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03 Sep, 2024 by Perry power
I found myself needing a divorce lawyer after being served separation paperwork from my spouse. Shelly and her team were able to do an initial consultation within a day, and truly took the time to understand the complex issues surrounding my case. Shelly and her team have worked TIRELESSLY through this entire process to ensure that my rights as a father were preserved and protected. I truly owe this law firm my everything, as they have advocated for me and my children as if we were family. Being a father in divorce court is no longer the doom sentence that it once was, and the entire team did everything within their power to make sure my rights were protected. Ultimately, the final outcome of my case exceeded my expectations. I attended countless mediation sessions, hearings, and ultimately a custody trial. Shelly and Jessica both were very effective at communicating and guiding me through this entire process, and I am so grateful to have them by my side for every step of the way. Divorce truly brings out the worst in people, and having absolute faith in your legal team is a must. Shelly and her team delivered time and time again. The only reason I gave 5 stars is because there isn’t 6. Thank you!!
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03 Sep, 2024 by Perry
I found myself needing a divorce lawyer after being served separation paperwork from my spouse. Shelly and her team were able to do an initial consultation within a day, and truly took the time to understand the complex issues surrounding my case. Shelly and her team have worked TIRELESSLY through this entire process to ensure that my rights as a father were preserved and protected. I truly owe this law firm my everything, as they have advocated for me and my children as if we were family. Being a father in divorce court is no longer the doom sentence that it once was, and the entire team did everything within their power to make sure my rights were protected. Ultimately, the final outcome of my case exceeded my expectations. I attended countless mediation sessions, hearings, and ultimately a custody trial. Shelly and Jessica both were very effective at communicating and guiding me through this entire process, and I am so grateful to have them by my side for every step of the way. Divorce truly brings out the worst in people, and having absolute faith in your legal team is a must. Shelly and her team delivered time and time again. The only reason I gave 5 stars is because there isn’t 6. Thank you!!
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30 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
One believes they will be married forever and then after several decades, circumstances can change leading to the end of ‘forever’. In the beginning, my husband and I agreed we would do a quick online divorce without lawyers so we created our own separation agreement. I started to feel uneasy when his amicable behavior changed, he stopped communicating and began wavering on our agreement. I soon realized that I needed legal representation to protect my interests. None of my friends had legal recommendations so I did an internet search.
I came upon the website for the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram and started researching the firm. I was impressed immediately with the backgrounds of all the associates and reviews were spectacular. I was equally impressed when I made my initial inquiry with the Legal Assistant, Laurie Danko. She made the intake process over telephone and email seamless and had quick response time to all my inquiries. Jessica Gillespie, Associate Lawyer was assigned my case. I had never needed a lawyer before so I was really nervous and intimidated prior to our meeting. The law office is in a secured set of rooms in a professional building, giving me sense of safety. The conference room was designed with chic and beautiful features, yet it was warm and inviting. I was put at ease immediately when Jessica arrived. She was down to earth, approachable, and most importantly to me - empathetic. I had no reservations about hiring this firm.
My initial separation agreement needed to be revised in a few areas to protect my interests. I had very specific concerns about the wording of this document to ensure that my husband would not find a legal loop hole that would enable him to stop his financial obligations for me in the future. Jessica recommended a specialty law firm that could work in concert with her firm to address these specific items. Revising the agreement was a collaborative process that took a few weeks, which was important for me. She alleviated all my concerns, which made me feel that I was in control throughout this process. When we had our settlement conference at the Court house, Jessica negotiated a settlement that was very agreeable to my husband and me. Thankfully, everything was quite amicable, so much so that both our attorneys commented that they had never had a divorcing couple who were so friendly and agreeable to one another.
Ms. Gillespie has a busy caseload, yet she made me feel like I was her only client. She kept me apprised of everything that was happening with my husband’s attorney, the specialty law firm and all aspects with the Court process. I was concerned about this being a financial hardship, but she was very upfront and realistic about my retainer and expected legal fees. My divorce is now final and my concerns about my ex’s financial obligations were resolved as of this week. I even have a balance of my retainer that is being returned!
Nobody gets married with the intention of getting divorced. This process could have left me feeling defeated, however, I feel validated and empowered. I am so glad I decided to seek out legal advice. Hiring the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram was the best decision I could have made.
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13 Dec, 2024 by Olu akinola
10 Dec, 2024 by Courtney
David, at Lewicky, O'Connor, Hunt, & Meiser, LLC was an excellent attorney to work with he handled our case with the utmost professionalism and care.
He saved our company time and money.
I highly recommend David!!
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02 Oct, 2024 by Natalie zeigler
I cannot recommend Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser, LLC highly enough for their exceptional estate planning services. From the very beginning, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful.
Eleanor and Verena took the time to understand our family's needs, provided explanations of the various options available, and made recommendations.
They went above and beyond to address all of our questions and concerns, and I felt so confident that our estate was in good hands that I recommended them to my father. He was a tough customer, and he was impressed too. He recently passed away, and it is wonderful to 1) have solid estate documents to rely on, and 2) have the firm in our corner again as we work through probate. Grief is hard enough without worrying about those things.
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5.0
9 Reviews
4.2
5 Reviews
12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
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07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
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01 Jul, 2020 by Jeanne gutierrez
I selected Emily Russell of McCabe Russell, P.A. for legal representation in a divorce case and a civil case as the Plaintiff and it morphed into an unfounded restraining order case and an unfounded criminal case with me as the defendant. Emily has the knowledge and experience in dealing with high conflict / challenging family law cases (narcissists) and her calm, professional demeanor and thorough preparation was successful in winning all the cases in my favor.
With the stress of four cases happening concurrently, having Emily, Associate Attorney Jennifer Bradbury and their supporting staff’s personal attention to the details of each case was a huge relief to me. They were patient, responded promptly and dedicated to getting the truth known to the judge in each case. They made a difficult time easier.
McCabe Russell, P.A. is a highly organized law firm. Their webpage is state of the art, allowing payments to be made and documents to be uploaded securely.
I would highly recommend Emily Russell and Jennifer Bradbury of McCabe Russell, P.A.
-Jeanne Gutierrez
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13 Apr, 2020 by Anonymous
Custody modification is often even more challenging than an initial custody proceeding. The "material change" and "best interest" standards are rather subjective and a judge is not inclined to change a custody agreement without overwhelming evidence that it would improve the child's situation.
Despite the inherent difficulty, Ms. Russell achieved the exact result we set out to achieve in my custody modification case. She is an incredible strategist and litigator with a total command of MD custody law. Every part of the plan was well-considered and well-executed.
I would highly recommend Emily for any family law matter. I would also recommend listening to her when she provides advice. Unlike some attorneys, she doesn't hedge on every recommendation to the point that you're making all the decisions without knowing the possibilities of how those decisions will turn out. She will provide sound advice taking into account the facts of the matter. Tell her the truth, take her advice, and let her do her job. She is equipped to attain the best possible outcome for you and your family.
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27 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
My very first impression of Emily was amazing. Friends of mine were having their first child and the hospital would not allow the non birth mother to access their newborn due to them being a same sex couple. Emily not only answered her phone right away, she drove to the hospital to make sure her clients were being taken care of!
Emily (and Heather) stepped in to handle was was quickly becoming a very emotional situation. Within moments the problem was solved and our friends had a smooth adoption afterwards.
I knew Emily was going to be my first call to handle dissolving a civil union (issued only in Vermont) that I had been a part of since 2001. Emily met with me to go over my options on what I was told by two other attorneys would be nearly impossible and very costly. My former partner and I were tethered to a civil union that states no longer recognized and they were obsolete as marriage equality was on the horizon. The unfortunate part was those living in civil unions who had separated, like myself were caught up in the red tape of the courts with many courts claiming no jurisdiction, yet this was still a legal binding that would had to be dissolved to get officially married.
From the start Emily said "we will get this done, and if we can't at first we will keep trying until we do". Emily went far above and beyond in my case. On the day before the trial, the courts were all of a sudden requesting my EX be present. She lives 1200 miles away. Emily called the court endlessly the entire day and after hours, she faxed forms to the judge and guided not only me but pointed my ex in the proper direction to make sure she would not be left in some sort of trouble with the courts. As my case was in front of the judge, i was worried! I felt the judge was tough on the cases before mine....Emily was right next to me and consistently told me "its ok". When it was time for my case, Emily was confident and calm in front of the judge. She had a quick response for every question and was prepared for what seemed like anything and everything. 10 minutes later, my civil union which had been in limbo for years, was dissolved! Emily Charged me a regular uncontested divorce rate. She responded to every call and email within hours. I still can't believe it and Emily and I stay in touch to this very day!
if you need an attorney, this is your answer. EMILY AND HEATHER. They are not just attorneys, they are real people who truly get it. You'll never feel intimidated or pressured, Emily made me feel like she was fighting for a personal friend the entire time.
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12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
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19 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Attorney David Hisle has provided me excellent legal counsel on two separate occasions. Attorney Hisle is extremely knowledgeable and presents the information in a manner that is easy to understand. I appreciate the time he takes to fully address the matters to my satisfaction. I highly recommend.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Joshua hatfield charles
Amazing professionalism and ability to navigate the system!!!
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16 Dec, 2024 by Michelle h
Heather McCabe and Jeff Evens were professional and absolute experts in family law while being compassionate listeners who factored in my family situation. They were available and trustworthy and made a stressful situation the absolute best it could have been. Highly recommend.
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05 Dec, 2024 by Cheryl kavanagh
The team at McCabe Russell is compassionate and effective in handling family law matters, whether it is a simple uncontested divorce, or complex child custody and division of property matters. Their attention to detail and genuine empathy guide and support their clients through a stressful and emotional process. If you need a compassionate, professional, and thorough team of attorneys by your side, do not hesitate to contact McCabe Russell.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Natalie
I cannot recommend Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser, LLC highly enough for their exceptional estate planning services. From the very beginning, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful.
Eleanor and Verena took the time to understand our family's needs, provided explanations of the various options available, and made recommendations.
They went above and beyond to address all of our questions and concerns, and I felt so confident that our estate was in good hands that I recommended them to my father. He was a tough customer, and he was impressed, too. He recently passed away, and it is wonderful to 1) have solid estate documents to rely on, and 2) have the firm in our corner again as we work through probate. Grief is hard enough without worrying about those things.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
She is a top notch attorney who will give you the facts straight, speak directly to you about the matters at hand, and all while showing compassion for her clients.
I engaged with Linda who worked with another attorney in the practice on my case for over three years. There was some stoppage on my part because of personal matters and also because of the pandemic.
But I would highly recommend a consult with her if you are serious about pursuing a family law case. Her hourly rates reflect her professional and experience in the field but are more than worth it!
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12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Jeff
Lindsay was the perfect attorney for my case. Lindsay provided the guidance, empathy, education, and care necessary to help me through a very difficult time. Her poise, knowledge, and patience led me through a confusing legal landscape. Her professionalism and expertise was truly astounding. I cannot speak more highly of her. I would recommend Lindsay Stanton as the most well-rounded attorney I have ever had opportunity to represent me.
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20 Nov, 2024 by May jiang
Jennifer is professional, patient and thorough. She helped my client resolve a complicated tax matter timely and effectively.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Rachel skonieczny
In 5 minutes Jordan gave me more information and directions than I had found on my own in weeks. He was polite, compassionate, and direct in a way I deeply appreciated.
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04 Jun, 2024 by Kenneth bryant
My name is Kenneth Bryant, and I recently engaged the services of Avara Law LLC. I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer on a highly sensitive case for my business. Right from our first conversation, the communication was clear and I found myself receiving frequent emails that required my prompt attention. Collaborating with Jennifer, we meticulously pieced together an offer letter for settlement. After a year-long battle, the settlement was finalized, and I am immensely grateful for the relief it has brought me.
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20 Nov, 2024 by May jiang
Jennifer is professional, patient and thorough. She helped my client resolve a complicated tax matter timely and effectively.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Rachel skonieczny
In 5 minutes Jordan gave me more information and directions than I had found on my own in weeks. He was polite, compassionate, and direct in a way I deeply appreciated.
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04 Jun, 2024 by Kenneth bryant
My name is Kenneth Bryant, and I recently engaged the services of Avara Law LLC. I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer on a highly sensitive case for my business. Right from our first conversation, the communication was clear and I found myself receiving frequent emails that required my prompt attention. Collaborating with Jennifer, we meticulously pieced together an offer letter for settlement. After a year-long battle, the settlement was finalized, and I am immensely grateful for the relief it has brought me.
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20 Nov, 2024 by May jiang
Jennifer is professional, patient and thorough. She helped my client resolve a complicated tax matter timely and effectively.
Read more
01 Jul, 2024 by Rachel skonieczny
In 5 minutes Jordan gave me more information and directions than I had found on my own in weeks. He was polite, compassionate, and direct in a way I deeply appreciated.
Read more
04 Jun, 2024 by Kenneth bryant
My name is Kenneth Bryant, and I recently engaged the services of Avara Law LLC. I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer on a highly sensitive case for my business. Right from our first conversation, the communication was clear and I found myself receiving frequent emails that required my prompt attention. Collaborating with Jennifer, we meticulously pieced together an offer letter for settlement. After a year-long battle, the settlement was finalized, and I am immensely grateful for the relief it has brought me.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Joshua hatfield charles
Amazing professionalism and ability to navigate the system!!!
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16 Dec, 2024 by Michelle h
Heather McCabe and Jeff Evens were professional and absolute experts in family law while being compassionate listeners who factored in my family situation. They were available and trustworthy and made a stressful situation the absolute best it could have been. Highly recommend.
Read more
05 Dec, 2024 by Cheryl kavanagh
The team at McCabe Russell is compassionate and effective in handling family law matters, whether it is a simple uncontested divorce, or complex child custody and division of property matters. Their attention to detail and genuine empathy guide and support their clients through a stressful and emotional process. If you need a compassionate, professional, and thorough team of attorneys by your side, do not hesitate to contact McCabe Russell.
Read more
18 Dec, 2024 by Joshua hatfield charles
Amazing professionalism and ability to navigate the system!!!
Read more
16 Dec, 2024 by Michelle h
Heather McCabe and Jeff Evens were professional and absolute experts in family law while being compassionate listeners who factored in my family situation. They were available and trustworthy and made a stressful situation the absolute best it could have been. Highly recommend.
Read more
05 Dec, 2024 by Cheryl kavanagh
The team at McCabe Russell is compassionate and effective in handling family law matters, whether it is a simple uncontested divorce, or complex child custody and division of property matters. Their attention to detail and genuine empathy guide and support their clients through a stressful and emotional process. If you need a compassionate, professional, and thorough team of attorneys by your side, do not hesitate to contact McCabe Russell.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
Read more
14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
Read more
07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
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04 Jan, 2020 by Christine
For those reading: I went to this firm on a recommendation and a warning that it would cost more than your average lawyer but it would be worth it and I could not be happier! I was divorcing my husband and in the beginning it seemed like an amicable divorce, he as mostly agreeable and we were able to file for an uncontested divorce and with the help of Heather and her team I have a very solid marital separation agreement that is very well written and covers things I did not think of at all. I have seen a few of my friend's separation agreements made up by other lawyer teams, and I will attest that the one written by this team was more extensive than any others I have seen.
Unfortunately I had trusted that my ex-spouse and I were able to keep in the agreement and I went "softer" than I though I needed to. Unfortunately I had to file a contempt of agreement and this law team again rose up to ensure I felt supported and not out of line in what I was seeing. He wasn't paying all the support he agreed to, and he was talking in ways with my children that they shouldn't be in a divorce. Her team filed everything and we found ourselves in mediation with their law team. It was good, I wanted time with my kids, he wanted money, we got through it, the advice the McCabe Russell team had for me was paramount and made me comfortable and confident. I am so much more educated and confident in my matters, and they also ensured that after mediation that all the paperwork was accurate and inline with my wishes. It was smooth and easy. I highly recommend this firm. I worked directly with Hillary and Heather and they were just fantastic, understanding, compassionate and just treated me humanely. Thank you. I will continue to utilize their services should I require them again.
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08 Jan, 2019 by Gina
Without Atty Heather and Atty Emily I don’t have my son with me. Because of them I have peace. I thank God and will continue to pray for them and the family. Therefore, I highly recommend Atty Heather McCabe and Atty Emily Russell to handle your case and you will amaze for the results they will not leave you very supportive lawyers.
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23 Nov, 2016 by Terrance
Contemplating or facing the circumstances of going through family court to do what you believe is best for your child(ren) is one of the hardest decisions that a person may face in life. The concept of having to fight anyone, let alone the other parent, for the opportunity to establish, maintain and/or protect the relationship with you and your child(ren) is a very difficult decision to make. Additionally, being an active participant in your child’s life is the life blood to being a parent and building those life long memories with your child(ren). As such, and while I believe that an amicable solution should ALWAYS be sought first, sometimes the only alternative you are left with is family court.
To that point, I was lead to the offices of McCabeRussell (also referred to as my “Dream Team”) and what a godsend they were and continue to be to me and my family. If I had to sum up my feelings, I would have to say that Heather McCabe, Emily Russell, Anna Sholl and the entire McCabeRussell team are absolutely, hands down AMAZING! And, unfortunately, that still doesn’t fully describe or quantify how unbelievable and well suited of a legal team they are to anyone facing a family court matter.
Before contacting McCabeRussell, I was a frustrated single father facing a system that I believed was stacked against me. As a man and an African American father, I have heard the horror stories of how the family court system is rigged against men and the hell that fathers sometimes have to endure to be involved in their children’s lives when the other party doesn’t share the same sentiments regarding parental involvement. Well, my story started the same way until I pick up the phone and spoke to Heather. I embarked on this journey facing multiple and, at times, ridiculous allegations about my fitness as a parent and access to my son of every other weekend and NO overnights. After speaking with Heather on the first phone call/initial consultation to the standing with Emily and Anna at final verdict being rendered some 14 months later, they were ALWAYS there at every turn, phone call, email, etc. While it was my hope that I would have been able to settle the matter out of court, Heather and Emily prepared me for the possibility of the inevitable – a trial. I hated this option but, realized it was necessary in my case. They helped me (emotionally and legally) navigate several phases of the legal process --- the initial phases of very limited access, fending off protective order attempts meant to further curtail my parental access and abilities, acquired me a three (3) hour temporary hearing to address my lack of access and finally, a trial where they were able to prove my fitness as a father and helped me attain shared physical and joint legal custody.
What I just provided was a snapshot of my own circumstances but, hopefully enough for you to glean why I say this office is my “Dream Team”. Heather, Emily and Anna are tenacious trial attorneys, well versed in all aspects of domestic and family law, compassionate, child focused, attentive, over prepared, organized, responsive and very professional. I was a novice entering this but have since learned that all lawyers are not made alike. Now, while I didn’t get everything I wanted from the court, I can take solace in knowing that McCabeRussell advocated hard as ever to get me a significant amount of time, decision making ability and ultimately, the peace of mind to know that I have a team to fall back on when or if I am ever faced with similar circumstances in the future. In short, I would ONLY recommend McCabeRussell as the law firm to choose if you are faced with a domestic or family law matter.
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18 Oct, 2021 by Jerry collier
12 Oct, 2021 by Ty
Don Discepolo will go the furthest extent to get the best outcome for you and your case. Best Lawyer I’ve dealt with!!
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17 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
Despite repeated explanations and attempts to help him understand the financial side of our case, he simply was unable to grasp the importance of staying current financially.
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27 Dec, 2024 by Steven
Mrs. Jamin’s was amazing. She was honest, upfront, and dedicated. Never cut corners either me, straight to what it was. No wishing, just truth. Very thorough. And goes down every avenue available. And, she never gave up. I would recommend her to everybody.
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26 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
She writes well, but when it comes to going toe to toe with prosecution she will remain mute while the client gets completely screwed. We are talking about lives on the line and she won't have a rebuttal for the prosecution though there were MANY. She oddly CHOSE to remained silent. Paid her around $15,000 and zero relief. I believe she did it on purpose, it made no sense, she is NOT to be trusted!!
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28 Sep, 2018 by Jamillah
There are no words that can truly describe what Rachel has done for my family. After several no’s from the parole board and several trips to court for modifications, Rachel took on my husband’s case anyway. It wasn’t because she likes a challenge, but because she believed in him. She looked beyond his crime and saw the man he had become. Outside of knowing law, she is tough yet very attentive, professional, and kind. She makes herself available to her clients whenever she can. We’ve called her after office hours and while she’s been on vacation unknowingly and she was always happy to take the call. We had our final visit to court in August. I didn’t realize until then how well she knew my husband and his case. She talked about him as if he were family (well he is now!). She told the judge how much my husband had inspired her son in his college picks. On that day, against all odds, we finally got a “yes!” There’s no way this couldn’t happened without her (and God). Regardless of the outcome of our case, we highly recommend Rachel because she’s more than a lawyer. She’s a human being with a good heart who believes in second chances. The last time we talked I told her I couldn’t thank her enough. She responded “Just live a happy healthy life together and I’m good.” That is the kind of person she is and we love her for it!
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12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
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07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
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12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
Read more
14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
Read more
07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
Read more
14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
Read more
07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
Read more
14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
Read more
07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
Read more
12 Nov, 2024 by Melissa anderson
Karen Amos has been representing me and my family for over a decade. She is hands down the best attorney in Howard County. I’ve also recommended her to friends and colleagues. She is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, driven, and determined to achieve the best results for her clients as she’s done for me and anyone that I’ve recommended. Karen Amos will fight on behalf of her clients to ensure they achieve the results that they’re looking and are fulfilled. I highly recommend Karen Amos as an attorney.
Read more
14 Oct, 2024 by Julixa haddon
I had a very disappointing experience with Karen Amos, who was appointed as the Best Interest Attorney (BIA) for my twins. It became evident that she unfairly favored one child over the other, often disregarding the feelings and well-being of the child who had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, after only one conversation, one of my children no longer feels comfortable speaking with her, despite her insistence that the child must—this is not a requirement under Maryland law.
Additionally, I found her fixation on superficial aspects, such as repeatedly mentioning the kitchen backsplash during discussions, highly unprofessional and irrelevant to her role. In my opinion, Karen Amos does not maintain the impartiality expected of a BIA and seems to pick sides rather than advocate fairly for both children. Based on my experience, I do not believe she should be appointed to represent any child in the future.
Read more
07 May, 2024 by John carberry
Cares about clients and wants to get you a positive outcome without bankrupting you. I have learned that you can pretty much divide divorce attorneys into 2 categories: one group that simply wants to churn information back and forth between attorneys as well as between attorney and client in way that simply bills hours and accomplishes little until the 11th hour when it could have been settled in the first or second hour. And then there is a group, like Karen, that truly wants to problem solve, propose solutions, avoid litigation and get an outcome for her client that is both fair and reasonable in cost. Karen is honest, dedicated and she told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I was fortunate to have someone recommend her to me and, every time I mentioned her to someone in the legal community in Maryland (4x), the response from each attorney was overwhelmingly positive. If you are looking for someone who will be in your corner, fight for you, shoot straight with you(the good and the bad), look no further than Karen Amos.
Read more
23 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. Taylor is too busy with a full-time government job as an attorney there to help is clients adequately. He is idealistic, responsive, professional and smart but was not tough enough with established attorneys to obtain discovery and he let the judge leave motions open without decisions for months. He joked with the other attorney innappropriately after time, about beer and other topics and started "switching" sides. He ruined my case.
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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:
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:
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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.
