Lawyers map
>892
experienced lawyers
Filter by
09 Nov, 2024 by Rebecca
Seth is not about justice ~ he’s a lying con man who ruined my life. He’s part of a good old boys club ~ do yourself a favor a find a lawyer who believes is fairness/justice. STAY AWAY!!
Read more
12 Oct, 2024 by Michael
I had a great experience utilizing Seth’s legal services for my prenuptial agreement. He was courteous and professional to my fiancée. The ceremony went very smoothly. I would highly recommend Seth Schneiderman when a decision has to be made to hire a family lawyer.
Read more
09 Oct, 2024 by Daniel
be careful of this lawyer he is so unprofessional he will wasting time money and lose your case
Read more
24 Jan, 2025 by Charlene
This jerk off obviously hates women he says he doesn't take any money up front and then you have to fill out an affidavit which is no problem then he says if he won the case it would not be enough to cover his attorney fees a total jerk off and woman hater!
Read more
15 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr Koerner walked me through what the process was going to be from start to finish. He never overpromised or made anything sound easier than it was going to be. He stayed with the case and brought it to a satisfactory conclusion in a shorter amount of time than he originally said. He worked hard for me and did a very good job. I would recommend him to my best friend. He is honest and doing things for the right reasons.
Read more
23 Oct, 2017 by Adam
Hugh is a real fighter, and he always treated me like I was his most important client. He won my civil rights case despite going up against tough odds, lying cops, and two opposing lawyers. He was also very patient with me and took the time to explain the law, process, and procedures. I am glad he was on my side.
Read more
15 Nov, 2023 by Nancy
HIGHLY ADVISE YOU GO ELSEWHERE!!! They made me believe they were working on my case. Every time I called (they NEVER reached out to me or were proactive) it was the same thing. The run around. " Working on it." Over 2 YEARS of BS answers from them. Then, at the 1 and only face to face meeting that I INSISTED we have, I was told, "So sorry, your case is not worth enough for us to pursue it." What? Why waste 2 years of my time??? Never mind that it was an open and shut case (a stranger's dog came onto my property and bit me, I had photos, ER records, paramedic and police report, notes from Health Department, his name and car license tag number). Never mind that I was clearly wronged and they are supposed to deal with personal injuries. Not all of them, apparently, only the HIGH DOLLAR cases. They do not do what they advertise, in my experience. From their website--"you’ll benefit from personal, face-to-face consultations with an attorney to discuss all of the possible scenarios for your potential case." Nope, not at this law firm. They should be ashamed of themselves for how poorly they treat their clients.
Read more
22 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
Once they signed you up you want hear from these people at all, they definitely give you the run around, they even want you to do there jobs for them, they act as if you work for them and not the other way around, it’s unbelievable, they ignore your calls and e-mails for months. This firm really sucks in I wouldn’t recommend this unprofessional place to anyone!! I’m definitely reporting There bad business practices to BBA !!!
Read more
18 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Hi I highly recommend this attorney. He is a great attorney I was very pleased with the settlement.
Read more
03 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
As an attorney myself, I am aware that make difficult clients. I hired Mr. Plant to help me with a traffic ticket. He explained to me in detail how the process would go and everything went exactly as he described it. I contacted him often asking for news and he always took the time to respond my questions, every single one. I am very satisfied with his work.
Read more
11 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
I admit that I was leery about hiring a lawyer for a traffic ticket but someone recommended Mr. Plant and he did a good job representing me. I didn't receive points on my license which was my main concern and his fee was reasonable. His secretary was very helpful as well. I'd use him again if needed.
Read more
15 Aug, 2015 by Nestali
Hire him for a early Termination of Probation... He went to court whit out me Never send Me Notice or called Me off his intention. ..Paid In Full My PROBATION OFFICER
Let Me Know n ask Me why didn't I inform Him for A report no letter call Nothing didn't even tell He lost The Case Do not spend ur Money on him fetter off wit FL. P.D. only Thing He got going for himself is he has a Great SECRETARY MARIA....GOOD Kind person who should work for someone Else
Read more
26 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
I made the mistake of hiring the services of attorney Jesús Ravelo, but it has been a burden for me and it continues to weigh me having hired him to represent me in a Workers Comp case. It seemed that I had hired the services of a lawyer to defend my employer and Workers Comp itself. I think the counterpart offered him more than what he could get by defending me.
Read more
20 Feb, 2018 by Victor del castillo
Totalmente profesional y con un servicio Excellente. Muy bueno en el Trabajo que me represento profesionalmente.
Read more
31 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
My wife and I hired Jamie Tarich to do the closing for a house we were selling in Margate. The paralegal who did all the actual work was both friendly and professional. However, there were both errors and omissions on the closing statement. Initially, we discovered a $5600 error which the paralegal corrected and blamed the new computer program they just started using. Several days after the closing we received a letter stating we owed almost $2500 more and if we didn’t pay it soon they would start collection proceedings against us. Even after paying the total amount deposited in my account was less than the final amount from the revised closing statement. I called and spoke to Jamie Tarich but his only explanation was to, once again, blame the computer program. I learned at the last minute, just before we had the closing, that the buyer of our house worked as an attorney at this firm. Conflict of interest? I wouldn't consider using this firm ever again and would not recommend it to anyone else..
Read more
17 May, 2012 by Abe
hired him to do handle something for me. was quite impressed. gona be referring him to everyone i know.
Read more
25 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Lies apon lies, claimed to have filed and never did, only the night before the deadline said wouldnt do anything or help and went mia for months! Wasted over a year!!!!! LIES RUN!
Read more
30 Oct, 2022 by Ursula
I met Ms. Kon for the first time when I had many issues with my divorce case . All “the best attorneys “ and they very expensive fees did not worked for me . She took my case with care and understanding, she wanted to act like a human, which is not happening much in the world of money and manipulation. She worked hard and only for the best of her client. She used her time to make the calls and to listen. I find her to be professional and kind person who has understanding how difficult things can be throughout the process of divorce. Anyone who went through this knows how much stress and pain we are going through. I can say Mr. Kon always try to make things better, always gave me a good advice and was helpful for me to be strong and not to give up . I had realized having a caring and honest attorney by my side is very important and made me feel like everything it will be ok . I thank God for Mr. Kon every day , I pray many people will be able to experience with her as I did , the best attorney and human services . I’m recommending her if you want someone who will not try to take all your money , care about your rights and be there for you in the difficult time in your life . Thank you Ms. Kon for everything you did , for showing me positive picture about the divorce lawyer and only trying to do the best for your client. We need more attorneys like this .
Read more
17 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
This lawyer is the worst first of all you can’t understand her because of her thick accent. Secondly she will not listen to what requests you have and will do what ever she pleases so far as to speak with the opposing counsel attorney to come up with an agreement you never heard of or agreed to. Just to not have to “deal” with this case any longer. She made a mess of my case and literally did nothing but submit the initial paperwork I provided to her. That’s the only work she completed in a whole year working on my case! She didn’t even get me temporary time sharing with my son. I’m not a felon, I own a home, don’t have a substance abuse issue and yet somehow she would not even submit a temporary order for me. She asked the opposing counsel what their client wanted and agreed to 2 hours on Saturdays so I can see my son and yet at the end of that still didn’t file this so called “AGREED ORDER” after a year of having her and begging her to help ( she ignores all calls emails and texts) does not speak with you about anything and only answered when I said I no longer want her to represent me. She was no longer my lawyer within 24hrs. She wanted the money and not deal with my case. She was late 3 times on requests from the judge and missed a very big deadline to the point she said if the judge throws it out it’s okay I’ll file again and pay for the filing fee $375. I didn’t want to refile because the case would take even longer to start all over! Do not hire her!
Read more
26 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
He promised to give us a working visa, and took more than a lot of money from us. I paid him around $30, 000.
He did nothing. He saw that our visiting visa was expired. And he said he wil make us a legal visa. Than he said we can stay not legally in US, and no one can take us out of the country, because we are waiting for him to make us a working visa. We paid him several times as he asked. This is a huge scammer, and you need to know it. Be careful of him. Finally we been deported from US. And I paid him another $6,000. He said he would help, and hi did not! When I tried to contact him after I got deported, he never answered me.
Read more
09 Oct, 2009 by Anonymous
I have to say that working with Attorney Meshulam was a great experience. I had a really complicated case and my application was denied already (I did it by myself) and I didnt really have hope anymore. So I went to Mr. Meshulam and he got my visa approved, I was so happy and cant thank him enough. I have to work late and thats why I could only meet with him in the evenings, he was always there and available and his staff is so nice and friendly. He is such an expert and could always answer my questions, which was great. I would recommend Mr. Meshulam to anyone, he is a great attorney!
Read more
01 Oct, 2009 by Sara
I contacted Attorney Nir Meshulam after I had three immigration attorneys handle my case and failed to get me a green card. I moved from California to Florida. I contacted Attorney Nir Meshulam and he gave me a free consultation over the phone and in his office. I decided to hire him to handle my green card petition that was pending for 2 years. Within two months from the date I hired Attorney Nir Meshulam, I got my work permit, and two months later I had my green card interview. Attorney Nir Meshulam prepared me for my interview and attended the interview with me. He did not charge me extra fees for my interview. During the interview the immigration officer was not sure if I qualified for a green card. Attorney Nir Meshulam explained the law to the immigration officer who was rather new. The immigration officer than asked his supervisor and returned to the office, thanked my attorney for teaching him something new, and approved my green card. This is an attorney that is always there when you need him, he always responds to all my questions, and even gave me his cellular number when I needed to call him after hours. He met me over the weekends, and just offered the best service I can imagine. Basically, I had three other attorneys handle my case, and only when I hired Attorney Nir Meshulam, did I get results. I highly recommend anyone who is looking for an immigration attorney to hire him.
Read more
30 Oct, 2015 by Lisa
Jason Rosner has provided me with legal counsel and services on multiple occasions and it has been an easy and comforting experience every time. I've always felt well taken care of and that I am dealing with someone I can trust. Thank you, Jason and your team for all your help and support over the years!
Read more
28 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
I was in a bit of a jam, looking at a felony for multiple traffic infractions. Jason helped get that down to a misdemeanor. If it weren't for Jason, my life would be pretty much ruined right now.
Read more
27 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
I went with Atty. Rosner because he offered the lowest price amongst all the attorneys which was inclusive of representing me for trial if my case was to go to trial. $3000 when others were talking about charging anywhere from 10k to 30k for a felony charge. I was attacked and defended myself and I was charged. I don't have any priors, the so called victims had not been showing up for court for 2 years and finally one began to show up. If the attorney was aggressive enough, he should have been had this case dismissed. I was told I did not have to show up to any of the calendar calls because the attorney would show up on my behalf. After two years of my case lingering on where the so called victims were not showing up and a I having never been in trouble in my life I began to wonder why the case was dragging on...so I start showing up in court to see what was happening.
I started to go to the calendar calls and saw that Atty. Rosner was seldomly at the calendar calls himself and that instead one of his peers would be there for him. The first thing that really should have been questioned and investigated is how I could be attacked in a Walmart and there be no so called videotape footage in a Walmart from the entrance and the front lane near the cash registers. I ended up taking a plea to a Misdeamenor which was recommend by Atty. Rosner and at the end of court in front of 50 plus people he told me where to go register for Probation and to let them know I am registering for a Misdemeanor Probation sentence. I really didn't need all those people out in the hallway to know I have a charge especially when those were not even people that were in my court room that would have known already. I know criminal records are public record, but there is no need to broadcast it. It Is certainly not something I am proud of. He did not go above and beyond at all. In fact the day I was scheduled for trial which was on a Monday I did not even hear from him via phone that Friday nor over the weekend.
I was scheduled for 10:00 trial and did not talk to him until some minutes after 10:00am on the day of trial. Very scary. So much more should have been done to have this case dismissed when the so called victims had been served a couple of times to do depositions and never showed up for 2 years. Then all of a sudden one finally showed up after 2 years. Had videotapes of the incident been retrieved which the Atty. and his assistant stated Walmart told them there was no footage of the incident available. The only footage was a crowd of people watching something but you couldn't see what. I seldomly spoke to the Attorney, but dealt with his assistance Mary. Mary was good with relaying what little information there was to me and she did send over information when she stated she would. The atty. would call back when appointments where set although sometimes late which that I can understand. I just recommend if you are facing something serious, go with an attorney that is aggressive. The assumption was that these so called victims where not going to show up and that my case would be dismissed so nothing was done but to continue to wait, then 2 years later one started to show up and now I have to do probation and pay fees when I was the one attacked. I went to school and earned a BA in Criminal Justice and Masters in Education and now having a record although adjudication was withheld is still very insulting and disappointing to me. Zimmerman followed a young innocent man and killed him and walked away free claiming stand your ground and I who was actually attacked did the same in trying to protect myself and children and couldn't get a dismissal when the so called victims weren't even showing up.
Read more
22 Feb, 2018 by Graciela cattarossi
I hired Nancy Hass in April 2017 and had to fire her on November of 2017 . I hired Nancy Hass to do a simple paternity agreement to settle a case in April 2017 . Seven 7 months from the day I hired her and my case was neither settled or completed. One thing was sure done, demand for payment of legal fees. I finally decided to fire Nancy Hass after I sent 7 emails in a period of one month requesting her to do specific things that were either not answered or addressed in a timely manner which let me no choice but to send her office a certified letter. Nancy Hass was a no show on a confirmed conference call ( Confirmed by her office ) and when her office contacted me the next morning in response to my email stating she was a NO SHOW and that I had been waiting for over an hour for her call , her assistant told me that instead Nancy Hass would call me sometime during the weekend , a call I never got either.
During the time I hired Ms Hass , her office address and the address in her email signature was: The Hallmark of Hollywood 3800 South Ocean Drive Suite 214 . When I went in person to that address the door was closed, I looked inside to what seemed an empty office . The two times I met Nancy Hass in person was at the offices of Accountants ( Stief & Castro 12 S.E. 7TH Street Suite 601. Sometime in 2018, Nancy Hass changed her address on her email signature and Bar Association website to: 12 S.E. 7TH Street Suite 601, Fortlauderdale. However when the Broward County Sherif’s went to serve a subpoena to Nancy Hass to this address ( 12 S.E. 7 th Street, Suite 601 ) the court papers were not served because ‘ Per receptionist at location, respondent is not an employee or known at the location”. Nancy Hass states that her assistant "Ms. Mahaney resides outside of Miami-Dade County, outside of the jurisdiction, and, in fact, more than one hundred fifty (150) miles outside of the jurisdiction. These are reasonable grounds for me to believe, it seems that Nancy Hass does not have a physical office as where she and her assistants operate from every day, but rather a “ virtual office”.
Nancy Hass charged me a whopping $400 an hour and her assistants a very expensive $120 an hour . The assistants email signature do not specify if they are paralegals. Despite over 7 emails , phone calls and in person requests to get a detail bill of Nancy Hass legal services , I never got a bill from Nancy Hass or her office during the 7 months Nancy Hass represented me. However, despite my multiple requests for a bill , I was required to make a second payment of $2500 ( in addition to my first payment of $2500 ) not knowing how and IF the first $2500 were used up. Quantum Meruit holds that a person should not be obliged to pay, nor should the other party receive, more than the value of the services exchanged. Under Chapter 4, Rules of Professional Conduct Preamble: A Lawyer’ Responsibility states the definition of Retainer as follows: A retainer is a sum of money paid to a lawyer to guarantee the lawyer’s future availability. A retainer is not a payment for past legal services and is not payments for future services. I have contacted the Bar Association.
Read more
09 Jan, 2017 by Christopher watkins
I hired Nancy to handle my contested divorce and she was a terrible attorney. She doesn't reply to emails or phone calls for weeks at a time. She suggested we agree to all the terms the other attorney presented and they still didn't follow up and make sure everything was completed. Its been 8 years since my divorce and Im still dealing with issues that weren't resolved. She took my money and then asked for more and more and more and still hasn't resolved my issues. Do yourself a favor and don't hire this attorney.
Read more
18 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
She is Awesome! She is so well informed, worked my case with she professionalism, accuracy, and an amazing sense of knowledge for the law. I have worked with other lawyers in the past, and she is the only one that I can say that I was not worried, nervous, or anxious, in my life and the well-being of my child in her hands. She was prepared at every hearing and did a complete 180 turn around for my case once she took it over. I was so lucky and blessed to have her represent me and my family. Thank you Nancy!
Read more
19 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Attorney filed a notice of appearance in a case that had already been settled and the court had filed an order closing the file. Rookie mistake.
Read more
12 Jul, 2013 by Juan
We had a long hard fight together. He provides very personalized service. I was in a bad situation and he gave me time after work and on the weekends.
Some times he is not available. The office is small. One lawyer and 4 or 5 assistants
I did very well in court with him and will hire him again.
Read more
12 Jan, 2023 by A c
Absolutely terrible experience. Has no clue how to be a professional, extremely inefficient. Ended up costing me thousands of dollars and still needed another lawyer. In regards to your reply… you never got any money, you claimed bankruptcy instead and continue to be an unethical and unscrupulous human being. You are scam artist and a disgrace to lawyers.
Read more
12 Jan, 2023 by Michelle fencerilla
If you’re actually looking for any type of results, save yourself the time/money & do not come here. After taking the money she was nowhere to be found. Never once called to give an update on my case nor ever notified me of the status of my case. It wasn’t until months later that I finally heard back from her rude “assistant” that she could no longer take my case....then why even accept in the first place.
Read more
12 Jan, 2023 by Oliver dubrawa
Would unfortunately have to agree with the review below -"Absolutely terrible experience. Has no clue how to be a professional, extremely inefficient." I'm not one to usually leave bad reviews but I simply could not believe this was how someone runs their business. Paid her money then NEVER heard back from her regarding my case even after multiple calls, texts, voicemails and even showing up to her office. Multiple months later (more than four months after the fact) her assistant calls that she is now too sick to take on my case. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Not out to help but rather out to get money and run with it.
Read more
12 Jan, 2023 by A c
Absolutely terrible experience. Has no clue how to be a professional, extremely inefficient. Ended up costing me thousands of dollars and still needed another lawyer. In regards to your reply… you never got any money, you claimed bankruptcy instead and continue to be an unethical and unscrupulous human being. You are scam artist and a disgrace to lawyers.
Read more
12 Jan, 2023 by Michelle fencerilla
If you’re actually looking for any type of results, save yourself the time/money & do not come here. After taking the money she was nowhere to be found. Never once called to give an update on my case nor ever notified me of the status of my case. It wasn’t until months later that I finally heard back from her rude “assistant” that she could no longer take my case....then why even accept in the first place.
Read more
12 Jan, 2023 by Oliver dubrawa
Would unfortunately have to agree with the review below -"Absolutely terrible experience. Has no clue how to be a professional, extremely inefficient." I'm not one to usually leave bad reviews but I simply could not believe this was how someone runs their business. Paid her money then NEVER heard back from her regarding my case even after multiple calls, texts, voicemails and even showing up to her office. Multiple months later (more than four months after the fact) her assistant calls that she is now too sick to take on my case. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Not out to help but rather out to get money and run with it.
Read more
01 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
Hired this guy and we had initial meeting after months of no contact he disappeared and moved out without notification.
Read more
19 Feb, 2018 by Roger
Excellent and very professional.was hands on an always keep me up to date on my case..thank you
Read more
20 Oct, 2017 by John
After speaking with me for 30 minutes during our initial consultation , he never once had the manners to return my follow up calls over 5 weeks not even a quick courtesy call... just disappeared.
Read more
03 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Live in condo association which board members such former president didn't want dogs even emotional support for people dr wrote letter the association attorney wanted diagnosis yet other people didn't have answer question in fact current board member has dog for emotional support other people have dogs yet this called doesn't treat all people equally3
Read more
29 Apr, 2016 by Bill
I worked for a company and while I was there, engaged with Marci for legal work for the company. I also engaged with Marci, separately for a personal matter which I paid out of my own pocket.
After I left the company, Marci sued me for the company's attorney fees. I was just an employee of the company and the company is still in business.
She didn't want to go after the company because the company could afford to defend itself. In my opinion it was unethical to come after me for the companies legal fees, especially while the company is still in business.
Read more
01 Oct, 2014 by Andrea
We recently scheduled an appointment with Mr. Zitt and upon arriving, he did not inform us of his $175 consultation fees. One of our team members had at least 2 conversations with Mr. Zitt after confirming the appointment with him and at NO time, did he mention and fee. Bait & Switch? Be Cautious!!!!!!1
Read more
05 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney several years ago upon the recommendation of some one who was his adversary in Court. He seemed knowledgeable but he wanted a large retainer up front. He billed for every once of interaction including an email where the response was "you're welcome "! He was not available by phone many times and he actually billed me for emails in which I asked when I could speak to him over the phone. He did not work well with the adversay'counsel and was unable and unwilling to resolve the simplest issues. I eventually fired him. He still has a huge amount of my money that he has refused to give back to o me from a challenge of his outrageous bills.
Read more
Find Your Lawyer
By Practice Area
-
Real Estate
-
Personal Injury
-
Business
-
Litigation
-
Insurance
-
Family Law
-
Estate Planning
-
Probate
-
Criminal Defense
-
Immigration
-
Workers Compensation
-
Appeals
-
Car Accident
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Consumer Protection
-
Civil Rights
-
Mediation
-
Intellectual Property
-
Wrongful Death
-
Government
-
Foreclosure
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Child Support
-
Trusts
-
Tax
-
Bankruptcy
-
Child Custody
-
Entertainment
-
Domestic Violence
-
Juvenile Law
-
Class Action
-
Elder Law
-
Debt Collection
-
Discrimination
-
Employment / Labor
-
Copyright Application
-
Debt Settlement
-
Divorce
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Sex Crime
-
Admiralty / Maritime
-
Credit Repair
-
DUI / DWI
-
Federal Crime
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Life Insurance
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Wrongful Termination
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer
When meeting with a lawyer for the first time, it's important to ask the right questions to understand their expertise and determine if they're the right fit for your legal needs. Here are some top questions to consider:
-
What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
What potential outcomes can I expect from my case?
While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience. -
What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
Who will be working on my case?
Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
Are there alternative ways to solve my legal problem?
Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer
Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:
-
Verify Their License:
Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. -
Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association. -
Client Reviews and Testimonials:
Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction. -
Professional Memberships:
Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field. -
Awards and Recognitions:
Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation. -
Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:
-
Relevant Documents:
Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence. -
Written Summary:
Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties. -
List of Questions:
Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience. -
Financial Information:
If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. -
Contact Information:
Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case. -
Personal Identification:
Bring a valid ID for verification purposes. -
Pen and Notebook:
Take notes during the consultation to remember important points. -
Budget Constraints:
Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:
-
Fee Structures:
-
Hourly Rate:
Lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on experience and location. -
Flat Fee:
For routine legal services like drafting a will or handling an uncontested divorce, lawyers might offer a flat fee. -
Retainer Fee:
An upfront payment against which the lawyer bills hourly fees. -
Contingency Fee:
Common in personal injury cases; the lawyer receives a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or award. -
Monthly Retainer:
For ongoing services, businesses might pay a monthly fee for a set number of hours or services.
-
Hourly Rate:
-
Factors Affecting Cost:
-
Complexity of the Case:
More complex cases require more time and resources, increasing costs. -
Lawyer's Experience:
Highly experienced lawyers may charge higher fees. -
Geographic Location:
Legal fees can vary significantly by region or city. -
Additional Expenses:
Court filing fees, expert witness fees, travel expenses, and administrative costs may be extra.
-
Complexity of the Case:
-
Estimating Total Costs:
Request a detailed fee agreement outlining all potential costs.
Discuss any additional expenses that may arise during the case. -
Negotiating Fees:
Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints. -
Pro Bono Services:
For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
