Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
The lawyer is knowledgeable and professional, guiding the client through the legal process and ensuring they understand the consequences of their decisions
“She is very knowledgeable and very professional. She is very efficient when she works.”
2
The lawyer is effective in court, able to counter the opposing counsel's arguments and make the client's case strongly
“She made the other lawyer looked 'stupid', 'unprofessional', and 'unprepared'...”
3
The lawyer cares about the client and their case, and is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome
“The most important thing: she cares!”
Cons
1
The lawyer can be unresponsive and slow to address the client's concerns, leading to frustration and delays
“Then, I had to call, email and email again in order to get a response.”
2
The lawyer may be unprepared for court appearances, which can negatively impact the client's case
“She was unprepared, had no idea about my case, went as far as to go on a random tangential rant about my ex that was specifically UNTRUE and then turn to me and say, 'oops, I forgot.'”
3
The lawyer may charge high fees for services that do not align with the client's expectations or the amount of work performed
“She charges a few thousand dollars for reviewing a potential client case documents.”

All reviews

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20 May, 2022 by Ashley baker
I would highly recommend the McDonald Law Firm. My father was hesitant to hire an attorney. He had A LOT of questions about the process, and they were very patient and responsive.
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17 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I know many lawyers who never charged any clients for reviewing their case documents before taking the case. But Grace Change charges a few thousand dollars for reviewing a potential client case documents. Not recommend.
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13 Jun, 2014 by Carol
It's a long story. How should I start. It's a painful and long story. My child's father was working overseas for 4 years. He was having affair with another girl who didn't know he was married with a child. They went to Japan for vacation. I didn't know about this until I couldn't find him for a week when he said he was at work. I stayed with my parents who help me take care of my son. I had difficult pregnancy and unexpected C-section and some complications. He was calling me failed mom and fat. He complained that I spent too much money on the CHILD. I was stupid and I didn't spend any money on myself. I'm a saver and a busy mom. I didn't have time for myself. He cancelled our joint credit card and served me with divorce paper one month after he came back from Asia. He took our house and took my stuff and jewelry and antiques..... after he got the U.S. citizenship. He was trying to kidnap our child to Asia. He was trying to take away my physical custody. He came me so much problems with visitation and late child and spousal support payments...He was always late during the visitation and left early. It was only 4 hours a week. He missed 8 times visitation. He called the child stupid. He didn't care about the child. He didn't want to pay. Grace MADE HIM PAY. Grace helped me a lot. Today I finally signed all the court papers. I got a good settlement with good child support. My child is not even 3 years old. He will be paying for a long time. The bad thing is father refused to pay for the child's college even though I proposed that he only pays if the child can't get financial aid and scholarships. He refused and he said he doesn't care about college education. He wouldn't put our child as a beneficiary on his life insurance (not even for 50%). I tried to save the marriage for our child for one year. I had to let him go because he is not caring about our child. His parents and he took me sign off my name on the deed one day without my prior consent. I was a nice person. The case is very complicated. I'm glad Grace could help me go though the most difficult part of my life. She is very knowledgeable and very professional. She is very efficient when she works. No drama. She always told me during the case that I was the boss because I hired her. She always wanted to hear what I wanted at different stages of the case. let's admit: couples change their minds all the time. As a lawyer, she made sure I didn't settle because of pressure, she made sure that I knew what I really want from the divorce, she made sure that I understand all the consequences of everything I do or say during the divorce. She is very protective and honest. She is straight forward, nothing hidden. Fees are very reasonable consider the amount of work being done. I did interview many top lawyers in Los Angeles County and Orange County because my ex filed in OC which was the wrong jurisdiction. Like everyone else: I want great lawyer to represent me and doesn't charge too much. I finally came back to Grace because she knows what I want, she would help me to get what I want: JUSTICE! The most important thing: she cares! Now I finally got what I want. I'm ready to move on and focus on myself and my child. Even after we closed the case, she still inform the client about the possible future problems and what to do when the clients run into these problems. She warned me for lots of things. I do have a small child with my ex. I didn't pay her until one year later when the case was closed. She gave me a big discount. She was very good in front of the judge when we went to the hearings. She made the other lawyer looked 'stupid', 'unprofessional', and 'unprepared'... I don't really want to use these words. The other lawyer was working hard, but not hard enough like Grace. She is a tough woman. I've see many happy customers during my one year experience with Grace. Staffs are nice too.
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24 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
It has been over a month since we've requested refund of our retainer balance. She asked for about $2000, which she took immediately out of our account. There was about 1 hour of work only done. She owes us the balance, but her excuse was first that she was too busy to issue a refund and second that her employee is on vacation and cannot issue the refund. She also seems to have an adversarial attitude which would stir up conflict between partners in a marriage, rather than resolve them. I would never hire her again. It's a 2 attorney firm, and I don't see why she can't simply write a check and give it to us.
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03 Apr, 2013 by David
Ms. Chang's office gave you an initial good impression. However after a few meetings with her staff and herself, it was clear that she mistated her work, was completely unprepared and avoided court appearances due to her lack of preparation. She allowed my ex-wife's attorney walk all over me without a single counter proposal. After being fired, she presented me with an over inflated bill.
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11 Mar, 2013 by Eric
My wife and I are in our mid-forties and decided it was time to create a living will and trust. We researched a few options and attended two seminars to understand the scope of what we needed to know. Unfortunately, the attorneys running the seminars seemed to be more focused on volume rather than the quality of their service. So when a close friend referred us to Adam a few days later, I wasn’t tripping over myself to speak to another attorney, but I’m so glad I did. From the first phone call, I knew Adam would be able to help us. He was a great listener and very patient. We truly felt that Adam was completely focused on our needs and helped us craft a will and trust that was exactly what we wanted. He was easily available by phone and responded very quickly to emails as well. Adam Aparicio was an excellent choice for our will and estate planning and I would highly recommend him to anyone.
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28 Feb, 2013 by David
I seriously goofed up a property transfer which resulted in the reassessment of the property taxes of my home. I literally went from paying $1500 a year to nearly $5000! Despite me missing several deadlines, Mr. Aparicio was able to secure a roll back of my tax value on my property when I thought all hope was lost. He was very generous with his time and didn't nickel and dime me for every call. He has a certain way about him, its very calming, and its nice to have someone do what they say they're going to do.
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09 Feb, 2011 by Eddie
I'm not one for writing reviews, but my experience with Adam Aparicio Law Offices prompted me to spread the word. Finding a good lawyer is a daunting task, scarier than finding a good mechanic, or dealership, or dentist, or sushi restaurant. Your life is literally in this persons hands. I can't believe the Law Gods smiled on me when they dropped Mr. Aparicio into my lap. I was talking to a good friend about my problem with an insurance company. I had signed some documents without really understanding all of the fine print. I made a grave mistake and trusted the insurance agent when she explained what everything in the documents meant. Little did I know, that she had failed to mention some pretty important clauses that were to my great disadvantage. I spent sleepless nights once I realized my mistake. The mistake had cost me in the thousands of dollars, and in this economic climate, it was heartbreaking. My friend mentioned he knew of a good lawyer and this is where Mr. Aparicio came in. I was reluctant to call his offices at first, I was feeling apprehensive in trusting anyone, since I had been let down by my own insurance company just previously. I had that same fear people have when trying to choose a good doctor. You want the best. But my mind was put at ease once I walked in. His staff was courteous, his office intimate, and his handshake firm. I felt comfortable with him right away. I was highly impressed by his initiative. He read my documents thoroughly, he answered my questions, he brought his staff together and they started on a plan of attack. Things were getting done right away and I felt at ease about it. I felt confident about having good people behind me. Adam and his staff were there for me every step of the away. They were always a phone call away. Even after they were able to get the contract retracted and annulled. They still called to make sure that I was happy and satisfied with the results. Was I happy? My lord! They saved me thousands of dollars and they still call to ask if I'm satisfied? Wow! They don't make lawyers like this anymore. I highly recommend Adam Aparicio Law Offices. It feels good to know that If I ever have legal problems again, I have no problem knowing who to turn too. I just want to give a big thanks to Adam Aparicio and his staff. It was a magnificent honor knowing you were all on my side.
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14 Mar, 2019 by Destiny
There is a reason HLF specializes in Employment Law. While avoiding specifics I will say this Team of legal professionals set the standard very high. From the moment I used their website to submit my inquiry to present day I never felt anything but educated, cared about, and professionally guided through the scary waters of my specific case. I sought justice and Alex (and his wonderful Team) helped me get it. I feel like I had a voice now and that I have been properly compensated. Towards the end and several times during this experience I was flustered and bewildered. I was worried they would think I was stupid or annoying for asking so many questions, especially after what I had been though.... My self esteem was not very good at that time. But every email was answered with patience and kindness. Now I feel victorious and I am ready to make the world my oyster again. Thank you so much for everything!
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08 Nov, 2017 by Sisla
Alex is a very good lawyer and he did help me a lot of my case. He knew what he was doing of my case and help me to win. I’m very appreciate it of him to take care of my case.
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08 Nov, 2017 by Franklin
Alex was really helpful, patient and was there with me all the way with my case when I got fired. Would recommend him to anyone who's in need of a sincere attorney
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07 Feb, 2019 by Kent
I was referred to Eugene Kim by another lawyer. I must have contacted 8 or more lawyers (email or phone), and was wrapping up when i emailed and then spoke to Eugene. He really makes sure he understands your case, and tells you whether you have one or not. He is knowledgeable and experienced with business law, where some others are not. Eugene qualified my claim without wasting time and money. His courtroom experience is very valuable. He is a very good lawyer and businessman. None of the other lawyers came close to his skill-set. I am sure he has a very successful practice with many referrals. You will be very happy after speaking with Eugene Kim.
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13 Jan, 2016 by Josh moon
Awesome attorney, helped me evict a tenant that hired Basta, a tenants rights defense law group. Without Eugene, I never would have been able to get my tenants out of the house without paying them.
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24 Sep, 2015 by Lacy
Eugene was a big help with my demand letter, walking me through the steps to file a small claims landlord-tenant case, and also in getting me prepared for my day in court. He was very thorough and really helped me to get a good grasp on my evidence and how to best prepare for the case. The judge was very impressed with how organized I was and judgement was in my favor.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Pasadena, California?

Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:

  • Within the Same State:
    Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state.
  • Outside of Their Licensed State:
    If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:
    • Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
    • Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
  • International Representation:
    For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.

It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  • Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose.
  • Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history.
  • Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records.
  • Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
  • Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards.
  • Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community.
  • Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  • Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  • Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as:
    • Contracts or agreements
    • Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
    • Legal notices or court papers
    • Financial records (if applicable)
    • Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
  • Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context.
  • List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, fees, or the lawyer's experience.
  • Financial Information:
    If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices.
  • Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case, including their names and contact information.
  • Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid photo ID for verification purposes.
  • Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed.
  • Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options.
  • Openness and Honesty:
    Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
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