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22 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
My landlord was trying to impose rather harsh lease termination conditions on me during the Covid crisis, when I needed to leave the area, had no intention to extend my contract and was trying to find ways out of a complicated and stressful situation. Mr. Patish was very knowledgable about the requirements of the law, and presented the legal side of the issue in great detail, pointing to the appropriate sources and links. He walked me through this difficult situation with advice that was really instrumental for finding a solution acceptable to the landlord. He did this with minimal resources that I was able to allocate for legal advice, including providing complementary feedback, following up with the issue, and making sure that I was on the right track. He has really broken my stereotypes about lawyers with his human and fair-minded approach!
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13 Jul, 2016 by Tim
Mr. Patish agreed to represent me in a landlord - tenant dispute. I was seeking damages for a failure to maintain a habitable premises. The facts and evidence were all in my favor and Mr. Patish agreed to represent me at a reasonable price.
The property owner had been cited by city inspectors more than once and failed to fully comply with the citations in a timely manner. Within the first few minutes of the trial, the defendants counsel stated that if judgement was in my favor, they would appeal the case. The judge wished me good luck and said he had no choice but to send the matter to a higher court.
Immediatley after the trial, Mr. Patish, my wife and I went to lunch, (on us of course) during which he explained that it would cost a minimum of $5,000. more for him to represent me in the next phase. His advice was to go to court without him. Seriously! He calmly explained that the judge would listen to the facts, that I did not need a lawyer since I was so familiar with the case, had audio recordings, video, photographs and violation notices that had been served on the property owner.
Nothing went according to Mr. Patish's advice. The judge informed me that he had read the lease and asked me to present my case. The star whitness was one of the three city inspectors that had visited the property on numerous occasions and filed the code violations. This inspector testified that he could not remember the facts, didn't bring his paperwork to court and had lost the video evidence I had given to him.
The judge, contrary to what Mr. Patish had advised me, would not let me offer any testimony. He would not listen to the audio recordings nor view the videos. There was no choice except to stop presenting evidence. At this point the defendant's attorney made a statement that there was no lease entered into evidence, (despite the judge having stated that he had the lease in his hands and had read it) therefore there was no obligation for the property owner to present his case.
He asked for dismissal and that's exactly what happened. I couldn't even get my security deposit refunded even though the property was flawlessly spotless, freshly painted and in much better condition than when I took possession. This added insult to injury, costing me another $1,450.00!
All of this is relevant to my review of this lawyer because he told me what I should do. He insisted that the judge would listen to the evidence. He accepted my money for the first trial, then abandoned the case. He left us with nothing but very bad worthless "advice". This was how two years of stress ended.
Here is my advice for anyone looking for a lawyer in the Norfolk or Virginia Beach area. Pay whatever it costs to hire an attorney that won't abandon you while telling you that you can represent yourself. That is pure rubbish. The lesson I learned? Looking for a reasonably priced lawyer is comparable to shopping for a discount brain surgeon.
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18 Oct, 2017 by Sonny
Real quick: Keep in mind, I am barely ever review any product or service person b/c its a waste of time person. So for me to take the time to write this I was very irritated by how I was serviced. Especially b/c of the small amount of money involved.
Mr Graves was given 2 very easy jobs, and he knows these were cake contracts. Write up a deed of trust and take my already written parameters and create an amendment to a property settlement agreement. The 1st job was so easy it looked like it was generic sample printed off a google internet search, and it clearly did not take an hour to create but I paid the $250 b/c the PSA is what was really important and time sensitive to me. He wrote it and didn't follow what I asked. Pure and simple and not for any legal restrictive reason btw. Then I explained what I needed a 2nd time even though it was already in the parameters I provided. Then he made tiny changes it but did not address the issues that i needed addressed. After that, I wrote it and resubmitted it as if he was my college professor to see if the language was fine. He said it was fine.
Here's the kicker. Not only did I have to do the work, but before I submitted MY revision of HIS work BACK to HIM to review, I had a sizable credit balance (based on what I prepaid and what I know about the industry), that we discussed what that amount was. Then when its all done, I was was expecting maybe a credit or a zero balance. w/e its not a lot of money. Lo and behold! I get a bill stating I owe him more money. Why??? I call back multiple times and weird i can't get him on the phone. Then I email him frustrated, i believe a couple of times, and I get a NEW bill saying I owe him MORE money ON TOP of the original balance that is supposedly due to him.
Its not like Mr. Graves did me any sort of favors. This was a straight service from someone I had never known prior. Whats funny here is that the bill reflects more service work than actually occurred AND its really not a large sum of money at all, and I have had my fair share of lawyers at this point in my life and have never had issue paying for services. But this guy is really cute about it. So thats why I'm writing this review because this review IS ACTUALLY what he earned. I guess at $250 / hr you get what you pay for or even less as it appears. I can't imagine him being in super high demand, although at $250 he should be. I noticed there were no reviews on him accept for "other attorneys" and buddies in the industry. Now I know why and now he has a real review.
This is not a personal attack on Mr Graves. He was a totally nice enough professional guy and easy to talk to on the phone and in person. This is purely how I perceived the professional service I received, and it was dissatisfying.
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24 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
so I could be wrong but, what I learned about the alleged "super lawyer" designation is that it has nothing to do with many positive reviews, or win/loss record. rather it seems only pertain to certain academic criteria which any lawyer can choose to fulfill and then claim to be a super lawyer. my experience with this man was he was strong academically but was a total loss on execution. he had about 6 months once the trial date was set to prepare and never even got around to deposing the opposition. but he never missed sending an invoice. then as we were within a week of trial he informs me its too late to prepare for the trial and was almost abusive in insisting I settle at zero sum when I was the moving party and had concrete evidence of the fraud which had been perpetrated upon me. lastly, it wasn't possible for him to care any less about the case with the seeming exception of churning billable hours. 20k on a man who was unwilling to make eye contact and seemed bored but was happy to offer repeatedly to try to take it to the supreme court. baffling and massively disappointing.
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17 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Michelle Parker was the second attorney I was assigned at Decker Law Firm after I was told to "stop complaining and just do whatever the doctor wanted" from my first attorney. Unfortunately, I had already signed a contract with them to represent me in my case. The doctor in question, Dr. Walko, 'used to be a chiropractor' and decided to give me a spinal adjustment without any notice - he just grabbed my legs and threw them to one side forcefully. Immediately, I was in lots of pain - he prescribed me pain killers and sent me on my way. When I brought this up to my attorney, this is what they had told me... I was furious and asked to end the contract - they suggested I try another attorney at their firm and reminded me that I was under contract that they would not break.
In my trial, Michelle did not get any witnesses that were on the scene of the accident. I had two witnesses that saw the recklessness of the person who hit my vehicle on the highway, admittedly going 85 mph in a 55mph zone. There was a sheriff on the scene who took all my information and told me he would be "more than happy to testify and get you some justice" after he took accounts from myself, my wife, the driver who hit us and two witnesses that saw the entire thing after almost being hit by the person who was recklessly driving. My wife and I were told that we would be reimbursed for our out-of-pocket expenses. We were told that we should save every receipt of any expense related to the accident, of which there were many. Once the case was coming to trial, we were told that that statement was figurative and what they meant was - with the earnings of the trial (which was never guaranteed) that it should cover what we had spent. I live in another state across the country and had to fly back for trial which occurred more than a year after the accident. I was told a court date and was told that the travel expenses were mine to be paid and without my presence Michelle parker told me my case didn't bode well. I purchased a plane ticket, and one for my wife who was a witness, and we were told the court date had been postponed - only a few days before our flight leaving me to only get a 25% refund for two tickets from coast to coast, round trip. When I told michelle about this I was told "yeah, these things happen". I wasted so much time, money and energy trying to do what I was told and in the end - the decker law firm received more $$ from my accident than I did; and far more than my wife did. They literally added insults to my injuries - which are numerous and life long. I am forever at a loss as to why this law firm exists. Once you get past the consultation, these people change quickly. Their doctors are unprofessional and impatient. I couldn't image a worse experience dealing with attorneys. The doctor who this law firm sent me to not only gave me a 'spinal adjustment' that made me have incredible pain afterwards but also labelled me as having 'drug seeking behavior' when I told that doctor I'd no longer be seeing him. The doctor I had in mind cancelled our appointment and it was truly challenging to see a doctor for a painful condition after that label was attached to my record. I had to move back to my home state and the first doctor I saw took one look at my MRI and knew I needed surgery. My surgeon told me that there was scar tissue and torn cartilage that likely resulted from using my joint too much and too often and should have been resting more - which ran completely contrary to the doctor I had seen previously who told me that I need to strengthen and mobilize my joint more. The incompetence of not only this law firm but the 'health care professionals' that they employ is astounding. I truly wish anyone who has the option between the Decker Law firm and another chooses the other. I feel like I was used as a tool to earn more money for these attorneys (and doctors) that do not have to live with the pain I feel, every day since the accident.
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11 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
I was denied 2 weeks ago and heard nothing until I reach out to his office. I never got to talk to him personally. I tried to tell them about more evidence, yet his office said I couldn't submit it. Just feel like this office only cares about case that win. Then the office communicates.
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03 Mar, 2024 by Meade skelton
13 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
Asked her to give me a flat rate to see my divorce through to the end. I payed half up front. Then installments. I had to constantly check in to get a status report on my case(called once every two weeks or so). Less than a week before my case was due in court. She quit. No refund., No explaination other than she found another job. I didn't have the money to retain another lawyer so I had to settle for nothing from my former spouse.
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29 Sep, 2011 by J. a.
Ms. Gonzalez did not do a good job while representing me, and she requested to withdraw from my case two days before my court hearing because she found another job. All she did was take my money and show up in court once where she failed to represent me adequately because she did not prepare at all, despite my having provided her with a great deal of evidence. Her legal assistant would constantly tell me that Ms. Gonzalez would be calling me, and yet she never did. She was never in her office either.
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30 May, 2022 by Tory
Upon reaching the penalty date for the 20% plus compensation due, I was continually told by Attorney Gregory E. Camden and his legal assistants Melissa Moreno that I had to wait 44 days in lieu of the 14 days statute 65.2-524 states. After I asked Melissa Moreno to read statute 65.2-524 she agreed and said that I could bring my last check stub to her to make a copy. Then I called and asked for a meeting so we could address previous late checks that went 14 days past the due date.
At the meeting Mr. Camden was angry at me for contacting The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission. I was belittled, disrespected, and then told by Mr. Camden that I better find a new lawyer if I continued to act in this way. I had only contacted the V.W.C.C. to inquire about the 20% penalty.
By the unprofessionalism shown to me, I felt that Mr. Camden had no interest in representing me, therefore I felt it necessary to obtain new counsel that will have my best interest at heart.
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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. -
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Pen and Notebook:
Take notes during the consultation to remember important points. -
Budget Constraints:
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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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Lawyer's Experience:
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Estimating Total Costs:
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For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
