Lawyers map
Matthew Kirk Hobbs
222 12 F Street, Salida, CO
Practices
3.5
Avvo rating
2 Reviews
Data reflects the status as of the latest update. Updates are typically done monthly.
License
License ID number: -
Licensed in: -
Year admitted: -
Education
2001
University of Colorado, JD
Last reviews
Overall rating
3.5
2 reviews
3.5
Anonymous
27 Jul, 2015
Mr. Hobbs is professional, knowledgeable and a skilled litigator. Easy to communicate with, accessible and knows the local courts and judges. I would not hesitate to use him again.
Read more
Michael
12 Jul, 2014
I cannot judge whether Mr. Hobbs is a component lawyer or not. I can only give the facts in my case.
Mr. Hobbs agreed to take my case in about May of 2013. It was civil case in which I was the defendant. At the time of Mr. Hobbs taking my case I paid him $3,000 up front. During the case I paid approx. $3000 more. As the case wore along, the relationship between Mr. Hobbs and myself deteriorated. I don't believe Mr. Hobbs had my best interests at heart. When I asked him different questions about the case or how we could proceed, he would become angry and defensive and not give me an answer. Very condescending. In late June of 2014, the plaintiff's lawyer proposed a date for mediation that was about 10 days in advance. Mr. Hobbs contacted me and asked if I could be available either the 9th or 10th of July 2014. I responded that I could not do it on the 10th, I was going to a concert but the 9th was ok. Then I remembered that I had gotten baseball tickets to the Rockies for the 9th and would not be able to do it then either. Mr. Hobbs wrote email to the other parties saying I was being difficult. Mr. Hobbs called me a few days later when I was traveling and asked about the 15th of July. I was in my car returning from a backpack trip and told him I did not have my calendar with me and would have to get back to him. I suggested maybe we should put mediation off for a time as I wanted to try a different tack. Mr. Hobbs got very angry, told me he was frustrated and was withdrawing from my case. Leaving me high and dry without counsel. He then told all the other participants that I refused to mediate. This was not true. I told him I wanted to try to settle the case without spending another $2,000 - $4000 on his fees before the mediation. Mediation is now set for Sept 2-5 without Mr. Hobbs, actually that is exactly what I asked for from him. It will probably not go well for me without a lawyer, but at least I won't be out a few thousand dollars to a lawyer.
I am not saying he is a bad lawyer. He is just not very good at listening to a clients suggestions, or at least not mine. I also believe that he was very intimidated by the other lawyer, and his wife was moving to Salida, Co. and he was having to move and seemed to be under a lot of stress. I think he wanted out of this case and saw this as an opportunity.
I would recommend him, but I would caution, not to upset him, or try to get him to see your point of view. From my stand point, I never felt he cared much about me or my needs. He wasn't frustrated when he cashed my checks, and I paid every bill he sent me.
Read more
Best lawyers in Salida, CO
04 Sep, 2013 by Rachel kim
At 1st glance, my case was simple. Mom VS dad fighting over custody of our son.
But when you started to look deeper, you would find that this was anything but a simple case.
Key points, I am a naturalized American citizen born and raised in South Korea, my ex and I met and were married and divorced in Korea while he was stationed there with the US Army. When the divorce was finalized (without a parenting plan due to some conflicts between Korean and American law) , our son was living in Colorado with his paternal grandparents against my wishes. Shortly after the divorce I moved from Korea to WA state and my ex was relocated by the Army to Kansas State.
Once I established residency in WA I filed by proxy with Megan Kahn for custody of my son after my ex and his family continued to deny me all contact with my son.
As soon as the case was opened the grandparent's hired a lawyer and joined the case as intervenors. This brought the case up to 3 parties involved.
So to sum up; Divorced with no parenting plan, 2 countries, 3 states, 3 parties and the US Army
With all those factors; I couldn't have hoped for better legal counsel than Megan Kahn.
She was very compassionate, informative, patient (I have a thick accent and it can be difficult to communicate over the phone) and never failed to make me feel like I was family and that she truly cared.
Our day in court couldn't have gone better, thanks to Mrs. Kahn's guidance, a situation that could have been terrifying was still scary but I felt better emotionally prepared for it than I thought possible. And her performance was above and beyond anything I could have hoped for
To sum up, anyone who finds themselves in the unfortunate position to need legal counsel, will never regret hiring Megan.
Read more
30 Jan, 2012 by Nr
A more diligent and trustworthy lawyer, I could not have asked for. I have just completed a highly contested case that the opposing council kept trying to delay. After false promises from opposing council of mediation and settlement negotiations, Megan wisely advised me that we’d need to proceed to trial. With the health of my son, and the future of my parenting involvement with him at stake, Megan focused my energy on obtaining positive results from our trial. She expertly advised me on tasks that kept me on schedule and strengthened our position. Aware of the benefits and risks, we headed to trial.
Her calm courtroom demeanour is quickly apparent. She was intimately familiar with the case and never asked a question without knowing the reply, or the result of the question. She expertly crafted her line of questioning to present evidence to the judge without risk of objection. Our position was tightly woven leaving the opposing council no room to attack and leaving the judge a clear picture of our stance on major topics. Her reasoning and tact was focused and determined.
On redirect, Megan quickly exposed the holes in opposing council’s arguments and rendered many of their points untenable. Her line of questioning was clever and effective in eliciting the needed responses from the other party without provoking hostility. It was very effective in exposing the other party’s faulty reasoning to the judge.
I could not give Megan Kahn a higher recommendation. She has helped set up a foundation with my parenting schedule that will endure the test of time, avoiding future court cases. She was instrumental in the overall success of the case.
Read more
09 Jul, 2015 by Jeffrey
I am a practicing lawyer in Denver and have known Mr. Johns since 1997, during that time I have referred many of my clients for wills, trusts and probate work. In every case, Mr. Johns has timely and professionally meet the needs of my referrals. I have received positive feedback in numerous instances where Mr. Johns has gone above and beyond to make the rendering of his services convenient and effective. I trust Mr. Johns and consider him for my personal lawyer.
Read more
11 Dec, 2024 by Kathy delong
Charlotte was very helpful, patient and supportive while assisting us in updating our legal documents.
Read more
20 Aug, 2024 by Chanda
She might be ok with the basic items but found to be limited in knowledge on complexity like creation of an irrevocable trust. She flat out gave me wrong information.
Read more
10 Apr, 2024 by Penny smith-kerker
Very professional and helpful. Highly recommend Charlotte for wills, estate planning, etc.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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:
-
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. -
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. -
Who will be handling my case?
Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals. -
What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
What potential outcomes can I expect?
While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the expected timeline for my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What challenges do you foresee in my case?
Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
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 Salida, Colorado?
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.
