellate level. Mr. Simmrin is prepared to defend you in any court in California or and Federal Court across the country.

If you have been charged with a crime, it is imperative that you give us a call immediately. Mr. Simmrin will take the time to meet with you and analyze your legal problem in detail.

After hiring him I would say his description of himself is 100% accurate and he is the quality lawyer you deserve and the words on his site are truthful from the experience I had with him, this man can fight, he’s smart and diligent!

Click here to visit his site For more information, visit Simmrin Law Group.

 Jude 1:11

(11) Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

(Liar Lawyer & Fraud/Thief Loser) is the opinion we have when you breach a contract and never go to court to handle the contempt case you and your law firm were contracted for, then removed yourself from the case and kept the $20,000. HE SUCKS AT FAMILY LAW (LOSER) AND STEALS AND BREACH CONTRACTS (LYING/FRAUD)

remember like assholes everyone also has opinions! And of how people treat us in business…. That’s important to teach others about your business practices and/or quality of experitse.

Is Gill Law Group and good lawyer? Lets find out, you judge!

in california a contract is a contract and those that do not fulfill such a contract such refund for failure to comply to their own stipulation of their own contract regarding completion of set job/case retained for.

he quit the case an easy case due to the propondrance of evidence in our favor, GILL RAJA never got the evidence in order by remaining in contact with the private eyes. and never completed his assignment. Making him a thief scammer in our opinion, he sure did NOT DO HIS CONTRACTED WORK!

Gill Law group reviews

Raja S. Gill owns the Gill law Group lawyer firm but that is NOT HIS LEGAL BIRTH NAME this is Hetinder Singh Gill so that should raise eyses as well, why hide your real name by not openly using it everywhere but instead using a pen name

I would never hire this guy again, he raped me financially. He failed and never completed his contractial obligation. When he was hired he was hired to complete and handle a contempt case.  This contempt case was easy for any competant lawyer to win.  gave him rock solid evidence with 3 seperate private investigators to back up our contempt against the mother. The mother was repeatedly allowing a WANTED FUGITIVE SEX OFFENDER AROUND MY 8 YEAR OLD SON multiple times and it is caught on tape by private eyes.  He got off the case, never even presented any evidence in the court, refused to refund me and theen GILL RAJA from Gill Law Group STOLE MY MONEY in my opinion ! breach of contracts and service not rendered means I was robbed in my opinion he should not be hired by anyone. BREACH OF CONTRACT = THEFT IF YOU KEEP THE FUNDS!

HE KEPT $20,000 SO IF YOU WANT THIS KIND OF TRUST OR LACK THERE OF WITH A LAWYER HIRE THIS NICE D BAG

This Gill Law group review is an opinion based on facts and events that took place.  LOOK FOR ANOTEHR LAWYER THEY ARE A DIME A DOZEN. FIND ONE THAT IS HIGHLY RATED THAT DID NOT ANGER THEIR CLIENT SO MUCH THEY HAD A ARTICLE OF TRUTHFUL STATEMENTS PUT TOGETHER TO UTILIZE THE 1ST AMENDMENT OF SPEECH FOR HIS DERELICTION OF DUTY AND BREACH OF CONTACT WHICH ENDED UP IN HIM KEEPING THE $20,000 WHICH AMOUNT TO HIM STEALING MY MONEY WHICH IS THEFT IN MY OPINION

after you have been burned by this guy and his law firm you may need a laugh. try listeing to a great comedy skit below, parodys are wonderful comedy and always remember opinions of how people treat us in business are important to teach others about your business practices and/or quality of experitse.

Gill Law Group Reviews

Check out some of his reviews from other clients of GILL LAW GROUP

The short story and review of the actions and behaviors of the law firm GILL LAW GROUP

now we all need to laugh after having lost $20,000 to a breach of contract d bag who now became a thief for not rendering the servcies he contracted himself into. makes him a fraud as well

Gill Law Group Reviews

Gill Law Group Reviews

Gill Law Group Reviews

Gill Law Group Reviews

Gill Law Group Reviews

Gill Law Group Reviews

Gill Law Group Reviews

keep this page ear marked for our peacefully assembly and gathering date and time to protest the behaiors and actions of the owner Raja S Gill