Lawyers map
>120
experienced lawyers
Filter by
11 Oct, 2024 by Emilio hofacker
Our experience with Drivas Law was nothing short of exceptional. From the outset, Michael Drivas and Jennine Rozany extended the utmost respect and attentiveness towards our unique situation. As first-time homebuyers, we were navigating uncharted waters, but their guidance made the process seamless and reassuring. We wholeheartedly endorse their services to anyone in need of legal expertise, not only because of their exemplary professionalism but also due to their remarkable empathy and understanding. Their support was a pivotal element in our journey to homeownership. Thanks Michael and Jennine!
Read more
10 Oct, 2024 by Monica salinas
Great team! I will always return to Drivas for any help!
Read more
09 Oct, 2024 by Dj priore
Mr. Drivas and his firm conduct business with the utmost amount of professionalism. Timely, kind and extremely knowledgeable. I am very happy that I called the Law Office of Michael Drivas when I needed help. Thank you Mr. Drivas.
Read more
06 Aug, 2024 by Citygirl southernflair
I would definitely recommend Steven and his team. The customer service and professionalism was excellent. Extremely thorough.
Read more
01 Aug, 2024 by Lindsay altieri
Had a bad accident on garden state and Steven (lawyer) and Darlene (paralegal) were excellent. Attentive follow ups and always kept me informed while I had a long case. Would 100% recommend.
Read more
08 Jul, 2024 by Amarilis alix
06 Aug, 2024 by Citygirl southernflair
I would definitely recommend Steven and his team. The customer service and professionalism was excellent. Extremely thorough.
Read more
01 Aug, 2024 by Lindsay altieri
Had a bad accident on garden state and Steven (lawyer) and Darlene (paralegal) were excellent. Attentive follow ups and always kept me informed while I had a long case. Would 100% recommend.
Read more
08 Jul, 2024 by Amarilis alix
06 Aug, 2024 by Citygirl southernflair
I would definitely recommend Steven and his team. The customer service and professionalism was excellent. Extremely thorough.
Read more
01 Aug, 2024 by Lindsay altieri
Had a bad accident on garden state and Steven (lawyer) and Darlene (paralegal) were excellent. Attentive follow ups and always kept me informed while I had a long case. Would 100% recommend.
Read more
08 Jul, 2024 by Amarilis alix
07 May, 2024 by Luxe beauty touch
06 Apr, 2024 by Sitora akramova
28 Dec, 2023 by Gabi ggg
I had the pleasure of working with an exceptional immigration attorney, Isabella Mayzel, who happens to be a highly skilled and compassionate professional. Her expertise and attention to detail were evident throughout the entire process. Isabella offering clear guidance and support and What truly sets her apart is the genuine care she showed for her clients; I felt understood and supported every step of the way. Highly recommended.
Read more
4.3
6 Reviews
5.0
6 Reviews
19 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I am in extreme pain and disbelief at how my kids and I are homeless today, living out of hotels, and suffering to a degree that is unconscionable, after Mr Noble pressured me to settle my discrimination and assault case for far less than what we agreed to before mediation. I had high hopes in Mr. Noble's skills during the years of litigation before the disastrous second mediation right before the scheduled trial date. There was no justification to yell, demean and bully me during the mediation, and to further ignore the grave concerns I repeatedly brought to his attention for years about the extent of the harms visited upon my family and me by the defendants and their agents. I do not know why I was treated in this manner, as I worked very hard on my case and tried to cultivate a respectful, positive working relationship with Mr Noble and the entire team. I am already at risk of discrimination and harassment by virtue of my religious, ethnic and gender characteristics.
Now that my claim was dismissed, I continue to be very vulnerable and unprotected, which is the opposite of everything I hired Mr Noble for. I believe an economist should have evaluated my damages from the start. I forgive Mr. Noble, however I do not believe in suffering in silence. May God bring complete justice to my family.
Read more
15 Aug, 2024 by Frank armenio
My divorce was not an easy one by any means. The other party did not want to be a participate in the process that she initiated, be fair financially, and was in character throughout the two and half yr process. Veronica weeded through this from minute one.
Veronica jumped on board in my case more than halfway through the process from the recommendation of my previous attorney to get my case resolved. There is a reason he recommended her. Veronica was forceful and stern during the negotiations(mediation) with the other party and was always looking out for my best interests financially which included doing everything possible from the first day I spoke to her to avoid trial which is where my case was headed. The reason for the referral from my previous attorney.
During one of most difficult times of your life, Veronica attempted to understand everything on a personal/emotional level as well beyond the business aspect of divorce.
Veronica is extremely knowledgeable of the NJ laws of divorce which is so important. She is professional, cordial, assertive, and great at explaining things/answering questions. Veronica also will hold you accountable if she needs to which is important in this process.
The firm in Springfield is professional and welcoming; which is includes her paralegal Diana O who I would like to acknowledge as well.
In divorce, no one wins or loses. My JOD was fair and equitable at the end of the day which is what should have happened. Veronica accomplished that for me with honesty and sincerity from day one.
Five star review.
Read more
12 Oct, 2023 by Jamie ryan - mih
Judi McDermott Esq. is direct, compassionate and effective!
Read more
29 Dec, 2023 by Akeem onadi
I called this law firm and spoke to the customer service representative(female to be precise), she’s very rude and unprofessional, she puts you on unending hold. she will come back and ask the same question she asked before she put you on a hold, she won’t listen to whatever you have to say and she keeps saying she can’t hear me while I was on the top of my voice, she didn’t give an audience to express myself. To my biggest surprise, she called me the next day and said “Hey the Attorney is not interested in your case” and then hung up!
Read more
21 Nov, 2023 by Dee hardy
Great caring people
Read more
21 Nov, 2023 by Alex barrales
Best law firm in NJ.
Read more
12 Jul, 2023 by Angela lawson
Mr. Borenstein and his team excellently handled my case and he was always available. He offered solid advice that helped me quickly resolve and issue with a former client. They will always be my go-to for business law.
Read more
04 Jan, 2023 by A'leeah harper-crawley
This place is a complete Scam! I came here desperate for assistance. I came into the office on 11-18-22 and had a so called “consultation” with Brad Arlen. He listened to my case, asked for a week to review my contract and advised he would get back to me after thanksgiving. And i paid him $150 to basically hear me vent because he gave absolutely no legal advice. I waited to hear back from him but i never received a call. Instead he sent an email but his emails go to spam (go figure). The email said for me to call into the office. I called in for DAYS no answer and when i did finally speak to someone it was a very aggressive defensive and unprofessional front desk lady by the name of Judy. Instead of being helpful she made me feel like i wasn’t a client which how can i be if i haven’t spoken to Brad ? and he won’t communicate with me to know if he would take the case or not. Til this date 1-4-23 i still haven’t heard from Brad Arlen or anyone from this so called “law firm” I feel scammed because i paid money and got NOTHING !!! even if Brad didn’t want to take my case he did not advise me of the next steps or recommend me to another lawyer. Just refused my calls and hid out like a coward. They took my money and then treated me like i was nothing. I will be reporting this to the bar association because lawyers should not be able to take your money and give you no legal advice. Run while you can and go to a professional law firm who won’t ghost you for a measly $150.
Read more
24 Mar, 2022 by Denise zambonino
Alec helped us though this process with ease....
Read more
07 May, 2024 by Luxe beauty touch
06 Apr, 2024 by Sitora akramova
28 Dec, 2023 by Gabi ggg
I had the pleasure of working with an exceptional immigration attorney, Isabella Mayzel, who happens to be a highly skilled and compassionate professional. Her expertise and attention to detail were evident throughout the entire process. Isabella offering clear guidance and support and What truly sets her apart is the genuine care she showed for her clients; I felt understood and supported every step of the way. Highly recommended.
Read more
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
21 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Judith is just another cog wheel in the system, with an arrogant demeanor. She has clearly chosen her career path for money, not to help divided families and children. Judith is rude, hostile, and defensive. Rather than talking to you as a client, or human, she will talk down to you and belittle. What she charges is outrageous, hundreds of dollars for one email. Free consultations and online sources can get you similar results. Do yourself a favor and find a different attorney.
Read more
06 Oct, 2016 by Stania
Judi Mcdermott and her staff were rude and not knowledgable about any same sex dissolution laws. When she did not know how to proceed legally she would get defensive, and hostile. Her legal solutions did not resolve the issues and ended up costing me money even though she did nothing. I then had to hire another attorney,Deb Guston, who is brilliant, knows the law and found creative solutions to resolve my legal issues, efficiently, expediently and without overcharging.
Read more
31 Mar, 2016 by Tammy
As a divorce lawyer, Judi McDermott has no doubt led a lot of people on a road to freedom. But no matter how well-worn her path is, she'll never take a shortcut. I'm probably no different than most of Judi's clients in that I came to her miserable, scared and desperate to get on with my life. I wanted to be done with marriage, and fast. No matter how contentious things got, though, Judi shored me up and steered me toward an outcome that made my life better in the long run. She looked out for me when I was so low I was unable, and I am eternally grateful. Judi is a powerhouse and whip-smart and a great lady; she's compassionate and dedicated and fair. No one who asks about my divorce escapes the conversation without hearing me rave about my brilliant blond lifesaver lawyer.
Read more
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
17 Sep, 2024 by D c
09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
Read more
23 Feb, 2024 by Paranjay joshi
02 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Shelley Stangler to help with a matter that was highly sensitive and needed to be dealt with quickly. She not only managed to get things resolved to my satisfaction with my issue, but did so quickly while keeping me informed of what was going on during every step of the process through emails and phone calls.
Read more
04 Nov, 2020 by Whitegirl
Seems to only care about Black American's - White People do not have Civil Rights regardless of the Crime - Only Black American's are allowed to be stepped upon, and make racial slurs. In her eyes it not an equality in the world - so lay down.
Read more
16 Jan, 2020 by Arnold
My son son was in an automobile accident. Ms Stangler helped him win a substantial settlement with an nasty insurance company. She was really good and they settled with us even though we thought that they wouldn’t pay.
Read more
09 Jul, 2012 by David
James handled two situations for me, one led to a case, which James handled with professionalism and patience. Emotions for me ran high for this particular case and James was receptive and responsive in helping me understand how the law worked in my particular case. A learning experience for me. The outcome favored the truth and the case was ultimately dismissed. More guidance from more experience would have been appreciated. The second situation, James noted in the beginning he would accept for a nominal fee, but after the main case was dismissed, he lost interest and said I would be better off dealing with it myself.
Read more
06 Mar, 2024 by P rob
STAY AWAY!
Read more
25 Jun, 2023 by Kathy freeman
DO NOT GO TO HIM! This guy will rob you blind and do no work at all!
Read more
30 Jan, 2023 by Gimaran serede
26 Feb, 2022 by Anita sims rainford
Joanne is the absolute best. Caring, brilliant, responsive, trustworthy. I highly recommend her for any matters regarding estate planning.
Read more
10 May, 2018 by Eladia benson
Never higher for realty representation
Read more
Find Your Lawyer
By Practice Area
-
Personal Injury
-
Family Law
-
Business
-
Litigation
-
Real Estate
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Civil Rights
-
Estate Planning
-
Child Custody
-
Child Support
-
Criminal Defense
-
Bankruptcy
-
Car Accident
-
Domestic Violence
-
Insurance
-
Tax
-
Appeals
-
Discrimination
-
Probate
-
Workers Compensation
-
Consumer Protection
-
Government
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Trusts
-
Debt Collection
-
Immigration
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Wrongful Death
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Elder Law
-
Employment / Labor
-
Mediation
-
Adoption
-
Divorce
-
Entertainment
-
Federal Crime
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Foreclosure
-
Intellectual Property
-
Juvenile Law
-
Social Security & Disability
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.
