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24 Sep, 2024 by Kim
They are such liars and so unprofessional in their handling of cases I can't even give them one star. They dragged my case out for a year and ruined everything with their lies. I hope there will never be another victim like me.
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21 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Peter was very professional thru the entire consultation of my rights and options moving forward with the case. He was instrumental in our decision making process. Asked great questions that helped us understand what our options were. I would hire him for our next litigation case.
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15 Mar, 2017 by Gina
Consulted with Mr. Sung and Mr. Lee about a business venture and received an honest assessment and advice. Highly recommend these lawyers for any of you legal issues, big or small.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Tash otto
I always thought an "officer" did ethical things, like fight for a child's best interest, call out or allow testimony against the lies spoken about someone. I also once believed in justice, not that this matters to you. It's just a paycheck. I am hopeful that someday you realize that in the interest of your paycheck you destroyed a young woman and her father. You don't care if a good man loses his car, home or job. You only care about winning and there's really nothing a decent person would need to hear beyond that. Maybe someday look deeper into the people whose lives you destroy in the interest of a buck. Because a man who can't afford an attorney can certainly afford to pay your wealthy narcissist the money he could have paid an attorney? I don't make $100k per year. I serve people. We don't make great money, you must know that. Oh, right but you presented lies about my pay to fool the judge. Congratulations. Resting your case was well played when you don't care about the truth. I could have destroyed your client and her witnesses. Only one of them ever used to know me, the bipolar 54 year old who still lives in his mommy's basement, from high school! You have no idea what you've done. Someday I hope you do. It is a relief that I will never have to deal with the unethical likes of your firm again!
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23 Feb, 2024 by Michelle hamed
Would really not recommend, not thoughtful or caring during COVID and a very sad family matter. I’m still not sure how I was helped me for the amount of money I spent in a short time. I feel was taken advantage of me for 5,000 retainer and billed for each and every line item. As a single Mom, who didn’t have two incomes and during COVID we never even met or Facetime, never even met her online or other . The sad lack of large financials as a single Mom was totally disregarded. Unfortunately not a good experience at all. Lawyers need to be held accountable for their work and not just bill to bill and make money. I don’t see how physicians are so regulated and lawyers have no regulations, it’s unethical.
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02 Sep, 2023 by K f
Angela Grau and her team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants and accounting department were top notch. Even though as the trustee and personal representative I could manage my mother's trust and estate, I knew nothing on how to defend my mother's trust from litigation. Angela was recommended to me by my mother's attorney who drew up the Maryland Will and Trust. I asked them for a referral. I will not go into details about my particular litigation. DARS was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, paid attention to detail, and helped me navigate the tasks of managing my mother's affairs after her passing. I will forever be thankful for their help. I highly recommend them. I would like to update my review and make some comments about another attorney within DARS. My niece who lives in Howard County was in need of a top-quality family law attorney. I referred her to DARS and told her she will find a top-notch team to help her with some very serious issues. Once she contacted DARS she decided to utilize the services of Britton Gore. And just yesterday, April 13, my niece received a very positive decision on her case from the Howard Co Court. This portion of the review is secondhand, but I must say that everything that my adult niece and her mother told me about Ms. Gore was extremely positive. She was very prepared for the court proceedings and was able to methodically inform the court of the most important issues which led to their favorable decision. Ms. Gore listened to my niece and pursued evidence to help her tell her story to the court. They are thrilled with the outcome of the proceedings. Once again, thank you DARS for helping my family. And thank you Ms. Gore for your patience, determination, hard work, professionalism and careful consideration of a very serious family issue. You helped my niece find her voice and guided her gently to a positive resolution. My niece and her mother who is my sister, along with my husband and I are grateful to you and your firm.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Tash otto
I always thought an "officer" did ethical things, like fight for a child's best interest, call out or allow testimony against the lies spoken about someone. I also once believed in justice, not that this matters to you. It's just a paycheck. I am hopeful that someday you realize that in the interest of your paycheck you destroyed a young woman and her father. You don't care if a good man loses his car, home or job. You only care about winning and there's really nothing a decent person would need to hear beyond that. Maybe someday look deeper into the people whose lives you destroy in the interest of a buck. Because a man who can't afford an attorney can certainly afford to pay your wealthy narcissist the money he could have paid an attorney? I don't make $100k per year. I serve people. We don't make great money, you must know that. Oh, right but you presented lies about my pay to fool the judge. Congratulations. Resting your case was well played when you don't care about the truth. I could have destroyed your client and her witnesses. Only one of them ever used to know me, the bipolar 54 year old who still lives in his mommy's basement, from high school! You have no idea what you've done. Someday I hope you do. It is a relief that I will never have to deal with the unethical likes of your firm again!
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23 Feb, 2024 by Michelle hamed
Would really not recommend, not thoughtful or caring during COVID and a very sad family matter. I’m still not sure how I was helped me for the amount of money I spent in a short time. I feel was taken advantage of me for 5,000 retainer and billed for each and every line item. As a single Mom, who didn’t have two incomes and during COVID we never even met or Facetime, never even met her online or other . The sad lack of large financials as a single Mom was totally disregarded. Unfortunately not a good experience at all. Lawyers need to be held accountable for their work and not just bill to bill and make money. I don’t see how physicians are so regulated and lawyers have no regulations, it’s unethical.
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02 Sep, 2023 by K f
Angela Grau and her team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants and accounting department were top notch. Even though as the trustee and personal representative I could manage my mother's trust and estate, I knew nothing on how to defend my mother's trust from litigation. Angela was recommended to me by my mother's attorney who drew up the Maryland Will and Trust. I asked them for a referral. I will not go into details about my particular litigation. DARS was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, paid attention to detail, and helped me navigate the tasks of managing my mother's affairs after her passing. I will forever be thankful for their help. I highly recommend them. I would like to update my review and make some comments about another attorney within DARS. My niece who lives in Howard County was in need of a top-quality family law attorney. I referred her to DARS and told her she will find a top-notch team to help her with some very serious issues. Once she contacted DARS she decided to utilize the services of Britton Gore. And just yesterday, April 13, my niece received a very positive decision on her case from the Howard Co Court. This portion of the review is secondhand, but I must say that everything that my adult niece and her mother told me about Ms. Gore was extremely positive. She was very prepared for the court proceedings and was able to methodically inform the court of the most important issues which led to their favorable decision. Ms. Gore listened to my niece and pursued evidence to help her tell her story to the court. They are thrilled with the outcome of the proceedings. Once again, thank you DARS for helping my family. And thank you Ms. Gore for your patience, determination, hard work, professionalism and careful consideration of a very serious family issue. You helped my niece find her voice and guided her gently to a positive resolution. My niece and her mother who is my sister, along with my husband and I are grateful to you and your firm.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Tash otto
I always thought an "officer" did ethical things, like fight for a child's best interest, call out or allow testimony against the lies spoken about someone. I also once believed in justice, not that this matters to you. It's just a paycheck. I am hopeful that someday you realize that in the interest of your paycheck you destroyed a young woman and her father. You don't care if a good man loses his car, home or job. You only care about winning and there's really nothing a decent person would need to hear beyond that. Maybe someday look deeper into the people whose lives you destroy in the interest of a buck. Because a man who can't afford an attorney can certainly afford to pay your wealthy narcissist the money he could have paid an attorney? I don't make $100k per year. I serve people. We don't make great money, you must know that. Oh, right but you presented lies about my pay to fool the judge. Congratulations. Resting your case was well played when you don't care about the truth. I could have destroyed your client and her witnesses. Only one of them ever used to know me, the bipolar 54 year old who still lives in his mommy's basement, from high school! You have no idea what you've done. Someday I hope you do. It is a relief that I will never have to deal with the unethical likes of your firm again!
Read more Google Maps
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23 Feb, 2024 by Michelle hamed
Would really not recommend, not thoughtful or caring during COVID and a very sad family matter. I’m still not sure how I was helped me for the amount of money I spent in a short time. I feel was taken advantage of me for 5,000 retainer and billed for each and every line item. As a single Mom, who didn’t have two incomes and during COVID we never even met or Facetime, never even met her online or other . The sad lack of large financials as a single Mom was totally disregarded. Unfortunately not a good experience at all. Lawyers need to be held accountable for their work and not just bill to bill and make money. I don’t see how physicians are so regulated and lawyers have no regulations, it’s unethical.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Sep, 2023 by K f
Angela Grau and her team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants and accounting department were top notch. Even though as the trustee and personal representative I could manage my mother's trust and estate, I knew nothing on how to defend my mother's trust from litigation. Angela was recommended to me by my mother's attorney who drew up the Maryland Will and Trust. I asked them for a referral. I will not go into details about my particular litigation. DARS was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, paid attention to detail, and helped me navigate the tasks of managing my mother's affairs after her passing. I will forever be thankful for their help. I highly recommend them. I would like to update my review and make some comments about another attorney within DARS. My niece who lives in Howard County was in need of a top-quality family law attorney. I referred her to DARS and told her she will find a top-notch team to help her with some very serious issues. Once she contacted DARS she decided to utilize the services of Britton Gore. And just yesterday, April 13, my niece received a very positive decision on her case from the Howard Co Court. This portion of the review is secondhand, but I must say that everything that my adult niece and her mother told me about Ms. Gore was extremely positive. She was very prepared for the court proceedings and was able to methodically inform the court of the most important issues which led to their favorable decision. Ms. Gore listened to my niece and pursued evidence to help her tell her story to the court. They are thrilled with the outcome of the proceedings. Once again, thank you DARS for helping my family. And thank you Ms. Gore for your patience, determination, hard work, professionalism and careful consideration of a very serious family issue. You helped my niece find her voice and guided her gently to a positive resolution. My niece and her mother who is my sister, along with my husband and I are grateful to you and your firm.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Tash otto
I always thought an "officer" did ethical things, like fight for a child's best interest, call out or allow testimony against the lies spoken about someone. I also once believed in justice, not that this matters to you. It's just a paycheck. I am hopeful that someday you realize that in the interest of your paycheck you destroyed a young woman and her father. You don't care if a good man loses his car, home or job. You only care about winning and there's really nothing a decent person would need to hear beyond that. Maybe someday look deeper into the people whose lives you destroy in the interest of a buck. Because a man who can't afford an attorney can certainly afford to pay your wealthy narcissist the money he could have paid an attorney? I don't make $100k per year. I serve people. We don't make great money, you must know that. Oh, right but you presented lies about my pay to fool the judge. Congratulations. Resting your case was well played when you don't care about the truth. I could have destroyed your client and her witnesses. Only one of them ever used to know me, the bipolar 54 year old who still lives in his mommy's basement, from high school! You have no idea what you've done. Someday I hope you do. It is a relief that I will never have to deal with the unethical likes of your firm again!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
23 Feb, 2024 by Michelle hamed
Would really not recommend, not thoughtful or caring during COVID and a very sad family matter. I’m still not sure how I was helped me for the amount of money I spent in a short time. I feel was taken advantage of me for 5,000 retainer and billed for each and every line item. As a single Mom, who didn’t have two incomes and during COVID we never even met or Facetime, never even met her online or other . The sad lack of large financials as a single Mom was totally disregarded. Unfortunately not a good experience at all. Lawyers need to be held accountable for their work and not just bill to bill and make money. I don’t see how physicians are so regulated and lawyers have no regulations, it’s unethical.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Sep, 2023 by K f
Angela Grau and her team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants and accounting department were top notch. Even though as the trustee and personal representative I could manage my mother's trust and estate, I knew nothing on how to defend my mother's trust from litigation. Angela was recommended to me by my mother's attorney who drew up the Maryland Will and Trust. I asked them for a referral. I will not go into details about my particular litigation. DARS was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, paid attention to detail, and helped me navigate the tasks of managing my mother's affairs after her passing. I will forever be thankful for their help. I highly recommend them. I would like to update my review and make some comments about another attorney within DARS. My niece who lives in Howard County was in need of a top-quality family law attorney. I referred her to DARS and told her she will find a top-notch team to help her with some very serious issues. Once she contacted DARS she decided to utilize the services of Britton Gore. And just yesterday, April 13, my niece received a very positive decision on her case from the Howard Co Court. This portion of the review is secondhand, but I must say that everything that my adult niece and her mother told me about Ms. Gore was extremely positive. She was very prepared for the court proceedings and was able to methodically inform the court of the most important issues which led to their favorable decision. Ms. Gore listened to my niece and pursued evidence to help her tell her story to the court. They are thrilled with the outcome of the proceedings. Once again, thank you DARS for helping my family. And thank you Ms. Gore for your patience, determination, hard work, professionalism and careful consideration of a very serious family issue. You helped my niece find her voice and guided her gently to a positive resolution. My niece and her mother who is my sister, along with my husband and I are grateful to you and your firm.
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star star star star star
07 Aug, 2024 by Tash otto
I always thought an "officer" did ethical things, like fight for a child's best interest, call out or allow testimony against the lies spoken about someone. I also once believed in justice, not that this matters to you. It's just a paycheck. I am hopeful that someday you realize that in the interest of your paycheck you destroyed a young woman and her father. You don't care if a good man loses his car, home or job. You only care about winning and there's really nothing a decent person would need to hear beyond that. Maybe someday look deeper into the people whose lives you destroy in the interest of a buck. Because a man who can't afford an attorney can certainly afford to pay your wealthy narcissist the money he could have paid an attorney? I don't make $100k per year. I serve people. We don't make great money, you must know that. Oh, right but you presented lies about my pay to fool the judge. Congratulations. Resting your case was well played when you don't care about the truth. I could have destroyed your client and her witnesses. Only one of them ever used to know me, the bipolar 54 year old who still lives in his mommy's basement, from high school! You have no idea what you've done. Someday I hope you do. It is a relief that I will never have to deal with the unethical likes of your firm again!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
23 Feb, 2024 by Michelle hamed
Would really not recommend, not thoughtful or caring during COVID and a very sad family matter. I’m still not sure how I was helped me for the amount of money I spent in a short time. I feel was taken advantage of me for 5,000 retainer and billed for each and every line item. As a single Mom, who didn’t have two incomes and during COVID we never even met or Facetime, never even met her online or other . The sad lack of large financials as a single Mom was totally disregarded. Unfortunately not a good experience at all. Lawyers need to be held accountable for their work and not just bill to bill and make money. I don’t see how physicians are so regulated and lawyers have no regulations, it’s unethical.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Sep, 2023 by K f
Angela Grau and her team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants and accounting department were top notch. Even though as the trustee and personal representative I could manage my mother's trust and estate, I knew nothing on how to defend my mother's trust from litigation. Angela was recommended to me by my mother's attorney who drew up the Maryland Will and Trust. I asked them for a referral. I will not go into details about my particular litigation. DARS was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, paid attention to detail, and helped me navigate the tasks of managing my mother's affairs after her passing. I will forever be thankful for their help. I highly recommend them. I would like to update my review and make some comments about another attorney within DARS. My niece who lives in Howard County was in need of a top-quality family law attorney. I referred her to DARS and told her she will find a top-notch team to help her with some very serious issues. Once she contacted DARS she decided to utilize the services of Britton Gore. And just yesterday, April 13, my niece received a very positive decision on her case from the Howard Co Court. This portion of the review is secondhand, but I must say that everything that my adult niece and her mother told me about Ms. Gore was extremely positive. She was very prepared for the court proceedings and was able to methodically inform the court of the most important issues which led to their favorable decision. Ms. Gore listened to my niece and pursued evidence to help her tell her story to the court. They are thrilled with the outcome of the proceedings. Once again, thank you DARS for helping my family. And thank you Ms. Gore for your patience, determination, hard work, professionalism and careful consideration of a very serious family issue. You helped my niece find her voice and guided her gently to a positive resolution. My niece and her mother who is my sister, along with my husband and I are grateful to you and your firm.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
07 Aug, 2024 by Tash otto
I always thought an "officer" did ethical things, like fight for a child's best interest, call out or allow testimony against the lies spoken about someone. I also once believed in justice, not that this matters to you. It's just a paycheck. I am hopeful that someday you realize that in the interest of your paycheck you destroyed a young woman and her father. You don't care if a good man loses his car, home or job. You only care about winning and there's really nothing a decent person would need to hear beyond that. Maybe someday look deeper into the people whose lives you destroy in the interest of a buck. Because a man who can't afford an attorney can certainly afford to pay your wealthy narcissist the money he could have paid an attorney? I don't make $100k per year. I serve people. We don't make great money, you must know that. Oh, right but you presented lies about my pay to fool the judge. Congratulations. Resting your case was well played when you don't care about the truth. I could have destroyed your client and her witnesses. Only one of them ever used to know me, the bipolar 54 year old who still lives in his mommy's basement, from high school! You have no idea what you've done. Someday I hope you do. It is a relief that I will never have to deal with the unethical likes of your firm again!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
23 Feb, 2024 by Michelle hamed
Would really not recommend, not thoughtful or caring during COVID and a very sad family matter. I’m still not sure how I was helped me for the amount of money I spent in a short time. I feel was taken advantage of me for 5,000 retainer and billed for each and every line item. As a single Mom, who didn’t have two incomes and during COVID we never even met or Facetime, never even met her online or other . The sad lack of large financials as a single Mom was totally disregarded. Unfortunately not a good experience at all. Lawyers need to be held accountable for their work and not just bill to bill and make money. I don’t see how physicians are so regulated and lawyers have no regulations, it’s unethical.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Sep, 2023 by K f
Angela Grau and her team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants and accounting department were top notch. Even though as the trustee and personal representative I could manage my mother's trust and estate, I knew nothing on how to defend my mother's trust from litigation. Angela was recommended to me by my mother's attorney who drew up the Maryland Will and Trust. I asked them for a referral. I will not go into details about my particular litigation. DARS was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, paid attention to detail, and helped me navigate the tasks of managing my mother's affairs after her passing. I will forever be thankful for their help. I highly recommend them. I would like to update my review and make some comments about another attorney within DARS. My niece who lives in Howard County was in need of a top-quality family law attorney. I referred her to DARS and told her she will find a top-notch team to help her with some very serious issues. Once she contacted DARS she decided to utilize the services of Britton Gore. And just yesterday, April 13, my niece received a very positive decision on her case from the Howard Co Court. This portion of the review is secondhand, but I must say that everything that my adult niece and her mother told me about Ms. Gore was extremely positive. She was very prepared for the court proceedings and was able to methodically inform the court of the most important issues which led to their favorable decision. Ms. Gore listened to my niece and pursued evidence to help her tell her story to the court. They are thrilled with the outcome of the proceedings. Once again, thank you DARS for helping my family. And thank you Ms. Gore for your patience, determination, hard work, professionalism and careful consideration of a very serious family issue. You helped my niece find her voice and guided her gently to a positive resolution. My niece and her mother who is my sister, along with my husband and I are grateful to you and your firm.
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23 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
When it came time to go to settlement, Ruth Ann forgot quite a few things. First she forgot to mention in a timely manner that our closing costs had to be wired to her her account as opposed to accepting a cashiers check. This was mentioned to me on the day of closing and 45 minutes before the bank closed. This forced me to have to leave work in the middle of a lesson to make it to the bank on time. It was extremely stressful. Finally when we made it to settlement that night, she forgot to include some costs in the final paperwork. In fact it was I that had to remind her about some of the missing costs. It was not very much money, but still I would have rather had it all done right then and there. For something as big as purchasing a house, I guess I just expect a bit more organization.
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05 Feb, 2012 by Anonymous
Ruth Ann was very thorough with our purchase and sale form. She met with us on a Sunday to go over the form after reviewing it, and provided outstanding guidance and suggestions. She even conducted a preliminary title search for us, which uncovered important information for us. We would highly recommend her for legal advice for purchase and sale agreements.
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21 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Jordan was wonderful to work with. He was very thorough in all of the information he gave us about the different processes in our custody case. He was always quick to return calls when necessary and was a pit bull in the court room! He was always straight forward with the judge and other parties attorney and you could tell he knew the case information (was constantly looking at our case papers in the court room). I would definitely recommend him to anyone and plan to keep his card if I need anyone in the future.
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28 Jul, 2016 by Mark
I hired Jordan and Tell in 2013 to assist in a domestic case. At best Mr. Jordan was mediocre and advised me on several details with the court that were plane wrong that resulted in additional court appearances. There was one time in a break in court, instead of discussing my case, Mr. Jordan was busy handing out cards to random people in the court house. In the end, I did prevail in my case, however the opposing side was representing themselves and had no attorney. Then in 2015 another motion was filed from the opposing side to reopen the case, this time another attorney was representing the opposing side. I found that Mr. Jordan was non-responsive to me, phone calls were ignored and incomplete emails were sent. I could clearly see he was no match for the other side’s attorney and continued to provide inaccurate information and was way in over his head. For these reasons I made the decision to change council and get proper representation. It was at the point that Mr. Jordan threw tantrum and acted more like a toddler then a professional. I don’t know if his pride was hurt or he felt he lost an easy money stream, but he then had someone in his office go back and make up inaccurate bills and sent me an outrageous invoice for services that were not performed. Six months after an audit was sent to him of his inaccurate bill, the only response I received was from another law firm in an attempt to collect money. Mr. Jordan is such a mediocre lawyer, he can’t even represent himself. If you need very basic legal guidance and not opposing another lawyer, he may be ok, but for anything else, I would avoid Mr. Jordan and his firm.
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26 Mar, 2016 by Mario fajardo jr.
Hired Supposedly Jonathan Portner from Portner & Shure and ended up with this gentlemen. Not the friendliest or most knowledgeable person when it comes to Va Workers Compensation. Half the time we spent on my case was fixing his screw up's or that of his original paralegal Pam. They should stick to Maryland cases. I fired them after I got fed up with having to do my own filings. What a shame.
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23 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Dore knows the law (I think) but is a terrible lawyer. He showed up for every meeting unprepared, including with the opposing party and for a court hearing. He could never retain the facts about my case, and as a result misrepresented some details about my case in court. I don't know if he has too many cases or just can't retain facts and/or can't be bothered to learn details about a case, but he was truly a detriment to my case and resulted in thousands of dollars of unnecessary legal fees, some of which I was able to get written off by his firm.
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13 Nov, 2013 by Avril
I paid a retainer to Jim for some family law work. He did some and then dropped of the face of the earth. Despite my many requests for an accounting of his work, and his email promises he would send it, I never received it and he stopped having any contact with me. He TOOK over $3,000 from me and my family. Apparently, he left the firm he was working for when I hired him, went through a bad divorce and absconded with retainer fees paid to him.
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15 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
It says he is a trial lawyer. That’s a joke. I know the evidence in my case and he rather me sit in jail for 9 months then try to make the state prove that I did what they said. He could not even explain how they can prove it. They still gave me the maximum time and the stress of having all that time for a misdemeanor and non violent at that. It’s because I had the wrong lawyer. Stay far away. He just wants the money and the easy plea deal. While you sit in jail
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Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

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

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

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

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

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

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

  1. Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence.
  2. Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties.
  3. List of Questions:
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  4. Financial Information:
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  5. Contact Information:
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  6. Personal Identification:
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  7. Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points.
  8. Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

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

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