Lawyers map
>207
experienced lawyers
Filter by
16 Jan, 2025 by John
Legal settings and situations can produce anxiety and uncertainty, but not with The Private Firm. I felt comfortable and at ease from my very first conversation with Reese, all the way through the process of setting up a Special Needs Trust, a will and durable Power of Attorney. The Private Firm patiently and professionally answered every question, covered all the bases and built all of the legal documents we needed, presented in a high-end binder. Top to bottom, front to back, an excellent experience for a very fair price. If I could give Reese and Matt more than 5 stars, I would. Thank you!
Read more
26 Nov, 2024 by Kyle wormlight
responsive, respectful, honest, and professional. Cant ask for more in my opinion.
Read more
25 Nov, 2024 by Kyle
responsive, respectful, honest, and professional. Cant ask for more in my opinion. Used in a number of instances and always the same positive results.
Read more
13 Nov, 2024 by Jessica chene
I have never needed an attorney before until something came up. My old employer had accusations against me that were untrue and I consulted Seth. He was knowledgeable, professional and helped ease my mind through the process. It was a lengthy process but well worth it. Seth helped me win my case. I would highly recommend him.
Read more
08 Sep, 2024 by Samantha beasley
Seth was extremely helpful with working through a clawback contract with a previous employer. He was extremely responsive and answered all of our questions.
Read more
26 Jun, 2024 by Emery max
Seth was prompt, communicated clearly, and solved my issue quickly. Looking forward to working with him again!
Read more
04 Nov, 2023 by Tim
I've been a client of Richard J. Alef, CPA and tax attorney for many years, and I can't say enough about how grateful I am for his outstanding services. Rick has consistently gone above and beyond to assist me with my tax and IRS-related matters. He has spent hours on the phone with the IRS on my behalf, which is a level of dedication and support that is truly commendable.
Mr. Alef's guidance and expertise have been invaluable to me. He has provided me with all the advice, counsel, information, and direction necessary to navigate complex tax issues. What sets him apart is not only his competence but also his honesty, clarity, and direct approach to tackling even the most challenging situations. I always felt like I was in capable hands when planning our approach to these difficult matters.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Richard J. Alef to anyone in need of a CPA and tax attorney. He is not only an excellent and thoughtful attorney but also a professional who genuinely cares about his clients' well-being. The relief I felt when we were granted a favorable decision was immeasurable, and I firmly believe it was largely due to the expert counsel I received from Attorney Alef.
If you're looking for a trustworthy, experienced, and dedicated professional to help you with your tax and legal matters, look no further than Richard J. Alef. He's the kind of attorney you want on your side, and I can't thank him enough for his continued support over the years.
Read more
01 Sep, 2021 by A.m.
In a challenging situation it was truly a pleasure to work with Mr. Franklin. After the first phone call I had a better grip on the situation. His approach yielded better results than I would have hoped for. He is highly responsive and professional. I greatly appreciate his efficiency and effectiveness!
Read more
29 Aug, 2014 by John
Mr. Alef, provided all the advice, counsel, information and direction that was needed. I would recommend him to friend, family, or business associates. Not only is he a good and thoughtful attorney, i found him to be direct, honest and clear in his planning our approach to a difficult situation. You can imagine my relief when we were granted a favorable decision. i feel this occurred because of the counsel received from Attorney Alef.
Read more
26 Feb, 2025 by Claudia laframboise
Mary thank you so much. It was a pleasure to have you help me with my settlement. You worked really hard and I appreciate everything you have done for me. If I ever need a lawyer you will be the first one I will call. Thanks again
Read more
01 Feb, 2025 by Alex lee
Hiring Mark for a ticket I got was a great choice. He gave me peace of mind through the whole process and was able to help me tremendously, doing much more for the situation than I would have been able to do on my own. I’m so grateful for his help!
Read more
22 Jan, 2025 by Ming hui goh
I have been working with Mark for many times and have always been impressed with their responsiveness and reliability. Their consistency keep me informed and communicate clearly throughout the process. Don't look any further, their services are dependable and professional.
Read more
22 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
Incredibly informational (I got all my preliminarily questions answered for free), kind, respectful, professional, knowledgeable, thorough to answer all of my questions, not at all a rushed conversation, felt very at ease and comfortable explaining my tough situation, will 100000% contact for any future legal issues or questions and wish I had used his services in my other legal matters. Though I’m In a difficult situation right now, I actually look forward to the possibility of court knowing Jeff would represent
Read more
01 Sep, 2021 by A.m.
In a challenging situation it was truly a pleasure to work with Mr. Franklin. After the first phone call I had a better grip on the situation. His approach yielded better results than I would have hoped for. He is highly responsive and professional. I greatly appreciate his efficiency and effectiveness!
Read more
07 Mar, 2019 by Christine
I hired Jeff Franklin about 3 years ago. He has resolved custody, divorce, and a legal case for me. He is very knowledgeable. Very respectful and polite to both parties. Every circumstance is different but if your doing the right thing all the time then he will make sure you get what you rightfully deserve. I.E. I have full custody of my son, divorce was a breeze, and got out of a bind with the law almost as soon as I hired him(I had a different attorney at first and was in some trouble for a while til I hired Jeff). He does great work and fast for how slow the courts can be. If I ever needed a attorney again, I would hired him again. I highly recommend Jeff Franklin!
Read more
16 Nov, 2023 by Richard
Allan is a bright, experienced, local attorney that calmed me down at the right moments and kept me focused during my proceeding. He was also upfront about his price and it was very fair.
Read more
01 Sep, 2021 by A.m.
In a challenging situation it was truly a pleasure to work with Mr. Franklin. After the first phone call I had a better grip on the situation. His approach yielded better results than I would have hoped for. He is highly responsive and professional. I greatly appreciate his efficiency and effectiveness!
Read more
23 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
It was a process and took some time. Alan was usually available and quick to respond. He was upfront with the cost and his strategy was spot on. I think he knew what the other side was going to do before they did. If you have a labor issue, he is the person you need.
Read more
26 Feb, 2025 by Claudia laframboise
Mary thank you so much. It was a pleasure to have you help me with my settlement. You worked really hard and I appreciate everything you have done for me. If I ever need a lawyer you will be the first one I will call. Thanks again
Read more
01 Feb, 2025 by Alex lee
Hiring Mark for a ticket I got was a great choice. He gave me peace of mind through the whole process and was able to help me tremendously, doing much more for the situation than I would have been able to do on my own. I’m so grateful for his help!
Read more
22 Jan, 2025 by Ming hui goh
I have been working with Mark for many times and have always been impressed with their responsiveness and reliability. Their consistency keep me informed and communicate clearly throughout the process. Don't look any further, their services are dependable and professional.
Read more
27 Dec, 2022 by Crystal
Mike has helped my family with all of our estate planning needs. The firm specializes in asset protection and it helps us rest easy known our stuff is protected! Highly recommended for all things estate planning, elder law and probate! 5 stars!!
Read more
01 Sep, 2022 by Christine
I highly recommend the experts at Rutkowski Law Firm for anyone seeking Estate Planning or Elder Care Law. The team at Rutkowski Law worked with us to create an Asset Protection Trust and Power of Attorney to ensure all of my parent’s assets were protected. The level of professionalism and personalized approach they provide to their clients is exceptional.
It’s been 3 years since I first met with the team to set up the family Trust and POA’s. Since then, they have continued to be a resource anytime we have questions or need guidance related to our estate plan.
Rutkowski Law has continued to go above and beyond all of my expectations and I’m sure they will do the same for you!
Read more
24 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
The staff was friendly, professional and also, responsive to inquiries, both in person and over the telephone. *****************************************************************************************************************************************
Read more
03 Feb, 2021 by Erica
I am very fortunate to have found Mr. Marchese. I was given an impossible task of finding a lawyer with little time and in a different state than I lived in. When I reached out to the office online at 8pm, I was not expecting an email back that same evening, let alone within 30 minutes.
Mr. Marchese personally emailed me about my concerns and agreed to meet with me the next day. One of the things that makes him stand out against other lawyers is his responsiveness and ability to write about case law. I had multiple people tell me how lucky I was to have a lawyer who responded to emails and phone quickly as Mr. Marchese did.
This was my first time ever hiring a lawyer, I did not know what to expect.
Mr. Marchese is the person you want to hire if you’re looking for a fair and try-hard lawyer.
Mr. Marchese knowledge of case law is so vast that our the Judge complimented on his writing. There was absolutely no comparison between his writing and understanding of the law vs. the opposing counsel. Once again, I was very fortunate to have him as my attorney.
I found Mr. Marchese to be very understanding, empathetic and honorable. Nobody wants to go through a divorce, custody battle or fight false allegations. I can honestly say that Mr. Marchese tries to see both sides of the coin, which is absolutely necessary in these type of circumstances. Family law, I have learned, is not black and white.
The foundation that Mr. Marchese laid for my case will always be greatly appreciated. When you have a lawyer that fights for justice and the truth, like Mr. Marchese practices, in the end...You cannot fail.
Thank you for making me feel heard and helping me through this extremely difficult process.
Read more
10 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
Our divorce was essentially a financial number crunch. Dan worked diligently to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. Dan will make efficient use of your time and his.
Read more
09 Dec, 2018 by Heather
I looked at reviews on Avvo when I needed to find a new lawyer to take over my previous lawyer's subpar job on my case after 6 months. I saw Daniel's reviews and decided to take a chance. I'm glad I did! He did more for me in the 3 months on my case than my previous lawyer, and everything was done via phone and email as I had moved out of state earlier this year. I would recommend Daniel to anyone wanting a great lawyer.
Read more
10 Jan, 2020 by Jeremy
Ryan Kasak is different.
5 star is not enough for Ryan Kasak.
Very professional from start to end.
Communication was always clear, straight forward, descriptive, detailed and very patient for the emotional client.
Not because he made the best outcome in my incident, he is super knowledgeable and has a clear insight into the situations.
Just get the free consultation first then you will get what I mean.
Read more
18 Dec, 2018 by Dennis
Ryan is an excellent Lawyer who helped me create my Will and Power of Attorney Documents. He has very high standards and morals along with being very friendly and hard working. I highly recommend him as a Lawyer!
Read more
25 Nov, 2018 by Marco
Mr. Kasak was extremely understanding, compassionate, timely and keep me posted of any changes in my case, as well as, educated me on the process. His prices are very competitive and very fair for my circumstance. I would highly recommend him !!!
Read more
15 Oct, 2024 by Mark
Michael was amazing! I made a mistake. Probation requirements with my life being put on hold till I completed all the steps. When it came time for sentencing and eventually early release request Mike was great! I am now FREE again and back on the right path! Thanks Mike!
Read more
27 Oct, 2017 by Jodi
My husband and I hired Mr. Bennion when we were unexpectedly served papers regarding a paternity/ child custody case. From the moment we consulted with him we felt confident in his knowledge and ability to handle a “unique/difficult “ case such as ours. He delivered on his promises and kept us realistically informed on all matters. I would HIGHLY recommend hiring him!
Read more
29 Feb, 2016 by Gary
Mike Bennion provided the estate legal services for my most recent will. I felt confident and comfortable with the insights that he shared with me. Mike provided all the information that I needed to make difficult decisions easier.
Read more
14 Mar, 2024 by Jilljanine1974
Michael Oblizajek recently represented me in a (divorce related) post judgement matter. I was very impressed upon first meeting Michael, as his manner is very professional, polite and empathetic. As someone who becomes anxious when faced with being in a courtroom, I am very thankful that Michael was able to ease my concerns and make me feel very comfortable. He is also very knowledgable in his field and I would highly recommend him to my family and friends.
Read more
28 Aug, 2013 by "doc"
I couldn't be happier with my decision to hire Mr. Seth Gould,of Wienner and Gould to represent me! I found him to be very professional and very knowledgeable.Add in the fact that he is very kind, very caring, & very compassionate and you have a winner.(I realize that Mrs. Grissom, my high school English teacher would probably take points off because she would have felt I overused the word "very" but I feel so strongly about Seth's positive qualities, I used it anyway). Seth is a real gem & I highly recommend him.Let me tell you a little bit about how I came to employ Seth.I live in Ohio and after about two years of litigation in Ohio, with the help of my Ohio attorney, I received a judgement against a former tenant of mine.I was happy to have won the case but collecting on my judgement would prove more daunting than I had anticipated.Rather than pay me, the debtor went into "stall" mode & then when he felt the timing was in his favor, he ran up to his summer cottage in Michigan & filed for bankruptcy.I'm pretty sure he thought that by making it as difficult as possible (and expensive as possible) for me to pursue him, I would give up.That turned out to be a major miscalculation on his part. I'm not the kind to let someone get away scott free.However, in order to pursue him, I needed to secure an attorney licensed in Michigan. Back in late 2010 or early 2011, my Columbus attorney recommended Seth. Seth and I got the ball rolling via email and a couple of phone calls. When it was time to take the debtor's deposition, my wife and I traveled to Michigan to meet Seth for the first time. We met for a brief lunch at a restaurant near the deposition site. My impression of him and his expertise was already high but within minutes of meeting Seth for the first time, I was even more certain that I was in good hands.He is soft spoken, very articulate and very polite.(There I go again using that word "very."Sorry Mrs.Grissom) He also seemed genuinly concerned that we keep my legal costs as low as possible without compromising quality. Anyone who has had to use the legal system for a business matter knows just how unpredictable the results can be. Seth was very careful to try and manage my expectations. He never promised me things he knew were out of his control. He did, however, promise me that he would work diligently and tirelessly to help me win my case. At first, despite Seth's expert work, it looked like we had lost our case. However, not once did I blame Seth. I knew he had provided the judge with everything he needed to find in our favor. For whatever reason, though, the judge granted my debtor's bankruptcy request. I don't know why, maybe he had a 2pm tee time or something and was in too much of a hurry to actually read the facts of the case but, for a short period, it looked like I had lost. In telling me this news, Seth was very professional and very compassionate. He seemed genuinely sorry. He even said to me that I may want to save on legal bills by walking away and not filing an appeal. After all, at that point, between my Columbus attorney and Seth, I had spent almost as much on legal bills as I was owed by my debtor. Here is where the story gets good. I was so confident in Seth's ability, I decided to file an appeal. Seth said he was happy to do so but reminded me there were no guarantees.My answer was something to the effect of "I think the chance of getting two bad judges in a row is very low and I am willing to try." He rolled up his sleeves and with the expert help of his staff, he submitted very detailed, timely reply briefs to the appeals court.My comment to Seth after reading his brief was "If this judge has at least an eighth grade education & takes the time to actually read what you wrote, we win."Seth again reminded me that there is no way to predict the outcome. While my brain was telling me he was right, my heart knew he was wrong. The appeals court judge found in our favor. Thanks to Seth,my heart was right!
Read more
22 Oct, 2015 by John
Excellent Attorney- willing to take on a hard/difficult case that took 3 plus years to win a 7 figure settlement. I found this attorney to be very straight forward and did exactly what she said she would do .
Read more
27 May, 2010 by Anonymous
The other parties attorney was totally outclassed by Mr. Viar, He was one step ahead of them, on every point. He knew the law inside and out.I was very pleased with the outcome and would DEFINETLY recomend him.
Read more
09 Dec, 2024 by Lisa bidinger
06 May, 2024 by Ben turner
When someone says “make sure you hire a really good lawyer” they’re talking about Brad and his son, Dan.
Brad was extremely knowledgeable, professional, passionate, honest, and communicative throughout the entire process.
Not only did I win my case but the the plaintiff filed an order for early dismissal which I attribute to Brad’s excellent preparation prior to the first court appearance. Thank you!
Read more
09 Jan, 2024 by Angela mitchell
Lambert Law represented me in a business matter, and I was so happy with their services. They walked me through the process step by step and patiently answered all of my questions. They listened to my thoughts and concerns and gave me solid guidance along the way. My situation resulted in a hearing in front of the judge, and I was so impressed by Brad's professional manner in front of the judge. It was a stark contrast to the other attorney which I think played a large role in a positive ruling for me. I would highly recommend the services of Lambert Law!
Read more
10 Jan, 2025 by Bobbie gragson
Your message “We treat clients like family”motto, has every bit of truth behind it. While spending a lot of time with Tonya on the phone going over details of my case, she is extremely professional, Kind, empathetic, sympathetic and patient. I really feel like she has treated me like a loving family member. If I didn’t live in another state, I would give all my business to whomever is employing Tonya. She’s dedicated and very competent in her career. We need more of you in this world Tonya. What a great example to folios for me.
Thank you
Read more
12 Dec, 2024 by Jim hayes
My cousin was involved in a rollover accident in Macomb County when a driver ran a stop sign and t-boned his car, unfortunately putting him into a coma. Thankfully Heather was able to step in and get my family the benefits from the insurance company they needed to help in the recovery. Thanks! We really appreciate it.
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Mark sisson
Fantastic attorney and better person!! Would not hesitate to use in a time of need.
Read more
24 Nov, 2024 by Mac baldwin
Was recommended to utilize Joe Coraci as an estate planner from my local financial advisor. I figured anyone my financial advisor whom I've known and trust would be a great fit. Certainly was not wrong. Joe made a seemingly complex matter simple to understand. That said, I'm glad we hired him, this is a task I likely would never have accomplished on my own. Attached are photos of a simple will and trust.
Read more
22 Nov, 2024 by Ashok kumar
Joe is great to work with! He made the estate planning process easy to understand and follow. We highly recommend him!
Read more
19 Nov, 2024 by Daniel litvin
Working with Joe Coraci was great! We considered three other estate planning attorneys before choosing Joe and Estate Planning Solutions. It was just a great fit, down to earth, fun to work with and Joe is a true professional and an expert in his field. We would gladly recommend Joe to anyone needing estate planning.
Read more
18 Jan, 2011 by Lori
Carly Van Thomme helped me with my divorce. She was very knowledgeable about the process, professional and corresponded on a timely manner. She made the whole procedure less frightening to me.
Read more
10 Jan, 2011 by Tina
Carly A. Van Thomme is a well educated, highly motivated and morally responsible attorney. Her extensive education, experience, and attention to detail, make her the "Right One For The Job."
Read more
03 Dec, 2010 by Bill
in 1997 i had a commercial land lord tennant case and i lost by default since i was under the impression that i was being represented by another attorney. Jamal not only set aside the default, which kept me in the premises so that I could operate my business, but he took a creative approach that resulted in me receiving a settlement worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Read more
08 Jul, 2010 by Anonymous
Mr. Hamood won a Multi-Million Dollar case for me and my family in a case that other lawyers, including big law firms, would not even consider taking. As for any ethical issues, I have, and do, trust him with millions of dollars on a daily basis.
Read more
05 Jun, 2015 by Collin
At probably the lowest and toughest point in my life Rick Urbis was there for me. I needed representation in a state I did not live in and was lucky enough to find solid and knowledgable representation with Rick. I recommend him highly.
Read more
21 Feb, 2012 by Laurie
Mr. Urbis is extremely professional, willing to do whatever it takes to do his job. He has been my attorney for several years now, and I would HIGHLY recommend him to ANYONE! Mr. Urbis went above and beyond what was expected of him, just to help me!
Read more
20 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
Steve was great during my dui case. He helped me a lot and always answered my questions and worked with me on any matters that came up during my case. I felt very confident with him. Outcome of the case was better than I expected too thanks to Steve.
Read more
13 Nov, 2017 by Samaria
Karen is an amazing compassionate attorney caring for the well being of her clients as well as society. Our OAKLAND county judge Lisa A Adodorian said she is a great attorney today. We are grateful to have her as our representative.
Read more
01 Sep, 2021 by A.m.
In a challenging situation it was truly a pleasure to work with Mr. Franklin. After the first phone call I had a better grip on the situation. His approach yielded better results than I would have hoped for. He is highly responsive and professional. I greatly appreciate his efficiency and effectiveness!
Read more
01 Sep, 2021 by A.m.
In a challenging situation it was truly a pleasure to work with Mr. Franklin. After the first phone call I had a better grip on the situation. His approach yielded better results than I would have hoped for. He is highly responsive and professional. I greatly appreciate his efficiency and effectiveness!
Read more
14 Aug, 2024 by Dyqueasha
Craig is a great lawyer he fault my case hard and wasn’t taking no or a bad outcome for me I appreciate him and would keep him as my lawyer for anything
Read more
15 Aug, 2023 by Shelby
Craig was an outstanding attorney! Be faught, battled, and presented the most outstanding couth when needed.Two long years but finally over. Thank you for all your hard work!
Read more
15 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
I have never heard of or seen anyone work harder than Craig !! He actually cares about people and that care is put into his fight to get not only what you deserve but what you need !! I trust him with my life and my family’s life !
Read more
24 Nov, 2024 by Mac baldwin
Was recommended to utilize Joe Coraci as an estate planner from my local financial advisor. I figured anyone my financial advisor whom I've known and trust would be a great fit. Certainly was not wrong. Joe made a seemingly complex matter simple to understand. That said, I'm glad we hired him, this is a task I likely would never have accomplished on my own. Attached are photos of a simple will and trust.
Read more
22 Nov, 2024 by Ashok kumar
Joe is great to work with! He made the estate planning process easy to understand and follow. We highly recommend him!
Read more
19 Nov, 2024 by Daniel litvin
Working with Joe Coraci was great! We considered three other estate planning attorneys before choosing Joe and Estate Planning Solutions. It was just a great fit, down to earth, fun to work with and Joe is a true professional and an expert in his field. We would gladly recommend Joe to anyone needing estate planning.
Read more
24 Nov, 2024 by Mac baldwin
Was recommended to utilize Joe Coraci as an estate planner from my local financial advisor. I figured anyone my financial advisor whom I've known and trust would be a great fit. Certainly was not wrong. Joe made a seemingly complex matter simple to understand. That said, I'm glad we hired him, this is a task I likely would never have accomplished on my own. Attached are photos of a simple will and trust.
Read more
22 Nov, 2024 by Ashok kumar
Joe is great to work with! He made the estate planning process easy to understand and follow. We highly recommend him!
Read more
19 Nov, 2024 by Daniel litvin
Working with Joe Coraci was great! We considered three other estate planning attorneys before choosing Joe and Estate Planning Solutions. It was just a great fit, down to earth, fun to work with and Joe is a true professional and an expert in his field. We would gladly recommend Joe to anyone needing estate planning.
Read more
20 Jun, 2024 by Marisa landry
27 May, 2024 by Furqan memon
Called and emailed with a request to setup a time for consultation for a real estate matter but was never responded to
UPDATE: Paul reached out to me shortly after the review and was able to get me the information I needed with a clear understanding of how to move forward regarding my matter. I would recommend reaching out to him if you have any legal needs regarding real estate.
Read more
29 Apr, 2024 by Gail young
05 Sep, 2024 by Hadi omar
I had a great experience with Miller Law. They were always quick to respond to any questions I had and kept me informed throughout my case. Their expertise and attention to detail really showed, and I am extremely happy with the outcome. I felt confident knowing they were handling my case!
Read more
05 Sep, 2024 by Ehab awad
Working with Miller Law Firm was a great decision. They took care of my case efficiently and with great attention to detail. Their communication was excellent, and I always felt confident that my case was in the best hands. Thanks to their hard work, the process was smooth and successful. Highly recommend their services!
Read more
05 Sep, 2024 by Ehab awad
Miller Law Firm went above and beyond in handling my case. They were incredibly thorough, always keeping me updated and ensuring that every step was smooth and stress-free. I couldn’t have asked for better legal support. Their expertise and commitment truly shone through, and I’m grateful for the positive outcome. Highly recommend! Thank you Powell , Brian and Jacob!
Read more
Find Your Lawyer
By Practice Area
-
Business
-
Real Estate
-
Estate Planning
-
Litigation
-
Family Law
-
Criminal Defense
-
Personal Injury
-
Government
-
Intellectual Property
-
Class Action
-
Consumer Protection
-
Elder Law
-
Insurance
-
Appeals
-
Entertainment
-
Probate
-
Tax
-
Bankruptcy
-
Car Accident
-
Civil Rights
-
Trusts
-
Cannabis Law
-
Copyright Application
-
Immigration
-
Debt Collection
-
Discrimination
-
Divorce
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Workers Compensation
-
Wrongful Death
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.
