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11 Jul, 2024 by Misty williams
They don’t waste your time and/or money. Best in the business!
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19 Mar, 2024 by Jaylene garcia
Best PI company in all of west Texas.
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06 Dec, 2023 by Appliance alliance zane
Incredible same day service and multiple attempts to serve. Lesley and her 5 Star team stayed on it. Body cam footage, detailed reports for the court, and incredible tenacity. Absolutely can't recommend highly enough. It took literal months to get this unwilling defendant served, 2 teams tried and failed before I found these awesome bruisers. 😎💪
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07 Dec, 2022 by Sarah
We came in contact with Meghan through Texas Tech University Student Legal Services because of a fee we had been charged by our apartment complex that was clearly incorrect and she helped us immensely in rectifying the situation. She was able to very clearly walk us through the next steps in legal action against the complex and made us feel very comfortable and confident during this process. We definitely could not have done this without her!
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20 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
In my case, Texas Tech University's Office of Student Conduct and Resolution Center were investigating allegations of Assault, Threat, and Intimidation, while Investigators for Lubbock county investigated a few criminal allegations. As someone who was looking forward to graduating, moving, and starting a professional career, I began to wonder how I would deal with these very serious allegations. I already knew that TTU has a track-record of being unfair and uncooperative when someone is accused of any wrongdoing on campus, so I became concerned that these false accusations would be upheld by TTU and that they would REVOKE all of my degrees. It did not take much thought to realize that I needed to hire Meghan, so I did. As soon as she started my case, I felt a sense of relief and comfort because I knew that I would not go through the process alone. After a few months of working with Meghan and her keeping in touch with the DA's office and the investigator, the DA's office determined that there was "No Merit" to the accusations made by the individual, so they left me alone; however, TTU refused to give it up. In fact, TTU continued pursuing this for almost an entire year. While TTU does not allow an accused individual to have representation, because, as they will continuously repeat, "this is not a legal process"; Meghan was still incremental. She communicated with TTU often, sat in all of the meetings and pre-hearings with me, and always had a game plan. Even when TTU would give us less than 24 hours to review 100 pages, Meghan was ready and prepared to answer all questions and to make corrections where needed. She worked as if it was her degrees and livelihood on the line, which I appreciated. Oddly enough, it appeared to me that she was actually liked by the people who handled my case at TTU, which only helped my case. Meghan also requested all evidence the DA's office collected to find no merit in the accusations, and she was able to retrieve it ALL. She then sent all of the evidence to TTU so that we could use it during the hearing. She also made sure that all of the information we ever sent was included in my file so that I could use it during my hearing because TTU will exclude favorable evidence. In fact, Meghan caught several mistakes made in the evidence TTU collected, evidence that we asked to be included in my file was not and should have been, and she made them change the wording or paraphrasing of key information to make it fair for me. TTU's process is not fair and they deprive people of their bare constitutional rights. I will say one thing about this experience: It takes a great lawyer to win a case, but it takes a master of the law to win a case in a world where there are no rules, rights, or fairness. Meghan is definitely a master when it comes to the law. A year later and TTU found me not responsible for the laundry list of allegations they charged me with. Not many attorneys handle these types of cases because they do not feel they can do anything because of how unfair TTU is and because they are unfamiliar with their made up rules, but Meghan certainly is not intimidated. I definitely recommend Meghan as an attorney, especially if you have to deal with TTU.
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24 Sep, 2016 by Andrew
I hired Meghan in 2015 to fight an inflated DWI charge on my behalf. Not only did she resolve the case with the assistant D.A. before we ever saw the inside of a court room, but she succeeded in getting the charges dropped to a much more accurate and fair charge. Simply put, justice was achieved. We (the People) deserve more lawyers like her. She is as tough as she is knowledgeable about the justice system. I absolutely endorse her and say truthfully that hiring her was a great investment in my future. I shudder to think where I would be without her.
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14 Aug, 2015 by Anne
Ms. Hill was referred to me by a friend who is a local attorney that was unable to take our case. From the beginning, Ms. Hill was honest with us about our options and expectations. We brought our concerns to her and she listened and truly understood what we desired. I can only imagine the time she spent reading over all of our contracts and case law because she always seemed to be one step ahead of where we needed to be, even giving us a plan B and plan C in case the defendants in our case didn't respond in the correct manner. She was persistent and knowledgeable in every angle of our case. We finally reached an agreement with the second and final defendant in our case today without having to go through a lengthy and expensive arbitration. I would highly recommend Ms. Hill. She is such a talented young lawyer with a bright future.
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07 Mar, 2021 by Raven heidgerken
The office is very nice and the attorney that I spoke with made time for me even though I came in close to the time they closed. I've known most of the staff there for a long time and they are always very polite and punctual.
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10 Dec, 2019 by Cassie
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11 Apr, 2024 by Tyler nelson
Very knowledgeable and helpful one of the best I've seen
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22 Feb, 2024 by Adam wolf
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16 Dec, 2023 by Angela benavidez
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18 Jul, 2023 by Robert williams
Supreme In everything.
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13 May, 2023 by Sergio martinez
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16 Dec, 2022 by Vickie rimer
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08 May, 2024 by Robert revier
Have handled my family's legal matters for over 40 years. Excellent and forward looking Estate Planning.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Doug fullingim
Jerry Kolander is the Best!
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14 Sep, 2022 by Eric pardo
They have done an excellent job representing me thus far, and I would recommend their law firm to anyone needing fair and just treatment.
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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:

  1. 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.).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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