Lawyers map
>420
experienced lawyers
Filter by
24 Jul, 2019 by James
Mr. Hylan represented me in a P.C.R.A. (post conviction relief) action against an illegal sentence on a criminal case. He started out slow to file documents but to his credit he did finally get the paperwork done and filed and I had my day in court. At the hearing the judge found that the sentence was indeed illegal. No other finding was possible (1). For reasons unknown to me she denied the petition and set the stage for an appeal to the upper courts. She probably did not want to disturb the original judges decision and so shifted the burden to the upper court as is common. Mr. Hylan told me he was going to handle the appeal as it was his legal obligation to do so. It again took a long time for him to complete the filing and when he did so he "forgot" to include the requisite 1925b statement. The 1925b is a statement of issues of complaint and is the very root of an appeal. I put "forgot" in quotes because for a criminal defence attorney to "forget" the 1925b is like forgetting to get dressed before driving to work. It is nearly impossible. He sent me a letter saying "oops"! The case was denied by the upper court and I was thusly denied "meaningful judicial review" as is my Right in PA. Then when he was graciously afforded the opportunity to rectify the error by the superior court, he failed to do so. He promised me in my panicked phone conversations that he "was on it". My fatal error was my continued faith in him. I had a winning case and I quite probably served an extra 2 years in prison and parole because "oops" he "forgot".
(1) Noteworthy also: A P.C.R.A. is, as a matter of rule, prepared by the inmate who has the burden of, doing all the legal research, writing it all in legal format, and filing it with the courts who then appoint an attorney only if merit is found. Mr Hylan told me that my filed petition was so well prepared that he would have little to do on this case and it was a winning case. It was indeed a "slam dunk" case but he blew it.
Read more
06 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
So far, two other clients fired him for lack of representation. He said he'd write up a will for my parents, but took a year to do it. Not only that, but he never had it notarized, nor did he inform my parents that they had to get it notarized, which caused a great deal of trouble after my dad died. I, unfortunately was arrested once. He actually said, "Well, something wasn't right with the arrest...It wasn't a clean arrest...not a good arrest..." He never went further with this. He just informed me that I was a victim of a bad arrest. He never helped me. I could have gone through the justice system myself without even having a lawyer instead of an incompetent one such as Joe Hylan.
Read more
11 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
I agree with the other reviewer. He does not follow up or follow through. and he does so callously without regard to the lives he might be ruining. Avoid unless you're an easy case. This guy is negligent.
Read more
27 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Woodward is a terrible communicator. He is all about taking the easy road (whichever road is easiest for him). I do not recommend Mr. Woodward as he is very distant and detatched from his cases. He was recommended by many friends however he was a big disappointment. I suggest you look elsewhere.
Read more
07 Jun, 2017 by Scott
I hired Mr. Jenkins in December of 2016 to help me with an issue with my son being attacked and injured by another student in school. At first Mr. Jenkins was very helpful with dealing with the school district. After the school district was dealt with we proceeded to deal with the charges pressed against the child and the subsequent lawsuit to be filed after the criminal hearings. Over the 3 months this has taken place, Mr. Jenkins would always talk to me on the phone and tell me what to do or who to call. Over time Mr. Jenkins was very back and forth about a lawsuit saying we could go after the parents, then maybe even go after the school district too, then to say we may not be filing a lawsuit at all. At no point was Mr. Jenkins taking this case as contingency, it was all an hourly fee. Over the 4-5 month period and $4,000+ later, Mr. Jenkins calls me to inform me that he feels I should find another law firm to handle these issues. The only thing Mr. Jenkins did in this case was write 3 letters and talk to the school district's attorneys 2 or 3 times. Other than that it was just telling me what to do and that all cost me over $4,000!!!!
With an absolute lack of professionalism for him to just dump me in the middle of this case I will NEVER refer anyone to Mr. Jenkins or his firm due to their unethical practices.
Read more
11 Dec, 2016 by Margaret
Art was my first divorce attorney, who I fired for incompetence. He advised me to keep all kinds of notes on my ex and how he was alienating my kids. When my ex would bad mouth me and emotionally abuse my kids, I begged Art to do something. He was always "too busy."
The day before a hearing, Art had his secretary call and tell me if I didn't pay my bill in full (all of my assets were in joint games,which means I had to wait to pay Art), art would not show up to represent me. I had to take a loan from my 401k and had to prove I made the request before he came to court.
I paid Art over $50k in legal bills. He messed up filing some paperwork and had to fix it. He charged me $2500 to fix his mistake. He sued me, adding $7500 for his fees (???) and now wants me to fly in from out of state.
This guy is a has been. He will manipulate you and will come after you if you don't do everything he says. He is unreasonable, nasty and arrogant. He did a terrible terrible job. He will suck you dry. Divorce is hard enough, dont make it harder on yourself by hiring Art Jenkins. He is everything people hate,about lawyers.
Read more
25 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
She is supposed to help Montgomery County residents. She didn't offer any help at all and yelled at me on the phone. If she is an elected official, I hope that she isn't re-elected.
Read more
11 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Represented my autistic child but did not alert the court or judge to his disabilities. The judge tooki the child's deportment as trying to antagonize the court and that child was under the influence, which was not the case.
Read more
06 Aug, 2017 by Joe
He said he would present evidence at trial and never did so, I was convicted of a crime I did not commit and the evidence proved that I was not guilty. He is dishonest, don't use him if you want justice.
Read more
22 Nov, 2023 by Andre wilson
Miss O'Malley is one of the worst human beings in the world to try to take me for my kids right before Thanksgiving and put me in jail for a crime I didn't commit. She hasn't look at evidence in cases she just prosecutes. She had video evidence that proves I'm innocent and refuse to review it
Read more
14 Oct, 2024 by Leona
I was being wrongfully evicted because of domestic violence in hud housing. I felt so happy when legal aid assigned Michelle to my case because she won an award and seemed really smart. But she did not help me at all. She ignored my situation fleeing in domestic violence and told me to sign an agreement signing over all my rights , possession of my home, financial responsibility for the other sides legal fees and broken things in my apartment that I complained about resulting in the retaliatory eviction. I believed legal aid would be experts in helping me relocate to save my housing subsidy but it did not happen. She told me to expect eviction and homelessness if I didn’t sign and she didn’t go to the hearing with me. I am now homeless living in the shelter after waiting eight years for housing. Her supervisor said she did everything right. I feel like the system has truly let me down.
Read more
06 Apr, 2024 by Jay lore
Never available. Never a call back. Never of any value.
Read more
06 Apr, 2024 by Jay lore
Never available. Never a call back. Never of any value.
Read more
06 Apr, 2024 by Jay lore
Never available. Never a call back. Never of any value.
Read more
Find Your Lawyer
By Practice Area
-
Criminal Defense
-
Litigation
-
Family Law
-
Personal Injury
-
Real Estate
-
Business
-
Estate Planning
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Government
-
Insurance
-
Appeals
-
Juvenile Law
-
Trusts
-
Child Custody
-
Civil Rights
-
Probate
-
Workers Compensation
-
Tax
-
Car Accident
-
Child Support
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Sex Crime
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Domestic Violence
-
Construction
-
Drug Crime
-
Federal Crime
-
Immigration
-
Intellectual Property
-
Consumer Protection
-
Discrimination
-
Elder Law
-
Employment / Labor
-
Mediation
-
Adoption
-
Bankruptcy
-
Cannabis Law
-
Class Action
-
Debt Collection
-
Divorce
-
DUI / DWI
-
Landlord & Tenant
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.
