Whistle-blower Jill Jones-Soderman Files Lawsuit Against Her Former Attorney

NYACK, N.Y., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Jill Jones-Soderman, a New York-based
social worker and the executive director of The Foundation for the Child
Victims of the Family Courts, has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against
her former attorney in federal court for alleged negligence, fraud, deception,
malpractice and infliction of emotional distress.

According to Jones-Soderman, she paid Richard Mazaway thousands of dollars
over the period he was "representing her." During this time he never filed a
motion or legal order on her behalf despite the fact that he had personally
uncovered evidence and had access to all pertinent information to prove that
she was the victim of malicious judicial fraud and misconduct.

He even found "smoking gun" evidence during discovery from the New Jersey
Attorney General's office which showed why the state's licensing board was so
aggressively pursuing the revocation of her license - to the point where they
were fabricating charges - Jones-Soderman said. On top of that, she was told
she could not know the nature of the complaint against her. Yet Mazaway did
nothing. The information he obtained proved that Judge Mary Margaret McVeigh
had filed fraudulent charges against Jones-Soderman, stating that a report had
been written to influence the court. But according to Jones-Soderman, no such
report was ever written.

The problems started when Jones-Soderman was fraudulently removed from a case
on which she was serving as a forensic consultant, she explained. After
discovering and attempting to expose the alleged fraud occurring in the family
court, she was ordered off the case. Meanwhile the New Jersey licensing board
attempted to end her career based on what Jones-Soderman insists are
fabricated charges. So she hired Mazaway, who promised to put up a vigorous
defense and work on some of her cases.

Jones-Soderman claims that through his inaction on the various cases, he
allowed the fraud going on in the family court to continue. Some of the
clients using his legal services had their children returned into the hands of
the abusers, she said. According to Jones-Soderman, Mazaway's performance
regarding one scheme going on in the court ultimately contributed to the
suicide death of a 12-year-old child who was ordered returned to his abusive
father.

"The theatrics are for the client in the privacy of the office," explained
Jones-Soderman regarding Mazaway's promises. "What happens in court is that
the client gets screwed and loses everything." According to Jones-Soderman,
Mazaway had also discovered evidence of lies and fraud perpetrated by New
Jersey state officials. He outlined a defense and even proposed filing a
federal civil rights action against the state and its agents, having
determined that Jones-Soderman fit the definition of a whistle-blower. But he
did nothing - or worse, "aided and abetted" the licensing board, as
Jones-Soderman claims.

"Lawyers like Mazaway count on the client's fear of changing attorneys,"
Jones-Soderman said, adding that paying a new retainer and telling the whole
painful story again motivates many clients to keep their attorney despite
glaring problems. She eventually fired him and has now filed a law suit in the
U.S. District Court for Southern New York.

Mazaway contributed to irreparable harm to Jones-Soderman's career and
reputation, she said, noting that the primary allegiance of lawyers is to the
courts and not their clients. "I want this to serve as a warning to all the
lawyers who think they can destroy their clients," she added, also noting that
at least three other clients have complained about Mazaway's services and
neglect. "We can and will fight back. He is being sued because he chose to
betray his client rather than to expose the corruption of the system."

For more information about the work of Jill Jones-Soderman and her
organization, please visit www.notinvain.org, www.lawisnotjustice.com,
jill.jones-soderman.com or call (786) 266-0390. Jones-Soderman's private
practice focuses on mediation and navigation of court litigation for clients
in high-conflict situations. Please refer to
www.thefamilyresolutioncenter.com. She also serves as a therapist and program
developer for the Thorpe Family residence, a long-term housing shelter for
traumatized women and children supported by the Sparkill Order of Nuns.

SOURCE The Foundation for the Child Victims of the Family Courts

Jill Jones-Soderman, The Foundation for the Child Victims of the Family
Courts, +1-845-353-6111, jill.jones-soderman.com