Hugh S.

REGARDING TANYA

Four years ago, my ex-wife stole my children and illegally took them to Canada against my will. Since then, I have been fighting relentlessly to bring them back while they endure trauma, domestic violence, and abuse—living in homes with sexual predators, drug addicts, alcoholics, suicidal individuals, and people with severe mental illness. Meanwhile, the court system does nothing to change their situation. I am a victim of parental alienation. I am just a father who loves his kids and wants what’s best for them.

Early in my case, I made the mistake of relying on Legal Aid lawyers, which only put my case further behind. Eventually, I represented myself, which improved things slightly. However, as the case grew more complicated, I knew I needed professional legal representation. Finding a good lawyer in Nova Scotia was nearly impossible. Many attorneys refused to help, and others demanded a $25,000 retainer upfront.

Despite reading mixed reviews about Tanya, she was my only option at the time. I thought hiring her was better than nothing. I was wrong. I could not have been more wrong.

From the moment I hired her, she was unprepared. She knew we had upcoming court dates but failed to request or prepare any necessary documents. When we went to court, we had to postpone because she wasn’t ready. Meanwhile, my children continued to suffer—enduring abuse, trauma, and even witnessing their mother get arrested for physically assaulting her boyfriend. Social services became involved, and we were preparing for an important court case in March that could finally improve my children’s situation.

I paid Tanya thousands of dollars—nearly $10,000—to prepare for this crucial hearing. I repeatedly reached out to her via email, at least ten times, desperate for updates and direction. No response. As court approached, I feared the worst: that I would once again show up unprepared, with nothing filed, no affidavits, and none of the extensive evidence I had collected against my ex-wife presented.

Then, just weeks before trial, Tanya emailed me to say she was withdrawing from my case.

She had taken nearly $10,000 from me and done absolutely nothing. No calls, no emails, no filings—nothing. She was late to meetings, ignored my messages, and then, when it mattered most, abandoned my case entirely. I reached out, asking to set up a payment plan since my income fluctuates in sales, making it clear that I fully intended to continue payments. Still, I heard nothing. She simply cut me off and left me to fend for myself—again.

Had she warned me weeks or months ago, I could have at least prepared something for court on my own. But because she failed to communicate, I am now walking into trial with nothing, while my children remain trapped in the same horrific situation.

If you want a lawyer who will destroy your family court case, ignore your calls and emails, be late, unprepared, and leave you in a worse situation than you started—then Tanya is the one for you.

But if you need someone who will actually help you, fight for you, and make a real difference in your case—stay far, far away from Tanya.

I wish I had listened to the other negative reviews about her. I was a desperate father willing to take any help I could get, but now I realize that even having no lawyer at all would have been better than hiring her. At least then, I would have known to prepare myself. Instead, she took my money, wasted my time, and abandoned me and my children when we needed help the most.

This is your warning. If you need a competent, reliable lawyer—do not hire Tanya.

Sarah R.

TANYA did a horrible job and put us in a worse off place than when we started , We hired Tanya Nicholson to help us prepare for a trial coming up. We paid her alot of money to be prepared for this trial. We saw a lot of bad reviews but hoped for the best because she was one of the few attorneys with availability. Our first court appearance she was not ready so we had to reschedule. We now have court this coming week and just last week she sent a notice saying she was going to have to remove herself as our attorney. Unbelievable. She has put us in a huge bind. We would definitely recommend you save your money and the trouble.

margaret D.

I had Derek Sonnichsen as a lawyer, and just fired him. He shared my private information without consulting me first, he agreed to a request from the other party without consulting me(that would be legally binding), and then proceeded to try an push through a binding legal document when he was told days before there was an issue, and the order would not work. AFTER BEING TOLD HE WAS FIRED.
Edited to add over a week later after being told he was couriering my file to me it is yet to be done!
Am I surprised? No. I already knew he is a poor excuse for a lawyer.

Chantal A.

I had Tanya Nicholson as a divorce lawyer. She was chronically late, never returns calls and an excuse she gave for not getting back to me: "I had more pressing matters." I'd like to stick her with a bill for all the time I spend waiting in her office for her to show up.

Brandon S.

If you have the option to not use this company I would suggest to take it. An hour before court my lawyer Brittni Deveau told me she was sick and could not make it into court in person, so since we haven’t actually discussed in detail my options yet I suggested we get an adjournment. She was not wanting to take it as it would require more work be done, and as per Britnni’s words: “legal aid isn’t giving me enough money to meet with you”. So, If you want a lawyer to take the easiest and cheapest route (and possible screw you in the process), then you found the right place!

Eamon W.

Rude, and demanding. Got a bad feeling when he called and checked his Google and yelp reviews.and saw why. I Did not call this lawyer but he got my # and called me. Perhaps he is using some type of online service that tells them when someone is seeking legal help.

Daniel G. S.

Now I see it! Divorce lawyer LOL. If I would have known I would have never parked there to make my food delivered to one of their neighbors! They'll entrap you and they will trap your vehicle in there and then call you the violator. Typical lawyer entrapment tactics! I got to speak to the front person and I got to see a smug type with his camera in my face, type of people they are. Perfect divorce lawyers!.

Jerome B.

Derek Sonnichsen Don’t…. Just don’t use this guy. This guy is so inexperienced he literally handed over what my ex wanted. Had him in 2021-22 and I know know through other lawyers that this guy screwed me over. Please. Be aware.