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20 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Rosenberg showed up to court late and in sweat pants. He threatened me forcing me to take a plea. If I would have been stronger, I would have requested a jury. I had photo evidence of a domestic assault being self defense. His lack of effort shows that he only cares for non state appointed clients.
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11 Apr, 2018 by Katherine masel
When Susan Rosen was "handed" my cases after I was passed around with the law offices of Beatrice Snider, on our first phone call she YELLED at me and told me that "she was the one to do the talking "(?!?!?) . She was so rude, not even well spoken and bossy.
When I told B. Snider this, to her credit, she apologized and recognized Rosen's inappropriateness. I was hoping Rosen would be a bull dog against my high powered husband, but instead, she bullied me. She could not answer questions about my case and was not up to date. I was to pay her to "catch up" on all that already transpired. It was when Rosen has my case that I fired her because the firm dragged the divorce out and made excuses and encouraged hostility between my and my x to be. Susan Rosen was particularly rude. She sets the standard for bad attorneys and gives them all a bad reputation.
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09 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
called this older lady for a consultation she was very nasty and rude she didn't even give me a chance to tell her the facts of my case before interrupting repeadly. Obviously someone who is working from home on a budget from the background loud atmosphere she was in
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11 Jun, 2019 by Sivan
Unfortunately I had my worst experience with Ani Avetisyan for my divorce case. She is NOT an experienced attorney as she claims and charges for. Not only I lost all my rights with her, I was being overcharged by Ani Avetisyan; for writing hundred of pages to RFO's (as an essay fees) and charging over 20 hours to prepare a declaration, and talking too much. Yet she couldn't even make the judge hear her. After firing her, she still came to my hearings sat for full day, I believe she doesn't have lots of clients since she can invest all her day siting in the courthouse for a full day for someone (case) who she doesn't even represent. Her office in the Granda Hills was her house garage converted to office. Afterwards I went to LACBA Arbitration with her, And I won the case and confirmed that she did overcharged me with huge amount of $17,552 within two and a half months. She charged me before taking my case; now she's facing a violation of business and Professions code 6148 beside the other violations. She purposely called me to talk on the phone for hours, yet she writes hundred of pages just to charge you. Also she disclosed my private case documents including my settlement to the arbitrator. Still today she didn't refund me my overcharged fees and she's trying to vacate the LACBA's judgment.
This shows how unethical attorney she is. It's so sad that I trusted her yet she takes an advantage of my vulnerable situation. Be Very Cautious before you hire her!!
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02 May, 2013 by Daniel
on september 30 .2011 i terminated legal services from storobin&spodeck group which they accepted and was confirmed VIA email. on october 4, 2011 Lidia Dorota Sykisz the day of my custody trial comes in with a custody agreement which i clearly told her i was not interested in, to make matters Lidia Dorota Sykisz was not even supposed to represent me because i fired the law firm . she pressured me with bad advice and had Me sign the agreement. since 2011 i have not seen or heard from my children nor am i able to appeal my case because of this attorney betrayal.
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13 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
AFTER BEING ASSIGNED TO MY CASE AS MY PRO BONO ATTORNEY. IT BACAME APPARENT TO ME VERY EARLY ON THAT SARAH MILLAN LACKED THE EXPERIENCE OR LEGAL KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY FOR ME TO OBTAIN A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST MY CHILDS FATHER IN MY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE (WITH PRIOR HISTORY, POLICE REPORTS & PHOTOS, AND A COOPERATING WITNESS). DUE TO HER LEGAL ADVICE OR LACK THEREOF I CAME OUT WAAYYY WORSE THAN I WENT IN. I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF PRO PER. NOW IM LEFT CLEANING UP THE MESS LEFT BEHIND. MAYBE AFTER A COUPLE YEARS OF PRACTICE AND IF SHE IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO HER CLIENTS CONCERNS SHE MAY LEARN TO BUILD STRONGER/BETTER CASES AND BECOME A GOOD LEGAL REP. UNFORTUNATELY I FEEL LIKE MY CASE WAS TREATED AS A PRACTICE RUN.THEY SAY MONEY TALKS SO THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY I RARELY HEARD ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE FALSE, SLANDEROUS, IRRELEVANT STATEMENTS MADE BY THE DEFENDANTS SIDE...I GUESS I GOT WHAT I "PAID FOR".
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02 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Called to find out if they can help me but, the secretary did not want even to listen to me unless I send her the ARAG form!
I just wanted to explain but she was rude and did not even let me finish! I hope that the lawyer is not like her!!!
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18 Nov, 2014 by Estherjurasek
This attorney actually instructed me to write a letter to the judge. It was eight pages long and took me a long time to compile. His lead attorney told me that it should never have been written. That the judge would never read it etc... I got charged for all of this wasted time and communication. He refused to listen to me when I tried to follow the counselors suggestion to me. This is the counselor that he suggested I go to. He in my opinion did not communicate well with his lead. He neglected to inform me of the judges final ruling but for about three weeks insisted that he had. Once he discovered the mistake he emailed me saying, " Upon further review of your file we have discovered that we have not sent you the judges final ruling after all." They did however find the time at my expense to send it to my ex husband.
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23 Mar, 2018 by Linda
Just spoke to the Atty for Child Support services who over saw our case today. She told me it was my Atty John Ireland who made our case take over 2 years because he kept asking for continuances. She said it was because of my atty and my ex’s husbands atty that nothing happened for over 2 years! So much money paid to John for NOTHING. The Child Support Atty told me, “it was your Atty who screwed you”, and I had a feeling. He was so weak in the courtroom I was embarrassed for him. He seems timid, sweet and quiet but he sucks as an Atty. My Father’s Atty recommended Mr. Ireland and after my father told his Atty of the incompetent way Ireland handled my case, his Atty promised he’d never refer John Ireland to anyone else. If you’re looking for a family lawyer, don’t bother, just do it yourself. I prevailed majorly on my own once I dropped the dead weight of an Atty. I found the behind the scenes info from the Child Support services Atty to be very insightful and exactly what I suspected was happening. Crooked Ireland can’t be trusted. This was supposed to be an easy case. He told me he was confident he’d get my Atty fees covered. He didn’t. His argument was weak at best to the judge. The only thing he did is find ways to keep us in the system so he could keep getting paid to do nothing. John would ask me to come into his office before we would go into court so he could, “prepare me“, for trial. Every time I would pay him to go into his office to, “prepare me“, I realized I was actually there to prepare him because he had no idea what was going on with our case. This happened several times and I got to pay for our time together. John also misunderstood orders & told me child-support could be retro dated back to the day that I filed, 2 years ago, he was wrong. John should’ve seen by the way the documents were filed that the court would not be able to go back and retro date. That’s huge he should know that. Horrible experience with this attorney. Having this attorney was very frustrating. Dealing with this attorney and the frustration he caused was the worst part of this whole ordeal that he was supposed to make easy. I will leave a bad review every on every site I can possibly find. If they get deleted, I will simply repost. My goal is to hopefully make him lose enough business to where he’s lost as much money as he’s swindled out of me .
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28 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
During a consult she rushed me and interrupted me several times. A couple times she asked me questions over, could've been avoided had she been professional and patient. A 30 min consult was in approx 12 min. She rushed me off.
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07 Jun, 2023 by D
The Firm is only looking out for their own best interest $$$$. Complaining of the work they are being paid to do. Unable to meet deadlines, numerous errors, bad discovery, no depositions, late filing, missed deadlines. These failures ultimately were the firms need to withdraw from my case after three years and after receiving over $100,000 of my hard earned money. Their unexplained, inconsistent, excessive and unreasonable billing was the excuse used to abandon my case and place blame on their client for non-payment....yes after they already billed and were paid over $100,000....my money and time wasted. You are only $$ in their eyes. Don't make the same mistake I did....they will only succeed in making your situation worse, leaving you to pick up the pieces with no remorse!!
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04 Sep, 2019 by Mario
Paid retainer and hired lawyer. Used lawyer's services for a few months, but was not happy, due to her lack of skills and knowledge within the family court system.
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23 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
John Barr: This attorney has ten counts of misconduct. Please be careful in giving your business to this attorney. Get a real description of his license
.
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27 Jul, 2016 by Laura morgan
I am HIGHLY dissatisfied with the services I received from Mr. Turner. He was paid to take care of two counties and only took care of one of them, which he did a poor job of. He failed to show up to court on the first court date and was extremely late on the second date. As well his secretary is unprofessional and always has a rude attitude.
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15 Feb, 2014 by Lisa
I referred this attorney to my friend but now I am ashamed of referring him. This attorney likes to take all the money upfront and after that he will not help his client at all. Don't even know if he can handle more than traffic ticket issues Watch out everyone...............do not pay him money before getting services
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18 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Prior to hiring Alan Plott, I had already won custody of my children, but was trying to make sure I kept custody of them. Mr. Plott took the case, but never seemed very interested in it. He never met with me to discuss it and never took the time to help me fill out paperwork. I wrote all of my own Declarations, filed my own paperwork with the court, and had to show up randomly to his office to get any help or replies to the numerous e-mails and phone calls I made. When we finally went to court, Mr. Plott misquoted facts, mispronounced names, and stood there and did not defend me against anything my ex said, even though he had more than sufficient evidence to do so. I ended up firing Mr. Plott and winning the case on my own, again. However, even though he only appeared in court once and never did any paperwork, I somehow used up $3500 worth of a retainer fee that his office claims is only used on work that they do. Mr. Plott is perfect if you're just looking for a Lawyer to stand there and look baffled.
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28 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired tyler for my lawyer for divorce and they said 60 days until it would be complete it now has almost been 90 days. I would not recommend this lawyer to anyone. Also the secretary was rude when I called and asked about it!!!
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21 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
If you want to lose a case then hire her . You gives about 10 percent to case. Don’t waste your money
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12 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Stan Smith represented me in a custody battle. On the the day of my court date Stan contacted me and told me that i would not need to appear, because he had a doctors appointment in Hattiesburg and had gotten a continuance.
However there was not a continuance and by me not showing my ex was given temporary full custody. I have tried contacting Stan many times and have spoken to his secretary Betty many times.
At first Betty assured me they would fix their mistake. After weeks of waiting for them to fix it i tried contactung Stan many times without an answer or return call. It has now been 8 months and Stan Smith still has yet to fix his mistake and i have went this entire time with no rights of my daughter.
I would hire another attorney if i could afford it. I would represent myself before hiring Stan Smith again!
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07 Aug, 2014 by Jane
Mr. Nolan was ill prepared and did not appear to be aware of all the facets of the law to properly assist me. He did not keep his promises to me; and did not respond in a timely manner. Thus I paid more than I needed to for his work.
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17 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Never had been to court before, and I trusted her. She said I didn't need evidence that I told her I think we should have. She told me we would get if we needed it but that my testomany and pictures would be enough. That my case was an open and close case and that she knew the judge and it would be fine. I was redivided on the Stand for not having evidence and my case and I lost because of it. She gave me the impression the the opposing party was going to consent to the charges, right up to the day of the trial and it didn't go that way so we had to have a trial in which she was not prepared for.
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23 Aug, 2023 by Kel
Hartley does NOT have his clients best interest at heart I would NEVER recommend him for a criminal case
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23 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
We hired DeAnne to guide us through child support revision. Consult was great and we felt good about it, then covid hit and courts were delayed for over a year. DeAnne disappeared and the case was given to Mr. Farris. The Ball was totally dropped and I felt like I could have represented myself better. He never called to discuss my case until an hour before our Zoom call. And I still have not heard anything from them regarding my case and its been over a month.
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25 Apr, 2024 by Cody
We paid him good money and he didn’t even show up to my family member’s final court hearing, and they had to redo much of the case bc of his unplanned absence. He lost an important file before that to, which could not be recovered. Totally unacceptable. We want our money back…
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11 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
He was appointed to me on an over a year long case involving my children. He was never prepared to defend my side and it felt like he didn't have my best interests or my children's at heart. He was very accusatory and was never able to voice my concerns even though my caseplan was done and completed he never seemed to be able to produce evidence to support my behalf. Do not allow this lawyer to demean you.
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01 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
I paid $ 150 for appointment lawyer Jared Jaskot he's very overpriced and he has the 0 communication skills with customer during my appointment I was not comfortable because lawyer Jared Jaskot he made me rush but I paid for my appointment which is 30 minutes and he finished our appointment in 15 minutes and he said he will call me and I never received a call from him I would not recommend this office to anyone.
Pagué $ 150 por la cita con el abogado Jared Jaskot, es muy caro y tiene 0 habilidades de comunicación con el cliente durante mi cita.No me sentí cómodo porque el abogado Jared Jaskot me hizo apurarme, pero pagué por mi cita, que es de 30 minutos y terminó nuestra cita. cita en 15 minutos y dijo que me llamaría y nunca recibí una llamada de él. No recomendaría esta oficina a nadie.
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16 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
This man stole my money without earning it. He is egotistical, condescending and apathetic about his clients. Your money is all he wants. He's even been disciplined by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for not paying taxes just 10 short years ago when he was in his late 50s. Imagine that???
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11 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
She failed to explain to me what agreeing to a family issue meant in the long. Seems to me now that she was helping my extra wife. She was intimidated by the other older more experienced woman lawyer. Wait ten years and maybe she might be good
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11 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Does dirty, shady work. Is never compassionate. Does not send proper notification, never mails statements, goes behind your back. Don't hire, don't patronize his business.
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26 Jan, 2015 by Kevin
I hired David to meet with my client about a will. He talked a good game until i gave him authority to contact the client. When he arrived at the retirement community he refused to get on the elevator because he weighed too much. He pressured her into giving him a check for $850.00.. He demanded a 90 year old widow talk about her private information in a public restaurant that all her neighbors eat at. He wrote down her name and her beneficiaries grab the check and took off. She asked how are you going to do a will if you haven't talked to the guy who handles my financial accounts. He said this is a very simple will. She felt like she got scammed. When I called the office to talk about the unfortunate event that happened he asked me "who I was" I responded by saying I am the one that hired you for $150.00 to meet with my client and you pressured her into giving you a check for $850.00 he said I don't talk about my clients personal affairs and hung up. After calling him for 2 weeks he finally returned the widow's call. She instructed him to speak with me and to apologize for being rude. He disappeared again for many days. When he did call her back he said he had the will done and he was not going to work with the man that hired him. She told him she was seeking other representation and he intimidated her to tears. He called her until we told him every time she calls us crying about him we are recording the calls he finally stopped. We still have not seen the money returned. Beware of this guy he prayed on the elderly and he wanted to charge her $850 to write down her name and her beneficiaries.
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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.
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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.
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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.
