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19 Apr, 2024 by Brandon
I retained Mr. Manni for a civil matter. During that case Mr. Manni was efficient, direct, and knowledgeable. I was treated with respect and dignity throughout the process and with Mr. Manni representing me, I felt immense confidence in the outcome. Mr. Manni has remained courteous and professional above and beyond his duties. I would recommend this attorney.
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11 Feb, 2022 by Joey
Great legal service. Handled my case very professionally. Would certainly use his service again. Very fair pricing for his services.
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22 Apr, 2021 by Richard
I was involved in a 4+ year contentious divorce that covered 3 states, two false rape accusations and 2 small children. I simply cannot make this up. David Manni handled my case with exceptional professionalism, honesty, commitment, and tire-less determination that I can only describe as "Life Saving". I am a professional who stood to lose everything and because of him I have full custody of my children and a fresh start in life. He always returned calls and emails and made himself available as we prepared for trial and never waivered on me. His drive and determination kept me going when there were times I felt like quitting. He made me believe again that there are people who still care and believe in justice. I consider him " a brother" and will always be thankful that I chose him and he took my case. Finally, we negotiated a settlement without going to trial, saving thousands of dollars, time and mental anguish. There are not enough words to describe David as an attorney, person and friend. It would be a travesty if he did not one day become a judge. The world needs more David Mannis.
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02 Aug, 2024 by Mary draper
Knowledgeable, respectful, and patient with questions. Highly recommend.
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10 Mar, 2024 by Billie dibiagio
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16 Oct, 2023 by Dp
I found myself going through a custody case and was referred to Ms. Scott. Upon contact she immediately reviewed the materials of my case and started to form a plan of action. She directed me in an informative and very respectful manner. After we met in person I was left with a feeling of relief and confidence to move forward. I would recommend Ms. Scott to anyone trying to navigate such a daunting situation as a custody battle.
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23 Feb, 2024 by God.blessyou79
She is very sincerely attorney and woking for client. I hired previous lawyer what she done; She asked me about spouse's bank statement for divorce dissolution file March'10, then I gave to her, She asked my spouse's occupation then I answered NAVY, she answered ' Oh that's easy!' I gave to her the statements, according to statement it was $50000 & $7000 in spouse's saving account. then when the temporary order came up, she didn't work it at all what I should get half of his property about the half of the money as property by WA state's law. I asked her later after Temporary Order about it, she answered ' I don't care'!! what a terrible attorney she is!! then she didn't finish the process but asked more than '$6000 crazy fee even I paid first $2000. then the office added each month high % interest then finally put it collection agency!! Now I got my new lawyer and started over the action again, this new lawyer is doing so great, and she is same fee what i paid my last lawyer. Now almost final, but collection agency called me and spouse seems to take out all money from the bank account then said don't have any money & job. So I am so regret now,at that time I should not hire Mary. Please be careful and find the lawyer who work for you sincerely...How dare the client don't understand English well at the time then she took advantage of that and don't care at all. My new attorney explained good for me till I understand ,very sincere person. Thank you for reading my comments. BTW now the collection agency let me know the amount 12k ..If my last lawyer could work well for me, could share spouse's property & pay for the fee what she asked at the time. I wish I could met Anna at the time in '10.
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06 Jun, 2023 by Tynetta silmon
Terry is an amazing lawyer that goes above and beyond to help his clients!!!
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26 Apr, 2023 by Roger
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08 Apr, 2023 by Roger
Have used Terry Smith's law office for legal matters with excellent results. Terry does not quit until he achieves his clients legal outcome with outstanding results.
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26 Apr, 2023 by Roger
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26 Dec, 2022 by Europa stairs
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25 Aug, 2021 by William jared shearer
I wish I could give negative 5 stars! Charged me 300.00 dollars for a less then 5 minute phone call to tell me nothing but bad news. They knew I was being evicted this week, then made me feel like it would be worth my time and money to set up this appointment. Knowing the whole time that they didn't plan on representing me. I can't believe that there are people out there who like to kick you when you are down. Very unbelievable!!
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29 Dec, 2007 by Anonymous
Competent, but not dynamic. Too much detail during charged time, rather than explaining bottom line options. Trustworthy and honest. Require billing estimates in front. Good follow through on required assignments.
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26 Mar, 2024 by Hayley hanna
If you want a lawyer who does shady business practice and works with direct conflict of interest then here’s your guy. If you want someone who’s going to try to take advantage of you after the death of your loved one then look no further. BUT … if you want a real lawyer who’s going to be a shark and go to battle for you and actually knows how probates and estates work- then go to Seattle and hire a big dog attorney. Sometimes you just need to leave the island to find quality service.
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26 Mar, 2024 by Chantal firman
Save your money. If you want a lawyer who Is condescending, rude, hard to reach, and constantly out of the office then this is your guy. Made my fathers probate a nightmare. He’s knowledgeable but that’s about it. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else on island
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24 Apr, 2023 by Innocentlee young
Do not waste your time and money. An experienced only in it for the money do not fight for you. They drag things out and don't know what they're doing.
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07 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
She helped me get out of WA, but didn't fully read the parenting plan. She definitely didn't help me understand the fine print. Her price was nice but she was disorganized. Other lawyers didn't have very nice things to say and mostly rolled their eyes. I had to keep up on what I paid otherwise she wouldn't count it towards my bill. I would not recommend her for family matters especially in cases of domestic abuse. She told me I shouldn't have slept with someone I didn't know. I reminded her we knew each other for 5 yrs before getting engaged and having child. I had to chase her down to get things done.
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22 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
I went through a horrible divorce this year and was referred to Margot through the military. I was frustrated through the entire process. She was extremely unorganized, and never had set hours and would not return my calls for weeks. At one point, she and her assistant went on vacation for an entire week and never notified me directly, and never posted a note on the door of her office. I genuinely feel like Margot never represented my character accurately in court, and without any specific reason at all, the court only awarded me every other weekend custody of my son. Margot continuously gave me false hope as to how there was no way the court would award my wife what she was asking, but then would come back from court and email the decision, which was outrageous spousal support and child support numbers, and minimal custody of my son. I would never refer this attorney to any man whose spouse is trying to take his livelihood and his child. Margot also never sat me down to explain my final divorce decree, but simply had her assistant email the final documents to me.
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09 Jun, 2017 by Bob
I came to Jake on insistence from his staff that he knew what the court would do in a divorce. To quote them, Jake bragged about being able to call the award by a few hundred dollars. Jake avoided this question directly with answers like, I have handled 2500 divorces in my time. My impression Jake shoots from the hip. The first conversation he had my my spouses attorney was on the topic of how much this was going to cost me. Where I work this action would have created an ethics investigation and I was even billed for this call. Another huge mistake made involved me asking if working OT would affect the out come. Jake told me it would not. The outcome would be based on income before the separation date. Knowing I was going to get stuck with the majority of the bills I worked as much as possible after he gave me this legal advise . Jake was absolutely wrong with his advise. My OT was used in figuring the maintenance figure. In all, Jake's advise cost me close to 100K in extra Maintenance. Divorce is a hard undertaking. When confused and asking Jake questions he would start yelling. I came to him for advise not abuse. Looking back Jake offered very little advise in mediation. I was lead to believe he had my back. Jake didnt even know the tax consequence, but the spouses attorney sure did. Jake will pass that off as he is not a CPA. I ended up getting screwed. I asked Jake to get me to Mediation as fast as possible this ended up taking many months and costing 27k. This was settled in mediation and didn't go to court. If I had to do it all over I would find a younger attorney that had been divorced and knows the current law. Keep in mind all men's divorce guides state is an attorney doesn't know what the court will do is not worth their salt. Jake obviously doesn't .
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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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