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25 Jun, 2015 by Bryan
I had a car accident about 3 years ago, it was the other Drivers fault. I tried handling it myself with the help of my family as we have some knowledge of the process of filing suite against the Insurance company. I filed the Civil Lawsuit a few days before the 2 year statute of limitations. We thought we would hear back from their attorneys but Allstate tried to have the suit thrown out 4 months later for not moving forward with the process.
Long story short, I retained Kimberly Fitzpatrick to represent me on the matter when it seemed that the case was about to be thrown out for the above reason. She was able to pull the lawsuit out of the gutter and not only get me the $7500 I paid in Medical Expenses, but also got my lost wages while working as a Server (I was in College at the time of the Accident) when the Restaurant was not willing to give the proper documentation to press the issue of the wages in Trial.
Kimberly got both amounts of money out of the Insurance Company plus $2000 over through a Settlement when it seemed like the Judge could've thrown the case out for it being too old. What she accomplished with what she had to work with was nothing short of Magic. I highly recommend her for Civil Suit because I could tell from her tenacity and work ethic, She would have been the Defense Attorney's worst nightmare in trial.
My only complaint is that she waited until we were in the mediation to settle to start picking holes in the case. I will say, they were issues that I could see hampering the case at trial. Mostly, the lack of documentation for my lost wages would have taken $4000 off of the final amount. Most likely, pain and suffering would not have covered that amount. Ultimately, a Settlement was the best course of action that led to the largest amount of money I would have received.
You WILL NOT regret hiring Kimberly Fitzgerald.
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21 Oct, 2014 by Chase
I was injured in a auto accident in 2012 and retained Kimberly as my legal counsel. The firm also handled my divorce the prior year. For 2 years Ms. Fitzpatrick held my hand through multiple surgeries and pain management. Despite her busy schedule, she always returned my calls and frequently checked in on my well being. A genuine human being who really cares. My case was settled in less than 2 months and thanks to Kimberly's expertise, I walked away better than I could have imagined.. If you have been injured in an auto accident, I highly recommend the Harris-Cook law firm. Thank you for everything Kimberly!
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19 Mar, 2014 by Nick
First of all I wanted to say that with the help of Kimberly Fitzpatrick, my case got dismissed.
Disclaimer: do not take my word for legal advice.
In short- I was arrested for scavenging an abandoned (bait) car. This was early November.
This was my first offense.
At the time of arrest I was working self-employed less than 15 hours a week for my father, mother, and mother’s friend. I was also a househusband. I feared that the lack of employment, community participation, and education (I am a non-graduated junior student at the college level), and my age (23) would negatively impact the outcomes of this charge.
The first court date was December 3rd. That day I did not successfully get a lawyer so the court date was postponed to the 13th in order to give me time to get a lawyer. I had emailed Anna O’Day because she was one of the several lawyers who sent me mail. She sent me a detailed report on how she would handle the case. (Deferred Adjunction & said that I was not qualified for Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP)). After reading her email I was impressed and told her she was hired. For three days I did not hear back from her. She was consistently stuck in court each time I called her secretary. It was December 12th. I got desperate and discussed with my girlfriend to see if she was willing to look for the best lawyer, so I checked avoo.com and saw an AD for Fitzpatrick. I did not screen out lawyers based on practice. If I recall correctly, Fitzpatrick’s cases only consisted 10% in criminal defense. She is more experienced & specializes in a different type of law. Anyway, I called her that day and immediately had an appointment at 2. I had withdrawn 625 and kept it in my wallet for O’Day- her price for “three court appearances”. I was unsure what exactly three court appearances meant. But after three days of unavailability, I got scared and went to Fitzpatrick instead. She offered to stay with me through the case for 1,500. That seemed more of a solid contract than “three appearances”. What if I needed 4?
So, right then that day, the very day before my second court date I hired her and within 15 minutes she got my first court attendance dismissed.
She works extremely fast, is very knowledgeable and pushes the limit. O’Day said that I was not qualified for DPP since I was above 21. But Fitzpatrick said she would shoot for that and she attempted to request an exception since I was barely above the age limit. Fitzpatrick’s devotion towards getting the best results for me was very obvious- but she remained honest and practical with me. My only issue I had is that she sometimes would skip out answers to a list of questions I asked. But she is very busy and works fast, so I can’t really blame her. I just ask again and she will answer it on the second time. She is very tech-savvy. She answers via text or email.
She suggests that I get a job, get in school, get character letters, and do community service before my case was even heard. I had success getting in school and I got plenty of character letters from various influential people. I did not have success in finding a job, and I was not motivated enough to do 40 hours of community service hours.
The court hearing- Fitzpatrick talked with the DA and I could see that she had excellent people skills- It seems to me that her actions and attitude helped a lot to making the DA decide that I was eligible for dismissal! I had to take Theft Intervention counseling and perform 24 hours of community service where I completed at Mission Arlington (THEY ROCK.)
So today I got the dismissal documentation in email. Fitzpatrick had far exceeded my expectation of a “best case scenario”. I will go straight to her again if I need an attorney again in the future.
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05 Feb, 2025 by Christina benefield
I truly enjoyed working with Mr.Roberts & Associates , they were very kind and patient with me.The outcome truly worked in my favor.
Thanks again for all you do.
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22 Jan, 2025 by Rafael flores
Gracias al equipo del abogado Thompon por llevar a cabo mi proceso sobre mi accidente automovilístico!! No duden en consultar con ellos
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22 Jan, 2025 by Phillip herrera
Mr. Robert's is an excellent attorney!!! Very straight forward and to the point. He got our son's 2 first degree felonies dismissed. Great job!!! He is the attorney to hire. He will work to get the best results. Thank you very much Mr. Roberts
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01 Feb, 2024 by Sajad
They wanted to deport my brother from USA I called many lawyers in Dallas, but they said they could not help me with my brother's case. Finally, I found Molina's number on Google and even though they were busy, they came to help my brother My brother returned home two days ago I wish I could type everything and say how honorable and intelligent he is. My family and I are forever grateful to him. They really fight for you and are very experienced, Thank you again, dear molina , for doing all your hard work to prevent my brother from being deported, and I also thank those who helped me in the office and were very kind and always answered my questions. I wish I could give 100 stars
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01 Oct, 2020 by Daniel
El abogado Jorge Molina es muy claro respondiendo tus dudas y siempre está muy pendiente de los casos de sus clientes, pues los tiene muy presentes. Tiene conocimiento de los sistemas de inmigración y explica con detalle Lo que sabe. Muy recomendable.
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23 May, 2018 by Lilly
Mr.Molina worked super hard on my dads case. Thank you so much for help my family. You’re the BEST!!!
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17 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Worked with Mr. Zokaie on the other side of a file as the appointed attorney ad litem in a probate/deceased borrower matter. Even though he was representing the "big bank", Mr. Zokaie was highly knowledgeable and professional throughout the process. Would strongly recommend
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16 May, 2015 by Scot
Being a new business owner, I began searching for a corporate attorney. I had no previous experience with this and did not know where to begin. After a recommendation from a friend and colleague, I contacted Mr. Zokaie. From beginning to end, Mr. Zokaie walked me through each process step by step until I understood everything thoroughly completely. He always responded to my questions within 24 hours (and I had A LOT). There was a small amount of money left from my retainer after his services were complete, and without me even asking, he walked me through the billing information and refunded me the difference. (I didn't even know I was entitled to that). Thank you Mr. Zokaie for being so thorough, professional, honest and patient with me and my staff. I look forward to working with you again in the future.
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08 May, 2015 by Anonymous
I cannot say enough great things about Mr.Zokaie and his legal services! From start to finish, his expertise, professionalism, and fast execution of my case was not only impressive, it was unexpected. Past lawyers stalled, billing me for countless unnecessary hours--with Mr.Zokaie, this was the opposite case. Five stars and all my praises!
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28 Jan, 2019 by Jon
Guy is the best attorney my family has dealt with. He assisted my father and me in establishing my father’s trust. We first met with Guy in 1994. My father passed in 2016 and having a living Trust was the best and easiest way to settle his estate.
Guy’s wife, Nancy,also works with the law firm. She has also been a big help to the family during these pass few years.
I worked 31 years in county government and worked with many attorneys in the DFW area. Guy has been one of the best and knowledgeable attorneys. Settling my father’s estate went smoothly. I highly recommend Guy and his law firm to anyone needing help with estate planning.
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27 Jul, 2012 by Jerry
I highly recommend Guy Garner. We were looking for a lawyer specializing in estate planning when a trusted friend recommended Mr. Garner's law firm. Guy reviewed our individual situation then took the time to patiently explain all our estate planning options, including many things we would not otherwise have known to consider. We now have a comprehensive estate plan portfolio and the peace of mind knowing it is the product of such an experienced and knowledgeable professional. He and his office staff are a real pleasure to work with and we are very happy we found them.
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24 Jul, 2012 by Lorie
It is not very often you find an attorney these days who truly cares about you and the legal matters being handled. Guy not only cares, but makes himself available to answer questions and takes whatever time is needed to thoroughly explain things in detail. You are not just a "number" at this firm, you are always treated with respect and courtesy and can expect a prompt response to any request. Mr. Garner helped us with a will, power of attorney, irrevocable trust and a V.A. claim for our mother and was so patient and kind in explaining the process to her. He has also helped us with several other legal matters and is always knowledgable, pleasant and easy to work with.
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12 Sep, 2019 by Emma
Veronica Garza. She is an excellent lawyer, very trustworthy. As is Jannet Alarcon, very honest.
They’re excellent with their work, I honestly recommend The Law Offices of Veronica Garza, PLLC.
Thank you Veronica & Jannet.
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05 Apr, 2018 by Jose
I get the approval visa resident visa for my wife and daughter, she is very compromised, and clear.
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05 Apr, 2018 by Osiel
WOW, thank you so much for al your help to make our dreams come true. We will definitely be forever grateful.
Thank you so much!!!
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15 Mar, 2013 by K johnson
Steve handled a chapter 13 bankruptcy for me. He was very knowledgeable about all the laws, and he got me out of my irs and other debts by only paying back a minimal amount. He was always readily available to answer all my questions. I highly recommend him.
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14 Mar, 2013 by Linear
I am from Illinois and I purchased a car from a dealer in Fort Worth, Texas. However after the deal was completed and delivery was made there was an agreement made between the dealer and myself after I received the car in my home state. Once the car was delivered and I began to ask for the last leg of the deal the dealer began to give me the run around. I then contacted Mr. Steve Evans and explained my issue. After taking the case and looking over the evidence Mr. Evans was fantastic at getting my issue resolved I had with the car dealer in Texas. He kept me inform via phone conversation and e-mail. He was able to get this matter resolved in an expedited way. I would definitely recommend and use Mr. Evans in the future for any Texas related issues.
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01 Feb, 2013 by Mary webb
To put it short and sweet,I wish I had met steve years ago.He was right on top the job from start to finish..No hesitation with anything, and yes I would use his services again, great attorney!!!
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03 Sep, 2015 by Mike
Jonathan's detailed knowledge of contract and real estate law led to a successful conclusion of our situation. I would recommend his services to anyone needing legal representation for real estate matters.
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30 Jul, 2015 by Kelly
Mr. Heeps helped me with a problematic tenant. I am so grateful he was able to get me through the court process easily and with a great outcome! His knowledge and expertise was impressive and effective. I look forward to working with him more in the future!
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12 May, 2015 by Daniel
Jonathan came referred from another attorney. I contacted him about a Business Lit case. He met with me when he said he would and was completely honest from the beginning. He did not lie or try to pump up any expectations. After he read the contract I was involved in, we found out it would have to be handled entirely different state. He did not proceed and try to charge me for frivolous services or try to throw up smoke & mirrors in order to bill me more hours! I really appreciate his business ethics as well as all of his knowledge.
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10 Mar, 2020 by David
Hired Mr. Wurtz to get full custody of my daughter. Took care of business very Knowledgeable. I highly recommend Mr Wurtz.
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12 Oct, 2016 by Sarah
I was nervous about hiring an attorney for my divorce. From the very first meeting to discuss my situation, I felt comfortable and knew I could trust him to handle my divorce. He responds to emails and calls quickly; he also replied to my emails on the weekend. You're never left wondering what's happening with your case. I definitely recommend him.
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22 Sep, 2016 by Susan
I was in an abuaive marriage and couldn't get away from my abuser for years. To protect my kids and myself I turned to The Barrows Firm attorneys and staff. Mr. Wurtz helped me stay strong during the divorce process and I am now free from my ex-husband. I send all of my friends to Mr. Wurtz for their family law cases.
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16 Aug, 2021 by Randal
Mr Ortiz did above and beyond on my case. Previous attorneys didn’t help me as much as he has. He is dedicated to do a good job. He worked extremely hard on my case and put his all in and got me a good deal
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06 Jun, 2021 by Erin
Luckily I was referred to Austin, by another lawyer who was a friend of my parents, because he was definitely the perfect choice. Between his dedication to the case, and his excellent communication, my mind was always at ease that everything was being handled properly. He got my case dismissed, and now I can continue my career path without having to worry about a record.
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17 Mar, 2021 by Vern
As a public school teacher some days in the classroom feel like a fight. When I need legal representation I want an attorney who understands how to win inside a courtroom. Austin Ortiz does. I could not be more happy at the outcome of my case and the services I received by Mr. Ortiz.
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16 Nov, 2015 by Tara
Mr. Roberts is an amazing attorney. I contacted him to discuss divorce options. He was very professional and knowledgeable. He walked me through the process and within the next couple of months my divorce was final. He is amazing and a pleasure to work with.
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24 Jul, 2014 by Eugene
I was applying for a new job and the new job place did a background check and they found out that I had a warrant in Texas which I did not know anything about. I started calling lawyers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and I got ahold of Mr. Roberts where he found out the case number and what it was all about and he suggested that I should take care of the check and pay the courts which I did and then I called the courts numerous times and they released the warrant and closed the case finally. I can't say anymore then Thank You Mr. Lantis G. Roberts!
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23 Dec, 2012 by A. clark
I was accused of committing three crimes I did not commit. It was a case of mistaken identity. I was accused of a hit and run, failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle and failure to maintain financial responsibility. Mr. Roberts successfully argued and won my case without costing me a lot of money and time. I have a family member that has worked with lawyers in the past and was really impressed with Mr. Roberts' court room demeanor and litigation skills.
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14 Dec, 2018 by Robert
I am victim of Wire Fraud and after receiving no cooperation from either bank I hired Mr. Rosenstein. Mr. Rosenstein was able to work with the banks lawyers and was able to get 95% of the money returned to me. Mr. Rosenstein kept me in the loop the whole time and showed compassion for my situation. I would recommend Mr. Rosenstein to anyone.
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08 Mar, 2018 by Rebeccawoods
Mr. Rosenstein and his team (thanks, Chelsi) have done an amazing job with my brother's case. My brother was not easy to deal with, but they dealt with him and the surrounding family with diplomacy. They won my brother's case! They were great to deal with and always respectful. With the magic they worked, I found his fee to be well worth it.
Thanks, Mr. Rosenstein & Chelsi!
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23 Oct, 2017 by Ronica
Howard is a great kind and compassionate person he has helped me greatly with all of my law needs. He is wonderful representation. I highly recommend him.
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17 May, 2017 by Jason
My wife and I worked with Jeff to develop our will, physician’s directive, medical power of attorney, durable general power of attorney, HIPAA disclosure and guardian paperwork. Jeff was very knowledgeable and able to explain the legal jargon in plain English we could understand. He took our intent and translated it into the legal documents and answered all our questions. Because of his experience, he posed scenarios we hadn’t thought of and allowed us to further clarify our intentions. He was very professional, organized, clear, thorough and paid attention to detail. He was also very responsive, easy to work with and made estate planning a pleasant experience. We highly recommend Jeff as a trusted advisor and lawyer!
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05 Jan, 2017 by Jay
I needed help setting up my LLC and contracts with my contractors. Jeff was easy to work with and explained my options in easy to understand language. He got my loosely organized concepts into a much more efficient business plan. My contracts are great now and I fully understand what I am getting and what I am giving in the agreements. I am a better dealmaker after he helped me refine my understanding of what agreements to and don't do.
He helped me understand the difference between a business issue and a legal issue. His own business experience made his advice on planning for the future and identifying possible challenges really valuable to me.
Jeff was very responsive by email and phone and I feel like I got advice and education from all our interactions. He is easy to talk to always made sure I was comfortable and fully understood what we were contemplating.
I highly recommend him!
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19 Oct, 2016 by Cynthia
Jeff has provided excellent legal advice since I started my business in 2012. He assisted me in setting up an LLC. He's written agreements between me and all of my clients. Most recently, Jeff converted my LLC into a corporation. Everything has been handled quickly and efficiently with great advice along the way.
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18 Nov, 2015 by Jaren
Didn't expect an attorney to be so normal and able to communicate. Quality work. He was very thorough. I highly recommend you talk to him about your patents.
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31 Oct, 2014 by Natalie
Thank you for being very thorough in all of the work that you have done for us. Whether its rules, regulations, deadlines, billing, etc. Thank you for interpreting the "patent lingo" into English so that I could actually understand what was going on. You're the best.
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31 Oct, 2014 by Jaron
I started out trying the patent process by my own by filing a provisional application. It was very detailed. I had a different firm convert it to a non-provisional. They took my money but did a horrible job. Always felt like they nickel and dimed me. I went to Jeff and he straitened everything out and got the application allowed which the others could not. He was always available and prompt to reply to my calls/emails. Wish I used him from the start. Don't go anywhere else. Start here with him.
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23 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Stephanie was very helpful, she was able to explain the process of my case and explained everything in detail. I would highly recommend anyone to go to PYKE & Associates for a Probate case.
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07 Jan, 2019 by Cary
Stephanie represented me in a guardianship proceeding and did an excellent job from start to finish. She was able to advise me on proper steps to take before we filed and then handled the subsequent court hearings. She is experienced and quite capable. I would recommend her to colleagues and friends.
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30 Dec, 2018 by Pamela
Stephanie represented our family in a very protracted, complicated and contentious probate case. She maintained a high level of integrity, showed a thorough knowledge of the law and procedure and maintained a high level of integrity even when our opponent did not. Throughout, Stephanie never lost sight of the emotional impact this contest was having on our family. I recommend her highly.
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22 Jun, 2023 by H. j. livingston burgess (h j living)
10 Sep, 2020 by Rhc
Kris L. Landrith, has been my attorney since 1989. He has advocated on my behalf with issues in the areas of Commercial Law, Estate and Probate Law with expertise, diligence and integrity. Kris provided me with with information and transparency in all matters transacted. Additionally, his office staff is efficient, respectful and kind.
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20 Jun, 2017 by Rich
Kris has handled both corporate and personal legal matters for me for ten years. He is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and down to earth. He has the ability to explain fairly complex legal issues in layman's terms. I recommend him highly.
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07 Jul, 2021 by James
Mr. Cowden has represented myself and several members of my family with various Civil Proceedings resulting in favorable outcomes 100% of the time. An Excellent attorney and a trusted friend and advisor.
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07 Nov, 2013 by Bianca
We love Mr. Cowden! Has always worked in our best interest and gets the job done the right way! He is fair and firm in his ways. He bills us exactly for what he does, nothing more. Cannot complain one bit!
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29 Apr, 2016 by Sabine
Sandra Sprott is very professional in her line of business. Her communication during the process with me was constant. She made sure that every thing was done in a timely manor, such as paper work, files and signatures. I could not have ask for a better lawyer then Sandra Sprott, she gave me strength and comfort through it all.
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28 Apr, 2016 by Emma
Attorney Sprott was very knowledgeable with the Texas legal statues when it came to my husband's estate. From the moment we sat down she made us feel very comfortable and discussed in detail the necessary steps we needed to take to protect our individual assets while making sure we honored my husband's memory by following the appropriate laws. Attorney Sprott was very sympathetic to our situation and always went out of her way to soothe our sadness in a professional demeanor.
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16 Nov, 2023 by Eliza
El abogado Rodríguez respondió todas mis preguntas amablemente, con paciencia y profesionalismo.
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16 Dec, 2015 by David
Mr Brandenburg represented me in a major car accident. He was able to get a very fair settlement in arbitration. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
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21 Aug, 2017 by Jim
Mr. Hughes responded promptly to my email calling me. He asked several clarifying questions about my legal issue and I felt that he would provide attentive, ethical and fair representation I was needing. Regrettably, I was not able to hire him due to my cases time restriction. I feel Mr. Hughes would be a good choice for anyone seeking to hire an attorney.
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05 Nov, 2023 by Natalie
This is one of the most gifted, professional attorneys that I have ever encountered, Truly cares about his clients and consistently goes the extra mile in all cases.
I have great continence in Attorney Fuller and trust him with all my legal matters.
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29 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
He was outstanding! The Dona Ana County Planning Dept. would not let me divide my property. He went before the county commissioners and they ruled in our favor!
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02 Feb, 2018 by Michael
Mr. Greene has helped me on many occasions and handles everything with the utmost respect, detail, and urgency. I've never been disappointed with him or anyone on his staff. If you are needing an attorney for ANY type of real estate transaction, I highly recommend Mr. Greene.
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09 Aug, 2013 by Nate
Lacie is a great attorney, her law office keeps you informed on every aspect of the case. Prepares you before court so you know what to expect. Always ready to answer any questions or concerns you have about the case. Lacie will look into every possible solution and discuss with you the options. If your lookong for someone with knowledge of the law and works hard to get the results you want then the law office of friday and reece is right for you!
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24 Jun, 2019 by John
Rating
5.0
Review
George is a fantastic attorney! I was nervous about appearing in court after my ex-wife attempted to sue me twice. Both times, George made me feel at ease with his knowledge, experience, passion and confidence. He protected me through the entire ordeal. He was always there for me. He prepared me for what could happen in both best and worst case scenarios. I will definitely retain George for any future needs and will most definitely recommend his services to anyone who seeks an excellent attorney.
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05 Mar, 2008 by Anonymous
We have worked with Mr. Sommerville for over 2 years as legal advisor on many of the tax peculiarities of a not for profit organization. His experience, integrity and knowledge of not for profit law make him an excellent advisor. His experience which includes representing not for profits in the court room allows him to take his knowledge and explain it in a manner applicable to the not for profit business manager.
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01 May, 2016 by Abizer
We trust Ellen as our lawyer for all of our business needs. She is very knowledgeable and acts fast for any issues you might have in your business. I have recommended it to many of my other business contacts and will be a client for life.
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15 Dec, 2009 by James
Very knowledgeable. Gives you the a direct and true legal assessment of your problem without coloring it up to take your money. He genuinely concerns himself with a client's problem.
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15 May, 2013 by Jacqueline
Kerry knows the law and will stand by your side. He will go the above and beyond the call to get you the best results. He is very professional, honest and caring. I could not have asked for a better result in my case. I have recommended him many times and will continue to.
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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:
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What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
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. -
What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
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. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
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:
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Verify Their License:
Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. -
Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association. -
Client Reviews and Testimonials:
Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction. -
Professional Memberships:
Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field. -
Awards and Recognitions:
Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation. -
Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:
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Relevant Documents:
Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence. -
Written Summary:
Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties. -
List of Questions:
Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience. -
Financial Information:
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Pen and Notebook:
Take notes during the consultation to remember important points. -
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:
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Fee Structures:
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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.
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Hourly Rate:
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Factors Affecting Cost:
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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.
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Complexity of the Case:
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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.
