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Nathalie Ben-David
Data reflects the status as of the most recent database update. We generally conduct data reviews and updates on a
monthly schedule.
4.8
Avvo rating
6 Reviews
5.0
Google reviews rating
1 Reviews
Top review highlights
AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Dedication and fast turnaround in completing the legal process
“I enjoyed her dedication and fast turnaround. Due to the new tax law, there was a big incentive to finish the divorce i”
2
Strong legal expertise and professionalism
“Her expertise and professionalism are unparalleled.”
3
Diligent and passionate representation in court
“She was well-prepared with her argument and approached my case with diligence and passion.”
4
Attentive and approachable to clients
“She is also very approachable to her clients, which made me feel like I had a great team on my side.”
5
Thorough in interpreting and applying case law
“Nathalie clearly informed me that we are not pigs, we use case law and evidence to prove our stance, and she was right.”
Cons
1
Occasional lack of in-depth knowledge on certain legal processes
“A few times she had to "research" how this and that works, as billable to me. I would have thought that knowing these things already is what family lawyers are for.”
2
Potential for over-billing on minor tasks
“At least once she billed me minimum billable for forwarding an email, and later another minimum billable for reading the content of that same email. I felt billing 24 minutes for this task was not reasonable.”
All reviews
14 Mar, 2021 by Karen
It has taken me nearly three years to write this review because I couldn't find the adequate words to describe Nathalie. After interviewing several attorneys, I came to Natalie on a friend's recommendation whose attorney father retained Natalie for his daughter. From the first conversation, I knew that I was in the best hands. My situation involved a difficult husband who was out for blood, a difficult separate property case, involved domestic violence, a lot of vitriol and was extraordinarily contentious. Brick by brick, Nathalie applied her brilliant knowledge of the law to build a case against any obstacle that came before her. With regard to the opposing side , she painstakingly paid attention to every single detail and ultimately trapped them using their own arguments against them, for the win. She out smart and out wit them at every turn! Natalie is fastidious with interpreting and applying case law rather than relying on mudslinging and gaslighting. There were times when I wanted her to get down in the mud with the opposing attorney and react aggressively. Nathalie clearly informed me that we are not pigs, we use case law and evidence to prove our stance, and she was right. I was a very, very difficult, needy and scared client. Nathalie not only saved me from myself by dissuading me not to react to their egregious tactics, and instead exercised her power, knowledge and experience in a dignified manner which knocked the opposing side to their knees. Nothing gets past Nathalie. During mediation, Nathalie absolutely fought for me using legal arguments which left the mediator absolutely speechless. There was nothing left to say, I won everything I deserved! To this day, my former husband is petrified of Nathalie, I need only to inform him that I will have Nathalie deal with the matter at hand and he backs down immediately! All I can say is, God help anyone who comes up against Nathalie's incredible talent, they won't know what hit them; their egos will burst like a fragile soap bubble. I am so grateful she didn't fire me, admittedly, I was like having five additional clients in one! She cares! She knew she had to protect me and she did. Her clients are people and she is empathetic to them. If you want the best, retain Nathalie, she won't let you down, she will fight tirelessly for you, not using spurious arguments, but solid legal arguments.
04 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Nathalie represented me as my second and final attorney for my divorce. Overall, I was happy with her services. I enjoyed her dedication and fast turnaround. Due to the new tax law, there was a big incentive to finish the divorce in 2018 and she gets all my credit for getting it done. Others involved in the process were clueless. Why not five stars then?
There's been instances where I felt the OPC had a bit the upper hand due to having more experience or knowing the law/process better. A few times she had to "research" how this and that works, as billable to me. I would have thought that knowing these things already is what family lawyers are for.
In one case she jumped in the research of detailed implications of a contract, only to later find out that the contract itself might not be valid. I felt it would have been more appropriate to first research and inform me about the validity. At least once she billed me minimum billable for forwarding an email, and later another minimum billable for reading the content of that same email. I felt billing 24 minutes for this task was not reasonable.
Back to the big picture, I was satisfied with Nathalie’s services, she was the best of the four family lawyers I dealt with during my divorce and hence would recommend Nathalie to a friend - in fact I did.
P.S. my two cents if you are going through divorce with attorneys involved: hire a mediator and get it done in one day. You will hate the outcome. But you will hate the same outcome out the court even more, as you’ll end up poorer. Don’t look for justice in courts.
12 Oct, 2017 by Solana beach chamber of commerce
The Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to have The Law Office of Meredith G. Lewis as a member and appreciate all they do for the community!
17 May, 2017 by Christina
Ms. Hall was phenomenal in both my civil matter and my issues in family court. Aside from receiving favorable rulings in both cases, she was professional, prepared, attentive and aggressive. I could not have asked for a better attorney or outcome and would recommend her without hesitation.
28 Sep, 2016 by Kian
Nathalie helped me with multiple legal cases. The first involved a legal issue with my employer. I had independently created proprietary software that was trying to be usurped by the employer. There were many complex medical legal issues to navigate with my employer and she was amazing in helping me get to my desired outcome. She next helped me reclaim thousands of dollars in a lost claim against an insurance company. I had my personal items stolen and she represented me in a strong fashion to battle the corrupt insurance company. Bottom line - her expertise and professionalism are unparalleled.
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Best lawyers in Solana Beach, CA
02 Sep, 2021 by Samantha
Gary helped me when the insurance company wasn’t giving me what I felt was fair. He listened to what I wanted/ didn’t want to happen during the process. He was open and honest about how all the proceedings would take place so I didn’t feel confused. Very grateful for his help.
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02 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Gary and I began working together in 1975. He immediately demonstrated an acute awareness of issues in cases assigned to him; and a willingness and ability to solve them.
He’s a great friend and an outstanding lawyer. In a recent case he was able to prove, with clear and convincing evidence, the devastating accident in which his client was critically injured was the result of a tour bus running out of gas! This was in the face of a furious defense accusing his client’s inattention to have caused the accident.
He’s a hands-on lawyer. He takes his role as advocate for his clients seriously. Give Gary a difficult case and he’ll do his best to turn straw into gold. He’s that good.
Gary was the reason for my early retirement. We’ve associated on many serious injury cases and in every case Gary made me look good.
You can depend on him to give you 100%. Every time.
Anthony F. Mournian
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20 Jun, 2018 by Ray
I had no clue what to do when I was hit, and my car was totaled. Gary helped me every step of the way through the process, and got me a very fair settlement. He took all the stress away, and I would highly recommend him. I was 100 percent happy with the job he did.
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12 Nov, 2014 by Robert
She's kept me well informed .Has-been there every step of the way for me fighting hard for me . Sticking to principles and ethics at the same time which are very important to me . And the ladies at the office Jody and Rihanna and the rest of the girls will be there to help you every step of the way also. Truly a team effort !
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27 Aug, 2014 by Jp - san diego
My spouse and I did a mediated divorce with another attorney. A year later, my ex-spouse hauled me back to court for what was essentially a divorce "do-over". Julie and another attorney (at a different firm) were recommended to me by someone in the legal profession. I interviewed the other attorney and Julie Mack. For my situation, Julie Mack was a better fit. She provided me with excellent advice and guidance on how to move forward in a stressful, and contested situation, while being rational with a long range view. She was also efficient, and did not bill me for excessive hours.
In the first consult with Julie, I was very clear in stating I did not have significant $$$ to spend on this round two litigation as I was still paying off the mediation attorney fees. As result, she was clear that I needed to as much work as possible, and it was my job to provide her with clearly organized and concise information about my case, so that she did not need to spend excess time doing research, or doing back and forth questons/phone calls, emails with me, and bill me at lawyer rates. She put ME to work with clear directives as to what she needed. As result, this kept the billings down, and I feel I got my $$$ worth from her.
My over-all impression is that she is a rational lawyer, not a shark out to rake your spouse over the coals, or milk your bank-account. Her advise was spot-on, and her knowledge of California divorce law, and the bias of the local court, excellent. Most important, she helped to lower my stress levels throughout the process, and helped to craft an agreement that I was happy with, and remain happy with years later.
In my divorce I worked with 4 attorneys. In this round two, I interviewed Julie and one other attorney. If I had it all to do over again, I would have hired Julie outright in round one. In contrast to the negative review here, the crafted round two agreement is water-tight, clear, and correct. If you are not out for blood, but want to craft an agreement you can live with for the rest of your life and look yourself in the mirror (and your children in the eye), I highly recommend Julie Mack.
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04 Dec, 2013 by Andrew
Julie has been our lawyer for nearly a decade after we had a bad first-time experience with another family law attorney. She is very fair and very understanding. She takes her clients' matters to heart as does her staff. Her goal is in the best interest of the children, which is what a GOOD family law attorney strives for. After we moved up to Riverside County, we were going to transfer the child custody case up there but decided against it just so we could retain her services in San Diego.
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21 Jul, 2023 by Reymond vazquez
02 Apr, 2023 by Willliam stein
Harley is the best! He really helped us through some tough times. Always available when I had a question. Patiently walked us through each step. So glad we went with Harley.
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03 Dec, 2022 by Henry matting
The overall process with Harley was smooth, despite the normal pains of filing for bankruptcy.
I’d imagine for most going through a difficult situation such as a bankruptcy that it’s important who you choose to represent you.
Harley was transparent, easy to get in contact with consistently, and an all around professional. I ended up speaking with a few attorneys and he seemed to explain most of the more varied legal talk in easy to understand plain English.
Not only that but he charged a very reasonable price and was even willing to work with me when I told him I had been offered a lower price from someone who didn’t seem as competent as he after speaking with them.
My only regret was not calling him sooner.. LOL.. seriously..
After speaking with him and learning the law, I found out that you are allowed to have up to 30K that’s exempt in most cases. Would have saved me quite a bit had I not used that trying to pay down my debt and those crazy rates.
If you want someone straightforward & no nonsense, I’d recommend him to friends and family.
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