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31 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
I retained Mr Telfair to represent me in a theft by trickery case. He had all the information that he needed to litigate the case. He gave me legal advice and I followed what he said to do. My trial came in September he told me that was going to have the case continued because he had to go out of town but in reality he wrote a letter to have it dismissed with prejudice and now I have lost any chance in winning because he had everything dismissed and now I have nothing and the crook has gotten away with swindling me out of two properties. Mr Telfair talks a good game very can’t back it up. He also presented himself as being a good litigator who has been in the game since the 80’s and he knows the law. However, he backs down whenever it’s time for him to appear. He even left me hanging two days before court on a custody hearing case last summer.
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19 Feb, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired Ms. Maccormac for a couple of different legal matters involving family law. She did no trial preparation or investigating in order to prepare the case. If you want to lose custody of your children this is the attorney to hire. She doesn't really seem to care about your life or your children, just the bottom line. If you are looking for an attorney to just show up to court without putting in any of the work then this is who you should hire! I know in the legal field there are no guarantees as to the outcome, however in this case there wan no effort put forth to protect myself or my children. And if you do hire her pray that you do not have a trial as in my case she was not prepared or put in any of the work in order to have myself or her prepared to walk into court.
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08 Mar, 2018 by Philip
Had am assault and battery case. It was a simple 1st time offense which I was supposed to get the 1st time offenders program. Instead Mr..Cormier now was so unprepared and did no homework o. The case and landed me 21 days in in jail. He's No good! Selfish and arrogant. I strongly advise to stay away from this attorney.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Megan
Not good service in Henrico, VA Not recommended this lawyer. i going others person.
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08 Apr, 2021 by Major mike webb
In law school they teach you that the doctrine of laches is rarely if ever used because you must demonstrate prejudice, but that didn't stop this 2015 grad and 2010 Pi Sigma Alpha Inductee at William & Mary from trying it, aided by two young punk attorneys to stand by his side to try to intimidate a judge when nobody else was around. Nor did it stop him from arguing res judicata on a matter in which he had actually evaded the sheriff in service of a summons, at least contempt of court, if not also a prima facie case of conspiracy to violate civil rights. But the kicker was when he filed a motion to dismiss the case in which he had evaded the sheriff, actually stating in the motion that he knew the case had been languishing for a year to a court that knew he had refused to waive service, which would prompt any prudent judge to ask how, exactly, without notice, he happened to acquire so much knowledge regarding a case of which he had never received notice.
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06 Mar, 2024 by Kia
This was the worst experience ever. I retained this lawyer in hopes of helping my loved one in Dec. I spoke to this man once and he wanted my payment and assured he could help. I made that payment and never spoke to him again! His receptionist Angie was super unprofessional and never passed any message to the lawyer at my request. I was passed off to an associate who lied and then got upset that I brought the lies to their attention. Once i voiced the complaint, communication was none!! I never heard from them again. They never called to say outcome of the case! They made false promises and didn't help me at all!! They took my money then told me the lawyer was on vacation!!! Which he should have told me to begin with!! Beware of this place!!! $750 wasted and I never got any return calls or messages or the outcome!! I guess because I live in NC they think they can tell you anything!! Please avoid the office at all costs! Do your research!
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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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10 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
I met with Elizabeth twice to finalize some personal documents. Our first two meetings were great and she was very helpful and professional. One last meeting was required with Elizabeth to finalize my documents. Not only has Elizabeth been unresponsive to my multiple attempts to schedule my last meeting but she will not send my file so I can pick up where we left off with a new attorney. To top it off, I was a referral from one of her colleagues. Not only has she been extremely unprofessional to me, but she doesn't seem to mind losing the respect of someone who went out of their way to send her business.
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12 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
We were very disappointed with Suzanne Harness during our arbitration. During the arbitration hearing she openly questioned "why we were there" and "what we wanted", and ignored specific testimony and evidence in making her decision. We highly encourage any home owners to avoid Ms. Harness if they need an arbitrator.
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12 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Mr. Raines set up a consultation a while back and he was so nice while I walked back. Then, he started cutting me off, raising his hand to motion me to stop talking and talked over me the entire time to make me feel helpless and stupid. So, after that consultation, I decided not to hire him and found a really awesome attorney to represent me. This attorney is a real jerk! Remember your hiring him so he works for you. Dont waste your money!
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16 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
We hired Chris to restructure a note that ended up in litigation. After more than two years and many thousands of dollars in fees, he was completely outmatched by a solo practitioner (we lost every motion) and failed to keep us in the loop about the resulting bankruptcy. We ended up losing everything on top of paying his high fees.
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05 Apr, 2015 by Robert
DO NOT HIRE. I never for the most part take the time out of my busy schedule to write reviews but this is one exception I will make. This will be bit of a read but believe me you will be happy you came across this while looking for an Immigration lawyer to hire. At first when my wife and I needed to find a lawyer to handle our case to get her Spouse Visa I called many different lawyers and I was not confident in any of them as I was with Phil Mirarchi. I was genuinely really happy when first speaking with him, and he sounded really knowledgeable in this very important process which would change both of our lives. I would later on really be disappointed in having hired him to handle our case and you will too if you hire him. . I can't explain how tiring and upset I am because I honestly felt I would of done a better job ourselves. With the lack of communication, negligence, and apathetic care in the case there is no way I could ever refer him to anyone. With such an life changing process if you really care about your loved one please look elsewhere because this is NOT the lawyer to hire. We did not get reimbursed or even a partial refund for all the issues that were caused, and that's ok. We did learn our lesson and I hope you too don't get suckered in and suffer the same heartache we went through dealing with Phil Mirarchi. This has really negatively impacted both of us and now we are left with the damage already being done. BEWARE... out of a rating of a 5 I would give him a .5/5 because he did make a good impression in the interview. Went down hill after that. ..
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29 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
He is currently also operating as an Assistant Vice President for a nationwide company. My peers and I find him to be brash and dismissive. Not a good look for a major corporation or potential clients seeking competent representation.
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07 Jul, 2011 by Curt
Did not handle my case very well. When my ex made wild allegation of impropriety with my child, Miss. Owen's folded and took a plea deal. Not much of a fighter. There was ample evidence that it was just an angry ex-wife trying to get custody, but she didn't apparently have the stomach for a fight and encouraged me to take a very bad plea deal.
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05 Jul, 2021 by Michelle
We hired Mr Roskin to represent my son in a reckless driving case. My son was absolutely at fault and this was a big ticket. The officer who wrote my sons ticket did not show up on the court date and the case should have been dismissed. Not only was it not but the judge gave my son 100 hours of community service (first ever offense of any kind) and then ultimately a $500 fine. My son was a scholarship student and working 100 hours community service was difficult but he did it. However, since the officer who wrote the ticket didn’t show up, the case should have been thrown out. Our attorney said nothing at all aside from trying to get his ticket reduced to a lower charge. He is a complete waste of money and he clearly is in cahoots with Hopewell in order to generate money for the town. Search Million Dollar Mile on you tube and you will find there is a one mile stretch of Virginia that generates income for them based on speeding ticket. Paul Roskin was the biggest waste of money.
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12 Apr, 2017 by Josh hall
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12 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Everything below is based on my personal experience, information, and belief: Never sign a settlement agreement with this attorney or allow your attorney to sign one on your behalf. He and his client never followed their own agreement, based on information and belief. It was a family dispute and the attorney knew it. His client made false allegations in a civil complaint and he knew it, based on information and belief, because he even threatened to have the court case sealed if we went through with the civil suit (rather than settle). There's another word for that, I believe... and it's likely accurate. He shouldn't be allowed to practice law if he can't honor a simple agreement.
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24 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Timothy was the closing attorney when my then husband and I purchased a home in 2017. He was an amazing closing attorney and I trusted him to the point that I returned to him a few years later asking him to help me in the fight for said home. He demanded a $500 retainer which I paid that day (I still have the receipt). A week or two later he called stating he couldn't represent me as it was a conflict of interest. I asked for my $500 to be returned. He refused stating he'd earned that money. I called his office several times to argue this and the last time he stated I should have received an itemized bill for his services. I NEVER received this and my understanding is he shouldn't have accepted money from me knowing this was a conflict of interest the day I came into his office. I never hid the fact he was the original closing attorney! So he took my money (a single mom trying to make ends meet at the time and trying to save my home! and refused to repay this!) I find this crook like behavior. Send me your itemized report showing how you used my $500 when it was a conflict of interest or return my money! I've thought of small claims court as I HAVE my receipt still but I'd be battling an attorney! A crooked one at that!
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16 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
I hired Dawn Deboer to handle my divorce. At the time, she was a Partner at a firm that was recommended to me. She was quick to ask for a retainer, and then did very little for me. My experience with her was very similar to the client who posted on Feb. 14, 2014; like that client, I experienced many delays, broken promises, as well as a lack of returned phone calls and follow-up. I eventually received a letter from the firm stating that she was no longer with the firm. Through much back and forth, I eventually had an Associate Lawyer at the firm finish the job that Dawn had started. (And yes, the Associate Lawyer handled the case in a timely and efficient manner.)
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17 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Michelle Parker was the second attorney I was assigned at Decker Law Firm after I was told to "stop complaining and just do whatever the doctor wanted" from my first attorney. Unfortunately, I had already signed a contract with them to represent me in my case. The doctor in question, Dr. Walko, 'used to be a chiropractor' and decided to give me a spinal adjustment without any notice - he just grabbed my legs and threw them to one side forcefully. Immediately, I was in lots of pain - he prescribed me pain killers and sent me on my way. When I brought this up to my attorney, this is what they had told me... I was furious and asked to end the contract - they suggested I try another attorney at their firm and reminded me that I was under contract that they would not break. In my trial, Michelle did not get any witnesses that were on the scene of the accident. I had two witnesses that saw the recklessness of the person who hit my vehicle on the highway, admittedly going 85 mph in a 55mph zone. There was a sheriff on the scene who took all my information and told me he would be "more than happy to testify and get you some justice" after he took accounts from myself, my wife, the driver who hit us and two witnesses that saw the entire thing after almost being hit by the person who was recklessly driving. My wife and I were told that we would be reimbursed for our out-of-pocket expenses. We were told that we should save every receipt of any expense related to the accident, of which there were many. Once the case was coming to trial, we were told that that statement was figurative and what they meant was - with the earnings of the trial (which was never guaranteed) that it should cover what we had spent. I live in another state across the country and had to fly back for trial which occurred more than a year after the accident. I was told a court date and was told that the travel expenses were mine to be paid and without my presence Michelle parker told me my case didn't bode well. I purchased a plane ticket, and one for my wife who was a witness, and we were told the court date had been postponed - only a few days before our flight leaving me to only get a 25% refund for two tickets from coast to coast, round trip. When I told michelle about this I was told "yeah, these things happen". I wasted so much time, money and energy trying to do what I was told and in the end - the decker law firm received more $$ from my accident than I did; and far more than my wife did. They literally added insults to my injuries - which are numerous and life long. I am forever at a loss as to why this law firm exists. Once you get past the consultation, these people change quickly. Their doctors are unprofessional and impatient. I couldn't image a worse experience dealing with attorneys. The doctor who this law firm sent me to not only gave me a 'spinal adjustment' that made me have incredible pain afterwards but also labelled me as having 'drug seeking behavior' when I told that doctor I'd no longer be seeing him. The doctor I had in mind cancelled our appointment and it was truly challenging to see a doctor for a painful condition after that label was attached to my record. I had to move back to my home state and the first doctor I saw took one look at my MRI and knew I needed surgery. My surgeon told me that there was scar tissue and torn cartilage that likely resulted from using my joint too much and too often and should have been resting more - which ran completely contrary to the doctor I had seen previously who told me that I need to strengthen and mobilize my joint more. The incompetence of not only this law firm but the 'health care professionals' that they employ is astounding. I truly wish anyone who has the option between the Decker Law firm and another chooses the other. I feel like I was used as a tool to earn more money for these attorneys (and doctors) that do not have to live with the pain I feel, every day since the accident.
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26 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Contracted with attorney and was not satisfied with accountability to services and billable hours.
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04 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
I was his client. He missed a very important filing deadline and then proceeded to bill me extra to try to correct his own mistake, that he ultimately was unable to correct himself. Would not recommend
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20 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I contacted Mr Mutschall to assist me with a case. He prepared documents for me but left out critical pieces of information (which I indicated were pertinent to the case). This compromised my position with my case.
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02 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
I’m taking the time to write this review because I don’t want anyone to experience what I did. I retained Jim for a traffic violation. I had to clarify if he was representing me for months because I didn’t see him on my case. That didn’t happen until the week of my hearing. Once we got past that, my options for working with the prosecutor was also not clear. I have a perfect record so I didn’t understand why I would take a plea deal just to “get it over with.” I decided to take a deferred disposition until I completed a driver improvement class. Once that was done, things got interesting. Jim didn’t have his billing straight and I never received a bill at any point. He claimed I owed a certain amount and consistently threatened me to clear it. He wouldn’t send me a CC secure payment request and insisted that I provide my full CC number which I wasn’t comfortable with that as its PII. Please just be cautious if you decide to work with him. He is extremely rude and unprofessional.
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26 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Tried to use him for child custody matters and it was a horrible experience. He has a lot of book knowledge with legal matters, but his advice was horrible and he seemed distant and uncaring about my matter. Upon going to hire him, he told me I had no leg to stand on (which is false) and turned me down as a client and just gave me my money back. I still don't understand why he did that to this day and it was very uncomfortable. This turned out to be a blessing though, as I went to hire a fantastic (and more affordable and compassionate) lawyer than Mr. Luck ever would have been. My current lawyer was very successful with all of my needs and things turned out great for myself and my child. I am so glad I didn't listen to his advice, because it was false. One of the least caring attorneys I have ever spoken to without question. He may do good things for others, but my experience was depressing.
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13 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Barbara preyed ruthlessly upon my family and me in our time of need. Despite claims to the contrary, she understood nothing of the process, had no legal strategy, and suckered my family for over $10 thousand. The last couple of months I dealt with her, she was on vacation in the Caribbean, a luxury she took literally at my expense. Any reputable attorney would simply have passed along my case to someone remotely qualified. She's the kind of attorney that gives the rest a bad name.
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28 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
I have been trying to file a review of this attorney, which this site will not accept. I retained John Farrell to represent our partnership. He warned us not to contact the county regarding raising the value of our property, so we remained ignorant that the supervisor of planning wanted to expedite plan amendments and rezoning to allow urbanization. When I asked Farrell to contact a tenant about repairs required by the lease, Farrell sent the lease contact to a building inspector instructing him to give a legal opinion, which of course, he declined. This meant the partnership was unable to serve notice, costing us one million dollars. Farrell did not communicate for two weeks during which time a new lease contract was languishing. I had to hire another attorney for his opinion regarding whether I should sign contracts releasing the tenant, that Farrell insisted I execute. The other attorney advised me not to. All of the communication proving this is on the record in the docket for this case.
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25 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr Daniel Mesghenna Berhane contacted me in 2019 stating that he was was lawyer because I was in the rear with child support. I’m not on child support anymore and wasn’t at the time I just owed back child support. Was he practicing at the time. Just curious
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24 Nov, 2020 by Addie worrell
The most unprofessional person I’ve ever had to deal with. My husband is being held in a completely different county due to this lawyers lack of notice about a new court date. When I called to ask what’s going on, he said “What do you expect me to do about it” and hung up the phone on me. After speaking with the courthouse and confirming this is who was still technically representing him, they were appalled. Words can’t even describe how rude this man is and/or how the hell he’s even able to call himself a lawyer. As a law student myself, it’s an insult to have people like this working for our justice system.
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Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

When meeting with a lawyer for the first time, it's important to ask the right questions to understand their expertise and determine if they're the right fit for your legal needs. Here are some top questions to consider:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. What potential outcomes can I expect from my case?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  4. What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. Who will be working on my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
    Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to solve my legal problem?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

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:

  1. Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing.
  2. Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case.
  3. Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association.
  4. Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction.
  5. Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field.
  6. Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation.
  7. Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  8. Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  1. Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence.
  2. Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties.
  3. List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience.
  4. Financial Information:
    If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
  5. Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case.
  6. Personal Identification:
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  7. Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points.
  8. Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:

  • Fee Structures:
    • Hourly Rate:
      Lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on experience and location.
    • Flat Fee:
      For routine legal services like drafting a will or handling an uncontested divorce, lawyers might offer a flat fee.
    • Retainer Fee:
      An upfront payment against which the lawyer bills hourly fees.
    • Contingency Fee:
      Common in personal injury cases; the lawyer receives a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or award.
    • Monthly Retainer:
      For ongoing services, businesses might pay a monthly fee for a set number of hours or services.
  • Factors Affecting Cost:
    • Complexity of the Case:
      More complex cases require more time and resources, increasing costs.
    • Lawyer's Experience:
      Highly experienced lawyers may charge higher fees.
    • Geographic Location:
      Legal fees can vary significantly by region or city.
    • Additional Expenses:
      Court filing fees, expert witness fees, travel expenses, and administrative costs may be extra.
  • Estimating Total Costs:
    Request a detailed fee agreement outlining all potential costs.
    Discuss any additional expenses that may arise during the case.
  • Negotiating Fees:
    Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints.
  • Pro Bono Services:
    For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
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