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25 Oct, 2021 by Peter flower
Bill Waldman was the attorney that handled a closing for Lakeland bank whom held an SBA loan I had. After closing the deal in December 2020 and wanting to pay off the balance in the first 6 months I sent 3 requests starting in June of 2021 requesting a pay off balance after I had paid down a large amount of the loan. It was not until OCTOBER that he finally got back to me and Fedex me out a demand letter saying I owed almost twice the amount money and I needed to satisfy the loan in 10 days. In addition, he continued to add interest on the loan which I had planned to pay off in full back in June. After a bit of back and forth I had to do his job and correct him on his $70K error because he was asking ME to show him where he had dropped the ball. Makes you a little nervous that these banks have lawyers that represent them and they make such huge errors. I guess this is what you get from K&L Gates LLP.
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28 Jan, 2021 by Paola disla
29 Nov, 2023 by Karla nachazel
Don was a real good lawyer for me when I went through my divorce in 1997. He treated me real good. Best lawyer I were had.
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29 May, 2018 by Truth seeker
This guy will rip you off. Him and his wife are both scammers who only care about money. Steer clear!!!
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28 Feb, 2024 by Elizabeth baker
Run!
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02 Oct, 2023 by Ben allen
Timely and efficient work and communication. Central downtown location with easy parking.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Erica
I hired this attorney in 2006 and she was the first attorney I had ever hired at that time for my child custody and child support case. She never returned my calls or emails but she billed for every one of them. Once I realized that she was billing me for my calls to her that were never answered, I would write all questions down and wait for her to call back . If she ever did it was very far and few between. I was a single mom and was scared to fire her because after paying the retainer, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to afford another attorney to represent me. I also didn't know at that time what she was doing was wrong and this is not how other attorneys conducted business or treated their clients. I would have hoped she would have made some changes before now but it appears that she is up to the same old behavior. Someone should contact the Bar or where ever to get something done about this woman. There are 100's I am sure that she is over charging and getting away with it. I hope that by writing this review it will help someone else to not be done this way by her.
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19 Apr, 2023 by Michelle michienzi
I cannot speak highly enough of Tasha Buzzell and Associates LLC and the exceptional legal representation that they provided.
From the beginning of my contempt hearing, Tasha demonstrated a deep understanding of the law and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me. She listened to me, understood my situation, and worked tirelessly to ensure that my interests were protected.
Throughout the entire process, Tasha provided me with sound legal advice and guidance, and was always available to answer my questions and address any concerns that I had. Thanks to Tasha’s expertise, I was able to achieve a favorable outcome. Her dedication, professionalism, and exceptional legal skills were instrumental in achieving this result.
I would highly recommend Tasha Buzzell and Associates LLC to anyone in need of legal representation in a family law matter. Their knowledge of the law, commitment to their clients, and exceptional legal skills are unmatched.
Michelle M.
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27 Jul, 2022 by Kristina raposo
Tasha is awesome! She gets the job done. Very down to earth and makes you feel comfortable. Always very responsive to questions/concerns throughout the process. I was anxious about a lot through my divorce and custody case but Tasha kept me focused and calm. She is highly knowledgeable and experienced in family law. It was evident by the way she communicated with other attorneys, court staff and judge…She knows the law and is well respected. I was extremely impressed with her! I cannot give Tasha enough praise. If you are looking for a strong family law attorney…Tasha is the woman for the job. Hire her!!! You won’t regret it.
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02 Jun, 2022 by James ostendorf
19 Aug, 2022 by Kevin coyle
Great experience with Hal and Deb!
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14 Jul, 2022 by Leticia navarrete
12 Jun, 2021 by Vlad
Good lawyer
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06 Jul, 2024 by Rian marquez
My experience with Attorney Curtis Ross was nothing short of a nightmare. From the outset, he displayed a level of rudeness and disrespect that was utterly appalling. When I sought clarification on certain legal matters, he dismissed my concerns with the utmost arrogance, labeling my questions as "idiotic."
Instead of fulfilling his role as a legal advocate, he left me to fend for myself in court, all the while painting a false picture of me as argumentative. His complete lack of support and guidance was both shocking and deeply disappointing.
Save yourself the headache and avoid hiring Curtis Ross at all costs. He is an utter disgrace to the legal profession and will leave you high and dry when you need support the most.
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26 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Steven Marshall served as the real estate attorney for my first home purchase--he never responded when I raised the issue of the size and accesibility of my parking space. During the closing he told me to call him when the taxes were due and despite repeated attempts to contact him, he has never returned my call. Do not trust this person with important business transactions--he is unresponsive. Most of the time you will be working with his office staff which were rude, seemed overwelmed and were also unresponsive.
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28 Oct, 2022 by Susan dotson
He's 76 years old and very forgetful. If you're lucky, Curtis Ross will remember to provide zoom information. If he has a bad day he may forget and you could miss court or be very late. He loves to celebrate every holiday and disappear days before court. Do you want him to prepare before court? Do you want to be prepped before court? If the answer is "no" pay his $5,000 retainer and $375.00 an hour.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Sonja wilson
Conner Helvig five stars. Professional, prompt, courteous.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Mat kuttamparambil
Matthew is a bold strategist that tackles issues head on with the goals of his clients being his utmost priority. I contacted Matthew as soon as I knew I had a hearing (a day prior!) He immediately reached out to me and gave me a consultation. Speaking to Matthew gave me the confidence I needed to hire him to keep my innocence. He immediately took note of my side of the story in full context and told me of what to prepare for in the charging court. Matthew's wit and knowledge was important in getting my case completely dismissed before I was even charged!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Shanta hill
Ben is excellent! He is extremely professional and honest. I would recommend him to anyone that is in need of a Criminal Attorney.
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27 Oct, 2022 by Carlos maldonado
If you are considering hiring this Law firm and you love your family, I urge to reconsider, read all the reviews bellow this one they are really bad, She (Julie Seymour ) it states things we didn't agree and didn't talk being a lawyer you should judge for your self, I will let you judge this situation and consider if its a good fit for your family. A person that doesn't pay her house cleaners to threat, don't respect agreements and change them to her convenience. I strongly recommend consider doing buissnes with this law firm. You can judge people how they behave with others and most important if its in your own home and family.
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05 Feb, 2021 by Robin johnson
Spent thousands of dollars and got nowhere. Lawyer was doing her own thing in her time. I didn’t feel she was working for me or my sons best interests. I do not recommend this law office
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03 May, 2019 by Samuel ireri
Initially I retained Julie as my attorney and ended up getting Mary. They promised alot but didn't deliver to expectation. She missed child support court date. Of all court appearances....I walked in thinking I was would have my lawyer with me but no one was there, no counter motions were filed as expected and as promised.
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27 Oct, 2022 by Carlos maldonado
If you are considering hiring this Law firm and you love your family, I urge to reconsider, read all the reviews bellow this one they are really bad, She (Julie Seymour ) it states things we didn't agree and didn't talk being a lawyer you should judge for your self, I will let you judge this situation and consider if its a good fit for your family. A person that doesn't pay her house cleaners to threat, don't respect agreements and change them to her convenience. I strongly recommend consider doing buissnes with this law firm. You can judge people how they behave with others and most important if its in your own home and family.
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05 Feb, 2021 by Robin johnson
Spent thousands of dollars and got nowhere. Lawyer was doing her own thing in her time. I didn’t feel she was working for me or my sons best interests. I do not recommend this law office
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03 May, 2019 by Samuel ireri
Initially I retained Julie as my attorney and ended up getting Mary. They promised alot but didn't deliver to expectation. She missed child support court date. Of all court appearances....I walked in thinking I was would have my lawyer with me but no one was there, no counter motions were filed as expected and as promised.
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13 Aug, 2023 by Tina
No I would not hire this attorney ever again. He was paid in full and took years to get in a courtroom. If I dare call him after he was paid he would never return calls or rarely if I did get him on the phone he would scream at me about he had other clients. This was years back but I remember how I was treated.
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02 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I needed a good attorney to handle my child support case, since it was coming from another state, and a few complicated matters going on. I was told that Lassiter would not begin to work my case until I paid him in full, and I paid him in full earlier this yr. He made 0 calls to the other state to find out about a final hearing, which actually delayed some info. needed for a hearing in NC, in addition, he hardly returned my calls and I had to drive with a fever once to his office, to be treated unfair. I did receive court dates and never papers in the mail from the law firm for the past 7 mos. showing updates on my case, I had to drive in person to the local courthouse to get papers needed about my case, In addition, his secretary-paralegal is extremely rude and even border line control of emails. I have been displeased with the level of service I have received, and my ex husband had plenty of time to get a good lawyer during the longevity of my entire case, which has put me behind in my bills. Please try to find another family law attorney,
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05 Jun, 2020 by Gary
I will forever be grateful to Mr. Lassiter and his fine staff for the work they did representing me.
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17 Mar, 2017 by Simon
Needed some simple advice to review an out of state order and have it moved to Connecticut. Victor took my money (twice), asked me to send him a document to review and act upon, but he (and his assistant) then failed to respond to several phone calls and emails when I tried to follow up. Victor seems to know his stuff, but is clearly not interested in the small stuff. (who is, I guess?) Many months later and I am no further ahead...trying to work it out on my own...
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29 Dec, 2016 by Richard
I used Vic for a custody battle in new haven and was over charged and had less them stellar results in the end I was even sued by Vic and had a lean put on my house by him this is not an attack just facts even the attorney that was hired as a Guardian at Leitem for my child was in agreement that his fees were way over priced needless to say in the end I did get my child back on my own after releasing Vic but still got sued by him and had a lean put on my house to insure that he got paid what he did not deserve
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29 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Victor knows his way around the law books. From a Non-Attorney perspective things seem to happen the long way around with a lot of extra hearings and aggravation that literally have no point. Victor is a very capable and knowledgeable Attorney fighting an up hill battle for most of us, yet I can not help feeling slighted and semi ripped off in the process. He is very busy, this however is no excuse for lack of preparation for a hearing... preparation that I have PAID for... a Hearing that I am PAYING for. Bottom line is, he has the knowledge, he has the skill, yet when confronted with these concerns will bail on you.
The Potential is there Victor. You could Shine like no other. Not one person in that Court House has more knowledge of the law than you. Slow down, use it like we all know you can.
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16 Nov, 2021 by Travis
I hired Matthew in February '21 to do my divorce paperwork and be a plan B if things went left with my Ex. Matt said he would try to get me on a $5k retainer but billing asked for $10k.
Matthew seemed empathetic at first. He had a calm demeanor and gave the impression he would be invested in getting me through the process.
I gave my Ex an initial offer. She counter-offered asking for 3x the amount. One that would never be held up in court but I didn't know that. Matt did not tell me that. He told me two things. I couldn't afford to have him negotiate on my behalf and she could make it much worse. My best bet was to stick with him and do the negotiations myself.
I did that, I negotiated a deal I should have never have entertained. I waited on Matthew to provide the final paperwork. This is where his apathy and incompetence saved me. It gave me time to double check and talk to other attorneys.
I didn't get my paperwork when Matthew said I would, so I fired him. Billing let me know that Matthew had spent my $10k in all two months. They hounded me for $500 more as I "overspent" on my services.
I let them know I would cover it if Matthew could explain how his initial estimate of < $5k ended up costing me over double that. Matthew never responded. I recently reached out to him and asked again. I asked for an explanation and a discussion on a refund of any amount.
Matthew does not care about you if he knows he's already sucked you dry. I have never been treated so inhumanly by someone I was paying.
I hired a different lawyer who cut my alimony in half. He did in less than 30 minutes with my exes lawyer and $3k.
If you have millions in property, then Matthew is your guy. If you're reading this and realizing you made a mistake, it is never too late to fire your lawyer.
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03 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
Matthew represented me in a divorce case for several months until mediation was completed. Having worked with one attorney prior to Matthew (pro-se divorce consultation), and one attorney after (representing me in trial), I can comparatively say I had a very poor experience with Matthew. While Matthew is very warm, empathetic, and agreeable and works at a "big-name" firm (things that brought me to Matthew), I found that he was not a strong advocate for me, was challenging to work with, and was significantly more expensive compared to my other attorneys (even the one who prepared for and spent 3.5 days in trial with me).
Specific issues:
(1) I asked Matthew to simply argue the data - that I couldn't afford what the opposing party wanted. But he didn't share this data or even my budget with the opposing party, and I believe this hurt me. We simply weren't aligned on strategy - to use data and facts (like what I earned and could afford to give) to argue the case, vs using his preferred tactic to let other parties go first w/ no info, then countering lower and then seeing where you land. This strategy had very little effect at moving the opposing party towards realistic numbers.
(2) Matthew didn't advocate against a mediator becoming biased and actively inflating the opposing parties expenses and budget.
(3) Matthew often told me to take bad deals I literally couldn't afford because he thought a court might possibly make a more adverse decision. I really just wanted him to fight for something that even got me to a $0 end of month budget (vs. something that put me in the negative).
(4) Matthew was often not responsive to emails or phone calls for days to weeks at a time. Requests to improve this didn't change his behavior in a lasting way.
(5) I asked to hold meetings to discuss strategy and next steps, but often couldn't schedule these until the day or day before arguments/documents/proposals were due. We were ill-prepared and I was ill-prepared because I didn't know what was coming
(6) Matthew didn't provide clarity into upcoming bills (despite asking for this). I was surprised by how quickly large retainers were spent, and it was frustrating to see how much of the retainer was spent on printing huge binders never used, overhead costs you pre-agree to, and other firm employees I never met.
(7) I eventually let Matthew go (in writing and via voicemail), but was invoiced for activities completed after I let Matthew go. It took months to successfully get the firm to drop the charges.
I had none of these issues with my other attorneys. While I know Matthew couldn't control the outcome of my case, the process of working with him was very frustrating, and the cost was egregious when I compare the efficiency and pleasure I had of working with my other attorneys.
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22 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
This review is difficult for me to share, but I feel I have to do it so at least others might be able to benefit from it. Matt simply was not a zealous advocate for me in my divorce. I gave him the benefit of the doubt for a while because he had started out well. After a month or so, though, Matt became passive and barely did any work. For a while he wasn't really billing, so initially the expenses weren't very high, but by the end I was paying thousands and seeing little movement on my case.
My divorce was straightforward; no kids, just division of a handful of assets. It dragged on for well over a year though. Opposing counsel, on behalf of my ex, would deliberately obfuscate and stall, and when faced with this, Matt simply accepted it. He did not push for transparency, did not find ways to push opposing counsel toward an end, and also did very little work himself. Weeks would go by with no communication from Matt, and when I'd reach out to check in, he would often times not respond. One time he disappeared for almost a month. I reached out to him three times to check in and ask if there was anything I could do to help move things forward, and he only responded after I told him I'd have to find other representation since my case was obviously not a priority for him. Despite his assurances, his behavior did not change.
A few times, Matt told me he was going to start work on something, then never did it. For example, opposing counsel sent us a settlement proposal and Matt told me he would get working on a counter-proposal right away. After 3 months and several attempts on my part to push or ask if I could help, there was still no counter-proposal from Matt.
Finally, I requested mediation (an extra cost) in an effort to force an end myself. The mediation was a full day. Matt's representation was fair, and we were able to negotiate the high points, although I now wonder if another attorney would have done better for me on those. At the end there were some details still open, and I tried to ask about them. Matt was in a hurry to leave and was dismissive of my questions, packing up while I was talking to him. I was uncomfortable signing the agreement, but I decided to trust that Matt wouldn't leave anything important hanging. It turns out I misunderstood an essential piece that I would not have agreed to if Matt had explained it to me properly. He also left a loophole that my ex exploited, which left me in financial limbo for what turned out to be months after the settlement.
When weeks turned into months after the settlement and there was no end in sight, I had to let Matt go. I retained someone else to finish the divorce (several thousand additional dollars that I really couldn't spare), and my new attorney was able to wrap it up within a few weeks of coming on board, despite encountering the same difficulties with opposing counsel that Matt had. She was just more proactive and wouldn't accept their tactics.
To add insult to injury, Matt's firm charged me interest on my outstanding bill, which took a few months for me to be able to pay due to the loophole Matt had left in my agreement.
Unfortunately, my experience was so frustrating that I can't recommend Matt or McKinley Irvin. Divorce is already one of the worst times in people's lives, and my ordeal with them just compounded it. I hope they're able to offer a better experience to future clients.
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06 Jun, 2021 by Lauren douglas
21 May, 2021 by Jonathan connelly
04 Aug, 2019 by Marjorie morgan
17 Sep, 2024 by Karen calderon
22 Jul, 2024 by Karlos estrada
Estoy muy molesto por qué me dijeron que hiciera una cita y si no calificaba me regresaban el dinero de la consulta me hicieron pagar y ahora no me contestan !!! Y a mi esposa le querían cobrar también pero gracias a Dios no caímos en la Estafa solo a mi me robaron !!!
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19 Jul, 2024 by Paul castillo
Después de ver los review. No creo. Poner mi caso con estos abogados. Gracias. A los que nos informaron 👍🏼
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15 Mar, 2024 by Sonya riggs
20 Dec, 2023 by Gina reilly
I recently needed legal services and I hired Attorney Curtis.
He was amazing! Seriously I’m so very impressed and so lucky to have had him in my corner!
He was brilliant and really knew how to cross examine someone who was lying and expose them perfectly!
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06 Nov, 2023 by Steve smith
15 Feb, 2024 by Viiziion vtrap
Vaughn, my opinions and facts about you are surreal, you worked so hard to defend me and my innocence. you did a job that not many lawyers would be capable of doing. we grew a bond together, it was professional and personal. thank you for saving my future and allowing me to stay apart of my son and families life. If you’re in need of a criminal defense lawyer i highly recommend Vaughn. He’s very professional at his career and will do his absolute best to help you get out of the situation you are in.
JM. if i ever need him again im going straight to him. he fought so hard in trial, it was an experience i’ll never forget. thank you boss! we won!
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15 Feb, 2024 by Viiziion vtrap
My life hit a major loss while going through 6 felonies, facing years in prison, 8 months of stress on me. Vaughn had told me how he felt about this, we took it to trial and won all 6 counts, found not guilty! i couldn’t have hired a better lawyer than him. he fought hard til the end. kept in touch through those 8 months. i highly recommend this man, he is a tough person to beat! never gave up. had faith, just as i did and we came out on top. thank you so much Vaughn. on a personal and professional level i got the pleasure to get to know him. he gave me my life back. without him i wouldn’t be where i am at now. thank you boss!!!
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30 Dec, 2023 by Raif patterson
Professional, detail oriented, and they generally care about your opinion. In court they think outside the box and fight to win. I couldn’t ask for anything more in a lawyer.
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03 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
I was facing 16 months in prison for a SERIOUS drug charge, DUI, and child endangerment. Sean was able to get me a 120 day jail sentence which I was able to serve on home detention. Four years probation, 16 weeks of DUI classes, 52 weeks of child endangerment classes. After completing all my classes, paying all fines and completing my house arrest we went back to court and Sean was able to have my probation terminated early and completly expunge my record of all charges. If you have a case in Riverside county Sean is the man!
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14 Mar, 2024 by Jdeeley2
I hired him and payed him upfront(which is normal i guess). He proceeded with the hearings for me, and when it came to settle he didnt even show up! He sent someone that knew nothing about my case/previous case. He tries to trick you into settling fast to make his life easier, they told me the courts wanted a 4 month program, but failed to tell me the DMV required me to do 18 month if i wanna drive again. I have hear they do this to ALOT of people!
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26 Apr, 2023 by Jimmy
I hire Sean in 2009 for an attempted murder case, of course it take some time, but man o man I WON MY CASE. This man knows his law, thank GOD for him.
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25 Jan, 2022 by Ryan
Very disrespectful. In our first call I had to say “let me finish” three times before he stopped interrupting me.
Took him 12 days to confirm receipt of an email. The secretary and other lawyer who were cc’d on it didn’t reply either.
Office staff refuse to give him a message and only send you to his voicemail (he wasn’t responding, so that’s why I called the office).
He forgot what we talked about for 45 minutes.
He didn’t hold the other party accountable to the things we had both agreed on—and he was on the call when we agreed!
He couldn’t produce any results, so I had to stop working with him.
He charges $400/hour for this—save your money!
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02 Mar, 2018 by Steven
Thank you for caring about my children and through your actions giving them a future that and I hope and believe will now be bright. The most important thing an attorney, a child rep or anyone can do is look after the children of our world. You helped look after mine, and my wife and I really appreciate it.
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01 Mar, 2018 by Ngm
I found Marc to be thorough and very patient during a most traumatic time in my life. I was involved in a never ending custody battle. He was very empathetic and great with my child. He helped end this court case where others had failed. He worked hard on my case and got me the results that are in my child's best interest. I am grateful to Marc and he and my child still have a connection. My child cannot wait to play chess with him again!
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14 May, 2018 by Anonymous
Rebecca did an excellant jobfor my divorce. The judge was horrible and the other attorney kept filing for extensions otherwise this would have been done quickly. She was also very reasonable compared to what other attorneys quoted for a retainer and her services.
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21 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired this firm of rebecca souligne in October for my case I have not been kept informed on anything I was told emergency orders were gonna be filed 2 months for support relief low and behpld nothing has happened not worth time or money to waste with this firm no communication from them since they have hired I have been evicted out of house no car insurance no money cause of no help from firm I hired to take my caes thanks for wasting my money and time
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05 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Did what she said she would do. Other reviews obviously think their cases would get settled overnight. Unfortunately, their case is not the only one that this attorney or others have. No family law cases get settled quickly because the courts are backlogged with cases. This was the second time I have used Rebecca and she achieved our desired results. Also, she is reasonable and does not overcharge clients. These people below obviously don't realize that everytime an attorney has to call and talk to you some small detail, they charge you.
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17 Feb, 2024 by Jason
My issues with the corrupt Frederick County State's Attorney Office and the thieves employed by the Frederick Police Department Narcotics Unit began when a federal agency was at my home searching for business records and found $150,000 in cash I kept at home. The feds wanted to seize the money but didn't have paperwork to do that so they contacted Frederick Police and showed them some marijuana I had in the house. Frederick Police, drunk on greed, fell over themselves drafting an unlawful search warrant and took my marijuana and steal my money from the house.
Within 20 minutes of first meeting Jake he turned to his partner Mr. Poffenbarger while reviewing my documents and said, "this warrant they used is no good." I knew I was in good hands. When the Frederick police timed my arrest to occur over the Memorial Day holiday Jake was in court having me released on bail first thing on Tuesday morning.
Jake is extremely personal, professional and caring. Even though his son was born during this time he always gave my case his full attention, was well prepared and presented an commanding presence in the courtroom. He stuck with me through the whole case even after I brought on a Baltimore attorney because I was convinced all of Frederick was in on the corruption. The Baltimore lawyer never showed up at any of my court hearings, but Jake was there with me without fail every other month for a year. He would have to present me the ridiculous offer, made every time to just let Frederick keep the $150k they stole and all the phony charges against my wife and I would be dismissed.
Thankfully, we stood strong with Jake on our side. One of the happiest days of my life was standing with Jake in Court as he made the fat, smelly, money-grubbing prosecutor Colleen enter a Nolle Prosse on every charge in her bogus indictment. The very next week he forced the city to return all of the money they had stolen and my prescription Xanax. This was amazing because these corrupt government agencies can mount a civil case against the money even after they lose in criminal court. They just didn't have any fight left in them after the year Jake spent embarrassing them in Court. I'm happy to report those crooks didn't see a dime from their disgusting escapades.
If I were ever accused or investigated for a crime, served a peace order or had a divorce or custody issue I know the first and only thing I need to do is call Jake Craven, Esquire.
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07 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
He didnt care to listen to anything I said he was more interested in making the states attorneys happy! Tried to get me to pled out for 3 years behide bars, went againt what he advised ended up with 1 year probation. F**k that dude.
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23 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
This guy is not professional and cannot be trusted to diligently do his job correctly. My first conversation with him was normal so to speak. I got off the phone feeling like I had hired a great attorney, but those feelings were short lived. He is rude, passive aggressive, and not equipped to handle complicated cases. He has poor communication skills, and if he gets frustrated enough, he will hang up on you!!
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16 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Nick is a terrible human being. He willingly entered into a relationship with a married young woman with two children while being married himself. He then advised this young woman to file a PFA against her loving husband on a Friday so that he would be served over the weekend and told her to leave with her children in the middle of the night. Anyone that has been sanctioned twice by the Bar Association and has two DUI's on his record is not someone that I would take legal advice from.
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27 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
My fiancé recommended Nick. I called him immediately to discuss my child's case. He agreed to representation. Nick was able to get the warrant dismissed and the charges dropped to a summary offense. He was able to have this mattered resolved in 6 weeks which helped alleviate stress. Great guy and true to his word. He's an excellent attorney!!
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11 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
If this is the same person that practiced in Media PA I urge you to stay far far away! Our experience was abhorrent! Many promises were made and none were kept. Meetings and court dates were cancelled due to his "schedule conflicts" with no regard whatsoever for his client. We wasted so much vacation time and lost work time, all for naught! We were later assigned another lawyer from the firm who was no better; suggesting we settle for a minuscule fraction of what we were after. My wife finally "fired" him and represented herself, winning her case and receiving nearly the full amount of what she was seeking!
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20 Dec, 2023 by Corey white
Leon will exaggerate, twist and downright lie in his guardian ad litem reports. If you have the opportunity to choose, stay away from this dude. He’s lazy, he does the bare minimum, he has no clue what is “in the best interest of the child” as he suggests “equal shared parenting” is not an option for an child under his personal bias and preference. Leon spent his time “interviewing” family members and friends by chatting about stories about their family members, partying and old drunken memories, with minimal talk about the child, or the child’s needs and wishes. If you’re a father hoping to be just that, a father, this guy will be sure you don’t get that opportunity as he believes what’s best for a child is 14% visitation time turning you into an acquaintance to your child! Sadly, a father himself, stealing children away from loving dads in the name of money!
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15 May, 2023 by Taylor scott
I went through Leon for my divorce and noticed he avoids you and does not get back to you in a timely manner. It has been three years and he still hasn't called or emailed me back to close an active divorce case. I was told the paperwork and invoice was "on his desk" when I called the receptionist monthly and now she doesn't even work there anymore. I had called them today just to see if they even have my information in their system anymore and the sweetest receptionist lady answered and apologized over and over. I don't know if I need to hire another lawyer just to get my case cancelled or what I should do at this point...
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14 Feb, 2023 by Midwest handyman services inc
17 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Travis took my complicated divorce case and fought diligently for a ruling that favored my side. I am an executive high income earner with four children and a wife who was from Asia. Additionally, I had a C Corp and several rental properties which added to the complexity. After nearly two years, forensic accountants, etc., it was completed. I’m happy with the turn out. Thank you Travis!
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11 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
AVOID AVOID AVOID. If you are looking to waste your money without any results then Travis Whitfield is for you.
I have been dealing with my divorce, child custody, and child support issues for over a year now. Travis and his team got involved and screwed that all up. Everything has been delayed due to him fumbling with the case. He paid little to no attention to the case and passed it along to multiple associates and paralegals to WASTE your money.
Throughout my case, most of the time when they sent over documents for me to review and sign, I always had them correct one thing or another, they were hardly ever accurate. Yet, they still billed me to correct THEIR mistakes. There is a long laundry list with this law firm.
If I can help at least 1 person avoid this law firm; I have done my job. You don't want to add to your problems during your hard times looking for a capable lawyer. Don't waste your time and money with this law firm.
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06 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
I got a recommendation to check this lawyer for my divorce by a friend I say whose judgment I could trust. He asked what I wanted.
I said I want to make it as amicable as possible, I want what is fair, I want my peace, my freedom and most of all I want my kids to go through this as smoothly as possible. As long as I have my health, peace of mind, stable job and an option for my children to go to (their mom as I have learned exhibit strong narcisisstic traits which finally explained everything that troubled me all those years). His other question relevant : Do you think your wife is going to make this very difficult for you? My response was " Absolutely 100% she did not have to make threats that she is going to make it like hell for me, I knew"
He convinced me with these words:
I will fight for what is right for you and her
I do not tolerate using the children as leverage
I am not one who try to squeeze the other party unfairly
We move with the children welfare always the priority.
I said I am in. This was me filing for a divorce I tried all I can to work out for 20 years only to realize 18 years that nothing will ever change.
The promises not one of it were ever even came close to even get a jumpstart.
the best words he made were after the first court day in which I was shell shocked he did not do or say anything to advance or make known our contentions. The very first court day a few minutes before we even were called in to the courtroom I knew then that I made a very big mistake. As we were preparing all that I would say what about my, what about the, and what not. His one and best answer amongst was maybe we can add that in the next court day this is just the start!
When the proposals came and I so much had disagreement to some claims that were so absurd as we went along each proposal. Some I had no idea whatsoever how to proceed I asked what can you say, what legal advice can you give me. The best answer he has made was " well I do not know you are the one who has to decide what you want to do with it I am just putting note to make sure that we represent exactly what you want and how you wanted. One other answer he made was I do not deal with those financial stuff. It is not my line of specialty. So I asked maybe he can give me recommendations who to contact after all he has more than 2 decades at least of doing his job. But no he referred me to his secretary. First secretary left a few months after . I have a pending heart surgery. My job security is non existent, there is an active deliberate operation to try to get rid of me. My lawyer knew this so I am lagging with my payment of his services which is just about the only thing they are good in communicating with me. Now he is asking to be relieved from being his representative due to an irreparable relationship and an outstanding service fee. There never was an representation nor there ever was a relationship. I know nothing about law but I have common sense and I am in customer service. I am actively looking for a new lawyer that can simply just represent me for what is legally fair for me, the wife and the kids.
I did not know I hired a paralegal.
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02 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
I’m not going to write a long winded review. If you’re looking to retain an experienced, knowledgeable, and personable attorney…DO NOT HIRE THIS ONE!!!! Run away as fast as you can. You can thank me later.
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04 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Be careful when hiring this attorney. Not only did I hear her yelling at my 74 year old disabled father over him not being able to use the internet, she never took the time to understand his case. She was good at billing close to $20,000. for 1 meeting and a few motions. She never understood the case and didnt try. He was never able to call her and she didnt place a a lot of effort.
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28 Oct, 2020 by Aindrea
MS. Naylor was so wonderful to me. I can sometimes be difficult, I get busy and forget to email back. Her patience means the world to me as I'm trying to get through this in one piece. She gave me great advice and understood why I chose the decisions I did . she really kept me sane through it all.
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28 May, 2023 by Anonymous
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/domestic-abuse-survivor-gets-justice-after-quick-thinking-saves-her-from-forced-shared-custody-agreement/3235552/
I actually never hired her for obvious reasons but selecting the “consulted” button was the only way I could post this.
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05 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
Well a friend of mine was sentence to life in prison for a crime he was ineffective which she had his case for five months and when it came to trial she asked for a continuous because she said I only had one week to prepare. If she would have asked to see the warrant she would have notice the warrant was invalid.. had seen the warrant she could have filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress evidence and a 995 motion to dismiss.. my friend would be a free man which he is actually and factually innocent of all charges.. But he still in prison after almost 11 yrs but he is still fighting for his freedom.. Don't hire her cuz she pick and chooses who she will defend but SHE WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY..
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24 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Karolyn Kovtun is known for spreading false conspiracy theories and making false allegations about others online. Not professional, whatsoever.
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03 Feb, 2024 by Susan kaneshiro
Maryann acted like my daughter-in-law‘s divorce attorney not for the benefit of those children. Since then we had to go to family court multiple times because the mother and her boyfriend are unfit. The children was choked and my granddaughter who was 6 dragged across the floor by her boyfriend. Maryann even talked crap behind my son and my back and it got back to us. . How can this person be an advocate for minor children? There needs to be an investigation on this advocates motives. Since we wasted so much time with her incompetence ..the children were thrown out along with the mother without enough notice to get their belongings from the boyfriend due to the mother cheating among other things. This advocate sure did get this one wrong! Now the children are where they are protected with their father. This so called attorney should be investigated.
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25 Jan, 2023 by Puppii satellite
She was my granddaughters father's attorney. I thought we would work that to achieve a goal we would all appreciate. It wasn't a good situation.
I complimented her on her long healthy hair. She flipped her head as if I was a fly in her face.
We will work on how to deal with such evil.
The Lord will deal with her eventually. He knows my heart's in the right place.
As much as everyone says how lazy she is she was 'on' the boy.....!
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26 Nov, 2022 by Jennifer pojedinec
Do not hire her as a divorce attorney. After paying her a retainer to facilitate my divorce as quickly as possible, it took months before she took any action and after a year, I fired her and hired someone else, her delays cost me tens of thousands because my assets grew in value as did the distribution to my ex husband. Assets that she advised me he would have no entitlement to. She advised incorrect information and it cost me extensively.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Tania solis
20 Apr, 2024 by Roberto gil
Worst experience with a lawyer ever! Waste of money, time, and never a response!🤬
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28 Mar, 2024 by Ana milena mejia
Ana is an amazing lawyer so caring and humble , the way to care is huge . She is the most protective person when it comes to your kids. Her assistant Marcela is the most sweetest person and always answering all questions. The best for family cases.
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29 Aug, 2023 by James hughes
Most useless lawer ever. Went to court for dna test found out that the kid was not mine and he still made it where I had to pay. And the other person didn't even show up to court he didn't fight for me at all. He's the most useless lawer ever. Don't waste money going to him at all.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Anthony minissale
Absolutely dishonest! A disgrace. Check out his criminal record as well. Tried using him for mediation and he was as bad as the crooks I`m dealing with,Robyn and David Huckans of Huck reality. 2 pees in a pod!
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17 Feb, 2023 by Danielle tesiero
Absolutely don’t earn any stars to be honest. I hired a lawyer less than a year ago and that lawyer did a great job and now needed another lawyer.
And family court is expensive! I tried to see how court appointed lawyers were for court instead of paying a lot of money again. This lawyer was my court appointed lawyer and treated me like I was absolutely not worth his time. Only heard from him 30 minutes before court and was told we had to make it quick because he has things to do. Told me it wasn’t his job to get in the middle of my custody battle and everything I told him he had a poor excuse behind it. Example; I said my child was hitting me and calling me names and threatening me at 6 years old because his father does the same thing. His response was well kids can miss behave and I have children and all kids have behavior problem. Absolutely disgusted. I’m happy I got a new lawyer. For having kids of his own he would know what it’s like to want what’s in the best interest for ANY child! I asked him if it was about money he told me no. But if I hired him as an attorney privately he would do his best, I would assume.
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01 Mar, 2024 by Morgan luca
Robert Steele has already sued me once for 7,000 of unpaid medical bills. He is now going after my boyfriend for a hospital bill from 2011. The hospital is closed and the bill is over 10 years old. On top of all this I was diagnosed with breast cancer so my boyfriend is the only one getting a paycheck right now. . He makes just over minimum wage. We can barely afford food and every cent goes to bills and medical coverage. This shark is garnishing his wage. Thanks steele
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13 Feb, 2024 by Nick van schaick
Greedy and soulless corporate scumbag.
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26 Jan, 2024 by Eric lucas
16 Nov, 2023 by Wendy
Melissa Fish is something most lawyers are not: Sincere. She really tried to help me. But after two years of terrible litigation, I was broke. I would recommend her. Especially if you are a woman with young children. She really gave it her best shot. I would hire her again.
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23 Jul, 2013 by Milan
Unfortunately for me I hired Ms Fish to handle my divorce. After 5 months and $7500 later nothing was done and she did not know what's next, so I decided to try another attorney. Also, she was not responsive at all. I would send her an email with two questions for example, and she would answer only one question. Stay away.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Do for You
A domestic violence lawyer provides legal assistance to individuals involved in cases of domestic abuse, whether you are a victim seeking protection or someone accused of domestic violence defending against the charges. These lawyers help with obtaining restraining orders (protective orders), representing clients in criminal court, and handling related family law issues such as child custody, divorce, and visitation rights.
If you are dealing with domestic violence, a lawyer can help protect your rights and navigate the legal system to ensure your safety or defend you if you’re falsely accused.
When Should I Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a domestic violence lawyer if you are:
-
A Victim of Domestic Violence:
- Filing for a protective order (restraining order): If you need immediate protection from an abuser, a lawyer can help you file for a protective order, which legally requires the abuser to stay away from you and refrain from contacting you.
- Divorce or separation due to abuse: If domestic violence is a factor in your relationship, a lawyer can help you pursue a divorce or legal separation and ensure that you are protected throughout the process.
- Child custody and visitation issues: A lawyer can help you secure custody of your children and limit or restrict the abuser’s visitation rights to protect the safety of your children.
- Filing criminal charges: If you are pursuing criminal charges against the abuser, a domestic violence lawyer can work with law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the case is handled properly.
- Assistance with safety planning: A lawyer can advise on the legal steps to create a safety plan, including securing temporary housing, and taking steps to protect you and your family.
-
Accused of Domestic Violence:
- Defending against criminal charges: If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, a lawyer can defend your case, challenge the evidence, and represent you in court. If possible, the lawyer can help get charges reduced or dismissed.
- Challenging a restraining order: If someone has obtained a protective order against you, a lawyer can help you contest the order to prevent it from negatively impacting your life, including your employment and child custody rights.
- Dealing with family law issues: Domestic violence allegations can affect child custody, divorce, and property division. A lawyer can represent your interests in family court and ensure that your parental rights are protected.
- Avoiding criminal record implications: A lawyer can work to minimize the impact of the allegations on your record, which can affect your employment, housing, and future legal matters.
Hiring a lawyer at the earliest stages can help ensure your rights are protected and the case is handled effectively, whether you are seeking protection or defending against accusations.
What Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Do?
A domestic violence lawyer provides various legal services depending on the specifics of your case. These responsibilities often include:
-
For Victims:
- Filing for protective orders: A lawyer can help victims of domestic violence obtain temporary or permanent restraining orders, which provide legal protection by restricting the abuser’s access to you and your children.
- Representing you in divorce and child custody matters: Domestic violence often leads to divorce or separation, and a lawyer can represent you in family court to protect your assets, secure custody of your children, and arrange spousal and child support.
- Criminal representation: Lawyers work with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against the abuser, ensuring that you are informed and supported throughout the legal process.
- Safety planning and legal advice: Lawyers provide advice on how to stay safe legally and can assist in securing temporary housing, providing guidance on how to leave abusive situations safely.
-
For the Accused:
- Defending against charges: A lawyer will build a defense by investigating the case, gathering evidence, and challenging the claims made against you. If necessary, the lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties.
- Challenging protective orders: If a restraining order has been placed against you, a lawyer can contest the order and present evidence to defend against it, aiming to minimize its impact on your life and reputation.
- Handling related family law issues: Lawyers help defend against domestic violence allegations in divorce, child custody, and visitation disputes, working to protect your parental rights and reputation.
- Preventing long-term consequences: A lawyer will work to protect you from the long-term consequences of a domestic violence conviction, such as a criminal record that could affect employment, housing, and more.
How Are Domestic Violence Lawyers Paid?
Domestic violence lawyers generally charge for their services in different ways depending on the case's complexity and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many domestic violence lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. Hourly rates are common for both criminal defense and family law matters.
- Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as filing a restraining order or defending against a straightforward domestic violence charge, some lawyers offer a flat fee that covers all legal work related to that service.
- Retainer: In complex cases, such as those involving criminal charges, divorce, and custody disputes, a lawyer may require a retainer fee, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
- Pro bono or reduced fees: Some domestic violence lawyers provide pro bono (free) or reduced-fee services to victims of domestic abuse who cannot afford legal representation.
It’s important to discuss fees during your consultation to ensure you understand how much your case will cost and what payment options may be available.
How Much Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a domestic violence lawyer depends on the complexity of your case, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of legal work required. General cost estimates include:
- Restraining orders: The legal fees for filing a protective or restraining order typically range from $500 to $2,500, depending on whether the case requires a hearing.
- Criminal defense: If you’re defending against domestic violence charges, legal fees may range from $2,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on whether the case goes to trial and the severity of the charges.
- Family law issues: Legal fees for divorce, child custody, and other family law issues related to domestic violence can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
- Hourly rates: Domestic violence lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for their services, with more experienced lawyers charging higher rates.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand the total cost of legal services.
Top Questions to Ask a Domestic Violence Lawyer
Before hiring a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the right experience and approach for your case. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with domestic violence cases?
Ensure that the lawyer has handled domestic violence cases similar to yours, whether you’re a victim or the accused. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fees, or a retainer, and ask for a detailed cost estimate. -
What is the likely outcome of my case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Domestic violence cases vary in length, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what might cause delays. -
Will I need to appear in court?
Ask if your participation in court is required, and how the lawyer plans to represent you during hearings or trials. -
What steps should I take to protect myself or my rights?
Whether you’re a victim seeking protection or defending against allegations, ask the lawyer how they will help you navigate the situation.
How to Check the Credibility of a Domestic Violence Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable domestic violence lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for domestic violence experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in domestic violence cases and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients say about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have been involved in domestic violence cases.
- Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for certifications or memberships in family law or domestic violence advocacy groups, such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
-
For Victims:
- Details of the abuse: Prepare a detailed account of the abuse, including dates, locations, and descriptions of any injuries or threats.
- Police reports and medical records: Bring copies of any police reports, medical records, or photographs that document the abuse.
- Legal filings: If you have already filed for a restraining order or been involved in any legal proceedings, bring copies of those documents.
- Questions about your safety and legal options: Be ready to ask about the best steps to protect yourself and your family, as well as what legal actions you should pursue.
-
For the Accused:
- Details of the allegations: Prepare a detailed account of the incident or allegations against you, including any evidence or witnesses that support your defense.
- Legal documents: Bring any legal documents you have received, such as a restraining order, criminal charges, or child custody filings.
- Questions about your defense: Prepare questions about the legal process, possible penalties, and how the lawyer plans to defend your case.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation and provide the best possible legal advice.
