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25 Nov, 2020 by Rachel
We retained Thomas Gambino to help resolve my daughter's family court case. Not only was he wildly expensive compared to most other attorneys in the area, but he wasn't even able to effectively represent her. She ended up losing her son due to his gross incompetence. Worst of all, he repeatedly made sexually charged comments about her appearance while she was alone with him at his office. STAY AWAY!!
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18 Oct, 2012 by Anonymous
Gambino made fraudulent charges on my retainer. I was charged for calls that I never made because I was away on vacation. These charges were made on my retainer. I am going to go to the board with my retainer and proof I was away and phone was off!! When I actually did try calling he wouldn't return calls. He also gave me an incompetant PI and Gambino still charged me even though his PI had no clue his system wasn't working for 2 weeks.
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22 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Almost unresponsive to any communication, no way to reach this attorney either directly or through his paralegal. As soon as he gets the initial retainer, he has no desire to pursue further. Didn’t even draft up our initial demand letter to the client. Will definitely jeopardize your case. Run away and hire someone else,
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17 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
Rick Duvall represented me for nine months in a litigation matter, and I was forced to fire him after concluding that his continued representation would jeopardize my case. He was uncommunicative, did not pursue the agreed upon tasks and strategy, and was absurdly slow getting work done. Simple subpoenas that he agreed to issue and stated could be easily done took five months to produce despite numerous reminders and inquiries into their delays. Emails and phone messages would go unreturned for weeks at a time. He also failed to inform me of correspondence he had received on my case. He billed for work that was not requested. In the entire time he was retained, not once did he communicate directly with opposing counsel. He may be technically capable, which perhaps explains his good peer reviews, but ultimately it became clear that his time and case management skills were so poor that he had to be terminated to avoid further waste of time and money and risk of a negative outcome on my case.
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22 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Goldstein has a large number of cases on the docket in Poughkeepsie at any given time. He churns his clients through with the least amount of work possible. He gives no attention to any given case,he just counts on volume for money. He was not responsive to any contact I attempted,in fact he kept important court dates from me. His work is sloppy at best,and I found him to be lacking in basic knowledge . Find another attorney to serve your needs.
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28 Aug, 2017 by David
Should not be practicing any kind of real estate law. Brought him my case and totally botched every. Never contacted anyone. Did no research and if he had he would have found a major conflict of interest in the opposing side.
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11 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Stay away from this attorney
She has stole money from my company
Thereafter she will not pick up the phone and when picks up she will hang up on you
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28 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
As soon as my case was done he never answered another phone call, email, and a certified letter was even refused. All I wanted was clarification on the final disposition of my case.
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22 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
Not knowledgeable at all. I found her unprofessional as well. She pretty much had no idea what was going on. She appeared very nervous in court. I would not use her if you are looking for an aggressive attorney to fight for you.
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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. -
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:
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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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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.
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Complexity of the Case:
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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.
