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15 Jun, 2023 by Damián preciado
I've had the opportunity to learn about NYCL programs and the care they take in delivering services. Really impressed by both the professionalism and the attention to detail in helping youth of different backgrounds accross the US.
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25 Aug, 2019 by Holly cooper
They work around the clock fighting for children. I have worked closely with them for years and never seen more dedicated lawyers.
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30 Apr, 2019 by Ellie?
THIS PLACE SUCKS (NO)
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10 Sep, 2018 by Thomas
In family law court I highly recommend Sylvia Woods if you want to hire a lawyer. I am sure her knowledge and reputation there helped to assist in the positive outcome of my divorce and difficult child custody case earlier this year. She cut to the chase and maximized our time strategizing, which was a breath of fresh air for me. She is very caring and responsive so I felt like my case was important to her. Her staff is very nice and efficient which I know cut my costs. They helped me get documents I needed and always answered my questions.The other thing is Sylvia thinks all angles and figures things out. She helped us come up with agreements instead of going to court about everything.
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19 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
The worst money blood sucker Attorney. I would never recommend anyone to this attorney. I hired her to do my divorce and custody. All she did was talk and took all my money, including my retirement money. Then she bailed out and substituted herself out on my court date. I had to resolve my divorce by myself and filed for a bankruptcy. Then she had the nerve to send her assistant to show up at my bankruptcy court date but the judge didn’t listen to what her assistant had to say!! Karma will get her!!
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24 Sep, 2017 by Michael
Yes I was referred by another lawyer to Law Offices of Sylvia Woods she can be intimidating that was my main factor to go with her . She sorted out out my problem . Take my word she is the go to person call her like I did . I am very happy . I owe you at least a review for what you did for my case . Winner . Thanks again !!!
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26 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Mrs . Kingston had assisted in imposing an illegal sentence in which her client, after serving some substantial time, sentence was overturned by the higher courts. Mrs. Kingston is a sorry excuse for an attorney in Alameda County!
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16 Feb, 2021 by Rick
Joann did an outstanding job. I was arrested on false charges by my wife and therapist. In 1 meeting, Joann said she agreed and accepted my case. She and her private investigator research the facts of my case extensively. They developed a theory on why my ex wife and therapist made up the stories and found the evidence to prove it. I was NEVER charged with a crime and the arrest was ultimately DESTROYED. Without Joann and her outstanding mind, I would probably be in jail today. I am most grateful. God Bless Joann.
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04 Aug, 2017 by Georgina
Joanne saved my son. She understood who I was and she understood my situation. Her expertise was astonishing. She truly cares. I owe her so much. She figured out details of the case no one knew and she's a true litigator. Thank you Joanne if you ever see this from the bottom of our hearts.
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13 Jun, 2024 by Sai
Fulvio is a top notch Bay Area employment attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable in his areas of practice. He took a lot of time listening to and understanding the intricacies of my case before offering advice. He is very accessible and cares more about the long term goals and well being of his clients.
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20 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
I reached out for a consultation never heard back. I was told the receptionist was going to reached out it’s been a few weeks and I have yet to heard back. I have seen retain a new lawyer.
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22 Apr, 2020 by Paige
Fulvio answered the phone during a time where all of our calls were going to answering machines. He is kind and straight to the point. He is easy to talk to and listened to all of our concerns. Fulvio offered very helpful insight and relieved as much of our stress as possible. In our situation we called with no clue as to how we were going to handle our situation and after the call we had a plan. A huge thank you again, and we would highly recommend reaching out to Fulvio.
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17 Feb, 2022 by Andre
He takes your money and you don't get what you pay for which is next to nothing. He relieved himself from my case stating that wasn't cooperating with his ideas. Actually he quit because I caught on to his sham. My current lawyer is doing a far better job and told me he incorrectly filed the wrong petitions.
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25 Feb, 2021 by Alan
My mother-in-law passed away and left a written will that my greedy brother-in-law challenged. My wife and I hired Endy and his firm because he was highly recommended by another attorney. Endy was successful through mediation in getting my mother-in-laws wishes realized and resolving this challenge out of court. As importantly, Endy was extremely compassionate and supportive of my wife's vulnerable loss of her mom who she was so close to. I would highly recommend this firm for negotiating difficult cases with complicated details. Endy was professional, fair, he did what he said he would do and most importantly, compassionate in an otherwise contentious and difficult situation. Thank you Endy!
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29 Aug, 2020 by John
The executor & his attorney neglected duties for our family’s probate for 18yrs. We hired Endy & he was perfect. He has over 20 yrs experience & knew exactly how the judges would view the case. It was complicated & ultimately settled the case fairly & exactly as we wanted.
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27 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
This is an outstanding no nonsense workmen’s compensation attotney who bring 35+ years experience to his work and it shows! Mark did a free comprehensive workmens compensation phone consultation with me and he also did a 1:1 live meeting with me. Mark cleared up any and all confusion I had on my case. By time I left i had so mich more knowledge about workmen’s compensation law and how the system works. I am very thankful that there are outstanding attorneys of Matk’s calliber who practice in my community. I wanted to hire Mark as my attorney but he encouraged me to try to finish my case first with my current workmen’s compensation attorney. If you want the best that out community has to offer speak with Mark. You will be glad you did!
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29 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
I engaged Mr. Rubke in resolving the dissolution of assets between myself and my ex. Mark and I had one initial free consultation and I paid him $1500 retainer to start work. As per what was discussed, I outlined all the assets as well as the proposal of division and organized all the supporting paper trail for him. This was February of 2017. Several weeks went by and I had seen or heard nothing from him. I attempted to contact him by calling and emailing. No communication was returned. One of the assets (house) was to be sold in a couple of months and I still had no document which would have outlined the division of profit from the sale of this asset (as well as all other assets). finally in August (6 months after initial contact) and post the sale of 1 asset (but prior to any future sales), I received a draft agreement which was no better then a boiler plate with both partie’s names added. Nothing in the document addressed any asset by name, any proposal of dividing the asset, pay schedules, etc. Etc. The language was completely generic and unuseable. I attempted to contact him again to get a document that actually outlined a division proposal and listed the assets to be divided but never received anything. In the end I sent him an email stating he was fired and requested that he refund the $1500 which netted me nothing in return. He has declined to do so.
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25 Aug, 2021 by Ronald
Omar and his team brought peace of mind to me when the got my money that was owed to me from a contractor in Santa Rosa Thank you.
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29 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
1. Difficulty communication with client when the case was almost completed. 2.Did not return phone calls. 3. Put lien on property without communicating verbally or letter. 4. Difficulty releasing information to attorney.
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29 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Este hombre promete que va a ayudar y estafa y se queda con la plata. This guy promises to help, gets your money and then doesn't do anything.
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27 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
responsible, enthusiastic,hard worker,honest,healthy,capable,valuable,sincere,incouraging,thoughtfull,intelligent,caring.
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16 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
I've got to say that I just wasted my money on someone who wasn't professional nor respectful. Nadia is someone who must include her patronizing remarks instead of just providing a professional service. Will 100% NOT recommend her to other people.
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16 May, 2018 by Gui
Nadia and her team helped me go through an employment based Green Card process and she provided wonderful help. She guided me and the company through every step always keeping us informed of what to expect, next steps and the estimated timelines (which were very accurate). The process itself is very stressful and long but in the end it worked out great and I have my card in hand. I highly recommend her and her team!
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26 Aug, 2014 by Ronald
Howard prepared a Living Trust and Wills for us a few years ago. He was also available to make some adjustments to the documents with the County Recorder when we applied for a home Refi. Howard is very professional and follows up on all details.
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26 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Referred to him by BAR low income 'modest means' program ($35 paid for initial consult that is free from many other attnys). He ended up giving me a lot of lame reasons why he didn't want to help ("You probably wouldn't pay; Many low income clients don't pay their bills")... Unless I paid full regular price, with a full retainer; which, by the way, increased from his prior quote. Not a feel-good encounter, to put it mildly. I felt upset, insulted, and like I needed another shower after our mtg.
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27 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
I had to report him to the State Bar for dragging out my legal process, asking for more money for god knows why, and being plain shady. Not respectful or thoughtful and money mongering. Good luck and buyer beware.
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07 Nov, 2014 by Deepak
We worked with Collin Moore for my wife's traffic violation and hit and run charges. Collin is very professional and through with his approach. This case took more than 8-9 months, He took care of all the court dates, alway on top of all the issues and finally managed to get all the charges dropped. We would rate him very high for his services.
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26 Aug, 2019 by Deborah
I was trying to set up a trust and he cautioned me that some of my assets would need to go to a former husband. This seemed odd so I went to another attorney who knew what they were doing and understands the current laws. I am thrilled I did not use him. Hiring him would have been a costly mistake.
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22 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
So glad I was recommended to him, he is very professional and tailored his service to my situation. Thanks Russell!
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15 Aug, 2024 by Gerald bennett
BRAVEST MAN I EVER MET. IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO STAND BEHIND SUCH A MAN NUKK AMON
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27 Apr, 2024 by A to z global design
I have never actually been insulted during a preliminary conversation to a consultation. They also copied my case information to a random g mail address.
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08 Apr, 2024 by W ii
After calling and speaking with a receptionist, it's now very obvious to me why this firm has such TERRIBLE reviews. The lady I spoke with with so rude and dismissive. She cut me off and didn't even let me finish explaining why I was seeking an attorney to begin with.
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07 Mar, 2022 by Jose
I was referred to this lawyer by my insurance company. I had a simple task at hand for him to complete but he had to overcomplicate things. He was slow from the beginning. When he finally got around to business, he drafted a contract and then asked me to review it. When I had a basic question about the contract, he advised: "If you don't want me to be your lawyer. That's fine. Good Luck with your future endeavors." I never said that I didn't want him to be my lawyer but with that comment I took him up on his offer without hesitation. This lawyer came across as childish, overly emotional and unprofessional to me.
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22 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Hien is a very kind lawyer, and there is not too many out there! I hired a cunning lawyer at San Mateo for over thousands of dollars, who messed up my case and he never showed up at court for over 5 times, he only had his assistant to show-up and kept postponing my case. I could not stand taking days off from work for nothing, so i hired Hien. He was great, efficient, and help me settle my case quickly. Not to mention, he got my money back from the cunning attorney!!!!! Hien is the best!!!!
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01 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
She was not well-prepared in the courtroom. Her arguments were based on her whims and emotions rather than the law. Her effort in a case stems more from personal interest than being a consistent professional.
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15 Nov, 2013 by Golden flash
She is a competent attorney. Neither great nor terrible. Our case resulted in outcome that was at the low end of expectations. Sometimes her arguments were relevant but some of her arguments revealed that she was not listening to the judge well.
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10 Mar, 2015 by Jaimie
I retained Matthew J. Webb to represent my company as a creditor in a bankruptcy case. It was a slam dunk case, yet he still filed the wrong documents, missed the statute of limitations and almost got my company and I sanctioned. I had to hire a new attorney who could not fix Matt's mistakes. As a result my company lost over $10,000.
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11 Mar, 2014 by David
Matt took us all the way to trial and won. Many times my family wondered whether the painful litigation, lasting several years, was worth the effort. This process is full of grief. In our instance, the defendant was held in contempt by the court for refusing to appear, show cause or produce records. Our litigation involved fraud by concealment in a commercial real estate transaction & a substantial amount of money - $100's of thousands of dollars. In the 1st instance, the court charged the defendant w/ contempt and fined him $50. $50 bucks ! That's less than a parking ticket. I think the 2nd contempt of court penalty was $75 bucks. The 3rd was a few hundred dollars. How the defendant could thumb his nose at the court & get away with this was a disheartening experience. Regardless, Matt took us all the way to a bench trial where the defendant was finally judged and found guilty of fraud. Without Matt's calm & confident demeanor my family would have given up because of what we perceived as the futility of the process. Matt is a great attorney who will go to trial if necessary.
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13 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
Provides straight forward Bankruptcy services only. If you are having difficulties with your lender, this attorney can not help you. We came very close to losing our home literally by the skin of our teeth. We were so frustrated, that we sought the help of a different attorney who is well versed in Mortgage Law. Our new attorney saved our home by obtaining a very affordable loan modification that protects us for the next 24 years and he got us clean out of bankruptcy with our debts dismissed.
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26 Aug, 2021 by Gilbert
Which requires, when one sells annuities at seminars, that you disclose orally and verbally: . None of the insurance products promoted at this sales event are endorsed by those organizations, all of which offer free advice to veterans about how to qualify and apply for benefits.”
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29 Jun, 2012 by Anonymous
This attorney does not supervise his paralegal. She refused to acknoweldge my mortgage payments and listened to the lender when I had proof of all payments. My house was almost foreclosed. She would not let me speak to Mclaughlin and only when I parked my body in his office did I get any assistance from him. He admitted that he did not know what was going on after six months of my struggle with his paralegal. He charged me twice to get my case active and now I find out that it was done incorrectly. I am very disappointed.
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08 May, 2010 by Anonymous
Bill Mclaughlin does not seem to be fully competent and has a condescending demeanor. He doesn't return phone calls in a timely fashion and provides questionable advice. If you want to feel worse about your situation this is the attorney to go to. However, if you want an attorney to provide constructive feedback and solutions to your problems please look elsewhere for your bankruptcy needs.
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13 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
I am a woman and she does not have concern for another woman (me). 1. She is always on vacations. 2. It is so hard to get a reply from her. 3. Even after emailing 6 times (for three months), she did not send the judgment papers. I was thinking the judgment did not arrive yet. After 3 months she just emailed that "She thought she sent the email" 5. Irresponsible lawyer ever.
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19 Jan, 2021 by Bari
The worst lawyer you could hire for your divorce. She is a lifestyle lawyer - constantly on vacation and does not care. She is incompetent - and easily intimidated by her opposing counsel. After I fired her - the next time in court the opposing attorney said, "He fired her because she used to agree with everything I said." This lawyer cost me loads of money as she made all the wrong decisions and hurt my kids as even when they gave their testimonies - she could not take action as she "was listening to the opposing attorney who was like her friend."
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16 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
I agree completely with the review commenting on unresponsiveness of the lawyer. She stated she was reviewing documents, filing paperwork on certain dates and I would find out later when I would reach out to communicate with her that she has not completed anything. She lacked communication and did not follow through on her word. Divorce is already a stressful process and she has made it more stressful. She is unreliable and does not prioritize your case until you are on her case about it. She continued to charge me on a monthly basis for nothing. I would not recommend her to anyone. Compared to other cases, my case was pretty straightforward and yet she is not getting the job done. I am not happy at all with the services. Very poor customer service.
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03 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Arthur Liu is the opposing attorney. Arthur has been emailing and harassing me that I will be paying for his attorney fees. I am a victim of identity theft. Arthur's client is the person that used my identity. These are Arthur Liu's words: "If we have to appear in court, we will ask for attorney fees and cost" I have suffered emotional distress, seen therapy, and went to the ER for stress because of Arthur Liu's client's actions. The judge told his client to leave me alone, however, Arthur still harassed me. Instead of acknowledging the judge's words, Arthur emailed me this: "If _____ has to go back to court, you will end up having to pay for her attorney fees and costs."
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24 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
This is the worst greedy attorney who takes the money and disappeared. Do not go to this guy. He is awful and doesn’t know the law. He has no moral and would do anything to take your money. He has no interest in helping you and is not competent to represent my case.
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28 May, 2013 by Anonymous
He is the worst attorney I have even seen. The only thing he does is charging money.
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13 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
I will be suing this lawyer. She is money hungry, she did NOTHING for my case. Asked the judge for an extension of my case (therefore forcing us to go to court twice), then never talked to me until the day BEFORE we were due in court. Her documents had my name misspelled, my daughter's name misspelled, my profession wrong. She showed up to court unprepared. And at the end, after doing absolutely NOTHING charged me 14K. She is unprofessional, unreliable, and just made my life even harder. Do not hire her.
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11 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Is only concerned about getting paid. Lies about fees and makes promises that she does not fulfill. Once she's paid she does little to get a proper settlement. I ended up paying her a huge sum of money and barely broke even. I would have done better without her, since I did all the negotions, and convinced my X to settle. This attorney is known for gouging her clients and giving little or nothing in return. I would never recommend her to any one. At the final settlment conference she lied to me and told me that I was done with all my payments, then called me the next day stating that I owed more money.
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26 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Communication is poor with this office:  1. They are ready to sign up. Right after signing you up, they will tell you that you might not get favorable judgement and comp will be too less. 2. They communicate only by text messages. Do not reply back by emails. 3. They use gmail. In the beginning, my emails went to their spam box. I had to sort the problem out.  4. F.B. Brown’s voicemail is always full and gets disconnected. Sometimes he responds back by text though saying he will get back with answers. But never gets back and never gives straight answers to questions asked. His father hearing representative speaks and speaks but fails to listen to questions or answer them. 5. They cannot setup clients with good doctors. The doctors they set me up messed my medical records and other paper work and were only trying to hook me up on Pain meds and forcing me to go to work though I have spinal damage. They told me they have seen many cases like me. However, they do not explain the condition as it is, because they are extremely busy. When I asked Browns, I am informed my case is denied, it is not possible to change doctors. Even Browns told me to find some job soon by hiding my injury with prospective employer because I might not get favorable judgement and money I will get will be too less. 6. F.R. Brown is expecting/or has a baby now. He is tied up. It’s been more than one month. After few text msgs, missed calls & emails, I receive their response that they will look into my case and reply. Since Feb 2016, he did not reply to my emails. 7. Now they are defining what their job is and what their job is not. Wish they did that before signing me up. Now I do not receive even their WC related advice. I am being forced to accept their terms and move on. 8. Now it appears to me that they are seeking revenge on me (their own client) I am scared that they’ll slip my case juggling too many balls(cases) at once. I am disabled and jobless and incomeless. I got proof all my communication with them and thinking of filing a complaint against them at CalBar Association.
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10 Jun, 2014 by Ace
This was the worst ever experience. I found a good one after I let this one go. He did more damage to my case then good. He failed to file the 132A after I hired him to take care of my case which caused me to lose those benefits because my other attorney told me he failed to file it in a statute of limitations time. He failed to call and return calls. Dealing with his rude secretary over the phone to get anything handled was nothing but a headache. Getting on the phone having to get my own doctors and such approved when it was his job to do. Then getting a 100 thousand dollar lean the day before christmas and having to dispute it. I felt this was a hot mess of an attorney.
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22 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr Woodson texted me 30 minutes before our appointment which he had made with me on the phone. I have a disability and had travelled about an hour and a half on public transportation to get there and was nearly at his office when he texted to cancel . Subsequent efforts to contact him failed, none of my phone calls were returned.
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19 May, 2022 by Rose
Working with this lawyer was a very heartbreaking experience. This person was completely unprofessional with clients as well as biased. This attorney represented my children whom were and are being neglected and in the process focused on my livelihood instead of the well-being and best interest of my children. My daughter now has a permanent disability and my son suffers from psychological issues due to this attorneys lack of concern in addressing my concerns to the court. Since our court proceeding this attorney has not followed up to see if my children are being nurtured nor has she done the do diligence to inform the courts of the current neglect and abuse. Also, their has not been a follow up with education or health care professionals. This persons attitude and demeanor does not constitute what people require in an attorney! Upon our initial interview I noticed how the attorneys focus was more concerning the other parent involved which had no bearing on my children's success.
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23 Jun, 2011 by Gary
Alfred James Antonini II, aka A. James Antonini II represented me in a legal case over my home. I am very dissatisfied with how Antonini handled my settlement, ignored my communications and did work I didn't approve or benefit from. A simple problem became very expensive for me. Lowest rating for being trustworthy. Lowest rating for responsive. Lowest rating for knowledge of real estate and tax law. Lowest rating on keeping me informed. I'm very dissatisfied with Alfred James Antonini II, attorney Hayward, Alameda County California.
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12 Jul, 2023 by David
My experience with Mr. Shock was the worst legal experience of my life. I experienced neglect, breach of confidence, and laziness. Just 13 days before a trial, he had still failed to get my medical records, and the matter at hand was a personal injury lawsuit. He said that if we went to trial, I would be personally liable for $50,000, payable to the defense. And I was in the car that got rear-ended in a nasty accident. For any competent attorney, this case would have been a slam dunk.
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08 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Ms. Goldman wasted 7 months of my time and money. She did little to advance my case, failing to solicit the Court's assistance in setting deadlines. The last straw was when she agreed with the other party's lawyer to change course without consulting me first! I am very disappointed by her lack of representation and found her incapable of defending my interests.
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24 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Contacte a este abogado para que me tramitara mi numero social, y me dijo que en 2 meses me tendría el numero. Me llamaba e insistía para que le depositara por el trabajo, le deposite y nunca mas volvió a contestar mis llamadas ni mensajes, tengan cuidado que no es abogado es un estafador. Por fortuna cuento con el registro del deposito que esta a su nombre, y lo denunciare al colegio de abogados.
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21 May, 2015 by Joseph hill
I had a traffic accident and hired Mr Mandel as my attorney and I was very unsatisfied with his handling of my case, My doctor was willing to sign off on my injuries connected with the accident and he never requested his opinion even after advising him what my doctors said, he wasn't willing to stand up to the opposing attorney, or anything he had me to settle for $2500 when my case was worth more than $25000 for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical, which will last a lifetime and that I have filed disability over
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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:

  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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