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29 Mar, 2024 by Pamela walther hardin
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03 May, 2022 by M s
Paid for immigration assistance but felt like we did most of the work. Not sure why we paid in the first place.
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01 Aug, 2019 by Krystal littrell
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08 Mar, 2024 by Rodney collier
Mrs Peggy is the best
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09 Mar, 2023 by Mike mclarty
Worst lawyer I’ve ever dealt with. Totally screwed me. Not sure if she is still practicing, but if so go somewhere else. Just awful. She’s so bad I actually dissociated from the lawyer that recommended her.
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26 May, 2022 by Jeffrey chau
Very rude, unprofessional, and judgemental. Would not return emails or calls. Thief at best. Will insult you and had no empathy for the case. Always blamed it on her employees. She had a new paralegal every 2 months. I can see why they didnt want to work for her. Didnt counter file anything. Doesnt file anything you ask. Had no details of the case. She didnt know where i lived, like she didnt read through my case at all. Had to repeatedly tell her my concerns over phone, emails and she was not understanding or showing like she cared. Lack of feedback and she didnt clear up any doubt. Doesnt really answer your questions and gives you the run around. Clearly showing signs of dementia. I feel like she Purposely lost the case which is so sad. Put complete trust in her and was a total let down destroying lives. She would not let any of my family talk to her. Was very defensive. She did not do her job at all. Reported her to the bar which she then gave them false details and twisted words.
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10 May, 2023 by Tammy law
I refer a client, and she was treated awful, would not speak to her , kept telling her to let her son grow up. She paid him for advise not to tell her how to be parent. He needs to grow up and look who's paying him. Did not get any legal advise, that was wanted. Stick to the law. Not to how you think a mother should act.
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07 Jun, 2022 by Maggie lynne chestang
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21 Oct, 2019 by Mickey bradford
Grady is a very caring person and I couldn't be happier with his service
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19 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Armstrong to represent me after an altercation I did not start resulted in my arrest along with the person that caused it. He fought for me in court and cleared my name. I don't know what I would have done without him. He's a real pro at what he does and I highly recommend him to others.
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27 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
I had a terrible experience with Gordon Armstrong. I received a speeding ticket in March 2014 and had a court date in May, which he failed to appear to, and another in August that he failed to appear to. However, I was completely unaware that he did not appear in court until I received a letter from the state that said my license will be suspended if I do not pay a fine and appear at the following court date. He appeared at the court day and was told there was a fine I needed to pay and enroll in a defensive driving course to have the ticket dropped. However, he never told me about the fine so in Novemeber I got a letter telling me that a 30% fee had been added to the fine because I failed to pay the fine. Eventually after submitting the paperwork and sending l multiple fines to Alabama, the ticket was dropped as long as I did not get another ticket for six months. But this was not fully resolved until March 2015. It took him an entire year to deal with the ticket through him. In addition, he and his office have very poor communication skills. I called many times without an answer and rarely received a call back. I also sent Mr. Gordon Armstrong many emails checking on the progress of the case and didn't get a response. Even voicemails and emails I composed about payment and having an invoice sent to me were seemingly ignored. I would not recommend this lawyer to anyone. He is careless, irresponsible, and extremely unprofessionall.
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18 Jul, 2023 by Jeremy
I can testify to a great service from PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST about credit repair. I had some inquiries, 2 late payments and my collection. I also had bankruptcy that came off in December with a low credit score of 561.  Even disputed it with Peter from Clerk but to no avail. I was in a terrible situation that I needed to repair my credit. I came across this great credit specialist called PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST on this forum, with so many amazing reviews. I contacted them but I never believed them until they proved me wrong, by removing all late payments, inquiries and collection from my credit report, I also increased my credit score to 811 excellent standards. I now have a clean credit report. Contact him now for help: 
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18 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Attorney was hired for a business-related legal matter. Details are being withheld to protect client interests.
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11 May, 2024 by Brandon childress
Hands down the best Lawyer I have experience! He may not contact you about your case until the day of Court but guaranteed he gonna do his job. No doubt.
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06 Feb, 2024 by David rimbauer
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22 Dec, 2023 by Sam weiman
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19 Aug, 2024 by Linda
Phinney was hired due to a breach of contract, gross negligence by contractor costing me thousands in payment. He called me one time to update me on status. After that, he ghosted me, never numerous requests to return my call. He did not even have the decency to return my original documents.
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13 Sep, 2023 by Cindy
His assistant Paris is the best and made a very bad time in my life better. Her and Sean were happy to answer the TON of questions that I had and very quick to return my calls. Sean was blunt about the stressing parts of my case and up front about about what I should expect.
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12 Oct, 2019 by Terra smith
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01 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Never could get all the relationships between the plaintiffs correct. Never informed us about what was going on. Showed up in court one day "waiting for us" and we were never notified that there was to be a hearing. Not only that, but his office staff is rude!!! Don't waste your money!!!!!
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28 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Wouldn't have chosen anyone else to help me with my case. Grady has been my lawyer for 10 years now. He has helped me keep my son out of jail visitations with his convicted mother and much more. I was able to raise my son in a safe environment, which he deserved, and without Grady's help I wouldn't be able to fight for my son's rights. He's a very laid back/calm lawyer and will tell you his true opinion about the case and lay down the law. There will be NO delusional promises, as most lawyers like to do, before going to court and then hit you with a surprised outcome. Highly recommend Grady and his secretary Kerry has also been responsive and helpful many times.
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20 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
I was fortunate to get this attorney (was recommended by a family member). He helped me and my children get a fair settlement after 20 years of marriage to my ex. I would highly recommend Mr. Edmondson.
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14 Feb, 2024 by Mike mclarty
Pro tip for the ladies: if you claim your ex is violent, Ms. Sullivan will believe you. Doesn’t matter if there is no proof or history or even if it’s true - she’ll take your word as gospel. I suppose it’s much easier to go that route than to investigate. I’ll probably never see my children again, and Ms. Sullivan and the broken system she represents are why. I hope that one day men get a fair shake when it comes to their children, I certainly didn’t.
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22 Oct, 2023 by Kathy cascone
Molly Sulivan represented me in a long divorce over 10 years ago and spent many hours patiently advocating for me and gave me excellent advice during the process and following. Her advice on things to have in the decree would benefit me and my children for years to come as I had to navigate raising my six children with essentially no parental help from their father. I worked with her again several years later when their father attempted to gain custody just because I was getting remarried. Considering his very poor parental involvement, I easily retained primary custody which was easily argued well by Mrs. Sullilvan who used the opportunity and added even more strength to the decree. Both times, she was empathetic to my situation especially with my initial financial hardship. Money was definitely not any motive for her to help me, so anyone suggesting that as part of a poor review likely had some other issues. After having her help for years, I witnessed that she is a barracuda in the courtroom and tenacious in negotiating the best outcome for her clients with decisions you can actually live with after the signatures. I had complete autonomy for me and my kids and was in a position to make all primary decisions and raise them without having to fight their father on anything again. Do not expect any attorney to answer your call on a whim or talk regularly while the system is a lot of "hurry up and wait". Tell your attorney the whole truth, what you want and then listen to their advice as you discern your options. You are paying for their experience, not to be your pal. For instance, after initially describing how poorly their father was involved with any care of my children, she insisted I be responsible for their medical care and expenses. At the time I was concerned about cost, however, there have been countless times my children needed medical care and I was able to take care of them easily and timely. He has never even shown up when we have had medical emergencies in the last ten years, so that recommendation alone came from an experienced attorney who knew what I would have had to face. I was willing to listen and follow her advice on a number of issues and all of them have benefited me. She even put a clause in that allowed me to take my children out of state, which I never thought to be a possibility at the time. However when COVID hit, I was able to move my job and took my youngest and moved across the state line with complete independence. If you want an attorney who will take care of your legal rights and battles for you and your family, you will find no other that will know the law and take care of you better than Molly Sullivan.
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28 Sep, 2023 by Danielle kelley
The GOAT. I had an extremely high conflict and difficult case. Molly handled this for me like a BOSS! She fully immersed herself into my case and delivered more than I could ask for. Even though I asked annoying questions constantly and made my case even more difficult at times, she never lost patience with me. We worked thru it and I never doubted she was the best choice for my case! I’ll always remain truly grateful for her work as it has enabled my children to have the stability and support they deserve. Thanks Molly!
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12 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
My dad used Mr. Broome’s services for his divorce, and in my honest opinion he would have been much better off hiring a therapist who knows nothing of law, because at least a therapist would have listened to him and learned the details of the case. Mr. Broome made no effort to defend my dad, or even remember what his case entailed. Anyone else in any other profession would be mortified to make a client spend most of the hour he’s paying $600+ for re-explain the case you’ve been paid to work on and investigate. Absolutely embarrassing. The Joe Biden of lawyers, without any form of endearing grandfatherly charm. Upon further inspection of the files sent to my dad at the end of the divorce, we’ve since found post-it notes and other annotations from either Mr. Broome or his paralegal or whoever worked with the papers, insulting my dad. To not only be so rude and condescending, but also so utterly wild and incompetent, while simultaneously charging a ridiculous amount for such a disservice is an absolute atrocity. My dad lost half of everything to a woman who spent most of my life abusing us both, and still has to pay her $5000 a month in alimony due to Mr. Broome’s incompetence and overall lack of effort. I can only imagine Mr. Broome is still working because he screwed up one of his own divorce cases and is unable to retire.
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06 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
David Broome is a kind man and excellent at his job. He won my case and made a lasting impression. He is worth the money.
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08 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Broome charged me an up front fee of $7000 and allowed the opposing Attorney to drag the hearing out for several years. During which time he completely blundered my case and told me I needed to pay him an additional $1500 to straighten it out, which he didn't. If you're looking to hire an incompetent over-priced, then Broome is your man.
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10 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
She represented me for literally three weeks. Long story short she told me I wasn’t entitled to any compensation after I was deemed disabled with permanent restrictions! She told me I should seek employment elsewhere and it didn’t matter if it was from a McDonalds after being employed at a ship yard for years where I looked to retire. My mom came with me to discuss me wanting to settle my claim and she told me it wasn’t an option which was a lie. She assumed my mother was a friend because of her younger appearance and got upset with her when she asked her again about why I couldn’t settle my claim. She wasn’t aware that I wasn’t incompetent and has researched the tactics she was attempting to use on my case. She went off on me and my mom slammed her pen down on the case, told me she was withdrawing from my case because she stated “I’m not about to represent someone like you, you want me to call your adjuster and just say hey she just want to get paid the rest of her life”! She to us to leave and slammed the door in our face. We were very professional, we didn’t react disrespectfully to her, she just couldn’t control how angry it made her that we demanded her to act like a lawyer and have my best interest at heart and not seeming as if she was working for the company I was up against rather than for me. My first red flag should have been her personally knowing my adjusters and the company I was going up against. I assumed her knowing them personally wouldn’t affect the case at hand and she be able to differentiate the two. I found a new lawyer shortly after, and when I was asked by my new lawyer to contact Ms. Frazier aboit any possible monies I could have owed her, over the phone I was told by her office staff that if anything was owed it would have been sent to the DOL and they showed nothing considering she withdrew and that she only represented me for three weeks. Well when I spoke with her and she learned of me settling the case she claimed I couldn’t and that I was being compensated she stated she’d send over a form detailing what was owed to her later that day. Well several days go by, I contacted her office and emailed her several times just as a reminder of the timely manner I needed the paperwork considering she was holding up me settling my claim. She finally emailed me back and literally charged me hundreds of dollars per email, and or phone call I sent to her just requesting the form.. as if she was stalling me out so she can reach a higher payout by me sending emails with no responses about my request. I was appalled that I ended up paying her almost 3 grand for 3 weeks of representing me. Any information she obtained I sent her, she didn’t have to do anything. She has a very nasty attitude and wasn’t at all considerate of me being a mom of three with a permanent disability at the young age of 28 losing my house and entire livelihood by a company I’d worked almost a decade for with a back injury. I cried in her office after being told I would receive nothing, that I need to get over it and look for another job. AFTER even reviewing my restrictions. I can’t live over 10 pounds, no bending, stooping, or crawling; I can’t walk properly, I’ve had three back surgeries and require a fourth. I literally was in edge and so afraid as a single mother with her representing me. I’ve never met anyone so heartless! I pray no one ever allows her to represent them because she doesn’t have your best interest at heart and will withdraw from your case if you don’t allow her to handle your case the way she wants or disagree with her.
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17 Oct, 2017 by Albert
I initially consulted with Mrs Frazier in March and hired her in June 2017. The firm she works for seemed to have a lot of experience in Maritime Law and she has handled many claims under the Longshore and Harbor workers Act for which she was hired. The first letter I received was a copy sent to the DOL letting them know she was hired to represent me. She had listed the wrong employer as my employer and sent a correction.Things only got worst from there. One of the greatest benefits available under the act is the right to choose your own doctor which is one of the rights I was pursuing and had to fight tooth and nail with her to do so. She was under the impression that I would not be able to find a doctor locally because there is not a shipyard or major port facility in the town I live in which is false. The same doctors that see federal employees are the same doctors that see Longshoremen,Defense Base Act claimants and Jones Act claimants and there does not need to be a yard,port or base in your town to find a doctor to get treatment. She also was unaware of the difference between a DOL case and any other workers comp case and I had to explain that DOL has a set pay rate and it's lower than what most doctors will work for. She was very persistent in wanting me to go to the doctor that the insurance company wanted me to see I explained to her that it was a 150 miles round trip and that it would put a financial burden on me and my family. I had a new adjuster assigned to my case as the first adjuster had medical issues and had to take leave. When I mentioned this to Mrs Frazier she told me" I will have to call her and send her a card she was sorry to hear that. That should have been a red flag for me but I assumed Mrs Frazier could have a relationship with the adjuster and still put her clients interest before anyone else. I was informed that Mrs Frazier had planned a long vacation upon taking my case and thought nothing of it as I assumed someone would still be working on my behalf.Not so . She left me an assistants email and gave the assistant access to her email and she was gone. Two weeks prior I had spoken with her about and important form needed to see my doctor and she said she would get back to me. A week later I sent another email and I received a response that she had written the adjuster a letter and would keep me abreast of the situation. I sent an email six days later and received no response then I sent an email to the assistant wanting to know if he heard back from the adjuster about getting the form and getting me to a doctor. His response was he had not seen anything in her email and Mrs Frazier would check on it when she came back from vacation. I sent her another email reminding her the she was supposed to let me know what was going on and I was waiting for her to contact me back about the form.I asked for any correspondence that she received from the adjuster,nurse case manager and DOL. No response. She came back from vacation over a month later and I receive a phone call from her "Have you seen the Dr yet?" My response was "No. Has the adjuster received the form and sent the necessary paperwork to the Dr so I can be seen?"She said I will check on that and get back to you. While I was waiting for her to get back with me my injury took a turn for the worst and I ended up in the ER. After leaving the ER I call the Dr office and was told I had a scheduled appointment to be seen. The day before my appointment I finally heard back from Mrs Frazier " You have an appointment tomorrow at 3pm. Well better late than never.I called to explain my concerns with her representation and she said sorry I felt that way and my file would be ready in two to three days then hung up the phone on me click!.Upon taking my case she requested several documents from the adjuster and I requested those documents from Mrs Frazier and never received them.Every document in my file I had scanned and sent to Mrs Frazier.
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16 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
After hiring this man on a contingency basis (we had a contingency contract), he without our knowledge billed our insurance company for services for several thousands of dollars. The insurance company paid him for most, but not his entire invoice. He then began trying to bill us monies, even though he was dismissed from our case by our insurance company. He took us to district court for $10,000, but the judge only made us pay for phone calls and copies only, resulting in a judgement of $2,000ish. He appealed this to circuit court, who dismissed the case. He then reprimanded the judgement back to district court. WE paid the judgement in full and have EVERY RECEIPT!!! Now, out of the blue, over 2 years later, we received a levy on our property from this Attorney claiming we owe him interest on the judgement. We were unaware of any interest owed and have NEVER RECEIVED ONE piece of correspondence from this attorney until this came today. We contacted district court, whom shows our payment in full. We were also informed by the courts, as well as attorney we have contacted that he does this to numerous people, and takes advantage of any and every one he can and uses the legal system to do so! He is not an above board or honest attorney and will take advantage of you any way he can. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS ATTORNEY. I would give him 0 stars, but the system makes you give at least one. We have every bit of documentation to verify this review. Years later, this man is still trying to milk monies from us for work he never did. He was dismissed from our case and did not represent us. He is not an honest attorney.
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11 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
This attorney should not be allowed to practice law. What he did to me, and his lack of knowledge in the law, cost me chronic mental anguish, and THE total loss of a case that was a no brainer to win. Admitting to me that he did not review records obtained by the defense, illegally obtained records no less, this attorney should lose his license to practice law. After conferring with several other attorneys after the loss of my case, I have decided to pursue my case, utilizing another attorney, of course.There is so much more, but I believe that one can form their own intelligent decision after reviewing my post. Just a warning, STAY AWAY FROM THIS ONE!!!!
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27 May, 2023 by Jan
This lawyer is a freaking joke . He is nothing but a crook and a scam artist who lives off of other money and will screw a client in a heartbeat
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20 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
Robert Riccio was rude, disrespectful, dishonorable, unfair, inaccurate, unprofessional, unjust and corrupt. He undermined a timely, economic and equitable resolution of my case. He did not keep his agreement in negotiations and delayed the outcome for one year to increase his exorbitant attorney fees to equal 50% of the estate.
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29 Mar, 2023 by Jonathan
He broke my phone and cussed out my mom and dad. He looks likes he is drugs. And he scared his secretary to death. And me I'm only thirteen.
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05 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Failed to return emails and phone calls in reference to upcoming court case, left us out in the cold without representation for case after he was paid cash money of $$$. Told my wife and I "just do what the judge says and don't argue about what the law says, judge makes his own laws and if i (the attorney) tell him he is wrong and explain the law to him then I(the attorney) will not be allowed
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14 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Smith vowed to defend me after a lengthy review of my case. After wasting thousands of my dollars he was out of ideas, afraid to move forward and unable to explain his position. Smith over promised and severely under delivered due to his inabilities. Avoid this attorney.
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14 Apr, 2020 by Anonymous
I recently spoke with Mr. Hale jr. and was not impressed. He did promptly return my call but was very curt. He came off as extremely arrogant and unbending. He was also quick to point out how busy he was and that if I wanted his services then I needed to act quickly or he would not be available. His conversation tone was very off putting and condescending. He basically gave me a price (that was not negotiable) and advised me to contact him only when I had that exact amount. Now I know why most people don't like lawyers. He totally did not seem to care - except for the money. I would not trust him.
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30 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
We pre-paid this lawyer, via a RocketLawyer search, to assist with creating quit claim deeds and a divorce agreement. He took the money and literally disappeared. going so far as to disconnect his phone number. My husband and I have attempted to reach him for months via any avenue possible. We have had to engage a new lawyer to complete all of our paperwork before years end so this man has cost us thousands of dollars.
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08 Apr, 2024 by Judy1054
I have talked with the Mobile County Bar and The Alabama State Bar Association concerning Mr. Silver's counsel to probate our Mother's will. The executor/trix were encouraged by Mr. Silver to probate her will with a simple understanding given of a sentence that was described in a paragraph that we questioned prior to probate. Mr. Silver said the deed would be put in the 4 grantees' names and a tenant would be living in our dwelling place. This counsel has destroyed finalizing the estate because lifetime spousal RIGHTS were UNEXPECTEDLY claimed after probate. This lawyer did NOT describe the true meaning of the Art III (a) of our Mother's will that ALL family members KNEW FROM OUR MOTHER's conversation that we were to afford a comfortable period of time for her husband to RELOCATE and her spouse had said openly that he thought it would take him "3... 6 months" to move on. Mr. Silver did NOT protect our Mother's assets but provided rights to his friend and former client as this is a 2nd LIFETIME SPOUSAL RIGHTS CLAIM this attorney accomplished for this same client in 9 years, documented in court records. When TIC's were converted to have REMAINDERMAN INTERESTS unexpectedly, it destroyed our faith and confidence that the legal authorities cared about the true moral outcome intended in our Mother's will. The executor/trix are GUILTY of TRUSTING Mr. Silver's counsel and being uneducated legal clients. The 4 grantees live from CA to GA and this can ONLY be addressed in the Mobile County court system. I wrote Mr. Silver 3 letters over a year's time asking to correct this and his 1 letter reply made fun of us. The letter is a disgrace to his profession and maybe I should post it for others to read. He is 48 years licensed and if anyone wants to challenge his superior legal abilities they would have to dedicate time and resources that are sometimes unbearable to accomplish. This is not opinion, hearsay, he said, she said... but facts that have hurt my Mom's family very much. The evidence is mostly in note-taking because 2 witnesses have since passed away. Undisturbed rights of the lifetime spouse prevent solving this except by court proceedings. Everybody said we should have hired a lawyer to probate our Mother's will. So, do you hire a lawyer to tell you what your lawyer says is right or not? I even called my state representative (Mo Brooks) concerning the lifetime rights claim LAW which was made a second time by this spouse in the state of AL... spoke with an attorney (Mr. Fortenberry). The provision is to prevent homelessness but to my surprise I cannot find anyone who oversees or knows these special laws. REMAINDERMEN have no rights until the LIFE TENANT dies. Mr. Silver's counsel did not afford quality legal insight so we could resolve any difference or circumstance PRIOR to probate. Right moral choices are always legal.
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02 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Did nothing to help my case infact I think he hurt me rather than helped. Once he realized the person at fault had miminal insurance all interest was lost..my case was put on the back burner, while the other people involved had been in touch with the adjusters and made a deal with them ,while Dennis was no where to be found. The settlement checks where at his office for two weeks before I was even released from my dr. Now a year later I have developed some severe medical problems because of the wreak. I only got 1/3 of the policy because three people where involved and he said their medical expenses where more than mine. Mind you I have now spent over 100,000 out of pocket and will have a life time of medical expenses..I think the company should be sued for their one call that's all statement !!! It was the worst experience ever and Dennis should be embarrassed to call himself an attorney. Law school was a waste of time and money for him and he showed very little compassion with my case. Steer clear of this guy he is awful
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Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

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

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

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

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

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

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

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

  1. Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence.
  2. Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties.
  3. List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience.
  4. Financial Information:
    If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
  5. Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case.
  6. Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid ID for verification purposes.
  7. Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points.
  8. Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

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

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