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15 Jul, 2017 by Doug
Sarah fought for me and my visitation rights. Without her I'm not sure I would have had as much rights to see my baby as I currently do. She is the best kind of person to have by your side in a tough spot.
- Doug E
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06 Jun, 2017 by Sawabini
THIS ATTORNEY IS GREAT ONE THANKS FOR THE PROFs whom taught law , she is wonderful lady but i do not think she get invovled u s district court , i consulted wit hher before qnd sh is nice loca attorney am not sure if she does appeals in state court and federalis court
but she is ok number one tell her that we love her
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25 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Sarah is knowledgeable, listens to your concerns, fights for you rights and easy to talk with. A very unpleasurable situation was made the best possible. Sarah fought for my children’s interests. If I need a family law attorney again, I would definitely hire her.
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18 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
I worked with this lawyer and his law office on two occasions, once for a real estate closing and another for a family court case. In real estate matters, his assistant will take care of everything and it will be fine. On other court matters, you will never hear from him prior to the court date. If you need anything before that, too bad, he will have nothing to do with you. He won't answer phone calls, he won't return messages, nothing.
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04 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
Right from day one Brett Cowen reused to return my phone calls. He only called me the day before court but I never even talked to him for long. He put me on the phone with his so called Private Investigator. I asked for my discovery packet, He gave me less than half of it. I asked where the 1st 14 pages were because when I did receive it, apparently he did not think I would notice that it started on page 15. I asked questions about the search that had happened in my home and his answers was always the same, "that does not matter" or "that's just the way it is done and the judge is going to leave it that way". Important questions such as, "I thought I was supposed to be given the search warrant so I could read it? I was never given one til I left the jail building, 10 days later". Brett told me that it did not matter as long as I was given one. The police do not have to give it to me before or when they search my home. I was given one when I left the jail so I still received it. I told Brett that I had asked the 2nd attorney for my discovery packet but did not receive it within the 15 days the DA had to give it to me. Again, he told me that it did not matter. Brett was my assigned lawyer through the Chenango County Public Defenders Office. He was the 3rd attorney assigned to me in the 1st 3 weeks of my case and was very clear right from our 1st appt that he had no intention of representing me to the best of his ability. Brett has done no work to help me on my behalf. He's done the opposite and just handed me over to the DA. The day of court, he pulled me into a room and outright lied to me because what he told me in that room, was not even close to what was said in the court room. And since receiving an email from reporting another attorney, I now find out that Brett has broken attorney client confidentiality by discussing my case with this other reported attorney who is not involved in my case at all. He lied to me, refused to return my calls, refused to give me all my discovery packet when I requested it, discussed my case with another not even involved in my case, and refused to do anything I asked. I may not have hired him myself but he is still paid to represent me to the best of his ability and he chose to do absolutely nothing but hand me over to the DA. Complete attorney misconduct in so many ways.
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15 Nov, 2019 by Laurel
Brett was ultimately an all around great attorney, and presented the case well, was fair and very professional when meeting to talk about the case.
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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?
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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:
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Personal Identification:
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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:
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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.
