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01 Nov, 2024 by Anonymous
Recommended via CLC referral, called and left a message, hoping to set up first appointment. A week later, still not returned, and no appointment set up. Called again, and after hemming and hawing with secretary, John picked up. Apparently suddenly ready for a consultation. 10 minute Initial phonecall conversation - rude, not curious and unprofessional.
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30 May, 2022 by Robert
I hired John Riso for my uncontested divorce. He and his office were totally incompetent. He spent over 3 years bungling my divorce thru grammatical errors , losing papers and not submitting completed papers . He had to refund my fees to avoid arbitrary.
My new efficent lawyer untangled his mess and completed my divorce start to finish in 5 months , which highlights Mr. Riso’s utter failure.
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16 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
I was a client of John Riso; he handled a landlord and tenant case as well as a criminal case.
John turned out to be very incompetent. There is fraud in the bills he submits. I discussed with him the initial bill that seemed to me to much (the land lord an tenant). He never took that in consideration.
When I received the criminal case bill I was shocked.
The bills are in arbitration now at the Richmond County Bar Association. And he still had the nerve to ask me to withdraw my complaint.
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02 Apr, 2018 by Regina
I hired this Lawyer for my closing. At first she seemed nice until it was time to advocate for my refund. Not only did she not help me, she kept avoiding my calls and emails. To date this issue has not been resolved and it is going on 3 years.
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27 Oct, 2017 by Shcora
I have used this attorney for a my real estate closing. She was the worst after the closing, unreachable , not loyal, she works close with the partners to rip clients off of things they are so entitled to have done. Don’t even think about hiring her.
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30 Nov, 2020 by John
He is not a stand up guy. He will go behind your back and present himself as a saint to the Judge to justify his assignment by the court. He's a snake and only out for himself. He is very arrogant...and can not back it up. He will take the least path to resistance every time.
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08 Oct, 2017 by Joe
What a snake!!!Worst lawyer I could of possible retained!!! Do not waste your money with this all talk no result divorce lawyer. He told me if I dropped my current lawyer and retain him, he promised he would get the results we spoke of in his FREE courtesy consultation. Which was far from free. He even said he wasn't legally aloud to see me while I was retained by another lawyer....but he did. Sat down for less then 2 hours with the other lawyer then Yost padded my bill for $2800 worth of nothing!! Zero results.... I Tried to argue the charges... he dropped me as a client. Stay away from this no shot that thinks he's a hot shot lawyer. Not only do I need to argue with my Ex wife... I now needed to argue with the one person I should trust... my lawyer. More stress on a stressful situation.
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14 Sep, 2022 by Lois
Following initial consultation I was hopeful that this attorney was going to help me. After a few weeks and signing a contract he called me to say he would not. No professionalism Very disappointed as to how I was treated. Exemplary of how people are not treated respectfully. Perhaps if I were a criminal I would have been treated better
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28 Feb, 2022 by You know who i am
Your a corrupted individual that's likes to lock up black boys and falsely accused them of crimes that was not committed from them for money. You will be judged on judgement day .
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06 Jan, 2010 by Anonymous
They told me the fee was $900 for a standard eviction. Then when I asked for the paperwork involved, they told me the fee was $1,200.and never gave me the paperwork
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05 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
The point an purpose of being a lawyer and representing a client is completely missed by this man. He lacks professionalism and follow through. I am sure his purpose is to just show up for the sack of being there because he did completely nothing for me as a lawyer. Do not use him as your lawyer he does not care, will not reach out and will not keep you abreast, clarify or be in your fair.
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18 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
I am very unhappy with the performance Miss Thompson displayed when dealing with a very sensitive issue. She did not keep me informed, she did not return my calls and she was not empathetic or sensitive to my situation. I do not know who I can go to express my concern but I feel that my case was handled poorly and I worry for the future of our justice system.
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24 Oct, 2020 by Frank
This Litigation Lawyer is weak. Cost us 10k on a lawsuit he couldn't end. Knew a lot more then we were told by him in our case with the Tides of Charleston HOA. He represented us just to take our money. I realized this after letting him go, representing myself and getting the files on this case. After reviewing he knew the plaintiff received there money in escrow which were suppose to be held until the lawsuit was resolved. He knew this the month after closing and dragged it on for 2 years,
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23 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
He charged my mom over a $5,000 fee to "help" her get a divorce from her husband who was abusive.. He kept telling her to just wait a little while to "see" what "happens". This went on for at least 2 1/2 years . What eventually happened was, her husband had passed away and RORY did absolutely NOTHING. Once my mom's husband passed on, I had asked RORY to send an completed "Itemized" statement on my mom's behalf. To this day (years later), I have still never received an itemized statement from him. He is a very talkative person until I asked for the statement. He was recommended to us by Matthew A Dickson (he's another "wonderful" attorney, NOT) from Graebe Financial Services. Please do your "LOVED" ones a favor and stay AWAY from these two Staten Island "attorneys"
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Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer
When meeting with a lawyer for the first time, it's important to ask the right questions to understand their expertise and determine if they're the right fit for your legal needs. Here are some top questions to consider:
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What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
What potential outcomes can I expect from my case?
While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience. -
What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
Who will be working on my case?
Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
Are there alternative ways to solve my legal problem?
Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer
Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:
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Verify Their License:
Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. -
Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association. -
Client Reviews and Testimonials:
Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction. -
Professional Memberships:
Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field. -
Awards and Recognitions:
Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation. -
Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:
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Relevant Documents:
Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence. -
Written Summary:
Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties. -
List of Questions:
Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience. -
Financial Information:
If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. -
Contact Information:
Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case. -
Personal Identification:
Bring a valid ID for verification purposes. -
Pen and Notebook:
Take notes during the consultation to remember important points. -
Budget Constraints:
Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:
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Fee Structures:
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Hourly Rate:
Lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on experience and location. -
Flat Fee:
For routine legal services like drafting a will or handling an uncontested divorce, lawyers might offer a flat fee. -
Retainer Fee:
An upfront payment against which the lawyer bills hourly fees. -
Contingency Fee:
Common in personal injury cases; the lawyer receives a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or award. -
Monthly Retainer:
For ongoing services, businesses might pay a monthly fee for a set number of hours or services.
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Hourly Rate:
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Factors Affecting Cost:
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Complexity of the Case:
More complex cases require more time and resources, increasing costs. -
Lawyer's Experience:
Highly experienced lawyers may charge higher fees. -
Geographic Location:
Legal fees can vary significantly by region or city. -
Additional Expenses:
Court filing fees, expert witness fees, travel expenses, and administrative costs may be extra.
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Complexity of the Case:
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Estimating Total Costs:
Request a detailed fee agreement outlining all potential costs.
Discuss any additional expenses that may arise during the case. -
Negotiating Fees:
Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints. -
Pro Bono Services:
For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
