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25 Jan, 2020 by Rebecca
I was extremely disappointed with the lack of interest and caring on the part of Paul Willman and his staff in preparing a trust. I consulted with Paul in July along with my ex-husband, Don. He assured us he could take care of the trust work we needed. What should have taken maybe 6-8 weeks dragged on for months. We were prompt whenever we were contacted for something, but no amount of prodding got the process going any faster. In the end we wrote large segments of it ourselves. Then the staff completely garbled it, causing us to have to carefully review each detail to be sure they had not messed it up again. Very bad service.
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20 Oct, 2019 by Terri
From our first meeting and right up until our final meeting, I felt very comfortable and knew I was in good hands. Paul is knowledgeable, easy going, yet in control. Those attributes made me feel at ease during a very difficult time in my life. His office staff was helpful, efficient and a pleasure to work with. Hopefully I won't need legal help again in the future, but if I do, I wouldn't hesitate to call Paul Willman.
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17 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
Paul Willman was slow to respond, if he responded at all, and didn’t inform me about pertinent information regarding my case, whether out of incompetence or greediness, and fired me for my lack of confidence in him. And yes, I lacked confidence in him for good reasons.
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05 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Joy for a custody case with my ex husband, she was extremely unprofessional both with me and him. She milked the retainer and charged me enormous fees for miscellaneous items and "copies" and would want to call me in to discuss my case only to talk about herself half the time and have me repeat myself with information multiple times so she can charge me $250 and hour for consulting. I did not feel like she cared about the best interest of my children or me but was only trying to make the most money from our case.
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20 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
Joy gave my spouse half truths throughout her representation, causing more animosity than necessary. She would not reply in a timely manner to cancel trials, therefore opposing counsel would devote a week or more in trial preparation. Accordingly, this tactic would raise attorney fees for opposing counsel and gave her access to opposing counsel's exhibits which Joy never filed. She would miss the exhibit deadlines. Joy would not give any indication she was canceling a trial and still never provided exhibits . I did not consult with her, but I had to choose "consulted" to submit this. If you would prefer an attorney that does not give you the full truth and charge you hourly, she's your person.
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23 May, 2016 by Tim
Joy helped me a great deal getting through a difficult divorce. She was succinct with answers to all my questions and performed to the highest standard in court. During my most stressful times, she has been there for me. I could not ask for more from my lawyer.
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21 Jun, 2024 by Jamison clark
Jane did an incredible job with my case. It was really complicated and she researched all of the legal issues and made sure she was ready for every hearing. She gave me her cell number so I could text her and she was really fast answering my questions. I would recommend her!
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07 Jun, 2024 by Hilda
She screwed me big time so many errors in my petition. Does not know what she's doing. Her and her paralegal can't communicate at all. You'll loose your case and money. Don't hire
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24 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Ms. Jacobs served as my legal representation in family court proceedings involving my daughter being taken from her custodial parent by the state. She was honest and realistic in her evaluation and consistently provided practical and concise advice. I should also point out that she was the ONLY person involved in the situation who I never had difficulty keeping in contact with. Getting the attention of the state's overloaded case manager was often impossible, but Ms. Jacobs never failed to respond in a timely manner. Although I had to reduce my expectations for gaining custody simply as a result of Arizona's legislative disregard for what I would interpret as "common sense" (specifically, returning a child to a parent who has a history of multiple dependencies stemming from their illegal drug usage), Ms. Jacobs empowered me to go as far as the system is designed to allow. I'm left in a highly advantageous position if the other parent ever steps out of line again. She is reliable, pragmatic and an effective communicator.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Mark resnick, You are a disgusting human being who ruins the lives of innocent people just to make a quick buck. You will lie for your client and protect the guilty. During cross examination you make the victims feel like they did something wrong and try to persuade the judge that the victim should be charged instead of your client who is in fact the criminal and guilty party. I am not sure how your wife or children can look at you knowing what a despicable person you are. Shame on you!
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11 Sep, 2020 by Donald
Hired him for a DUI after I was referred by a friend, It was money well spent. I hope to never be in a bind again, but If I am he will be the first to call.
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14 Dec, 2019 by Michelle and ryan
Mark Resnick is the most competent, most caring, most efficient lawyer we have ever had, and we have had a lot of them. He's worth every dime. If ur in big trouble and need a good lawyer to defend you, I would suggest Mr. Resnick all day!! He is legit the best!! His swag alone will get u less time!!
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27 Jul, 2024 by Terrill _
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06 Aug, 2023 by Rebecca martinez-varela
Appalling experience in handling my legal affair. Emails not returned within a reasonable amount of time, and resubmissions of documents that had initially been submitted. Unfortunately, did not receive the service that was expressed at our initial consultation.
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28 Mar, 2023 by Greg wilson
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11 Oct, 2024 by Annelise
Very pleased with my consult. Mr. Kimminau was straightforward and extremely knowledgeable.
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06 Mar, 2018 by Levy brack
This guy got his but kicked by someone that did not even have a lawyer and represented themselves in court for the first time ever !! Came into court and represented herself and made him look like a beginner!! He failed at every point and seemed as if he was lost !!!! And from the results he was !!!!!! But at my dime or should I say at the 20K Thrush Law firm charged and did not even finish!!!!!
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16 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Brian is all talk. He made sure to talk just long enough to hit the one hour mark of his rate. My disappointed is what motivated me to write this review. I made the mistake of not reviewing attorneys, I'm writing this and hopefully you don't hire this guy. There are good attorneys out there, Brian is not one of them. Do you own research and you'll find others that have similar comments. Good Luck!
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11 Jun, 2024 by Abdul
It was clear throughout the process that Chris is well-versed and well respected in the legal community. My case was pretty serious. Yet, he was able to convey the circumstances in a way that garnered empathy and the best outcome possible. I highly recommend his services.
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05 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
I wouldn't hire this lawyer. He doesn't put his all in. He was my nephew lawyer didn't fight for my nephew in his criminal or civil case. All he was worried about is getting paid. He got paid over what his flat fee. Got my nephew 14 years in prison. He is a sell out.
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28 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Stop looking for a lawyer and hire Chris and Andrew best in Arizona they go out their way to get you the lowest to the lowest.
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29 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
When all was said and done I felt as though I had been scammed, ripped off. Used Luke to uphold parenting agreement. Did not inform me that we would likely not be able to get any attorneys fees paid for by ex. Did not inform me that he would not even be willing to ask to get partial reimbursement from Ex for having to go to court. Charged $2500 for two meetings a few emails and 30 min in court. He did not stand up for me as I felt he should. Did not get the judge to see my side, did not discuss other options. He was little to no help in court.
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08 Aug, 2017 by Yvette rodriguez
Luke Brown, has done a masterful job of representation in my divorce case. I would highly recommend him and his team to anyone who needs a thorough and attentive lawyer. He has tremendous grasp of the law and works extremely hard for his clients. He has the experience to know how to get you through your matter in a truly dignified way as possible.
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01 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
The biggest mistake i have made in my life was to hire this attorney to take care of my divorce a few years a go , and to deal with my parenting time and child support . Mr. Luke Brown was never prepared for my court hearing, did not have any clue of what he was doing and gave me the wrong information and advice to follow during my divorce . The only reason I kept him during the whole divorce and child custody battle was because I had already paid him to defend me , I had not time not the mental power to fight my ex and his good attorney. Luke Brown always seemed to be afraid to speak to the judge , and did not even wrote my divorce decree in stead my ex- husbands attorney did and I ended up getting screwed and I am still paying for the consequences of that big mistake of hiring this attorney to represent me. Attorneys like Luke Brown really make other good and honest attorneys look bad.
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07 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Do not hire David Polan to represent you if you want an aggressive attorney that will advocate for you! I no longer trusted David when I had to do the leg work in my case. I had to tell him what I wanted said and argued in court instead of him doing his job. His communication is horrible and the only way to get a timely response is to call the office. While he may be knowledgeable in family law none of his actions proved to me that he cared what was happening in my case and that I just had to deal with it. I was not informed of happenings in my case to the degree I would expect from an attorney. I would expect detailed information and would only receive general information. Bottom line is that he did not care to put time or energy into representing my interest.
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11 Mar, 2015 by Zenaida
I have had Mr. Polan twice and by far is a amazing Lawyer. Best way to describe Mr. Polan, he is the Dr House of lawyers!! He knows what he is doing and will not sugar coat it. He is caring. Be honest with him and h. Will fight for you! If you want someone to do their job amd fight for your family Mr. Polan is your guy. Hes there to do his job right. His secretary as well is caring and i promise these two will not let you down!! Thank you David Polan for all you have done for my family!
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26 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
I thought Barry had retired. After failing in other firms, which made it clear they did not appreciate his intellect, he's opened his own storefront (Incorporation May 20, 2019). Inept at depositions and preparing concise understandable briefs, his incompetence causes higher fees. Best advice, go anywhere else.
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19 May, 2012 by Jamie
Mr. Kirschner has always been there for me. He has helped me in any way he could and always came through in the rough times. I have had mixed experiences with attorneys and reserved my judgement on Mr. Kirschner until after the first encounter with a problem and to my great relief he is one of the most honest, compassionate and knowledgable attorneys I have had the pleasure to work with. His secretary, Glades, is also one of the most caring, compassionate and knowledgeable people I have had the pleasure to have in my life. She is the right hand of Mr. Kirschner and does a wonderful job. I have repeatedly put my future and life in their hands and I have never ever been let down or dissapointed in any way.
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30 Mar, 2021 by Courtney
Pogo is the best!! She is fierce, and highly focused. She knew more about my case then I did. She doesn’t try to make friends with other attorneys. Pogo was the best advocate against my ex- husband. She does her research, you will NOT be disappointed. She was my backbone through the whole process!
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18 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Working with Ms. Overmyer is challenging to say the least. She and her legal assistant are indignant towards their clients, as well as everyone else. My case was handled very poorly, not only with a bad outcome, but also along the way making things significantly more difficult than they needed to be. Unnecessary work was done to inflate the costs of representation, and billing and tracking was not properly maintained so that I could audit the work and hours that she was charging.
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28 Jul, 2022 by Null: ɨnđɨffɇɍɇnŧ đɨsŧøɍŧɨøn;vexare
Scammer
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18 Feb, 2017 by Ibe_erica_m m
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29 Jul, 2019 by Jimmy
I hired this lawyer, she gave me advice to follow, I followed then when my car got repossessed, I called her back, oh I didn’t tell you to stop making payments, was not impressed with her advice or demeanor.
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29 Jun, 2012 by Mary
Jody assisted me with my bankruptcy in February 2011 and she was not only prompt and efficient, she was also caring and empathetic.
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23 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Annalisa for a complicated Divorce and Child Custody case. She was not easy to talk with. Over the course of the case I paid her thousands of dollars, yet I did most of the work for my case. The one thing her office did right was file paperwork so I guess 1 star instead of 0 because they are paper pushers. Annalisa was much too friendly with the opposing counsel on my case and gave in too easily when things got tough. I had to switch attorneys just after the documents were signed because I still needed representation for future issues and had no more money to pay her.
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29 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Annalisa is an excellent family law attorney. She is very knowledgeable about the law, she maintains good communication, and she tries to settle a case with the best possible result. She is well prepared in court, and knows exactly what is needed. She handled a complicated custody case, as well as one that had complicated financial and business issues, and she protected my rights and got the best outcome. I would strongly recommend her for any family law case!
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21 Sep, 2023 by Kenny
A con man hired Denice on his brothers behalf due to the brother having dementia. Power of attorney was already granted to other family members who had been taking care of the brother for years. Denice is now being investigated by the AZ State Bar due to accepting a case where POA already existed as she is deeply unthorough or irretrievably stupid. Maybe it's time to retire Denice.
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03 Oct, 2015 by Lisa
I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. She was one of three Tucson attorneys who were recommended when I was caught up in an ugly (and emotionally draining) lawsuit. Denice is thorough, tough and very protective of her clients. She doesn't always tell me what I want to hear but her honest appraisals have been invaluable. It has been a great comfort knowing she's "got my back".
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17 Dec, 2014 by Robert v.
The City was trying to put my corporation (business) out of operation due to a few minor complaints arranged by a former employee and a few members she built a relation with. Mr. Wolkin not only won the case outright, he was also able to require the City of Tucson pay all legal fees we incurred (funds received). He handled other legal matters over the previous years with the same efficiency, aggressiveness and success. He was truly outstanding. Our business relationship continued for years.
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29 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous
This lawyer was representing us in an unlawful foreclosure case. Because he failed to file TRO or the like before the unlawful auction (he said he didn't realize he needed to do so), my home was sold, creating even bigger problems and the new buyers trying to evict us and take possession. He then dropped the case, leaving us to fend for ourselves in a gigantic and overwhelming legal situation that he created.
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04 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
He takes money, then doesn't do the work he was hired to do, doesn't contact you, lies about it, and tries to get away with it.
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11 Mar, 2020 by Mike c
I hired Russell and I recommend him. He understood my situation quickly and gave me concise advice.
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03 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Experts stay away. This person is not familiar with Daubert Standards for experts and may expect you to testify even if it is against your best judgement.
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19 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
Jacob is representing me on my third case - I would recommend Jacob Amaru to anyone, even if the case is outside the realm of criminal defense. Jacob is extremely intelligent, and subsequently pays close attention to every word and emotion, inside and outside of the court room. Jacob has always returned calls and/or email immediately!
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24 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
This guy should be in jail, taking hard earned $ from people. How he is a lawyer is beyond me. Ignorant person. Feel sorry for people that work for him and have to deal with the corruption.
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10 Aug, 2017 by Kelly
My son got a DUI. We talked to Mr. Wilson, he gave us a discount due to son was military. Never telling us someone else would be going to court with us. On court day was only day to talk to that attorney. Otherwise , every time in office talked to Mr. Wilson. My friend looked up Arizona rules, statutes, etc. Everyone my friend came up with Mr. Wilson said NO to all my friend pointed Mr. Wilson said he was wrong. Not sure how since got off line. He represents you, DOES NOT DEFEND YOU!! My son has since past so case was closed. No help of Mr. Wilson at all.
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27 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Got pulled over and was charged with a DUI even though I was not really drinking. Mr Wilson found that there was not enough evidence for the charges and got them dropped for me. I was so happy. The last thing I wanted on my record was that.. Thank you Mr Wilson.
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05 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Nope. Just Nope. Peter A. Gutierrez (Thrush Law Group) was appointed as my legal counsel by the judge. After reading the "glowing" reviews of his outstanding character and performance I was confident my case would be handled properly and in a timely manner. Unfortunately, that initial confidence evaporated and turned into panic when he failed to perform even the most basic task legal counsel is duty bound to perform- communicate with the client (me). In the nearly two (2) months he was my "assigned" counsel I never got to speak with him even once. He kept me fire-walled behind his paralegal assistant and the communications went no further. I did provide the paralegal assistant with all the evidence necessary to accurately interpret and represent my case like security camera video/pictures, body camera video, and even video from my sunglasses camera. The finding of fact being not only "not guilty" but that the PCSD Deputy shouldn't have even issued the citation in the first place. Clearly, something that Peter A. Gutierrez could and should have handled without even going to trial. But I never even got to hear from him at all. Not about the evidence I submitted. Nothing about what his game-plan or strategy was or might be. No personal meeting or even an over-the-phone discussion. His behavior was no different than one would expect to see from a public defender who wouldn't communicate with the client until the very day of the hearing. Then in that hearing he would have explained away why he was unwilling and/or incapable of providing the representation I or anyone else would deserve. I didn't give Peter A. Gutierrez or the Thrush Law Group the chance to sell me out. I fired him 2 weeks before the hearing date and for failing to perform that basic duty of communication with the client (me). I mean, how can any lawyer properly represent someone without examining the evidence and formulating a strategy? I did find competent legal counsel and the case was handled properly with the charge being dismissed due to the actions of that competent legal counsel. Unlike Peter A. Gutierrez, the new lawyer (not Thrush Group..) did communicate with me. In person. Over-the-phone. Emails too. And the case was properly dismissed. If the court has appointed Peter A. Gutierrez as your legal counsel be afraid. Be very afraid that even though you are innocent of any wrongdoing this lawyer will play along to get along with the prosecutor/judge and you'll end up with a wrongful criminal conviction on your record. (_Oo)
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13 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
I hired Pete after I received a DUI in Arizona. This had HUGE ramifications on my livelihood. Pete went the extra mile and fought like a sabre toothed tiger in court. He is an excellent litigator. I was acquitted of all charges. He later took on the AZ DMV for me, again, all charges dropped. If you get in trouble in AZ, this is the guy you want. He goes the extra mile and does not take "NO," for an answer when it comes to your defense.
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02 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Peter caused more stress than my actual divorce. He could never give me an answer when I asked for updates on my case but would charge me for the phone call. I would have to leave messages with the front desk staff requesting updates on my case because he was never available. Peter would ask me questions about my case that had already been discussed and documented in my file. The only time he had to appear at a hearing for my case, he gave excuses to the judge why documents related to monies I was awarded had not been filed, which I was also not aware of, and the judge yelled at him. I never felt confident or represented with Peter as my lawyer.
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01 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
My employer Disability benefits were managed by a 3rd party insurance company. After getting jerked around for 10 years by the ins. company, they illegally cut off my ERISA controlled benefits, we decided to sue. I was assured that she had the experience with these complex federal laws. She did not. Many communication issues, along with lack of expertise and experience. When Judge threatened to toss the suit for extreme failure to continue, she vanished, leaving me alone in a federal level lawsuit. No attorney will take a half-baked botched case. It was do or die for me. I ultimately took it on, and after 4 years pro se against 4 different huge firms, prevailed! Poor communication. Inability to follow court instructions. Poor time management. Inexperienced with federal ERISA benefit laws. ERISA is supposed to protect private employee benefits like pensions, disability, and death of an employee. It's complex, confusing and favors the corporation. Find a SPECIALIST for legal advice. This is 10 years ago, and I can only hope she has decided to avoid ERISA cases.
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16 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Sower of discord. Worst kind of divorce attorney. Dragged out the divorce. Gave bad advice. Expensive.
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01 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Took over my case from Lisa Abrams, who was also doing a terrible job. For a top rated firm I expected more than big bills. Not only did she seldom return my calls or emails, but my bills magically kept growing. My final divorced was lodged (put through by my ex's attorney without me ever signing it) because she neglected to get back to me or my ex's attorney. Luckily I had someone else handle my custody case, and won sole custody of my kid.
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24 May, 2012 by Anonymous
Super nice lady but I had to email her multiple times about things (and then of course, I was charged by her for each and every email). A friend of mine had been using her and finally fired her and went to another attorney because of the same issues. Incredibly frustrating that she has wasted my time and money but nothing has been accomplished.
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29 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
He had very little time for me and my case. He was always gone from the office out of town and he was never prepared for court. Divorce and child custody are not his cup of tea. Hire a fighter, not someone who's in it for the money only.
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10 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
This attorney is awful he lacks any people skills what so ever, does not meet with his client or even keep them in the loop on their case, doesn't do what he says he's going to, doesn't file motions he says he will, he shows up over an hour late for court, he is Never prepared and if u call him he tells u not to call him and he openly admits he doesn't have time for your case, why did u take my case then? Pretty much if u want an attorney that actually gives a crap about u and ur case DO NOT choose him!
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15 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney and business was not handled accordingly nor in an appropriate manner. When brought to the attention of the managing attorney, he didn't like the facts delivered to him and was not nice about it. I would not do business here again.
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19 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
I went to get help on a probate issue. He wandered mentally all over the place. He repeated things he had said several times. He charged me $400 for a consultation that was 40 minutes long, my choice. I felt he addressed issues that were not relevant. When i questioned him he said "I am the lawyer". Never did answers of what forms were needed and a quess on a timeline.
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27 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
She thoroughly botched the job of PC when she was assigned, spending many months and thousands of dollars, ultimately failing to protect my children. I had to go to court to have her removed from the case early and then spend more time and money unravelling the damage she did. Ultimately I prevailed and we are on a better track, but in my opinion Nanette had a hard time transitioning from being a Judge to a Parenting Coordinator. She brought very little that was productive to the table. I am writing this review in lieu of filing a formal complaint with the State Bar, I honestly don't have the energy, or enough bitterness to do this woman professional harm. She is in the twilight of her career and I'm certain there is a role for her somewhere, I just wouldn't engage her as a Parenting Coordinator.
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24 Feb, 2016 by Marjo-lynn delorea
I have never had such a terrible encounter with an attorney. She does not return phone calls or emails, sets up appointments and fails to show up for them or respond. For our case we should have had a decent size file with evidence and information and when I would request to see certain things she would say she didn't have that. She omitted witnesses we listed and when asked why said she wasn't sure. She never contacted one of our witnesses until I threatened to file a complaint against her. After I threatened to find new representation she apologized for the lack of communication and that it would not be like that anymore.....however it did not change.
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04 Sep, 2023 by Christian
I retained Salvatore for a child custody case and this guy did absolutely nothing! I stand corrected, he did take my money! He charged me for hours of work that he did not do! Literally this guy did not do one thing for me and charged me $1,600! I confronted him on this and he basically hid from me! This guy has no integrity and is all about the money! He will not do the work but he will take your money! This guy gives a bad name to attorneys and he is a real scumbag!
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31 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
This firm prepared documents for a family members trust, will and estate. The documents prepared continued numerous errors, inconsistencies and conflicts across the various agreements. Once those were discovered this firm suddenly recused itself citing that it could no longer help. Having seen what I’ve seen I would seek alternative counsel.
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12 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
When he was a corporate attorney, he tried to seduce my wife. He is lazy having clerks and paralegals do all of his work.
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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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