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07 Dec, 2023 by Travis
It was great to work with Koby. She's approachable, down to earth and practical with her recommendations. Helped me convert an entity and did an important contract review for me.
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03 May, 2021 by Sherronda
We are grateful to have the counsel of Ms. Wilbanks. Wilbanks is very responsive to all inquires and requests for meetings. No question is too elementary, she explains concepts well and will ensures her clients have a clear understanding. She also looks at all potential scenarios to a problem and gives feedback to allow the client to make the best educated decision.
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30 Apr, 2021 by Robert
Working with Koby on starting-up a craft distillery, has been a wonderful learning experience. Her approach has always been (since day one) direct & honest, to the point. Koby is able to explain legalities and contractual concepts in layman's terms to make them applicable to what we actually want to do: make rum. She has always provided feedback in a timely manner (even just to given indication on when a certain task will be completed). I look forward to continuing to work with Koby as we turn our start-up project into business reality.
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11 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Nykamp helped me settle three of my accounts. He made me feel comfortable through a hard time with my finances. I was extremely happy with the end result. Mr. Nykamp and his office were always responsive and communicated with me from start to finish with my debt settlements. I also took note of his organization and his positive outlook with my future.
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12 Mar, 2013 by Rob nielsen
My wife and myself retained Ryan Nykamp for the first time in 2011, and have since had him help us with several legal matters. I have nothing but good to say about him. He is extremely honest and Awesome to deal with. He is very down to earth and feels like you re talking to a friend instead of a "lawyer". I have dealt with several business attorneys over the years and wish that Mr Nykamp specialized in every field so I could use him for all of my legal matters. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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13 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
I consulted Ms. Makker for a contract dispute for a house I was intending to purchase earlier this year. Unfortunately, the deal fell through and I was going to lose about $400,000 in earnest money because the contract was a standard commercial contract and was terribly drafted. With Ms. Makker's guidance and help, I was able to get a lot of it back. I had consulted other experienced lawyers in the area and they were misinterpreting the statues and contract and told me I did not have much of a chance. However, Ms. Makker was able to get this correctly and in a timely manner. I was e-mailing her every day multiple times and she responded each time with such a complete and though response whether it was a weekend or a holiday. She made sure I was calm and understanding the process and steps. She went a step further and send me her own guide on what to look for in contracts and what terms to look out for as I look to purchase another home. Pooja! Thank you so much. You are such an asset to the legal community and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.
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07 Aug, 2021 by Noam c.
I have known Ms. Makker since her time in San Diego. I am glad I was able to connect with her again in Washington. I had a complicated estate with with my mother-in-law being a non-resident of the USA. Ms. Makker not only helped us with the taxation aspect but also with the estate aspect. Her experience and her ability to break down legal concepts in a manner that is easy to understand is just outstanding.
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12 Jan, 2022 by Adam and jessica
Susan is so professional, stays unbiased (focused on the family well-being as a whole), and very knowledgable about family law. She is very much experienced, it's impressive! She is detail oriented and is great at making sure everybody stays on track, as we all know family law cases can get pretty messy at times. Not only would my wife and I recommend Susan, but we would absolutely hire her again for any/all family matters in the future.
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19 Nov, 2021 by Karen
I contacted Susan to handle a non-contested divorce for me and she was absolutely terrific to work with. She and her staff were very prompt to respond to my questions...no matter if it was after hours. She is very knowledgeable but friendly and made the entire process flawless and stressless. Her rates were also very reasonable. I would highly recommend Susan O'Toole for your legal needs.
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03 Feb, 2016 by Brian
Karen is an outstanding attorney. She was knowledgeable, timely, and professional. Karen was able to identify potential problems which likely saved me money and headaches in the future. I highly recommend her.
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26 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Karen was the other attorney in a litigation. She was honest, forthright, and well informed. She did an excellent job for her client. She was courteous and an effective negotiator.
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27 Feb, 2021 by Jordan
I called Ron for assistance with an issue I was experiencing. Although Ron wasn't able to take on my case, he still spent time with me on the phone giving me lots of suggestions and referrals that ultimately helped me resolve my issue. I'm very appreciative of the time he spent with me, and would reach out to him again in the future.
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10 Dec, 2014 by Ebellata
Ron has been my lawyer for about 15 years now and he's helped me through a divorce, new marriage, wills, and other situations. He is very responsive and knowledgeable. I value his advice and can definitely recommend him.
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04 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
Boris handled my accident with the utmost professionalism. Everyone always promptly responded to my calls and emails. They took care of everything, including property damage to my car and my medical expenses. All the bills were paid and I received a nice settlement. No complaints here!
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12 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Rubinstein represented me when I was injured last year. He and his staff made me feel very involved and were always available to answer my questions. They fought hard for me on a very difficult case. I was so happy with the results! I will always refer my friends and family to Rubinstein Law Offices!
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24 Feb, 2019 by Michele
Lana really helped my family with my brothers tax situation. He worked in Saudi Arabia and had some difficult tax issues after he passed. She worked very hard with complete diligence to figure out and fix all issues. She was very professional and with empathy for our family. It’s been 8 years and I will always be grateful to her.
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13 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Lana just bailed me out with a huge potential problem with the IRS. She gets results, she tries to keep things affordable for her clients, and she knows the IRS. If you have a problem I would highly recommend this very skilled lawyer.
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15 Jun, 2016 by Kavita
We hired Michael to set up our wills. I had tried doing it myself in the past with online forms but it was too time consuming to do it and I wasn't sure if all grounds were being covered. Michael was great to work with. We met with him for one hour and went over our plans - he made recommendations and guided us to think about options we hadn't considered. Within a few days he had our wills ready for review. We had another meeting scheduled to sign it and that was it. Very easy. It did not take much of our time. And the end result is a will we are comfortable with.
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12 Mar, 2013 by Marty
We own a business and Michael has provided the expertise to keep us on track for 15 years. He also created a living will for my wife and myself. We were so pleased with the document that my father had Michael's office generate one for him.
We can't say enough for the quality and personal attention we receive each time he provides legal assistance.
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05 Aug, 2015 by Ken
I was referred to Sabina through a good friend of mine because I needed help with documentation for a fiance visa. Sabina was very helpful and knew exactly what needed to be done to make sure we have no problems going forward. Once I told her what we needed she began right away on gathering information that we will need to make this a smooth transaction. Within a few days we had all the paperwork together and we were able to submit all the necessary documentation. It was truly a pleasure to work with Sabina and I would definitely be going back if I ever need any legal help in the future, and will definitely recommend her services to others.
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31 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
I have had Sabina prepare various legal documents for several occasions. She is always prompt and professional. She will take her time to go over everything to make sure you are fully covered and protected. I always feel supported and respected and I know she has my best interest at heart.
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01 Aug, 2018 by Mark
I contacted Monique as she came highly recommended. Within a few minutes she put me at ease and took charge of my legal issue. The case was denied and dismissed completely. In my case that was a perfect outcome. Monique is very competent, personable, full of energy and such a breath of fresh air. If needed, I will use her professional services again. I highly recommend Monique to anyone who wants to take an issue “head on”. I cannot express my gratitude enough for her outstanding service. AWESOME!!!!
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29 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Monique helped me with child support case and a few years later helped my husband adopt my son. She was great! She is always very helpful with any questions I had about our case or the progress that was being made. Monique's work is very well done and she is very professional. Her team was also super great and always on top of everything. Everyone always is very involved with the case and made me feel like my case was just as important to them as it was to me.
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17 May, 2015 by Adam
Mr Banfi handled a case for me during what was a very trying point in my life. He was incredibly knowledgeable concerning my situation and kept me from feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, to be frank. There was a way through the situation I was in, and I didn't have to go through it alone.
He won my case and I would recommend him to anyone who needs help.
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07 May, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Banfi handled my criminal case when the city revoked my stipulated order of continuance from an earlier incident. He kept me informed at every stage and did everything possible for my case.
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30 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Ortiz was extremely helpful and diligent during our will updating procedure. He explained items to us that we had not been aware of prior and was also very timely and thorough during this process. We were extremely pleased with our experience dealing with him directly as well as dealing with his office staff. We would definitely use him for any of our future needs and would also highly recommend him.
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30 Apr, 2010 by Anonymous
I have used these attorneys as well as referring 3 friends now. All of us have been highly impressed by their professionalism, knowledge and integrity. They do not overcharge and are more than fair with costs and services. Genuine caring!!
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22 Mar, 2017 by John
Sherri is by far the best attorney I've ever worked with. She is aggressive, yet compassionate, thorough, timely and genuinely a great person. I would recommend her to anyone.
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14 Dec, 2009 by Chris
When I first met Sherri I was in a very difficult situation. I was divorcing an abusive alcoholic and was forced to go to trial to gain custody of my children. Due to the circumstances at the time, Sherri had to get up to speed on my case very quickly and we appeared at the first hearing in a week’s time.
From a professional standpoint, Sherri is very competent, knowledgeable, professional and has an extremely capable staff. From a human standpoint, Sherri is kind, has compassion, common sense and is quick on her feet. I was truly impressed with her skill level during the entire process, including trial. I was also impressed with the fact that Sherri involved me in the decision making process. She asked and considered/acted upon my input where appropriate. I appreciated the open, honest communication throughout the entire time we worked together.
I have referred more than a handful of potential clients to Sherri and will continue to do so.
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05 Nov, 2019 by Melissa
My review is for the specific purpose of recommending Melissa Storch as a Collaborative attorney . I heard her speak eight years prior to hiring her and was so impressed I wrote her name and phone number in my contacts in case I would ever need her . And when I did need her and hired her I was right away put at ease in the midst of my despair knowing I was in the best of hands . She is highly intelligent and disarmingly equipped to take on what I would consider one of the more complex of cases . While she is a great listener I was impressed with the larger perspective she conveyed to me and I felt secure by her experience , intellect and attention to the matter at hand . Without sounding cryptic , no matter what is going on in your marriage if you decide to get a divorce try Melissa Storch If it is at all possible . A lot of people are not aware of the benefits of this process but it is like the Mayo Clinic of divorce . Melissa Storch has the presence of the consummate professional while at the same time helping you feel like you have the security of sitting with a true friend . Not to discount her education , intellect or experience yet all of this is given to you as a client with an extra comfort . Nothing is harder than going through the divorce process in my experience but if you HAVE to go through it like I did I would recommend Melissa hands down because of my own experience . And it has been five months since I last worked with her and I am still sitting here writing this because of the impact she had in my life .
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03 Mar, 2015 by Erin
I was very lucky that a good friend recommended Melissa Storch's services for assisting me with my divorce. Melissa was an excellent advocate for exploring all avenues in drafting a fair settlement. My sister and a close friend told me that I would end up hating my lawyer when my divorce was final. I can happily state that I feel very satisfied with Melissa's services and heartily recommend her if you want to pursue a cooperative or collaborative divorce.
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02 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
Communicates well with his clients, professional
and determined- pleasant to work with !
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27 Apr, 2020 by Sem
Thomas James Moore, Did an excellent job representing me. He brought evidence to the judge to prove my case was valid. His determination to prove on my behalf justice to win my case, Is his example of the professional position he holds. Thomas and his administration are above average that’s why I gave him an excellent review.
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27 Jan, 2017 by Juliana
As General Counsel of our firm, I engaged Mark to represent us in a matter that was unique and completely outside of our regular course of business. The deal was also beyond my professional legal expertise and range. Adding to all of this, I was operating with a very limited budget. Mark was incredible. Not only was he erudite, accessible and highly responsive but he equipped me with every tool I needed to close the deal on my own. His detailed briefings outlined all of the risks, the boilerplate and customary terms in the deal agreements and the pros/cons of each decision point. His work product was essentially a negotiation map which I've kept in my form files as a valuable resource for future deals. To me, the measure of truly great outside legal counsel is whether he or she teaches me to catch my own fish. Mark absolutely does that. Moreover, he did all of this well within his original estimate and our budget and was a complete pleasure to work with. He is a consummate professional whom I gladly recommend to others.
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16 Aug, 2013 by Anonymous
It was a pleasure working with Mark. He was not only a consummate professional, but also had a tremendous grasp of the issues and is well respected in the industry. I needed someone representing me who knew his way around the state bureaucracy and Mark definitely did. Very thankful to him for his representation and competence.
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08 Jul, 2007 by Anonymous
Keith was referred by a good friend of mine and he has worked with me on numerous projects. He is brilliant, creative, has made and saved me a great deal of money and is a pleasure to work with. I believe that he truly enjoys what he does and it shows in the quality of his work. He may be overkill for small, straightforward contracts but I wouldn't hire anyone else for business or securities work.
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11 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Keith was an excellent corporate attorney for the software startup where I previously worked. He had the knowledge and resources you would expect from a big firm, yet he truly understands how to help an emerging company grow. He looked for ways to be more efficient and kept costs under our budget. Keith and Davis Wright Tremaine served our company well through good times and bad, and I always trusted the advice and guidance he provided.
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10 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Geoff and Tom created our estate plans. They took the time (over 6 months) to answer all of our questions patiently and guided us very smoothly and pleasantly through a complex process. Our estate is large and has a a high degree of complexity.They devised a clever and creative solution.
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06 Jul, 2010 by Bruce
My relationship with Geoff began in the final weeks before the death of my dad. As a college professor, I'm a professional but not in the way of being a Successor Trustee. That loomed large as a serious undertaking. That's where Geoff came in. I was able to do all the footwork, which was enormous and time-consuming, but at every turn I was able to count on Geoff guiding me through the thicket. Amazingly, he was always responsive...never a time he failed to return my call expediently.
Initially, I was apprehensive about meeting with Geoff because of previous encounters with attorneys, but we connected immediately.
I liked this man! He was gracious, friendly, professional, easy to understand, and came across as a man sincerely eager to help me through the legal exercise he knew I faced at a time I was emotionally strained by my father's demise.
I especially want to note that where other professionals were all business, I was so impressed that Geoff stepped out of that role for a moment to be human enough in my first moment of grief to be one of the only professionals to quickly offer his condolences to me. That was kind and thoughtful. I wasn't just a client, I was a fellow pilgrim on this dusty journey called life, and he wanted to share my pain, my loss.
I should also note that his fees were incredibly fair, far less than I expected.
Bottom line, I would rate Geoff a 10 +... off the charts, really! So if you need an attorney, especially on estate matters, let me encourage you to employ the services of Geoff Garrett. I'm truly confident that you will soon sing his praises as much as I am doing here. Feel free to contact me for further verbal confirmation of all that I have outlined above.
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31 Mar, 2012 by Joan
I interviewed 2 other attorneys, but I knew when I met David Richardson that he was the one I wanted to represent me
I have also sent a friend to him & will continue to do this as he is terrific.
When we went to mediation he drove way out of his way in the snow to pick me up. That meant he had to go from Seattle to Bellevue then back to Seattle, then brought me back home then he had to go back to Seattle where he lives. All this in the snow, I don't know anyone that would go way out of their way to do this for a client, it just speaks of his professional way of taking care of his client
When ever I had a question he always got right back to me, never made me feel I was bothering him
I will continue to send family & friends to David, he is the best!!
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28 Mar, 2012 by Anonymous
I do not write lightly when I say David B. Richardson is trustworthy, (highly) knowledgeable and an overachiever. His representation has helped me moved on with my life during the whole case proceeding. Please note I said I moved on with my life "during" and not after the case was closed. The stress and negativity from the beginning was lifted off from my shoulders. I did not have to worry if Item A was completed, if Item B was given notice, if Item C received X and so forth. My worries and sleepless nights ended when Mr. Richardson represented my family and I.
He treated us with the utmost respect and always gave us his undivided attention. There were many hoops and hurdles, and although at times it was very stressful, David B. Richardson always assured my family and I that he has everything in control (and he did!). He never made us feel that our actions were limited. He did not ever hesitated to suggest different avenues to approach X, Y, and Z. He kept an opened mind and a positive attitude. We grew to know that Mr. Richardson has an extensive background of experience and valuable varieties of resources.
I enjoyed working with Mr. Richardson. I am graciously thankful and grateful for his representation. If any other unforeseen events were to happen in my life, I know who to call. I profoundly recommend every single person who seeks for an attorney who is (but not limited to): well-respected, respectful, open-minded, an overachiever, courageous, intelligent, a mentor, understanding and detemined to fight for your rights and securing a meaningful recovery for yourself and family. TKO!
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29 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Bart handled my husband and I with great care and respect. His fee was resonable and his reassurance was priceless. I can be a little high maintenance at times and he always handled my questions with grace and patience. He has a professional staff as well all who are very knowledgeable and careful when answering questions.
I have no hesistation in reccomending Bart and his team...in fact I have already sent several friends his way.
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13 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Bart handled a matter for me with professionalism and compassion. I would recommend him to anyone and I would use him again.
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25 Apr, 2016 by Dave
Kim and David helped me apply for E2 visa. I was recently grated my visa. I am very impressed with their knowledge and ability of what they can pull off. they have a very precise understanding of how the USCIS rules and laws govern in this Country. They were able to advise me on what the USCIS is looking from me, and what kinds of documents will justify my request for the visa. It is kind of hard to keep this short, but i strongly recommend these people and their skills.
Thanks
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27 Aug, 2015 by Tee
Kim made it pretty simple and easy for me to get E -2 visa. Comparing to other attorneys, his fees are very affardoble. Very reliable person. I am recomending him to my friends and will recommend him to anyone who needs any immigration help.
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24 Feb, 2015 by Mike
We were referred to Craig from our corporate law firm. He was very responsive in returning our call. He spent a generous amount of time on the initial consult and was clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter. If a friend were to ask me for a reference to an elder law attorney, I would be comfortable suggesting they call Craig.
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06 Feb, 2010 by Anonymous
My family received Craig's name from 3 different sources. We needed a very experienced lawyer to handle a complicated guardianship. We ended up finding a lawyer for life. Craig was thorough, available, compassionate and did an outstanding job. He is a true professional, and an asset to his field. I couldn't recommend him more highly.
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26 May, 2016 by Sue
John is a really good listener. He helped me resolve an issue by empathetically listening, summarizing what I said and coming up with a number of satisfying solutions to the problem.
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22 May, 2016 by William
Took on my former employer, large corporation in consumer goods business, and succeeded in gaining six figure wages owed to me which were being denied.
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11 Aug, 2012 by Horatio
Hired him to handle a real estate matter. Not only did he understand the situation quickly but he also came up with a plan of action that resulted in the issue being resolved to my satisfaction.
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01 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
I sought legal advice for a business acqusition. Not only did he give me sound legal advice, he was able to analyze and provide sound business counsel. He delivered above and beyond my expectations.
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05 May, 2022 by Sally
Nicholle was available and attentive to our needs. I highly recommend her for thoroughness, promptness, and her expertise.
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15 Feb, 2021 by N
Nicholle provided outstanding legal counsel for me when working with the Seattle School District to get an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for one of my sons who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is very knowledgeable regarding ASD as well as how the Seattle School District and state system works and helped me navigate a very frustrating process to get my son an IEP.
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01 Sep, 2015 by Yohei
I've known Neal Black in a working capacity for over a decade as a business & corporate development executive and have directly retained his counsel for the last 6 years. Simply put, he is the most trusted and knowledgeable attorney I've had the honor of working with. From high profile Hollywood licensing deals to multi-million dollar video game publishing engagements, Mr. Black has a vast and deep wheelhouse. Since my first engagement with Mr. Black I have looked to secure his advisory services at every company I've been employed at, and was the first port of call when founding my own venture two years ago. I can not recommend Neal Black highly enough.
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31 Aug, 2015 by Bruce
We've worked with Neal for about 6 years now. He is very strong in many areas and the type of lawyer that is happy to refer you outside of his domain. He's extremely responsive and my only concern is that this positive review will grow his business to the point I will have to give up my hours for someone else..
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17 Mar, 2011 by Anonymous
I would, and have recommended Kent Thorsted to friends and family members. I was most impressed with Kent's medical knowledge. When he handled my case against a doctor, his main concern was not only that I be compensated but that I also see the best doctors in the Pacific Northwest to evaluate my situation. To many attorneys the bottom line is the dollar but Kent showed equal interest in helping me find someone who could better my quality of life as well. He was honest, compassionate, and very impressive regarding keeping me informed on how the case was moving along.
His dedication to his profession is unsurpassed and he was always straight forward with me. Never making impossible promises yet making me feel I would be compensated fairly. I was so impressed with him when my son was in an accident Kent was the person we wanted on our side. Without writing my son's review, I can say Kent literally saved my son's life and gave him hope for the future.
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06 Feb, 2008 by Anonymous
To Whom It May Concern,
Glenn represented me in a vehicle injury case. He was able to take me through the whole process properly and when it came time to collect from the party at fault, we were able to retain the maximum compensation allowed.
Glenn is a moral and ethical person and lawyer whom I would recommed to anyone seeking the best council. He will get the results you deserve and expect.
Thank You Glenn,
Nick G. VanDerlinden
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25 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Agreed to review the information and get back to me with a course
of action I should take, this was first brief contact, what I had asked for, take a look and let me know my options
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19 Nov, 2007 by Anonymous
Mr. James came highly recommended and lived up to those recommendations. He represented our organization and mission excellently in a very difficult and complicated legal process. I would recommend him without reservation. I suspect that the negative review he received was from the other side of the legal issue Mr. James helped us with. Unfortunately, their lack of success in the courtroom, due to Mr. James' excellent work, has led them to attack him personally.
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10 May, 2013 by Christina
I met Barbara through a volunteer service that she was involved in on the Eastside, in Bellevue WA. She ended up representing me and my son in a custody battle. She was very optimistic when i had no hope at all. She instructed me with each step and her assistant, (Cheryl Butler), was also amazing. Barbara and Cheryl bent over backwards for my son and I and kept him exactly where he belonged. I am inspired and in awe of this attorney and would recommend her to anyone!
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23 Mar, 2011 by Barb
Barbara Johson is a champion who fights for the rights of the wealthy and the poor. There is not one day that goes by that I don't think of her and her and extreme generousity and kindness.
She is a passionate careing and moral person who gives 110% to all that she represents.
Barbara and her staff work long and hard for everyone who comes in contact with them.
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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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Contact 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.
