Charles E. Rapin, Attorney at Law

STAY AWAY! Went to him regarding a case involving our NINE YEAR OLD son. Assured me that he understood because he too had a son. He told us it should take about 6 months. It's been almost a year and NOTHING. He took advantage of myself and my husband, a disabled vet who did two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and STOLE $2500 from us (and I say stole because he hasn't done ANYTHING for the retainer fee). He refuses to take our phone calls, or return our e-mails. The pain he has inflicted on a CHILD is appalling and disgusting! Wish I could give zero or negative stars. STAY AWAY!

Took 3 days for Charles to return a call to set up an appointment. He then missed his own appointment without calling me. I am relieved i never hired him after reading reviews.

He took my money, didn't return calls, and was completely unprofessional. Don't go to him!

I hired Charles to represent me in an order of protection. He has been my attorney since June of 2016 and I couldn't be happier. He executed the trial with precise detail and assertiveness. I have no complaints and he deserved and earned every penny. Thank you Charles for everything! Words can not express my gratitude!!

I wish I had the choice to give him a half of star. This guy is not only unprofessional, but he is also a thief! November 2016 I gave him a $2500 retainer fee to represent me. He cashed the check immediately and did not contact me ever! Never represented me, never filed anything for me and has not returned my calls or emails ever since! The couple of times that i surprised him by calling from my friend's cell phone so he wouldn't recognize my number, he assured me that he would return my retainer to me since he could NOT DO ANYTHING for me legally. He never returned the money and does not acknowledge my attempts to reach him. DO NOT HIRE THIS SHARK. He is the quintessential ripoff attorney .

I am a single parent who is active duty military. Mr. Rapin took the retainer for a child support and custody paperwork and did nothing for over 18 months. Even when the situation escalated to the point of the other parent repeatedly threatening to kidnap her, he did nothing as a 'legal professional.' He found out the military was transferring me and then continued to do nothing after that. His office refused to return phone calls and so did he. I later found out he was taking phone calls and assisting the other party involved who was abusive and threatening to kidnap my child. After I transferred out if the state I had to file a complaint against him with the IL Supreme Court. In his efforts to defend himself against me for his LACK of actions he submitted to the courts that supposedly he had a secret, closed door session with a judge about the custody proceeding and child support that no one ever knew about. Supposedly 'the' judge told him in this secret meeting that because I had left the state they wouldn't hear the proceedings. Mr. Rapin filed with IL Supreme Court that the entire retainer he received for a child support and custody case he used defending himself when I filed against him. This was also done after months of his services being terminated and trying to get my retainer back. Mr. Rapin cost me, a single parent and active duty member, over 2 1/2 years of court proceedings and over $15,000 in lawyer fees before getting child support. Even since the other parent has manipulated court paperwork and systems. There has been several federal law violations in courts in several states against me by the other party, over $30,000 in court and lawyer fees since a child support order was entered, and as a single parent that is active duty I am losing custody of my child because of the manipulation, threats, abuse, and lies of the other parent. All of this could have been some what avoided if Mr. Rapin would have done his job and what he was hired for. Or if he would have done what was requested from him, and what an officer of the law should have done, and filed restraining orders against the other party in my case when there was threats of kidnapping and abuse going on. Do not give him a single penny of your money! He is a criminal and yet the IL Bar Association and IL supreme court system did nothing against this 'lawyer.'

Very unprofessional, horrible communication. There are many other better attorneys, do your research. I wish I had read the reviews and not hired him.

Do not hire this guy. He will take advantage of you. Took my money and didnt do a thing for me. Thief.

Mr. Rapin required a $4,000 retainer fee to represent us in the probate of my brother's estate. It was later explained to us that because of the worth of the estate, probate did not need to be opened. Mr. Rapin constantly told us misleading or incorrect information regarding the estate, avoided our phone calls and was rude and nasty when he did take our calls. He did not even know who was considered an heir. When we appeared in court, he left the courtroom while it was in session. Our case (along with another of his client's) was called while he was out of the room, so our files went to the bottom of the pile to be called last. This resulted in an additional $150 being charged to us for his time. We eventually fired him. After several requests, it took about 3 weeks before he sent us an itemized bill. There was an overage of over $2,500 left from the retainer. It took another 2 months before we received a check for the overage he owed us!

He helped a gal (someone who is there to represent and protect my son or anyone's child.) This man called me when I went to look for help for the gal matter. And what i have to do. I stupidly answering him when he asked who ut was he knew him and even said oh he's still doing things he shouldn't or something along those lines. So not more than a day later I get a call from Mr. Charles Rapin and he tells me....no he calls me to tell me that says Mr Gravel is waiving your fee. And I said why? and I knew why but he wouldn't answer me and then he tried to intimidate me after in the court too after. He waived my fee to keep me quiet...well. I do not trust these lawyers they shouldn't even be around kids or people in vulnerable postions. With looking at the other reviews I'm not the only one that sees the corruption. No one is helping me to protect my baby and my rights! This isn't right!!!!!

Paid allot of money took allot of time. He told me to sell my home but abter I did... None of the paperwork complete for me to have had any business selling it. Judge gave me vibe hes a time sucker PITA. When you go to cour w a hired attorney your name should neverbe called last. I was dumb. Please don't be. A time of double grief, being taken for money is Easy! Run away from him!!

This guy is a Joke he knew I filled out the intake survey stating 3 children, but when I come to court he has me down for 1 he is a shyster, con man and I'm going to the bar association concerning this guy!