Fiona slomovic

[hoxtonbabe]

Hi all,

I've heard good things all round about her at the day of hearing (I heard her communication isn't great, but she does ultimately get the job done)

Is she quite a fiesty advocate? My LEA solicitor is fiesty but respectful and not aggressive as some can be but all the same she does put up a fight and need someone equally as tough.

Thanks.

[AgnesDiPesto]

Yes good, yes feisty but sensible
Not aggressive more calm and firm
She does get very busy but will get the job done

[KOKOagainandagain]

FS was our advocate at tribunal (the LA conceded at lunch time). Her communication at hearing is a very effective performance and is quite deliberate. Can't fault her. She nearly knew the bundle as well as me. By that stage it could have been my specialist subject on Mastermind 'who said 'x' author, page number and date'

[KOKOagainandagain]

The LA first tactic was to only provide a paper version of the working document. FS unflappable - no problem I have an earlier version on my laptop and will edit - LA forced to show gratitude.

When we went back into the room FS chaired the hearing as the only person with the amended WD with the panel and LA desperately trying to keep up. She is wonderfully blunt 'your own expert said that - why do you want to strike it out' and sarcastic 'yes because autism ends at 3pm'. She was great.

[zumbaleena]

She has been my best and most cost effective investment so far. We just settled with our lea out of fourth/tribunal today. Got our school and support of our choice. Go for her!

[NoRunAround]

I've had Fiona twice and she is excellent at the hearing. She is also excellent when she pops up just before deadlines, preparing documentation, and negotiating with the LA.

In between, she drove me mad because she seemed to disappear off the face of the earth and did not respond to any queries.

We won on both occasions. However, and this is a big one, please expect to have to chase very hard for answers to queries. This caused me more stress than the LA did! I seriously considered changing advisers during my last appeal, and one of friends did for this reason.

This is something to bear in mind. I was happy with the results, and my testimonial is on her website

[Skylar123]

Is FS associated with Nigel Pugh? How much are her services? What point can she be pulled in to assist? I need to start SA application but haven't a clue what I'm
doing, sorry to butt in btw

[bialystockandbloom]

As pp have said, unflappable, knowledgable, very sharp and bright, calm and assertive without being disrepectful, and I don't think I've heard of a case where she's represented and hasn't won (though of course that doesn't mean she's never lost!). But yes can be a bit hard to get hold of, but we were going through tribunal over Christmas period and she was still available.

[hoxtonbabe]

ok guys..thanks

[ABAmummy]

We too had Fiona and she was brilliant, she may not answer calls but gets the job done. Best way to get hold of her is via email.

[Scottishdancer]

We too used Fiona and I would agree with the previous post. We actually lost at tribunal,(the only case she had lost in a year and she does a lot!) but she was like a dog with a bone and didn't leave it there. My son is now in the school we wanted and where he should be.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

We had Fiona and lost.

Our case and Fiona all impeccable though. That wasn't why we lost.

[bialystockandbloom]

Star now I feel foolish for saying that And I really should've remembered, you of all people!

[inappropriatelyemployed]

Fiona is not a lawyer but she is very experienced and has great instincts which is very important. She also has broad experience of a range of LAs around the country and so can add some perspective to the points she makes by quoting her experience with different counties.

She is very practical and can come up with suggestions to deal with even the most complex of situations.

I have turned to Fiona many times about strategy and attendance at meetings etc. She is busy but she does care.

[nostoppingme]

Fiona came for a meeting at my home, told me I had done an excellent job so far and that I could relax as she would take over from that moment. She got me a specialist dyslexic school and I will never forget her.

[sickofsocalledexperts]

Another Fiona fan here - I know that she is at any one time helping so many people that she has to prioritise calls in terms of immediate urgency. So emailing may be better

[KOKOagainandagain]

One thing to bear in mind is that Fiona's availability depends on the day of the hearing. I had an IPSEA rep for the first stage. Fiona took over at the stage of preparing the WD (I had already done this but wanted her to edit). She tends to send emails at midnight or 6 in the morning as she is often unavailable in the day so I agree that email is the best way to communicate.

[ProfJamesMoriarty]

WE had her too and agree that she is very very good. She is very hard to get hold of but If I ever need to speak to her, then I email her and set a time when we are both free.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

Actually, I've changed my mind. She is really really rubbish!!! tries to put people off booking her as have likely legal battles on the horizon

[hoxtonbabe]

LOL at starlight...now that is just really naughty, lol

[autianarchy]

She is fantastic.

As everyone says above she is super busy and not always responsive when it isn't absolutely required. Only this way is she able to help so many people, and keep her costs so low.

We have found she doesn't reply to emails unless absolutely necessary, and almost everything is done at before or after tribunal and meeting times (so before 9am or after 6pm). You often find you're talking when she's on the road etc...

Having said all that, she's achieved what we wanted so far. Is succinct and argues well. Seems utterly unflappable and genuinely cares.

She is not a person to go to if you just want to hand over your case and let someone else do everything (in this case you'd probably want a law firm, but be prepared to pay).

Nor is she a person to go to if you like a lot of hand holding / counselling along the way. I know people who have found the lack of immediate response, or ability to have lots of long chats about every aspect of a situation difficult and decided to use IPSEA instead.

[NoRunAround]

autianarchy completely agree.

[salondon]

What autianarchy said...

[painteroo]

i don't get it?

[painteroo]

at starlight i mean