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01 Aug, 2021 by Gabrielle
A fantastic attorney, has been flexible, communicative and invested in my case and the wellbeing of my children. Easily accessible to his clients, always ensures I am well informed and included in all decisions going forward. Doesn’t sugar coat things or provide false hope. Makes a plan going forward and follows through quickly. Divorce and custody battles are hard enough. Ryan provides results and peace of mine that are more than worth his retainer. His legal assistant is also very friendly and approachable.
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23 Mar, 2021 by Ursula
A con artists with a law degree , that's how I feel after meeting Ryan E. Cooke. I met with this man on 3/23/21 for a consultation after having talked to him for 45 minutes over the phone on 3/22/21.
Ryan said he would charge me 1500 flat rate for all proceeding in family court until case resolves' and 1000 for trial, if it had to go to trial. I told him I was out of work and he said he would help me out.
the contract that he gave me to review was in fact anything but helpful and in it stated the complete opposite of what we agreed to verbally.
His contract is a two page robbery and leads people to a road of bankruptcy quickly , asking his clients to pay 1500 monthly with an additionally 10 percent interest charged on the 15th day of each month if you are late -is he a bank? and he charges these fees until case concludes.
If you are going to charge people fees you should do it honestly and up front and charge those who have the money to give.
I'm so happy I dogged this bullet and did not get into contact with this crooked attorney because Ryan E Cooke is a Crookie ,and you've been warned!
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06 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
Ryan is unprofessional and crude to interact with. He made many
costly mistakes in my case. He missed filing dates, gave questionable legal advice. You will not save money with Ryan Cooke. In the long run it will likely cost you more time and money, at best.
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04 Nov, 2018 by Kristin vargas
The money is nothing you can get it back .but for him he takes your money and his strategy is for u to go to jail I have over 3 years of communication documented with him he doesn't answer or gives u the same answers .he represented me without haveing any clue about my case White clloar crime as u see he doesn't have it listed.just please 27years no review should tell u something I gave a star because I had to..
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01 May, 2024 by Amanda
Judith Norrish is the worst lawyer in the world.
She judges and looks down at people who have a drug addiction and mental, and trauma issues.
She doesn't give 2 trucks about reuniting children with their parents..........
Judith should not be allowed to practice law in any fashion.....
I have over 3 months sober and this "lawyer" will not ask for unsupervised visit. I have to suffer and be alone with my abuser. I send her the nasty horrible text that my ex and his wife wrote me.
She tells me she doesn't take it the way I do and see nothing wrong with it.
Nothing wrong with name calling, verbal, mental abuse on my child and myself.
It is ok for his wife to go around telling me I had a baby with my stepdad.
I was trucking SA from 8-13 and got pregnant. Had the baby when I was 14. I decided to give her to an amazing couple. But tells me I gave my child away bc I seduced my mother boyfriend....
I HATE HER WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BODY.
JUDITH NORRISH SHOULD BE DISBARRED
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02 Jan, 2023 by Barbara
I worked with Judy in 2001 - 2003 to get divorced from my Domestic violent husband. She dragged it out for over 2 years and I had 3 kids, a house and a full time job along with being harassed all that time by my ex husband. I am now free and happy, but it obviously still bothers me on how I was treated. All that Megan said I ditto! One time I got upset and was crying because she just kept telling me to do things like male copies of all my statement and check book entries for 5 years and other things, I was so stressed and falling apart, she just told me to " Shut up and just Do It!".
I tried to write to the Legal Projects to ask for someone else but they didn't get me anyone else. She just ignored me for months when I kept tring to contact her to move things along. I am sorry I didn't work harder now to get her in trouble and put in more complaints, but no one seemed to care and I was just glad when it was finally over. My ex wasn't paying his child support but she told me he had the right to contest our divorce. He even left the state during our divorce procedures and quit his job.
Anyway, don't work with her, it felt like she was just as mentally abusive as my ex.
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29 Jul, 2022 by Megan
Judith Norrish will ruin your life, especially if you're a disabled, poor woman. she will abuse, gaslight, manipulate and outright lie to you. she will refuse to do any work on your DV case causing a nearly two year stay away order to be dropped, leaving me complete vulnerable to be murdered by an unhinged psychopath who has been stalking and doxxing me for 3 years now. Judith doesn't have a soul, she is just as abusive as the people she is supposed to be defending clients against, she is actually worse because she uses her position of power to cause far more harm than she could ever possibly mitigate. she is a public defender so that says everything about her level of commitment and concern. if she has to lift a finger for your case she won't and it will get thrown out with no regard for your life or safety. Judith is slanderous, discussed private client details of my case and mocked my mental health to other attorneys, and even the opposing counsel. she has no business holding a law license and i plan to do everything in my power to not only see her stripped by the BAR association, but to ensure she is run out of town as an attorney, and to factually destroy her reputation so that she cannot hurt others who are unfortunate enough to be forced to depend on her to do her job. if you are assigned this attorney, IMMEDIATELY request new counsel through the court, it is YOUR RIGHT. if you're looking to hire an attorney, save your money, it would be better spend on absolutely anything else. literally, you could buy a tonne of horse manure and you'd get a better result than if you wasted that money on JUDITH NORRISH, the most abusive scummy lawyer in all of Troy & Albany.
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04 Aug, 2021 by Theresa
She is representing someone I love very much and she has done absolutely NOTHING for her. She NEVER returns her calls or emails and only contacts her a few days before a court date. She is absolutely horrible and we are going to be changing lawyers and I suggest to anyone who cares about their loved ones, keep your money in your pocket, you’re better off representing yourself!!!!
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16 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Karen is awful. Terribly attorney. Save your money
She does not do a good job representing anyone.
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29 Jul, 2022 by Megan
don't hire this man. he is known for overcharging clients and was even arrested for doing so. I have no idea how such an unscrupulous horrible man is still allowed to practice law, but he is defending abusers in family court, he retraumatizes and harasses DV victims in an attempt to get his clients off. when a lawyer is as bad as the clients they defend you know the system is broken, which the Rensselaer County Family Court system very much is. avoid this man at all costs unless you want to wind up as one of his victims.
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19 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
I had a very poor experience with Matt. He was stubborn, abrupt, and borderline argumentative when dealing with me. I am giving his 3 stars for being responsive and knowledgeable, but unfortunately his attitude is very poor. I would not recommend him.
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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:
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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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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:
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Legal fees can vary significantly by region or city. -
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Complexity of the Case:
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Estimating Total Costs:
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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.
