This report is targeting Lisa Duncanson's Baby Bar home study program as I have experienced it. There may be another out there who took the home study course and received all that he/she was promised. This experience is personal to me. I have not attended her live classes and do not know how those operate for her and this report is not meant to be a reflection on her other programs.
BAR NONE REVIEW Bar Exam Preparation Home Study Course left me out in the cold and I feel ripped off. I do not understand why Lisa Duncanson, J.D., a noted bar course author and former law school professor would allow such a breach of contract and a ripping breach in trust. I never spoke to her enough to have ever offended her in any way. The fact is I've not been able to contact her shortly after the company received my money.
I discovered this bar prep program on the internet. On the website barnonereview.com and in my contract, Ms. Duncanson's home study course for the FYLSX (Baby bar) promised me all the materials (books, dvds, "maximizer", on line and phone assistance and graded essays with critique on how to improve the writing) I needed. The cost was $625.00 which I paid on or about 5/8. This was about a week after the date the course was to be available for distribution. That would give me appx. 6 weeks to study and do the coursework in preparation for this very important career exam. From the beginning the course turned sour. The dvd's turned into cds (which I had to promise to return!), multiple choice study and practice book (MBE) was not included (When I called I was told that I had to buy that I my own. I protested and a used, beat up, out-dated [2000] study book was sent); and NO on line or phone assistance has ever been made available. I have submitted 7 essays for review and constructive guidance; NONE has ever been returned to me (including calls or emails) as of the date of this writing (6/11/08) so that I could review grader notes and suggestions for improvement! I am 13 days away from an exam that will allow to pursue my education and Lisa Duncanson has not expressed one moment of concern for me and the money I paid. I have sent over 10 emails to her requesting assistance and about the essays. I have made equal amounts of calls to her office. Her staff (Andrea and Sandra) have taken my calls and I have been treated well. They have acknowledged my calls and emails and report that they are transferred to Lisa Duncanson. They, however, are unable to assist me with any of my concerns and report that Lisa Duncanson is going to call me. NO CALLS OR EMAILS have happened as of this day. I have been studying alone and relying on other materials I had from my law school as a guide. I could have just downloaded practice exams and answers for FREE from the Cal Bar website and may as well have for the little I got from Lisa Duncanson's Bar NONE Review Home Study Course. Now, L Duncanson may rebut that I got the cds and a Baby Bar Review Book (written by her). I will respond that would good does all that do without monitoring and guidance, critique and motivation, and help when you ask for it (and never get).
I have made several requests for a substantial to complete refund. Again, no return calls, emails or letters expressing any concern about my dissatisfaction. She is basically telling me where "to go" by her silence and inaction. The BBB for the Orange County area has her and her BNR company on file with a grade of "F" and reports 2 incidents where she doesn't respond to customer complaints.
Based on my personal experience, I must say to anyone considering the home study course from this company to save your money and download free essay materials from the Cal Bar website and order your own study dvds from PLI or PMBR; and use your baby bar materials and experiences from your law school for practice; what you'd probably get from L Duncanson's home study course would be like going at it ALONE and paying for the confusion, disappointment, anger, and feeling like a fool. I sure wish I had those $625 back in my account. Thanx Lisa Duncanson and Bar None Review for NONEThing.
Joel M.
McAllen, Texas
U.S.A.
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