Lawyers map
>4.1k
experienced lawyers
Filter by
02 Mar, 2018 by Travis
I've known Alan for quite sometime and he has always been able to help and be successful every time! good man.
Read more
26 Oct, 2014 by Kennedy
Doesn't keep me informed of my case can't trust this attorney please don't waist your time an money with Alan Hoffman I don't recommend this lawyer he is all nice and doing nothing
Read more
14 Apr, 2021 by Katrina
Attorney Jackson was hired as a consultant for a criminal dwi case. He told us (in a very detailed email) that the case would require a detailed memorandum, which we never received, even after he was paid. He did email us and tell us that he had a deadline for another case and would follow up with us....we never heard from him again.
Read more
05 Nov, 2018 by Manuel lopez
Just want to thank daniel for the job he did for me on january 25th.of 2018 God bless you daniel i wish every body do there job like he did
Read more
28 Oct, 2019 by Sawyer
In 2013, I used this guy as an attorney for a parole violation because someone recommended him to me. The state offered me 18 months for a violation. This dude pressured me to take the deal when I had many credible arguments that were mitigating in my violation. I ultimately had to argue in my own behalf because he was totally useless and didn't try bringing up anything we discussed in our game plan. He even got mad at me for trying to reason with the Administrative Law Judge about the details of my parole violation. He told me to be quiet. Lol. He does not fight for his clients at all. Also, he missed the first scheduled hearing and it had to be rescheduled. Ultimately I lost the hearing and had to go back upstate for 18 months. Totally useless and a waste of 500$. I do not recommend his services. He shouldn't even be a public defender he is so bad.
Read more
14 Jul, 2008 by Anonymous
Got me out of a tought spot...young kid caught with possessiom of firearm..gary was understanding, respectful and kept us in the loop. Sure he's even better now.
Read more
12 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
I had to hire Chris because my previous attorney never returned emails and went through lots of money in just one month. Within days of taking on my case we are headed to a resolution. I highly recommend Chris to anyone needing a matrimonial attorney.
Read more
10 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
Made my divorce a living hell. Had to hire another attorney who said it was the worst divorce agreement he has ever seen. He conviently “lost”my file of 4 years. New lawyer trying to fix all of his mistakes. Total incompetent. Don’t trust him at all!
Read more
26 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
This man will literally tell you to your face he doesn't care and will do nothing to help he had to put his dog down had a mental breakdown and quit 3 hr before my court case started will not respond to calls emails or text but gets paid for it all refused to do anything I asked as an employee they work for us
Could not even look sober when I seen him with a different person like did ypu shoot up in the bathroom
Read more
19 Nov, 2015 by Jennine
I was lost on how to take care of my legal issues on my own. After presenting my case to Mr. Potenza, he was confident he could assist. He did extensive research and presented my case in the best way possible. His enthusiasm and passion for the law along with his steadfast belief that you should go in with a winning attitude, was instrumental to our success. He made sure that I had ample practice and understood the process prior to my hearing date. It was because of him that we won our case! I will forever be grateful for everything he did for me!
Read more
02 Feb, 2024 by Amy osier
14 Aug, 2013 by Steve
Aaron did my house closing and it was such a smooth and easy process, thanks to him. I only had to go to his office once and that was the day of the closing, as he handled everything up until that point for me and kept me informed as to what was going on! I would hire Aaron for any other legal counseling in the future and recommend everyone else does that same.
Read more
29 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Last summer i was in a auto accident. I sustained injuries due to the accident and now 9 months later still being treated. I was referred to Mr Cooper from a friend. As far as Mr Cooper he is A honorable man and in no way am i saying anything negative about him his honesty integrity or service to his clients. After months of being rep by Mr Coopers office i had not recieved lost wages from no fault. I would call the office to help me with this issue the assistant would tell me that they dont have anything to do with that part of compensation. They would listen on a 3 way call between me and my no fault provider. During 1 of the 3 way calls the assistant took it upon there selves to interject and state to my adjuster that they had been injuried and after a couple weeks of going thru the process needed to recover lost wages medical bills ect said they gave up on doing so and went back to work i guess suggesting that i do the same. I couldnt believe what i had heard. After maybe or month or two that passed after that incendent i called the office to see what was done about the lost wages and was again being talked down to by the assistant who thought because they were busy that my case didnt matter that much. She was being rude so we engaged in shouting match which then lead to being forwarded to Mr. Cooper. As i tried to explain my issue he shouted and protested the staff has done nothing wrong. I am not an idiot im sure Mr Cooper has a long history with his staff and would easily withdraw from any client who wouldnt cooperate with his staff which is why have nothing to say bad about Mr Cooper. I then sent a letter stating that i will no longer need his assistance on my case and would hire another lawyer. After looking online found another lawyer which sounded like a good choice but i was sadly mistaken. I should've have known as he started to slender Mr Cooper and his practice that he was no to be trusted. After 2 months the 2nd lawyer withdrew for according to him 10k or 20k is not worth his time. Now with a third lawyer on the case there was a lien set by Mr. Cooper. The 2nd lawyer told me that he had to pay Mr. Cooper for the work he had done and that he himself would not put a lien on the case. My question is if they were so busy that they couldnt find time to focus on my case that they would have the time to put a lien on my case? Is this fair and what else can i do about this
Read more
06 Mar, 2024 by Patty y-s
I'd rate higher if it was an option. Maureen is always professional, very knowledgeable, compassionate, timely, friendly, and successful!
Read more
01 Sep, 2023 by John knope
03 Nov, 2022 by Cassie brenner
Retireing soon ....don't waste your time
Read more
03 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Terrible terrible terrible woman!! I hired her to help me with my custody/visitation case and she completely let my ex win custody of my children and I was left with nothing but 2 weekends a month! She failed to listen to me on what I wanted she instead only did what she wanted to do. She was very rushy and wanted the case to be done and over with as soon as possible with whatever results my ex wanted. Do not hire this crazy lady. She gives everyone dirty looks and always has an attitude when talking to people. She talks down to everyone as well. Stay far away from her!! Nothing but disappointment and nastiness from her.
Read more
05 Jun, 2015 by Frank
Words cannot explain how pleased I am with Cate as an attorney, She is trustworthy, responsive, knowledgeable, and has always kept me informed.
Please disregard the previous bogus comments. This is a competitive business, and the best people in the industry are not always the most well liked. Cate is a great person. She works incredibly hard for her client. Enough said. She is widely recognized as a top tier attorney by her peers and that is why I chose her.
Read more
04 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Cate did nothing but great things for my family. Although divorce can be a very difficult time, Cate did her best to find harmony between both sides. Her insight, credentials, and years of experience are truly unmatched in this industry and she is without a doubt one of the top attorneys in the area. Furthermore, she cares about her clients and is in the business for all of the right reasons. I would gladly refer Cate to any of my friends or family going through a similar situation.
Read more
15 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Incompetent, poorly advised me, did not return phone calls, emails. I would not recommend her to anyone.
Read more
11 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
Mindy was recommended to us by an attorney friend. She is busy and does take some time to return emails, however, her assistance is always there when needed. Very knowledgable and friendly.
Read more
20 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Ms. Marraca was assigned to me. She has not responded to any emails or voice messages left. While I understand that she has a busy job, unanswered messages is not encouraging and completely unprofessional. We will be seeking another attorney to represent our case.
Read more
28 Oct, 2021 by Dawn
Never finished my case. Turned off his phone. I paid him 750 and he dipped out
Read more
28 Jan, 2021 by Rachel
He has dipped completely. I have not heard from him in months and he had not finished my divorce case. Voicemail full, office closed and number out of service. Class act this one. AND HE WAS PAID. He should be put in jail.
Read more
10 Jun, 2019 by Steven
I just started with Dragic. He has been nothing but helpful in my time of need. He takes his work and his practice very seriously. I wish there were more like him out there. I am very happy that he is my family court lawyer. I am confident he will serve my best interests at heart as my lawyer.
Read more
13 Jan, 2024 by Kenji saito
I’m embarrassed about it, but I was a victim of scam. so I asked for advice. Even though I’ve given them the contact information of the scammer’s email address and telephone number, they never contacted the scammer. I was still receiving several emails and texts from the scammer, but the attorney said just ignore it. Later, I received letter from the attorney regarding my case. It was written my case was closed. What’s more, it dated one months before I received the letter!! Nothing was resolved in the end.
Read more
07 Jan, 2024 by Caralyn mirand
05 Jan, 2024 by Brian sarama
29 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
I hired John Federice for my Workers Comp injury. John has been on my case from the beginning to the end. 100% professional and courteous to my many phone calls and emails. John Federice is a fighter for his clients, end of story!
Read more
15 May, 2021 by Andrew
They used to be good when I first signed on. Now they don't return calls, secretary can't be bothered to answer any simple questions even giving the fax number she was sighing on the other end of the phone as if it was not her job to give me the number. When you do get a call back they don't even review you file and have no idea what is even going on in the case. Absolutely unprofessional and useless
Read more
06 Jan, 2021 by Donald
Called 19 times since November 3rd. I will not do four more years with these imbecile low grade attorneys they have went downhill significantly on the past year especially.
Read more
15 Jun, 2024 by Lisa c
My first visit with her with my traumatized children after leaving my abusive ex-husband was spent listening to her finish up a call with someone setting up an ice cream date for her own children. Obviously, this was a few years ago, but I spent many years cleaning up the damage that her “representation” of my kids did. She’s the worst kind of human being - a person who spends their existence gleaning adoration from what she does for others while being completely inept and borderline cruel to those who have to deal with her. She caused our family so much pain. I’m so grateful that my now adult boys are doing well, but it’s definitely despite her - she made things so much worse for them.
Read more
15 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Mary Anne represents children but it shows in court that she also fights for the wrong party. Maryanne isn’t just about the children she literally puts kids in the hands of the wrong caregivers. She doesn’t just fight for children she fights to keep children with unfit grandparents and away from very capable fathers. If you are a male and need a child’s attorney please look elsewhere because you aren’t going to get anywhere with this one.
Read more
17 May, 2011 by Chris
Mary Anne is an attorney for our young child. At first I was concerned about if a lawyer would treat a child properly in terms of court proceedings. After her first visit my daughter just wanted to go back and visit with 'the lady she just met' again. I'm not sure how things will fully pan out in our case, but so far she seems like a really terrific attorney, with the very best of intentions towards our child.
Read more
29 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
After taking your money he is busy and disorganized and makes you deal with his personal assistants instead of being there in your time of need. Find someone else!
Read more
21 Feb, 2018 by Scott camball
At first Mark Mahoney seemed great and was helpful. However after paying my first bill of a couple thousand Mark and Ivonne began ignoring my emails and not returning phone calls. If you are not a high paying client they do not care about you. I had to find another lawyer to help me. Beware!
Read more
23 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
I’d like to share experience I had with Mark Mahoney. Due to some unfortunate consequences I had to retain his services. He is straight forward and talked sense into my bravado. He explained process with depth and understanding of circumstances. Knowledge of courts working and jury trials was exhaustive. Results were more desirable than expected given the situation. Follow up was excellent too.
Read more
09 Jan, 2019 by Janet
The best closing attorney and office. Fully explained details of our transaction. Went beyond what we expected to help our daughter with her purchase of her first home.
Read more
22 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
We've never had a chance to communicate with Mark Longo. All communications occurred through one of his paralegal assistants. They sent us blank documents to sign in order to represent us and we were the last informed about the status of our case. That is not how a company should treat its clients.
Read more
23 Jul, 2012 by Rich
Mr. Longo and his firm agreed to hold in trust and escrow funds which were placed for a period to evaluate a contemplated investment.
At the point the investment was determined to not be viable a request was made to return the escrowed funds. At that time Mr. Longo indicated they were no longer available and had been transferred.
Upon review of the documentation it was determined that the funds were released based on a forged signature from the investment group. Mr. Longo nor any other member of his firm failed to request from me, the owner of the funds, if the authorization was valid or if I was authorizing the transfer. Such was required in the escrow agreement.
Mr. Longo refuses to take responsibility for his fraudulent activity relative to his legal requirements.
Read more
26 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
Told me about some of her personal ethics in more personal conversation, which was weird to begin with. Seemed like she needed to vent, and I didn't think it was appropriate to vent with a client. . At first I laughed it off, tried not to take it seriously, but the more I thought about, the more of an ethical boundary it seemed she crossed. She did okay on my case, but I seriously question her personal ethics.
Read more
26 Jan, 2015 by Tracey
horrible experiance. used for house closing. rude staff, rude attorney.held escrow as hostage. much higher fees then estimated. did not represent me , almost seemed to be working for the buyers attorney. the buyers attorney told us our attorney was holding everything up-spoke with our attorny and he blamed buyer attorney. at closing he seemed to purposly get worst deal , then when i questionedhim, he just gets flustered a.d said he has to go. unbelievably bad attorney. any other attorney must be better- if you want to be under represented by a gruff rude old attorney with a rude staff that hangs up on you then he is your guy. even my realestate agent was flabberghasted by his unprofessionalism.
Read more
04 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
I felt Mr. Everhart did not do his homework and does not know the education law well. He seems to be able to dismiss the fact school administration was not telling the truth even when he was shown documentation of it. I think he is a very poor school attorney and waste the district money. I would not recommend him at all. His only good quality is I do believe he's honest, just not very sharp.
Read more
10 Jan, 2023 by Shaun
Reading the other 3 reviews honestly made me sad. We are all human after all... and she obvious has issues just like all of us... And while she personally could relate to my case do to a family member... I cant help but feel let down with the results we had.
I had to advocate for myself... and thank god I held my ground. She was ready to plea for something that would have cost me a year of my life... Instead... She asked the judge for what I wanted... and the Judge approved the conditional discharge.
What bothers me the most is I had 2 charges... and the one she told me to keep (cuz 1 was throw away) Has cost me several job opportunities... That the other charge wouldnt have. I literally was Hired and fired due to the choice of taking the 1 Misdemeanor.
And while it was hard to get a hold of her... I think she did care but maybe had too much on her plate.
This was also in 2014, so maybe things are better now. I wouldnt say dont go to her, I think she really does carel But you need to gage it for yourself. Remember, most ppl dont post positive reviews, they only post when they are really upset.
Read more
27 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
after representing me in a case she told me how she promised to fight for me and counter sue and how she would make the other side pay for all the damage they had done, but after doing the bare minimum she never returned my phone call after wards and then told me i was harrasing her because i called several months later to get an update.... DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY WITH HER GET YOUR SELF A FREE LAWYER WHO WILL DO MORE THEN HER
Read more
10 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Gail does the bare minimum as a laywer. She can not even return a simple phone. I've been working with her for 6 months now. There has been no improvement in my family court case. Its like it went stagnant. Do NOT waste your money. Your child's life is on the line and Gail will not fight for you.
Read more
01 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Parents are In and out of court. Desperate to have a solid plan in place for a child. She has REPEATEDLY said that the FIRST judgment needs to be adhered to BUT
nether party lives at those addresses and the people that do live there DO NOT WANT this Horrible situation on their properties.
Read more
18 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Currently in a case with Kathleen A. Crowley as our Court Attorney Referee. She has yet to provide any intermediate help for either party involved. It has come to my knowledge that if one party is screaming and/or yellowing on a phone call, her only solution to nip it in the bud is to hangup on both parties.
It's quite baffling that if we come prepared and present ourselves professionally, and the other party comes with no lawyer and a mouthful of bad traits -- Kathleen feels the need to express that she will hangup if the "other party" will not cool down.
This type of action does not solve the safety and health of a child that is being dragged throughout the hearing. If anyone talked in a matter that was unprofessional, you would entirely lose the case. Well, that is not what is happening here.
It might be time for retirement if the focus can not be about the child. Unacceptable!
Read more
18 Oct, 2023 by Molly harrington
We used Katherine Bestine for a no-fault, uncontested divorce. On my initial visit, 10/28/22. At that time I was told the divorce should be done by February so we could file our taxes together one last time. She cut the remainder in half because "this is so simple".
We paid $2400 upfront. They took so long they needed another $2000.
We did not have a divorce date until AUGUST 29 2023.
It was so upsetting and hard.
I'm so disappointed. I was recommended to her from several very public attorneys. I have made them all aware of what happened.
I hope the truth can be provided to clients so you don't have to spend 11 months getting divorced. No money, no property. The only thing was a name change.
Just so disappointed. I'd be weary to use her again.
The paralegal and clerks were all fantastic.
Read more
20 Jun, 2023 by John j
Several weeks ago I inquired about a case and I didn't get to actually explain everything before I was told I couldn't get helped and accused of wrong doing. Clients beware they are not in your best interest.
Read more
30 Apr, 2020 by Anonymous
I paid in advance for a closing that never happened and he refused to return my money
Read more
20 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
If I could select zero stars, I would. My spouse had used Ms. Bestine in a previous court matter, working with her for approximately a year on a very complex case. Fast forward 6 years later, we contacted Ms. Bestine with a major update via email at the beginning of March, explaining that we would need to have a consult prior to our court date at the end of March. She sent a very snarky response stating that she did not have time to deal with this and that she does not advise over email, which she previously did in November when we had a question regarding our rights. My spouse called Ms. Bestine's office, and was then asked who he was and his phone number, and stated that he would get a call back. Fast forward three weeks, we still had not received a call. We call her office today, 3/20, and are told that she would like to schedule an in-office consultation, which we live two hours away and are now on a time crunch due to the next court date being fairly soon. Ms. Bestine's schedule does not allow any availability for an in-office consultation and we are now left scrambling to find someone to provide us a consultation prior to this court date. Steer clear of Ms. Bestine if you'd like a reliable, professional, and stable attorney.
Read more
07 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
Do not hire this person and save yourself a lot of heartache and money…She did not keep me informed, she was disrespectful, rude, condescending and seemed to purposefully drag things out when our divorce should have been a quicker process. As I read in other reviews, she seemed to be working for the other side as evidenced by her actions and was against me throughout the entire process…she never spoke to me as her client but as someone substandard to her nor did she prepare me for anything to come so I would know what to expect, then she would get angry with me for not knowing something …it seemed that I was telling her what to do at times…it was the most horrible experience
Read more
28 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I wish I had read the other reviews before hiring Ms. Bestine. Thankfully, I only had a couple of encounters with her before determining that she was not the right attorney for me. I saw her have sudden emotional outbursts that are unbecoming to an attorney. For example, she would start screaming "you are going to be f*** up by ..." without explaining her reasoning or the type of "f*** up" that she was referring to. I cannot say much about the extent of her knowledge or her ability to represent a client in court because I switched to a very competent lawyer before she could do any damage.
Read more
29 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
She failed to provide correct information to my potential employer. When I consulted with another lawyer, who has been listed in Best Lawyers in America consistently, their information did not match.
Read more
04 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
I was charged $1000 by Jill before she would even meet with me for a consultation. After meeting with her I knew less than I did before. She told me nothing at all with what could or may happen with my case, I don't think she even knew how to deal with it. She was absolutely no help, a very unfriendly lady and a huge waste of money. I met with another lawyer who provided so much more information and charged less than half of her cost, AFTER the consultation. Don't even bother.
Read more
19 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
I fractured my Left shoulder and Right hip feom a place that is known for not keeping the snow clear. I swear he was in cahoots with the property owners and basically was lied too and barely got anything for what a endured. I do not recommend him at all. Absolute BS.
Read more
09 Dec, 2014 by Mike
Mr. Berkun represented me on a case where I suffered a knee injury that required surgery due to a negligent property owner. The case ultimately went to trial, where I discovered that he was so unprepared in the case that he was still asking me questions just before the trial started and during his presentation he quoted snowfall totals that were so unrealistic, that I'm sure the jury rejected his case right then and there.
Read more
08 Dec, 2010 by Victor
My husband had an immigration problem in Buffalo NY that needed to be solved immediately, so I called the first lawyer that i found on google search engine. It was the worst mistake i have ever made. I was so dissapointed when i would try to call him if i had a question and all i got was his voicemail. He never called me back. I used to call him every hour and once in 4 weeks he would pick up. Anyway, he went to see my husband where he was detained and told him that the best option he has is to go back to his country! He wouldnt let my husband talk to the judge. He was very disrespectful. I would rather represent myself than have him represent me. It was just a waste of money.
Read more
28 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Hired him to represent us for a Human Resource problem we were having in the workplace. After the retainer was paid, it was like we were put on the back burner. Eventually the court date came, he showed up late, and was completely unprepared. As a result we lost thousands. His only response when we told him we were dissatisfied was to "sue me". I would never recommend Richard to anyone ever!!! Beware!
Read more
17 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
This attorney was referred to me by the Erie county bar association. I was not treated correctly for a serious medical issue and was seeking advice.
When he called me, I started to explain what the nature of the issue was (mind you it's not something that can be summarized briefly, due to the complexity of the situation, which is apparently normal with medical malpractice cases).
He kept cutting me off in an argumentative tone saying things like "well, you would have to prove that"....
No!!! Really?? We have to actually PROVE damages???!!! Who would have thought!!! Isn't that why we hire attorneys?? To help us prove damages??
In all honesty, I only needed 5 minutes worth of phone conversation with this man, to know that he was not the type of attorney I was looking for.
Malpractice attorneys need to show even a little compassion or concern and ask questions. Being condescending and rude to potential clients is no way to get ahead.
Needless to say, I did my own research, contacted a few other attorneys, and apparently I have a very substantial case and have been offered multiple contracts ....
That's the last time I go to the bar association for a referral!!!
Read more
23 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
My experience with Mr. Panasci left me feeling alone and insulted and frustrated.
Mr. Panasci took on my case, called me for our first conversation without having looked over case from the previous attorney, then he became defensive and argumentative when I became frustrated at the idea that I had to explain my story all over again.
He showed no sympathy for the fact that I did not know my previous attorney, Melissa Horvatits, had dropped my case without a word to me.
Mr. Panasci insisted I tell him personal health information, stating it may be relevant to my case. I had to defend my personal health decisions to him only to have him angrily insist a few moments later that no personal information has any relevance to my case.
He wanted me to explain my health issues but was not at all interested in hearing anything else I had to say about the dynamics of my abusive marriage and he wanted me just shut up, do what he says and proceed with the divorce after having built nothing but a lack of trust in only a few minutes of our first meeting.
Mr. Panasci was insolent and condescending.
Mr. Panasci was short tempered, defensive and very angry at the notion that I want to express my concerns over my divorce and it's effects on my future.
I hung the phone up feeling humiliated and alone, just like my husband always makes me feel when I try to communicate with his narcissism.
Read more
Find Your Lawyer
By Practice Area
-
Business
-
Litigation
-
Personal Injury
-
Real Estate
-
Insurance
-
Criminal Defense
-
Family Law
-
Estate Planning
-
Appeals
-
Government
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Tax
-
Car Accident
-
Intellectual Property
-
Workers Compensation
-
Consumer Protection
-
Civil Rights
-
Immigration
-
Trusts
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Wrongful Death
-
Elder Law
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Probate
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Mediation
-
Child Custody
-
Debt Collection
-
Bankruptcy
-
Discrimination
-
Class Action
-
Child Support
-
Entertainment
-
Adoption
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Employment / Labor
-
Federal Crime
-
Foreclosure
-
Domestic Violence
-
Copyright Application
-
Divorce
-
Debt Settlement
-
Sex Crime
-
Juvenile Law
-
Wrongful Termination
-
DUI / DWI
-
Cannabis Law
-
Credit Repair
-
Drug Crime
-
Environmental Law
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Life Insurance
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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:
-
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:
-
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:
-
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:
If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. -
Contact Information:
Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case. -
Personal Identification:
Bring a valid ID for verification purposes. -
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:
-
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.
-
Hourly Rate:
-
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.
-
Complexity of the Case:
-
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.
