Karina Michelle Cerda

This is my personal experience, I hired an attorney in McAllen and paid for legal services that, in my experience, were never completed. After payment was made, communication became very limited, and I did not receive the services I believed I had retained her to perform. When I followed up, I was told I was expecting “free services,” which was surprising and disappointing since I had already paid. Concerned about my case, I went to the courthouse myself to verify whether anything had been filed on my behalf. I was informed that no filings appeared in the record under my matter. I later learned that others in the RGV shared similar concerns about lack of communication after payment. I work hard for my money, it supports my household and children. Because of that, I believe it’s important to research carefully and ask detailed questions before hiring any professional. I was advised to file a police report and submit a grievance with the State Bar of Texas, which I have done.

I hired Karina Cerda believing she was with the Juan Zamora firm, since his name appeared on my contract and documents. She contacted me from multiple different phone numbers, which caused confusion and inconsistency. I also experienced serious communication issues, missed calls, and unkept appointments, and she was over an hour and a half late to court. I later learned Mr. Zamora was not overseeing my case, which raised major concerns. Overall, I am very dissatisfied with the services and misrepresentation provided. This individual will not return calls and when you attempt to hold them accountable will further retaliate and completely ghost you.

Paid attorney Karina Cerda a retainer and she completely disappeared. No work, no communication, no updates, no filings, nothing. She ignored every email, every message, and every follow-up for weeks and months. Then, after I disputed the charge, she suddenly created a sloppy, backdated invoice claiming “20+ hours” of work, despite having provided zero documents, drafts, or evidence of any actual effort. Most of the invoice was vague “client email” entries on days she never responded to a single message. She even billed for our supposed “free consultation.” After speaking with others, I learned my experience mirrors a pattern: taking money, vanishing, refusing to communicate, then fabricating invoices. This wasn’t a delay, it was abandonment and misrepresentation. Clients deserve honesty, not excuses. I strongly warn anyone considering her: DO NOT hire her.

Unreliable,Working with this Attorney was just plain unprofessionalism she belittled me, upon our first conversation. Never left voicemail, never called. An assigned Attorney for my daughters accident. Per our Law firm she was to contact us 6-8 months ago, Not once did we receive a call from Ms. Cerda, until 10 days before the court date. We received a call from her paralegal. Giving me very limited options to work with to meet her. Every day I tried asking for she had events going on, a dinner, or court. I work all day from 8am to 8:30 pm. Yet I managed to get an appt with her at 5pm and when I arrived, at her office, which I was trying to confirm before I left my office she did not answer at 4:45pm. When I arrived it was 5:05pm and I was a bit lost. I called again to the number I had on file to confirm the ste# and I was walking in when she answers and tells me she is no longer there that she had waited long enough she was eating at home with her parents.

Very unprofessional, this attorney is just our for a paycheck. She is not there to help and her posts of trying to relay a different picture of herself as empathetic is just not the case. It is obvious she just wants to look good in front of the public, but behind closed doors it is all but the contrary. I have never encountered another Professional who has belittled me in such a way. Very unprofessional, unreliable with no compassion and is not determined at all. Responsive would not describe her either. She could not leave a voicemail, and never contacted me in regards to my daughters case. Insisted my underage daughter be present when our Attorney told us she did not have to be present, that was the purpose of meeting with her. I would not trust her if she was a court appointed attorney or a paid attorney with anything. It is sad that people think they are higher and above you when they don't even know you or your circumstances. Her degree does not define her. It is just sad.