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I was formerly represented by Tara Rabiola. I had to let her go. In my opinion and based on my personal experience, she did not represent my best interests and i felt she did not understand domestic abuse or coercive control. She advised me against reporting my abuse to law enforcement and instead encouraged me to "play nice" with my abuser. After she was let go, I did contact police and they could not believe I had not contacted them sooner. My ex was arrested. I was told by Ms. Rabiola that it was my word against his and I would not be believed. I offered witnesses and video and I was told they were not admissable. The police did believe me and my witnesses. In my opinion, Ms. Rabiola was also too friendly with opposing counsel and seemed to let opposing counsel set the tone and outline what they wanted without defending my rights. I felt i was being abused all over again by being told no one would believe me, i needed to look compliant, and i felt my protective order was ignored. I have now spent thousands in court trying to overturn the agreements that Ms. Rabiola convinced me to agree to that , in my opinion, did not protect my rights. I did not feel Ms. Rabiola believed me which is something all victims of domestic violence live with, which is why the abuse continues and abusers are not held accountable. Ms. Rabiola told me my video evidence of the abuse wasn't admissable because I looked "manipulative" video taping it and that my offered witnesses would appear biased. I am thankful the police and prosecutor did not agree with her and some measure of justice for myself and my son is being attempted but I felt re-victimized by what I felt was gaslighting and advice to not turn my ex in by Ms. Rabiola. I feel she would have been more effective working for the other side and I feel she did not care to represent me at all. I also feel that if she did not believe me, she should have told me she could not effectively represent me and parted ways instead of convincing me I needed to agree to what I feel were unsafe agreements that I do not feel were in my best interests.
