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29 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
Justine does not answer phone calls in response to concerns about being potentially scammed by their client. Instead I was faced with heavy handed threats of legal action that would have unconstitutionally taken away my rights. All I have been wanting is my property back.
It even got to a point to where their client lied to a judge in order to file this legal action. She was also calling me multiple times from a private number calling me names and such. So now this review is my only recourse in an attempt to seek Justice from being taken advantage of and abused through the court system by this law firm and their client.
The client's name is Neydi Garcia. She has been charged with 23 felonies involving theft, embezzlement, and filing a false tax return. Justine, please call me back so we can find a resolution. Ind Est, just reimburse me for the engagement ring that Neydi said you guys would send back to me, but didn't.
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16 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Justine represented me a few months back. She was rather knowledgeable regarding criminal cases. She explained to me what was going to happen and what possibilities were during each step of the case. We ended up finding a code that led to my charges being dropped. Justine is really chill and down to earth. Definitely would like to have her as an my attorney again, God forbid something else happens.
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19 Aug, 2022 by John
My uncle and I own a restaurant together. We were sued by a handicapped person claiming we didn't have the right type of parking and bathroom. We spoke to a lot of lawyers. Most of them said just settle and be done with it. He said if we settle then they will hit us again and again. We spent so much money with this guy. So much time. The whole case was a huge distraction to our lives. We ended up spending many times more money on him than what these cases usually settle for. We regret it.
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25 Jul, 2022 by Robert
Unprofessional and rude. Only in it for the money. Charged me so much for a simple case, none of it was necessary.
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10 Jul, 2010 by Anonymous
Wish I could have found him sooner!!!
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08 Feb, 2018 by Sheryl walker
Hired Mr Marks to work on criminal case for my fiance. Mr Marks bragged of his experience and stated he would work to have charges dismissed. He is nice initially to retain your service. I thought Mr Marks would work aggressively to defend my fiance but I was very disappointed with the service. Mr Marks wasn't prepared, no notes taken when I met with him twice and during the preliminary hearing offered no defense rebuttal of prosecution witnesses. In the end my fiance only got a 20 year plea for which he rejected. I hired another attorney that I'm really happy with and has already shown proven results.
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03 Dec, 2014 by Peter
Mr. Marks is a great lawyer. His fees are a bit steep but if you can afford it, you are definitely in good hands. He is very stern. No questions about that but the only thing he really cares about is his client's best interest. And he is very well connected through his years of practice.
Mr. Marks defended me on a felony battery and assault charges. It sounds terrible but it was a simple bar fight that just got blown out of proportion. He was able to drop my charges down to a lesser offense and was able to teach me my lesson by allowing me to perform manual labor services for the community instead of serving five years in prison.
He gives his clients his direct number which you can contact him through right away unless he is in front of a judge. He is very quick to respond and knows the law like he knows the back of his hands.
I owe Mr.Marks my freedom and regardless of his fees or methods, I will be forever grateful.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MR.MARKS TO ANYONE IN NEED OF A LEGAL COUNSEL.
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03 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
He is definitely great in the beginning before getting you money but it's all down hill from there. He doesn't not personally write the documents needed for your case that need to be submitted to court. His assitants that do write these documents are terrible. He is supposed to be a good federal case lawyer but in actuality he is terrible. Communication is terrible and overall service is terrible and you definitely will get poor results because yo will be hiring his medeiocre assistants and not him. Stay away and don't put your freedom in his hands.
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19 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
He's an older guy that uses this to make easy money. He's not so concerned about his clients, but more so kicking back and letting the papers process. God forbid you have an issue after the bankruptcy has been filed, you'll get a fancy sentance meaning "wow that sucks". Personally i wouldnt recommend. I want someone thats willing to stand up for me.
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05 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
HE MAINLY DOESNT HAVE ANY COMMUNICATION WITH CLIENTS AND DOES NOT ANSWER AT ALL. KEEP IT UP PUBLIC DEFENDER
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02 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
He spends more time chasing clients than working on cases. He is a good salesman but not much of a lawyer for my case. His rates are on the low end for a good reason. He has good relationships with public defenders to funnel business his way.
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12 Jun, 2013 by Kevin
A few others and I hired Mark a few years ago. At first, it seemed to go Ok. After a while, it appeared as if our case was not important and so the communication dropped. I have not heard from Mark since October of last year. He has not been professional. In either case, we have no feedback and I am still out money.
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11 Jun, 2013 by Marco
Tried working with Mark for over 6 months. Started off fine, but communication dropped off to the point where he never returned emails or phone calls. Very unprofessional -- could have at least told us that he felt the case may not be winnable.
I definitely do NOT recommend working with him.
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20 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
As other reviewers have mentioned, Ms. Brauer charges high fees, but did very little. She is hard to reach. I don't think she needs new clients, or it's a strategy to make her seem important. In any case, when I asked why they are recommending that I withdraw the case at the end of my ordeal, she (or her assistant) told me that it is because they did not expect the other attorney to do so much research and build such a strong case. Really?
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04 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Laurel Brauer and her partner Colleen Hemingway have absolutely no business practicing family law. They present horribly in the courtroom, Ms Brauer stumbles and fails to articulate minor points. Their fees are exorbitant, and they are judgmental, rude, and lazy---they never arrive in the office before 10, and they are never in court either. Ms. Hemingway was buddy buddy with my ex husband, and was blatantly taking his side even though he violated a number of court orders regarding custody. If they had an issue with me, which they did, they should have made their bias known, and I would have sought other counsel, which I did ultimately, but $60,000 later and too late. They refused to represent my interests, and were clearly only experienced in financial issues regarding family law, not custody issues, In a 3 month time frame, they collected over 60k and resolved almost nothing. They were so late in filing emergency orders when my ex husband decided to move against court orders it proved disastrous to my children. They attacked me, my parenting, my personality, my clothes, and my relationships with every person in my life. Ms Hemingway has no children, but dispensed more parenting advice than legal advice, I was mocked and ridiculed by them for taking my kids out for fun weekend events, rescuing and keeping a stray dog, and having big birthday celebrations for the kids. They were supposed to fill adverse interests on the 401k and did not, enabling my ex to move funds and deplete the account. I don't know how they stay in business, but if you are going to pay $500 an hour I suggest you contact an a phenomenal female attorney in Tustin with a great reputation in the courts that actually works to represent your needs. These are two of the most dishonest people I have met in my 2 year divorce nightmare.
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12 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
I never received a statement from this attorney (for three months) until I fired her (she claimed to not have email for 50 days). The bill was $9,000 for one filing of a boiler plate document and for a very unprofessional letter she sent on my behalf without my approval. The rest of the bill was padded with redundancies and review after review of what? I don't know! She additionally missed a filing deadline with the Court and expected me to pay for drafts of which should have been filed that I never saw. I cannot understand an attorney who claims to have no email for 50 days and whose website has been "temporarily under repair" for weeks on end. There are some very good attorneys out there and Laurel Brauer is not one of them. I have filed for an arbitration hearing regarding my statement and have filed a complaint against her with the Orange County Bar Association. She won't even respond to my letters regarding disputing her fees. She has her associate do so. She also informed me when I hired her that she had an office in Los Angeles. Apparently she does not and has not for some time. Find another lawyer.
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21 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Had a horrible experience consulting with him, also the legal advice he shared was actually WRONG. He just wanted my money.
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14 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr Hoffman refused to provide any itemized billing or accounting of his time to justify his retainer and subsequent demands for money. He promised to provide the information, yet never delivered.
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28 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr.valdez is incompetent and unprofessional he did nothing to stop Riverside county child protective services from throwing me out of my home and taking me away from my children one in which was not even 2 months old I addressed the fact they came to my home without a warrant and without even filling the petition in court yet made false statements made by the worker in the petition filed and falsified test results from a laboratory that did not exist and and should have had Riverside community hospital as the letter head that they were not allowing me and my children visitation or providing me with reunification services I was forced to be homeless in the streets because he wouldn't address my concerns with the court he instead treated me as if i was guilty or with disregard even tried to tell me i had only came to one hearing when i had went to everyone of them even when i had to sit outside in my car the whole day mr.valdez asked if i wanted to testify i told him yes the day i was suppose to testify he said are you sure i told him yes then he told me oh i told them no and whet with what he thought was best well now they terminated services and gave my children to my ex i tried to fire him and the jude judge told me no
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29 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Brent Valdez only offered the absolute WORST legal representation possible. This "Lawyer" did absolutely nothing for me in my case, and could not even offer proper advice concerning what to do next in the case. He actually damaged my case, and I walked away with more problems because of him. After I fumbled through the legal process, with absolutely no guidance from Mr. Valdez, or follow up from him after court hearings - he turns around and tells me after the case closed, that "you made terrible legal decisions"!!!
Brent Valdez is combative, and argumentative with his clients. He doesn't help them to understand what is going on in their case, because he himself has no clue. When he fails terribly - he will blame you for "your bad legal decisions".
**Follow up was non-existent
**The only communication that I received from Brent Valdez during the time that he represented me, was a 5 minute talk - minutes before going into court.
**Communication skills were terrible (combative, indecisive, unclear about laws, misguiding, he does not confirm what you are saying, he takes what you say and makes false interpretations - he screwed me because he did not bother to confirm what I said to him.)
During court Brent Valdez stutter stepped at every turn when he spoke to the judge. There was no assurance that he felt comfortable, and every other word is "Uhm".
In closing - DO NOT TRUST THIS LAWYER...ever. Ultimately, I will be forced to hire another attorney to appeal the decision of the judge in this case, all because Mr. Valdez failed to properly communicate.
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23 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
The judge and the DA were willing to dismiss the case since it was a 3 year old case. Alan was an appointed public defender, who instead of helping me threw more obstacles my way, even the judge made a comment about it. I was very disappointed and should have represented myself instead, I work nights so was exhausted and didn’t want to go back another date to represent myself. Alan acted as the judge and was not on my side. The judge and DA were more on my side than he was.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
This Attorney was court appointed! He only returned calls after you left several messages. His ability to write a court brief was not there, I had another attorney read it and he called it boiler room work. He has no passion for his clients, it seems it was all about the money nothing else.
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07 Jul, 2024 by Client 3
He does not fight well at all in cort he can't hear and is just not aggressive at all he is not a lawyer i would ever use again for trial he doesnt know his stough very well either
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08 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney to fight 2 cases for me and he did not . he did nothing to investigate my cases. All he did is charge me and sometimes showed up in court. there was a six week period in which i had to get my case back into court and he said he was busy but in that same time period as i was leaving message after message, a friend called and he returned his call in 24 minutes. he also gave this person personal information about me, not even knowing he was a friend. He told me he would handle my 2 cases for 5,000. then tried to charge me another 4,000. i do not recommend this attorney. I have tried to fire this attorney for 3 years because he denied me my right to counsel by taking my cases and not fighting when i could of hired one that would fight.
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18 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired her for my case to provide prepare my doc to immigration, But durning the way in preparing my case, she never called me, only her assistant, she never met me. Never answered to my questions. I am not satisfied with her job!!! I am not recommended her to anyone.
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12 Jun, 2018 by Brad
I hired Anthony Brown aka Tony Brown from Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM). Anthony was retained specifically per the agreement to represent my deceased brother In the filing and abatement of an open appeal & restitution so that properties held by the court could be returned to Eric’s estate. None of these services were rendered, nothing was filed, and Anthony burned through the entire $10,000 retainer doing research and learning how to do abatement appeals. This was not the original agreement.
Anthony could never represent the estate without initiating probate and being appointed by the court or work in tandem with the court appointed probate attorney. Anthony was well aware that probate was not established and never once suggested/recommend this was required. So Anthony could never have been able to fulfill the basics of the agreement which was to represent my deceased brother. Sadly, Anthony not suggesting and requiring this is just another fact he was not qualified to represent my deceased brother legally.
Like most attorneys who decide to take on cases, Anthony was informed on all the information he needed to understand and take on the case and file the abatement of the appeal. But only after signing the agreement and collecting the full retainer amount, Anthony then went back and burned through half of it learning how appeals and abatement works on my bill. He then proceeded to let me know he didn’t want to file the abatement of the appeal which was the basis of him taking on the case. Meanwhile, the District Attorney filed. I asked Anthony if he was going to file a response and he said “it would be a waste of money”. So just watching on the sideline without any dispute or rebuttal, the District Attorney got the appeal court to close out the appeal.
If Anthony Brown had told me he was going to need $10K to research an appeal, I wouldn't have hired him. But that's what happened and my recommendation is to locate another attorney to handle your appeals
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20 May, 2016 by Nikita
This attorney was court appointed. He was honest when he said the court has not ever given parents their children back when there are allegations of DRUG use. He failed to file motions in a timely matter. He failed to make objections when they were obvious & appropriate to make during court hearings. He neglected to file evidence that I provided that would have proven the petitioners allegations false had he filed my evidence with the court. He waived defective notice without speaking with me. He made no objection to the findings that the ICWA did not apply, after I insisted that it did&had proof he did not think would have made a difference because it was not filed. He never contacted me and very rarely did he return phone calls. E-mail was the best way to get in contact with him. The best advice he gave to me was.... "that is not your fight. Getting your kids back is what you're fighting for. Just do what the social workers want you to do and that is DRUG test." His arguments where not mine. He said in his arguments things like "my client is trying to pull her family out of homelessness." & "I think the party's are starting to come up with a resolution, my client believes she can take care of her children. We just need more time to come up with the proper treatment rather than a cookie cutter type of program." His arguments were not even close to convincing. He did however get me an extra visit for two hours. Total of 2 days/week. 2hours/ea. He did request make up visits when I was in court the morning I had a visit because notice said 830 not 130.
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15 Feb, 2018 by Ben a
Horribly slow
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15 Feb, 2018 by Ben a
Horribly slow
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10 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
Look elsewhere! She does not listen, thinks she knows you without listening & foolishly fumbles. Waste of time & lots of money. I would not recommend hiring.
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16 Jan, 2008 by Anonymous
Please learn from my painful and expensive experience with Ms. Nguyen.
She had no business taking my case which was a workplace violence case. I was told she was a workplace violence "expert" and was great in the court room.
Ms Nguyen's representatinon in m y case was below the accepted standards for trial representation.
She cited the wrong laws. She did not know how to make an objection. The ONE she did make was overruled.
She did not seem to have any experience in cross examination.
The aggressor /stalker made many false statements, none of which were challenged so therefore were not struck from the record.
She did not submit key evidence in my case --medical records, text message where the aggressor had admitted to hurting me, did not call key witnesses, letters, etc
My boyfriend overheard the aggressor and his lawyer laughing in the bathroom about Ms. Nguyen's incompetence.
I had hired her and Haight, Brown and Bonesteel because I was told she was a workplace violence expert. She may be great at giving presentations to businesses but in real life cases in helping a woman who had been assalted, terribly victimized and traumatized, and then harassed and made vulnerable, she was horrible.
I believe the judge was angered by Ms. Nyguyen's incompetence and for wasting the courts time. Not only did I lose my case, I had to pay the aggressors legal fees. I was already devastated from the assault and harrassment, this ruling was incomprehensible to me.
When I spoke to Haight, Brown and Bonesteel about the malpractice they gave me the response that even if Ms Nguyen had given me appropriate representation that "would not have changed the outcome."
I didn't want to continue involved in the case to appeal which I felt they should have done pro bono givin Ms. Nguyen's performance which was below the accepted standards for trial representation.
I was left devastated and vulnerable.
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24 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I was assigned mr warren as my public defender on my last case ...... I dont know where to start he was the WORST public defender hands down , he is VERY argumentative , does not have your best interests in mind , I found my self often in shouting macthes with him , or I would ask him a question and he would flat out ignore , he failed at keeping my mom and family updated on my status , ( I sat in county for 3 months ) and when I asked him why he never called my family after weeks of asking him daily to let my mom know about my case , he told me in a verry rude manner that hes "to busy for my family" my case was very simple .... well lets say he runied my case , then ran off on me and I had a new public defender assigned , even she said he did a HORRIBLE job and she should of came in sooner , mr warren is a very unprofessional man , and in his line of work that is not good , and he gets mad when you ask him simple questions ? he speaks over you , and he constantly down talks you , I hope no man EVER gets him assigned to defend there life , this man is horrible at what he does , hes better off at Mcdonalds flipping burgers for a living.... if he can even manage that
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15 Feb, 2018 by Ben a
Horribly slow
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10 May, 2024 by Anonymous
I have witnessed a few cases that Kecia Lind has prosecuted over the years and I am astounded by her lack of professionalism and integrity. In one case, after making arguments that had no basis in reality, evidence proved she was being dishonest. It was terrifying and a real eye-opener for this non-attorney to witness. Though I’ve never been a defendant, I have empathy for anyone who has to deal with her.
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31 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Research Arlo Hale Smith's state bar record before you hire him. I was unaware of his prior suspensions when I hired him to handle a few cases for me. He was also representing my ex husband and his business partner at the same time without having anyone sign conflict waivers. Needless to say this arrangement had a negative outcome for me. I do not recommend.
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15 Feb, 2018 by Ben a
Horribly slow
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03 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
He claimed he got 30 years about criminal defense laywer. Maybe but he won't focus on your case. He won't work on your case until the day before the hearing or even just right on the hearing. He didn't explained to you what happened on your case. He would just ask you to let him handle and left lot of confusions. So if you think your case is important to you. Find another one.
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22 Nov, 2019 by Odirtylove
24 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I paid him to write a demand letter and never heard back from him. I called and he didn't remember me. After I jogged his memory he told me he had no record as to what I paid him to do. I asked him why he hadn't notified me that the other party never responded and he said and I quote, "I report on things that happen, not things that don't happen." He tried to make me feel like it was my fault that he didn't keep any records. I told him I wanted my money back and he hung up on me three times.
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01 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I am the relative of a client of Mr. Karowsky. My relative was facing some serious charges and was not happy with the work Jan was providing. Jan assured him he was working diligently on the case. When things continued to decline, Jan said it was the fault of his investigator. Jan then fired his investigator and brought in "the best".
The end result was my relative getting the maximum sentence and Jan taking no responsibility for it.
I do not doubt Jan is very educated and talented. However, his lack of honesty, lack of responsiveness and his unwillingness to take responsibility for anything are traits not becoming of a criminal defense attorney.
I do not recommend this attorney.
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15 Feb, 2018 by Ben a
Horribly slow
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire..
He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set
I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined!
I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented.
This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing.
Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence.
I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire..
He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set
I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined!
I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented.
This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing.
Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence.
I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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Questions? We have answers
What an Appeals Lawyer Can Do for You
An appeals lawyer specializes in representing clients in appellate courts, challenging or defending lower court decisions. If you believe that a legal error was made during your trial or that the court’s decision was unjust, an appeals lawyer can help you appeal the ruling to a higher court. They work to identify mistakes made during the trial, such as improper application of law, exclusion of key evidence, or jury misconduct. On the other hand, if you're defending a favorable judgment, an appeals lawyer can help protect the decision from being overturned.
Appeals lawyers don’t retry the case but instead focus on legal arguments and procedural issues to convince the appellate court to either overturn, modify, or uphold the lower court’s decision.
When Should I Hire an Appeals Lawyer?
Hiring an appeals lawyer is necessary when you are involved in a legal appeal, either as the appellant (the party appealing the case) or the appellee (the party defending the lower court’s ruling). Common situations in which you should hire an appeals lawyer include:
- Appealing a conviction or ruling: If you’ve been convicted in a criminal case or lost a civil case and believe the decision was based on legal errors or improper procedures, an appeals lawyer can review the case and file an appeal on your behalf.
- Challenging a sentence: In criminal cases, if you feel that the sentence is excessively harsh or not in line with legal standards, an appeals lawyer can work to reduce or modify the sentence.
- Defending a lower court ruling: If the opposing party has filed an appeal to overturn a favorable ruling, an appeals lawyer can help defend the judgment and argue that the lower court’s decision should be upheld.
- Complex legal issues: If your case involves complicated legal issues or interpretations of the law, an appeals lawyer can provide the necessary expertise to argue those points effectively before an appellate court.
- Reviewing trial errors: Appeals lawyers can examine whether mistakes such as jury misconduct, improper exclusion or admission of evidence, or incorrect jury instructions occurred during the trial.
You should hire an appeals lawyer as soon as you decide to appeal or are informed that the other party is appealing the case, as appellate procedures are time-sensitive.
What Does an Appeals Lawyer Do?
An appeals lawyer provides specialized legal services to challenge or defend a lower court decision. Their role focuses on legal arguments, reviewing the trial record, and persuading the appellate court to either reverse or uphold the ruling. They can:
- Review the trial record: Appeals lawyers meticulously review transcripts, evidence, and rulings from the original trial to identify any legal errors or procedural mistakes that could be grounds for appeal.
- Prepare and file briefs: Appeals lawyers write legal briefs that present persuasive arguments to the appellate court. These briefs focus on the legal errors made during the trial and how they affected the outcome.
- Present oral arguments: In many appeals, lawyers present oral arguments before a panel of judges, explaining why the lower court’s decision should be reversed or upheld based on legal principles.
- Monitor case law developments: Appeals lawyers stay updated on changes in the law and precedents set by higher courts, which can be crucial in shaping the arguments they present during the appeal.
- Provide legal advice on the likelihood of success: Appeals lawyers can offer a realistic assessment of your chances of winning the appeal based on the legal errors and evidence from the trial.
How Are Appeals Lawyers Paid?
Appeals lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the appeal and the amount of work required to prepare briefs and present arguments. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many appeals lawyers charge by the hour due to the significant amount of research, writing, and preparation involved in appeals. Hourly rates can range from $200 to $600 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the case’s complexity.
- Flat fee: For some straightforward appeals, a lawyer may charge a flat fee that covers all the work necessary to complete the appeal.
- Retainer fee: In complex or high-stakes appeals, a lawyer may require a retainer, an upfront payment that covers the initial stages of the appeal. The lawyer then bills against this retainer for ongoing work.
It's important to discuss fees and costs upfront with your lawyer during the initial consultation to ensure you understand the financial commitment involved.
How Much Does an Appeals Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an appeals lawyer varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the amount of work involved. General cost estimates include:
- Straightforward appeals: For simpler appeals, such as those involving minor legal errors, fees can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the scope of work.
- Complex appeals: Appeals that involve complicated legal issues, multiple grounds for appeal, or high-stakes outcomes can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 or more, especially if the case requires extensive legal research, brief writing, and oral arguments.
- Hourly rates: Many appeals lawyers charge hourly rates ranging from $200 to $600 per hour, with higher rates often associated with more experienced attorneys or particularly challenging cases.
Before proceeding with your appeal, it’s crucial to ask for a clear estimate of the costs involved so you can budget appropriately.
Top Questions to Ask an Appeals Lawyer
Before hiring an appeals lawyer, it’s essential to ask questions to ensure they are well-suited for your case and that you understand the appeals process. Important questions include:
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What experience do you have with appeals?
Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience handling appellate cases, particularly in the area of law relevant to your case (e.g., criminal, civil, family, etc.). -
How do you charge for appeals?
Ask whether the lawyer charges an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a retainer, and request an estimate of the total costs for handling your appeal. -
What is the likelihood of success for my appeal?
A good appeals lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case’s strengths and weaknesses and the chances of winning the appeal. -
How long will the appeal process take?
Ask for an estimate of how long the appeal process might take, from filing the initial briefs to a final decision by the appellate court. -
Will you personally handle my appeal?
In larger law firms, junior attorneys or legal assistants may handle some of the research or drafting. Clarify who will be responsible for preparing and arguing your case. -
What is your approach to handling appeals?
Some lawyers may be more inclined to focus on procedural issues, while others emphasize broader legal arguments. Make sure the lawyer’s approach aligns with your goals.
How to Check the Credibility of an Appeals Lawyer
To ensure that you’re hiring a reputable appeals lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for appellate experience: Review the lawyer’s website or profile to ensure they specialize in appellate law and have successfully handled appeals similar to yours.
- Check client reviews and testimonials: Look for client feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to get insight into the lawyer’s track record and client satisfaction.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their expertise and success in handling appeals.
- Look for recognition in appellate law: Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL) or awards and recognition in appellate law can indicate a lawyer’s expertise in this specialized area.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with an appeals lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Trial transcripts and court records: The lawyer will need a complete record of the original trial, including transcripts, motions, exhibits, and the final judgment or order.
- Legal briefs from the trial: If any briefs or motions were filed during the trial, bring copies so the appeals lawyer can review the legal arguments that were presented.
- Written decision or verdict: Bring the court’s written ruling, verdict, or decision so the lawyer can identify any potential errors or issues to raise on appeal.
- Questions about the appeal process: Write down any questions you have about the appeal’s timeline, costs, and potential outcomes.
- List of potential legal errors: If you believe specific mistakes were made during the trial (e.g., improper evidence, legal misinterpretations), provide a list of those issues.
Being well-prepared for your consultation allows the lawyer to assess your case more effectively and provide the best guidance on how to proceed with your appeal.
