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28 Apr, 2024 by Dahlia angel
Great attorney and very caring. I have been working with Michael for many years and I consider him the best in Sarasota and Tampa area.
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04 Oct, 2023 by Stacey miller
Michael France doesn’t care about you or your problems
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10 Jan, 2022 by Ken yunker
We are so grateful for Tim Rudge and his paralegal, Mitzi for their work on our case. To start, they rescued our stalled case from our own bad choice of first attny. Tim took over and got our case going in the correct direction right away. He clearly explained every step and option we had in our case and executed our choices promptly with no ego or agenda. Tim and Mitzi were always easy to reach, we never waited more than 24hrs for answers. Mitzi copied us on documents and emails, usually the same business day, and always made sure we understood them and didn't have any questions. For our first legal experience, we couldn't be happier to have found these two to represent us.
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27 Jun, 2023 by Peggy slichter
Kevin Sanderson was wonderful; caring, attentive, approachable, knowledgeable and very professional while he worked on my case. He was always willing to go to bat for me when I first approached him with my situation, when no other attorney would. He would always offer his advice, and allowed me to provide my feelings on the matter. I highly recommend him over any other attorney. Thank you Kevin, for everything!
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28 Feb, 2023 by Daniel chiles
Mr Sanderson was great and I give him 5 stars and he helped me alot
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28 Feb, 2023 by Amanda coton
I do not understand the negative reviews.Kevin was the ultimate professional. His handling of my case was exceptional and exceeded my expectations.I have referred friends and co workers to Kevin and all have been pleased with the outcome of their cases.
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15 Dec, 2023 by Hannah
I hired her for a prenuptial agreement, before we started the process my fiancée had an extreme accident with a skull fracture and a speech impairment, we no longer could go through with the wedding, as he wasn’t in the right state in mind. She gave no sympathy for our situation and wouldn’t let us back out of our agreement even though we never attended a meeting with her. My fiancée was in the hospital unconscious for 2 weeks and she cared more about receiving her check than being a decent person. She got her money. I still don’t have a prenup.
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09 Jan, 2018 by Debbie
Jennifer McClain has been my divorce lawyer now for 7 years ! There has been appeal after appeal, motion after motion and Jennifer was always right there for me. I think she is an amazing lawyer and is excellent in the court room. Thank you for helping me through such a terrible divorce that is still on going.
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25 Jul, 2015 by Lori
Jennifer handled my divorce with skill and compassion. Because she has been through a divorce as well, her combination of personal and professional experience is the ideal mix for helping you navigate what may be the most painful event in your life. She returned all of my calls and emails the same day. Jennifer works hard to find an amicable and affordable resolution. My divorce was finalized four months from our first meeting.
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18 May, 2024 by Anthony smith
I paid for this guy to handle my wife's custody case. He ignored her and didn't even show up to a court date. We got tired of it so hired another lawyer and when the lawyer looked in to the case he found out that whitney coyne lied about two motions he filed. The man didn't even file the motions. My wife almost lost custody of her children due to this man's lies.
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31 Oct, 2023 by Camille hoskins
VERY HARD to get a hold of even during business hours, and WAITS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE if not longer to prepare witnesses you provide and important information for your case. Hired Whitney for a restraining order as well as domestic abuse charges involving the same person. Told upfront taking care of the situation(s) with person to be handled was $5000. After ONLY FILING the injunction he refused to do any further without further pay, even to just move for contempt of court when my restraining order was violated!!!! Overpriced and absolutely not worth it. Paid 5k for something SPARC could’ve done for free and was left feeling abandoned when I asked for help involving the same case. Not aggressive in court, I was verbally attacked by the defendants lawyer and he never objected or interrupted once on my behalf.
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13 Mar, 2023 by Nadia miree
My husband and I hired Whitney back in 2018 , we have had to work with him for several family court concerns and he has been remarkably successful in helping us get what we wanted, he is patient, he listens to what YOU want , advises the most honest way to help you do what’s best for your case and from our experience his knowledge and advice gave us results we wanted!
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18 May, 2024 by Anthony smith
I paid for this guy to handle my wife's custody case. He ignored her and didn't even show up to a court date. We got tired of it so hired another lawyer and when the lawyer looked in to the case he found out that whitney coyne lied about two motions he filed. The man didn't even file the motions. My wife almost lost custody of her children due to this man's lies.
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31 Oct, 2023 by Camille hoskins
VERY HARD to get a hold of even during business hours, and WAITS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE if not longer to prepare witnesses you provide and important information for your case. Hired Whitney for a restraining order as well as domestic abuse charges involving the same person. Told upfront taking care of the situation(s) with person to be handled was $5000. After ONLY FILING the injunction he refused to do any further without further pay, even to just move for contempt of court when my restraining order was violated!!!! Overpriced and absolutely not worth it. Paid 5k for something SPARC could’ve done for free and was left feeling abandoned when I asked for help involving the same case. Not aggressive in court, I was verbally attacked by the defendants lawyer and he never objected or interrupted once on my behalf.
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19 Jun, 2023 by Brian
I hired Dana J Watts for a civil issue I had with a local business which is known for conning customers. Mr. Watts didn’t provide his fiduciary duty. Mr. Watts also billed me beyond what was agreed upon, what was against his own advice to me in our first meeting. He referred to the defendant’s lawyer as a nobody and said that he would know he has to back down if you hire me. All Mr. Watts did was con me like the business I hired him to go against.
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06 Oct, 2024 by Kamala
This loser wasted more time hating on Trump in Twitter than ever defending me on my case. Id often find him tweeting vitriol towards Trump during my case in court. One time, the Judge had to repeatedly ask him questions, as he was too distracted with posting hateful Tweets online. I lost my case because of Ron.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Ron is an unprofessional buffoon who spends his entire day tweeting anti trump propoganda. He hates this country and wants open borders higher taxes gender surgeries for minors and abortion on tap. Total chine
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27 Jul, 2023 by Shannon greer
Ron is a great lawyer we went over things and he told me what he could do for me. Even though I wasn't able to call him every five minutes with questions that came to mind,the end result was exactly what we discussed. He's a good lawyer and does his homework. I've dealt with him myself,friends,family and others I have referred and I've never heard a single bad outcome or anyone who was upset with the agreed outcome. I'm very thankful I got to k own him and I always feel I could call him with anything. If you don't pay your lawyer they don't work for you.Nobody works for free time is money. So thankful for him many times over.
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23 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
This Lawyer Mary Clapp did business with a timeshare exit company called Vacation Consulting which was a scam! Her firm is dishonest and please do not do any business with her firm. I called and tried to resolve my issues but no returns or response. It's sad that people like her take advantage of people. She has stole thousands of dollars from people who thought she was helping only to find out she was a part of the scam as well. PLEASE AND I WARN YOU DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH THIS LAW FIRM
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28 Feb, 2023 by Dinesh
Absolutely satisfied with the service she offered;She helped me acquiring existing cleaning franchise business,also dealt with franchisor to go everything smoother ,efficiently in cost efficient way.She has great knowledge for franchise business buying process.
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03 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired Mary and payed her $12000 to do her job and now I’m going through a terrible time due to her inability to do her job she won’t return phone calls , emails, no correspondence what so ever after numerous attempts terrible
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15 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
During the initial consultation he told me he had represented a client with a similar charge to mine. He said he got the restitution amount from $5 million to $600. After I retained him and confronted him with these statements, he admitted that there was an error in the way the money was added (did not use GAAP)! So it had nothing to do with his ability to negotiate or his legal expertise. Burzynski made several unilateral decisions without consulting me. For example, about three months before the scheduled trial, he deposed some witnesses. BUT he did not have the depositions transcribed, he said to save me money AND because he knew we would not be going to trial! Now I need a summary of the depositions and he will do it for $300.00. In addition, he did not explain to me the repercussions of accepting the guilty verdict, such as the effects it would have on my professional license (probably will lose it). However, if you are an attractive younger woman, I am positive he WILL represent you to the best of his ability. Burzynski was awe struck by a younger woman I had brought with me to a couple of our meetings. He continued to talk about her weeks after meeting her.
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24 Oct, 2014 by Joel
Was in a pissing match with a guy who i believe was in the witness protection service. The guy had me charged with a felony. He had his step son who was a marine attempt to kill me. I survived. Fled the state. He informed me to get on a plane for court and take the next flight out and do not come back. Adj was with held. I can legally say I was not found guilty. And I am alive today. Smart man.
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25 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Was facing several 1st degree (capital) offenses. After 2yrs of this case going through the legal system, my case went to trial. NOT GUILTY on ALL charges. He kept an innocent man from spending a mandatory rest of my life in prison. I now have a wife 2 kids and a great paying respectable job. I OWE THIS MAN MY LIFE.
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07 May, 2024 by Rebecca rose
Angela is the worst “lawyer”I’ve ever encountered. My firm has gone against 2 lawyers prior to Angela being the 3rd/ most current. She uses bullying/ intimidation tactics against opposing counsel because she isn’t capable of arguing Florida law and providing evidence. She only files to see what sticks. With her background she is well aware of state law yet disregards Florida law completely to the point I asked for her to be sanctioned in court and sent over to the bar. She is a liar. A manipulator and a bully. Nothing about her fights for the best interests of any child. She only cares about a paycheck and will file anything to get paid. There are way better firms and lawyers than her. She will not fight for your family or kids. Make sure you document everything from her and send her over to the attorney general and Florida bar.
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24 Jan, 2024 by Alissa gore
I have nothing but good things to say about Angela. She worked diligently to find out the truth in my very complicated case. She not only uncovered the truth, but she stood up for what was right and made great suggestions to make our complicated situation better. She held so much compassion for my child and she did her absolute best to have my child’s voice heard. Angela is knowledgeable, responsive, and trustworthy. I would recommend her to anyone. We had a fantastic experience.
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09 Jan, 2024 by Andrew peterson
Divorce is a necessary and potentially unpleasant ordeal. In the event this is necessary, I am both relieved and proud to say that the personal, kind, and extremely prepared talents of Angela Tobaygo Esquire was what took this process quickly and comfortably to the finish line. This firm really made me feel both vindicated and happy, ending what was once a beautiful marriage to the successful conclusion that honored the truth and justice it deserved. Top praise for humanity, integrity, and experience. Five Stars!
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28 Oct, 2019 by Gregg
I retained Kenneth M. Poole, Jr. as my attorney in June 2011. Ken was steadfast in his representation of me in long-drawn-out, post-divorce litigation that concluded in June 2019. Ken never once let me down in his knowledge of my case and its myriad of details. He was quick to produce documents when they were necessary, and I was often in awe at how he made the complex simple. Ken was a steady ship and wise counsel. I highly recommend.
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09 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Poole while I was getting divorce. I hired him because he belongs to a big firm, but that was it. I never heard before of him. What a terrible mistake!....After we spoke a couple of times, he told me that my case was too difficult and he prefer not to work with me. So I asked him if I could get the $2000 back that I gave him as a retainer fee, and of course he said no. I hired a second attorney. Yes, my case was difficult because my ex husband run away with my children, but this second attorney got me a mediation in just 3 days and got my children back. Do not hire Mr. Poole. You will lose your money.
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22 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
This attorney does very minimal work. I was asked to retain him by a partner in his firm and from day one I didnt have a good feeling but given the partner that asked me to retain him, I did. I have pretty much had to beg for proper legal information since that time. He filed some paperwork that anyone could have filed, sent some emails, allowed the other party in my case to threaten him in to bringing such a simple case to a halt and then decided he wanted to remove himself from my case. Beware.............. You get what you pay for.
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04 Feb, 2016 by L
Keith is a fantastic lawyer. Worked on my case for 3yrs and really fought for my case! I had horrible doctors and he kept working to get me a compitant one. He always replied to my emails fast. And as far as being a small firm, that makes them that much more one on one and not shoved somewhere on the back burner. To much corporate america these days if you ask me. When I moved out of state before my case was finished he worked and got me a case manager and hunted down a doctor from my new state that would take my out of state case. Amazingly this doctor was compitant as he wasn't paid off by the ins co and then just dump me. Finally got a settlement and couldn't be happier.
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27 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
Unfortunately, I made the huge mistake of hiring this layer/ law firm! He got nothing for me after several years of representation, while telling me my case was worth a couple hundred thousand. Not only did this lawyer deceive me, he caused tremendous hardship for me and my life/ future. I consulted other attorneys and they advised me he committed malpractice. He used to be a good attorney years ago. However, he is not anymore and his resources are limited. I would strongly recommend you hire a different attorney or law firm in the area or in a bigger city with better resources and or outcomes of cases. They talk a great talk when you call their office and lead you to believe you are making a great decision when hiring them, but DO NOT FALL PREY to this attorney/ law firm. Just to let you know, I found out later this person is his wife. They have one lawyer, one paralegal and one assistant. Thirty plus years as a layer sounds great on the surface, but when you think about it, that usually means they are old and operate in/ on old school ways (meaning they do not have the desire, ambition, or energy/ not in the prime of their career) plus if they are so great, why are they still working and not retired by now????
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12 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
She charged significantly more than expected nor agreed. Kathi did not get the results needed. The situation was not rectified by her despite my numerous valid concerns. Tens of thousands were spent on her services with completely unsatisfactory results. As a single mother I cannot afford to live now. I need help badly.
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03 Sep, 2018 by Lisa
I interviewed 6 different divorce attorneys before choosing Kate Halvorsen. I couldn't have made a better choice. It sounds cliche, but she's truly a diamond in the rough. Knowledgeable, sincere, hard-working, experienced, intelligent, perceptive... I could go on. But the things that really set her apart are her devotion to her clients and her personal and professional integrity. (A divorce lawyer with integrity? Hard to believe, I know, but it's true!) Divorce is never easy (avoid it if you can!), but I knew mine would be especially challenging. Kate has been fighting tirelessly for me and my children for over 3 years now, and I'm thankful every day that she's my attorney. (To clarify, Kate is not the reason my case has dragged on for so long -- my ex is. If it were up to us, it never would've gone to trial.) Ms. Halvorsen has been practicing family law for 25 years. As they say, this ain't her first rodeo. Her reputation for being honest, fair, level-headed, and a good listener makes her highly sought after as a mediator. With so much experience, she knows the Sarasota/Manatee legal community inside-out. If she can't answer your question, she'll tell you who can. Kate's very efficient. When she tells you she's going to do something, she does it, and she does it well. She's a one-lawyer practice -- that means she and her amazing assistant Pat do it all. Kate works hard to learn (and remember!) the details of your case. You get her - your case won't be outsourced to a lower-paid junior attorney. Her hourly rate isn't the lowest out there, but she's worth every penny. She's respectful of your budget, realistic in her estimates, and she doesn't pad the bill. (I check!) She won't promise you a happy ending where there isn't one; she's realistic. And she won't violate her ethical obligations for you. If that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere. Kate knows the law and uses it to full advantage. She's great under pressure, down-to-earth, quick-thinking, and she shines at coming up with creative solutions to complex problems. She gives solid, well-considered legal advice. Best of all, she CARES. Kate Halvorsen isn't just a good lawyer, she's a good person. I highly recommend her.
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17 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
My initial consultation was very comfortable and informative. Her staff continues to keep me informed and are honest even when i dont want to hear it. I would recommend her to anyone whos going through divorce.
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26 Mar, 2011 by Anonymous
She missed several hearings related to my case.
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13 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
I would not recommend this lawyer for anything. They dooped me, lied to me all to my detriment . Later i found another person they did the same thing too and he ended up spending more money to fix their mistakes.
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23 Dec, 2019 by Amanda
Alicia is an absolutely amazing lawyer. She fought tooth and nail when my fiance was killed in a motorcycle accident and I couldnt have been more happy with choosing her. This was almost 3 years ago and we still talk very often and she checks on me and my daughter at least once a week.
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05 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
I had a better than great experience with this attorney. Any question I had was answered and made me feel better about what I was going through. I truly felt like he had my best interest at heart. He was timely in returning my phone calls and was always professional and informative. I would certainly recomment him to anyone I know who got arrested!
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27 Oct, 2012 by Reta
Had a horrible experience with this attorney. Not to be trusted at all!! The worst decision of my life was to walk into this office. Terrible, terrible experience! A very, very dishonest guy. It is of my opinion that he dislikes women-- is threatened by them... and just wants to make an easy buck. Get a second opinion before ever hiring this man!!
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31 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
I had Ms. Johnson prepare powers of attorney and health documents. I found her to be very thorough and extremely patient when explaining things, even when asked many questions. I believe her fees to be very reasonable. I would highly recommend her to anyone.
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04 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
I paid $200 for a consultation with attorney Johnson on a real estate contract dispute. She glanced thru the contract, advised that I had no legal options available to me, and had to follow an order of specific performance to purchase a home. I got the impression that she didn't want to take on my case, so I went to another attorney for a second opinion. They were quickly able to find me a way out of the contract, and the matter was resolved.
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21 Jul, 2010 by John
We were passed from one lawyer in his firm to the next,each time having to start over with a new strategy.( none of them worked!).
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16 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
He understands and knows the law, however, he has worked for a state office his whole career, so he doesn't ever have to actually win clients, the state gives them to him. This means he has absolutely no client skills and is frankly... very rude, overbearing, and unenjoyable to work with. He does know the law, but I believe you can get another lawyer that knows the law, and also has good and healthy communication skills. He also did a very poor discovery process and was just trying to win the bid ASAP. Lesson to me, when I hire a lawyer next time... I will just have to sit and make them work through the discovery process before I hand over any money. Drew is very unprofessional and I wouldn't recommend him to anyone.
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15 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
It is with sadness that we announce the unexpected death of Ms. Antje Kingma on January 9, 2024. Please flag her account and sites accordingly.
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29 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
This woman is a nightmare. When someone is going through a divorce they are already obviously distraught and feeling bad about themselves. Angela is condescending and abusive in her dealings with clients. She, I believe condescends to make herself feel superior. She knows the law and her clients do not, that is why they need her. She doesn’t like to repeat or clarify law and expects the client to have a grasp of the proceedings, which no layman does. She has a trashy appearance and cannot handle anyone coming back at her with the same attitude she gives out. I’m not sure why she is so cruel, but obviously she has some issues to work through. Clients should not be paying to be abused, belittled, terrified, and reduced to tears. Her treatment is unacceptable and brings shame on her profession.
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04 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. SHE STRUNG ME ALONG FOUR YEARS, WAS HEARTLESS, UNSYMPATHETIC, CONTINUALLY WANTED ME TO PAY HER THOUSANDS MORE AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP ME. SHE GHOSTED ME THROUGH HER SECRETARY THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH HER SHE HOLLERED AT ME, LEFT ME IN TEARS AND ALMOST TOTALLY HOPELESS. SHE BILLED ME JUST TO SPEAK TO HER THE FEW TIMES I WAS ABLE TO. I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE THAT HIRES HER. SHE AND HER HUSBAND SHARE A DOWNTOWN SARASOTA. I ENDED UP HIRING ANOTHER ATTORNEY WHO FINISHED AND CLOSED MY DIVORCE IN LESS THAN A MONTH. IT SHOULD BE A CRIME TO FOR HER TO EVEN PRACTICE LAW!!! TOTAL SHAME. I ENDED UP PAYING HER THOUSANDS FOR NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT HIRE HER UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE TOTALLY HUMILIATED, AND EMBARRASSED, SHE LITERALLY ALMOST DESTROYED ME WHEN I WAS ALREADY BROKEN. SHE REPRESENTED ME VERY VERY POORLY. I HAD TO GO THROUGH HER HUSBANDS OFFICE TO EVEN GET A ANSWER TO MY CALL. I AM GOING TO LET GOD HANDLE HER BECAUSE TO TREAT ME THE WAY SHE DID WAS A TOTAL DISGRACE. I WAS MARRIED UNDER 6 YEARS, NO CHILDREN OR PROPERTY, AND SHE STRUNG ME ALONG FOR 4 YEARS - I ADMIT i GOT TOTALLY RIPPED OFF AND AGAIN HAD TO PAY ANOTHER LAWYER TO FINISH MY DIVORCE.
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14 Dec, 2023 by Elena kochutin
I recently had the opportunity to refer a client to Anthony G. Ryan, and I couldn't be more pleased with the outstanding legal representation provided. As a fellow attorney in the community, I know the importance of recommending competent and dedicated professionals, and Anthony G. Ryan exceeded all expectations. Anthony's expertise in both criminal law and local procedural intricacies is impressive. He approached the case with honesty, ensuring clear and easy communication with the referred client. Anthony's commitment to fair and transparent pricing further underscored his professionalism. I wholeheartedly endorse the law firm of Anthony G. Ryan to anyone in need of a criminal attorney in Sarasota. Anthony's knowledge, honesty, and fair pricing make his services stand out in the legal community.
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13 Oct, 2021 by Dan
i just read the 2 reviews here---I HAD TO WRITE!! He resolved my daughter's THIRD DUI w/o it going felony, w/o her doing ANY JAIL TIME (which was mandatory on 3 DUIs in 10 years). Steve became a friend for his personality, his doggedness and attention, and his professionalism.... and how we all interacted. I CAN NOT BELIEVE that really good lawyer I know is who was being reviewed!!! OH!! AND He was amazingly reasonable AND better than any other lawyer I have used(God knows I have had many lawyers and bondsmen on a first name basis) ----I HAVE NEVER WRITTEN ANOTHER (review) EXCEPT FOR HIM.....he did us that good!
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15 Feb, 2020 by Anonymous
I just read the review about Steve Zimath from April 2015 and felt that I needed to add my experience with him. Mr. Zimath was not avaible and "out of town" multiple times during the months that he was working on my case. He was short when answering questions and always seem to be dismiss my thoughts and concerns about the case. He never did show proof about the amount of restitution that needed to be paid back to the victims when I requested it. I also asked him for copies of all that was in my file only one week after being taken into custody and he said that he had "thrown it out already", that he closed out the file once the case was resolved so he did not have the documents. Who does that one week later?  I found this lawyer in a bail bondsman office and I never researched him, which was a big mistake. I did not have a lot of money for my defense and I was scared so when he said that he would accepted payments after giving him a lump sum , I went with him. I feel that I made a big mistake and am now trying to find someone else to help correct the restitution and hopefully change the sentence. I would NOT recommend Steve Zimath as your defense attorney!
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23 Apr, 2015 by Chad
I regret paying any money to Steve Zimath. After paying him in full at the start of my case, Steve Zimath never replied to any of my emails, nor did he ever return any of my phone calls. Often he was "out of town" or "in New York". After I paid Steve Zimath to represent me he moved his office from a downtown Sarasota Main Street corporate bank building location to a cubicle in a strip mall bail bondsman office behind a drive-thru fast food hamburger restaurant, but he never notified me, and this resulted in the loss of my personal medical and legal documents. When I put personal medical and legal documents in the mail slot of his old office door, as he instructed, Steve Zimath moved to a new office location and lost my papers. Steve Zimath left his name plate attached to his old office door after he moved to a new location and never notified me, so my personal medical and legal documents were lost forever, and ended up in the hands of some unknown third party. Steve Zimath never notified me of the address of his new office location, and he gave me a business card with his old office address. Steve Zimath never gave me any documents related to my case until three days before the trial date. When I showed my painful facial mouth injuries to Steve Zimath he laughed at me saying I was "making a funny face" at him, yet he never made any effort to help me obtain medical care like he promised upon my hiring of him. There are many other problems I had with Steve Zimath including conflicts of interest regarding his personal friendships with people that I had legal entanglements with , even after he told me he did not know any of these people I found photographs of him on the internet participating in leisure activities with same people. I wish I had paid double the money to a different lawyer rather than hiring Steve Zimath to represent me.
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08 Feb, 2023 by Janelle
Our organization emailed Andrew a petition with 16,035 signatures to help fight for the maximum punishment for an animal abuser case he was prosecuting. He obviously praises the animal abusers because he deleted our petition without reading it. People don't get any more pathetic than that.
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19 Dec, 2022 by Kevin
Mr Van Sickle took over our case as the third state attorney and plead the case without talking to the victims. He did speak to us but only on the morning that he agreed to let the defendant get away with brutally hanging a Black Lab Service dog from a chicken coop with an extension cord. Really nice of him! he got basically time served of 4 months in jail and 1 year probation. All of this for killing the service dog, assaulting a minor, assaulting an adult AND working as a contractor without a license, and not filing workers compensation. Look it up at https://records.manateeclerk.com/CourtRecords/Case/Details The defendant he did a favor for will be off probation in less than 2 months keep your animals and children safe!
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22 Dec, 2021 by Lori newman
After years of waiting this man got into office and made sure that our debt owed from a crooked contractor got paid up. We are forever grateful to him.
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15 Aug, 2023 by Abel nieto
We paid $150.00 for a consultation fee on July 17, 2023, and explained our contract with our builder and the gouging over the quoted price, and told us to call him back when we received our next invoice, and when we did his office sent to another firm. Typical attorney conduct, save your money and just call Tonya Pitts at 941-777-5529 that the new firm they sent us to-30 minutes and another $150.00 for new consultation fee.
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08 Jul, 2019 by Frank
I don’t like to trust attorneys with reviews from other colleagues. Would rather see reviews from the public. I should have noticed before. My experience with this attorney is horrible. Way too expensive and treated my case like it was a joke. In the end, I lost everything.
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28 Feb, 2015 by Morgan
Michael France PA is in my opinion the best lawyer you will ever work with He is professional, courteous and personable Most importantly he knows what he's doing He will tell you exactly what he can help you with and what he can't Highly recommend this outstanding professional Lucky to have him MOD
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17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
Prompt, professional legal services!
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09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
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17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
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09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
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09 Nov, 2023 by Vitaliy kurdyuk
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17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
Prompt, professional legal services!
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09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
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09 Nov, 2023 by Vitaliy kurdyuk
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17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
Prompt, professional legal services!
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09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
Google Maps
star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Vitaliy kurdyuk
Google Maps
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star star star star star
17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
Prompt, professional legal services!
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star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
Google Maps
star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Vitaliy kurdyuk
Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
Prompt, professional legal services!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
Google Maps
star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Vitaliy kurdyuk
Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
17 May, 2024 by Rick greendonner
Prompt, professional legal services!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Eitan spell
Google Maps
star star star star star
09 Nov, 2023 by Vitaliy kurdyuk
Google Maps
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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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