Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Highly effective and persistent in helping clients achieve their legal goals, even in complex and challenging cases
“I couldn't even put into words the gratitude I have for Richard Sax and his associates... Without his persistence and countless hours of paperwork I don't think I would have my nephew.”
2
Caring, efficient, and professional legal team that goes above and beyond for clients
“This law Office is so caring and efficient. I am eternally grateful for Richard and his law office.”
3
Experienced and knowledgeable in various areas of law, including child custody, business, and real estate
“Richard Sax is your man if you want an experienced and professional lawyer. He helped us navigate a bad situation in child custody.”
Cons
1
Some clients felt the lawyer was unprepared, lacked communication, and failed to properly represent them in court
“Richard may have been a good attorney once - I now think he doesn't care about his clients. He refused to become familiar with the prior case, could not convince him to be prepared. He not being conversant cost us dearly. In the courtroom, he was a complete greenhorn.”
2
Concerns about overcharging clients and billing practices
“Richard's invoice came in 3x over his quote, though no change in scope, venue, or the anticipated contention of opposing party, less work than promised, was unconversant.”

All reviews

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17 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
He is by far no 5 star lawyer,, that is false. Richard Sax is nothing but a crook,, who overcharges his clients for things he doesn't do to defend you. My experience with this man was embarrassing when it came time to defend me. He babbled about taking the deal I was offered and in front of everyone he raised his voice telling me I was a drug abuser and put me down suggesting I was at fault when he was suppose to be defending me. He was fired directly after our conference with the other attorney wasting a year of my time making false statements to me saying how he would fight for me when he does nothing but get red in the face and flustered when put on the spot. He will not defend you,, he pushes off court dates and drags it on and on,, to make money off his clients. He is an embarrassment to have as your lawyer. I don't think he is capable of doing his job. You van do better defending yourself as he does nothing you ask,, always disagrees and does only what he wants n does not care about his clients at all. He will charge you for many things and then lose your case that's the truth. Stay away from this crook. I've never had a lawyer who is so stupid. I've watched him do the same thing to peeps I've net n known for years as he ripped them off and lost each case I've heard of threw his clients. Somebody should stop him from cheating people out of their money and time. He can't even defend himself for his lame actions. Dirtbag lawyer in my opinion. Fact
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12 Nov, 2020 by Scott
Richard may have been a good attorney once - I now think he doesn’t care about his clients. Everything here is my opinion, personal feelings or facts of the case. A person is using restraining orders to stalk me. Desperate to recover my life, I reluctantly sought a protective order. I told Richard I only want to proceed if he was certain we’d win; he was pretty sure we could. After 2 years extreme PTSD, I gathered up last savings, paid his retainer. A huge step for me just to be in the courtroom with my abuser. We agreed to hiring a process server. His office called, insisted I find a friend to serve process or we’d miss filing date. High anxiety for me, never did get her served. I informed Richard, he said I’d wanted to be “near her.” First red flag for sure. Should have fired him then and there. He refused to become familiar with the prior case, could not convince him to be prepared. He not being conversant cost us dearly. In the courtroom, he was a complete greenhorn. My stalker took my claims and filed her own restraining order. Richard was unreachable - even his office doesn’t know how to reach him. When he finally responded, he said nothing new here - of course, it was my exact language! My stalker charged at me on the beach screaming and cussing. I couldn’t prove it, then lo, she brought in video which did. The video showed she lay in wait and images further contradicted her own Declaration. She lied 2x. Richard couldn’t win with that. My own witness described being harassed by my stalker 2x, followed out of the market by my ex with fists raised, spittle flying. She feared for her own safety and underwent six weeks of panic attacks. A County Supervisor’s wife, no less! Richard couldn’t win with that. My ex’s argument for running a stop sign to hit me was there were places I could have pulled over. I said I did pull over, her fool attorney just repeated himself. She did not deny the violent attack with a motor vehicle. Richard told me he’d won restraining orders just because someone gave someone the “bird”. I personally find it aggressive and yet my stalker proudly admitted it. Richard did not win. Richard presented his bill as if he’d won the case, a full 25% over his rate. The whole courtroom seem embarrassed as this doddering man was fully out of step with the proceedings. Ex and I were in the same restaurant together, no restraining orders issued. I never approached her, I never saw her. Oddly, my ex describes her own fixated behavior taking photos of me backwards over her shoulder, which photos contradict her own claims. Judge said ex gasped when she saw me, therefore deserves a 5 year restraining order against me, even though her testimony and declarations contradicted! I’m further entrapped by this person I only dated 1.5 years and want nothing more than to be left alone, worse off than before I’d met Richard. He failed to object, despite being asked, to the other attorney’s highly inflated fees, costing me an additional $5,000. I was suffering from PTSD so badly I couldn’t earn income. One word, object, would have done it. Richard’s invoice came in 3x over his quote, though no change in scope, venue, or the anticipated contention of opposing party, less work than promised, was unconversant. Entitled to copies of exhibits, Richard failed to request real-time, then refused to get them for me. Basic stuff. I feared I may have to move from my home. Richard quipped, “I think we did a pretty good job.” Really? She continues to stalk me. There’s nothing I can do, I’m disabled, terrorized, afraid to go out. COVID may have a single upside - I’ve been left alone more, and can finally get my head around what happened and write this review. It is my view that Richard Sax does not care about his clients, cases, profession. He struck me as lazy, uninformed, unresourceful, unskilled. He got me into far worse territory than I was. I highly recommend avoiding -
star star star star star
22 Apr, 2018 by Melissa
After fighting foreclosure on my own for years by raising legal challenges it was time to turn it over to a professional. Knowing that most homeowners lose I needed the best attorney possible because I couldn't lose my home of thirty years. After much research on Google scholar it was narrowed down to three or four attorneys or law firms in Northern California based on repeated success for homeowners against the banks. One stood out not only for having a published opinion but also because I'd hired him years earlier to successfully represent me in a partnership dispute and that was Richard Sax. He has all the qualities that you want in an attorney. He's a sharp and experienced litigator who's driven to win and respected by the courts and the opposition. He's also honest and wants the best result for his clients. His communication skills are excellent, he listens and works with the client and always promptly responds to emails which I understand is kind of unusual. There aren't that many attorneys willing to go up against big business and the banks on the behalf of the little guy but this is something at which Sax excels. Foreclosure litigation is complex involving multiple areas of the law and he is experienced in them all. Making his representation even more effective his practice includes highly regarded real estate attorney, William Matz. His paralegals and staff are always cordial and helpful and this means a lot in something as nerve wracking as fighting a financial institution trying to take your home. His successful representation has prevented my home from being foreclosed on and I give him the highest possible recommendation.
star star star star star
07 Oct, 2017 by Anthony and kim
Richard Sax is your man if you want an experienced and professional lawyer. He helped us navigate a bad situation in child custody. Richard not only listened to us but fought for us all the way to victory. He charges fairly and brings invaluable law knowledge to the plate. Without Richard and his team we would have been still in litigation, and a child’s voice unheard. Thanks again for superior work guys!
star star star star star
03 Oct, 2017 by Cynthia
Richard Sax and his staff helped me change my business to a LLC. I attempted to do this myself but the process was too complicated, overwhelming, and time consuming to figure out. They made it easy and did everything so fast. I wish I would have contacted Richard earlier because the peace of mind I now have for protecting personal assets is such a great feeling. Getting this done was a huge weight lifted for me and my family. If you need any kind of help with legal matters then you need to contact the Law Offices of Richard Sax. I can guarantee you will be glad you did!
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25 Aug, 2023 by Jyc kadlec-rivera
Trustworthy, thorough, easy to work with, and with very reasonable fees.
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30 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Joe was highly recommended when I was doing the legwork for a friend in need of an attorney. Not only did he return my call right away, he did so even though he had taken time off for the birth of his child. He was very knowledgeable and skillful, clearly answered every question we had and was such a comfort that he was the first call I made when my son caught his own case not long after. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, we weren't able to hire Joe for my son but I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone and everyone. At the worst time in my family's life, Joe treated us with empathy and compassion while being realistic and straightforward about our options.
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22 Oct, 2012 by Chai
Words can not explain how lucky I was to have found a criminal attorney as good as Joe Rogoway. A situation led to my fiance, my roommate, and myself facing numerous aggrivated felony charges. Joe was my only hope against these aggrivated felony charges. My immigration status in the US was in jeopardy of Deportation, and whole life and future were now at the mercy of the criminal justice system. Joe was extremely educated and experienced with every one of my felony allegations, spanning from felony cultivation, felony possession with intent to distribute and felony possession of a stolen firearm, along with others. He was sensitive to my situation, and even assisted my co-defendants in finding suitable representation. Joe communicated with my immigration attorneys and very professionally navigated the whole fleet through our legal process. Joe was not only successful in getting me the best possible outcome (which most people didn't believe was possible in my situation), but also played the role of my therapist. Joe always found a way to be there for me and communicated with everyone from my attorneys to my family. Over all I truly believe Joe Rogoway is the BEST criminal defense attorney in CA, was underpaid for everything he did for me, and anyone facing criminal charges would be lucky to retain his services.
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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 Santa Rosa, 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:
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    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
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  • 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:
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  • Personal Identification:
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  • 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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