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09 Aug, 2024 by Kathryn seall
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19 Jun, 2024 by Wayne defau
David is the best I could have asked for in the fact that I was charged with DWI,possession and speeding and no registration ,at the end of the day,my charges were dropped,and he had, everything restored back to normal needless to say he's a blessing to those who choose him,no matter what you are feeling about your case know that David is the one and only lawyer that produces great results for you, just wanted to say David was a "godsend!" In a time of desperation, and worry,So pleased ,and blessed by this, Thank you 🙏 David may your future flourish because of your commitment to me and my well-being
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13 Sep, 2023 by Dana williams
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16 Dec, 2024 by Cody boyce
Joe was absolutely professional and got the job done. This man made it so quick and painless to get my record expunged and give me my rights back. I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me and my family. I HIGHLY recommend him if you need an attorney! He communicated very well It was affordable And he was absolutely great to work with!!
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14 Nov, 2024 by Jason breitwieser
I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Raymond M. Adler, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. They demonstrated an impressive level of dedication, expertise, and professionalism throughout the process. They navigated complex issues with ease and communicated clearly every step of the way. I felt well-supported and confident that my case was in good hands. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a skilled, compassionate advocate.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Megan martin
Great work, would def recommend. 👍
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22 Dec, 2024 by Ron arnold
If you are dealing with a DCS adoption, this THE attorney to have!
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14 Dec, 2023 by A
Absolutely the rudest phone call I’ve had in a while. Can’t recommend this office.
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19 Oct, 2023 by Charlotte wilson
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23 Jul, 2024 by Leadership in action
Mason Archie, II served as a 2024 Summer Associate and was wrongfully terminated. The firm has been in existence for over 150 years and attempted to make their first Native American/Black/Latino hire. Their reasoning was that Mason needs "help". This was after Mason requested to attend the NBA National Convention in Las Vegas. The firm approved Mason's work and school schedule, then went on to terminate him for the same scenario that was approved. A civil suit will be filed against CCHA for wrongful termination.
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25 Jun, 2024 by Debra mcmillan mason
Mr. Bruce Bitner incorrectly filed my father's taxes in 2022 after he sold his local Noblesville business after 40 years. My hard working father hired Mr. Bitner to file his taxes, and he reported my dad's business proceeds as capitol gains, thus costing my father thousands of dollars in taxes and hours of his own time getting he and my mom's back pay from social security. When my dad called him out on his error, he insisted he filed it correctly. My dad hired a local accountant for $300 who refiled it CORRECTLY and he got the thousands of dollars owed him in overpaid taxes from both federal and state government. Money he never would have received had be not been more knowledgeable then the attorney he hired. But my father still had to spend hours of his own time getting their social security benefits back to what they were supposed to be due to this gross error. My mother and father got thousands refunded from both the federal and state governments as a result of Mr. Bitner's incompetence and refusal to acknowledge that he made a costly error. My dad has the records (and refunds) to prove it. When he told Mr. Bitner that the local accountant filed it correctly and he got refunds, Mr. Bitner said, "well I could have done that." Good Lord. Does his arrogance know no bounds? He wouldn't even acknowledge to my father that he made a gross error in the first place. When my dad asked for his fees paid to Mr. Bitner to be refunded (plus interest), Brucey actually said, "didn't the government pay you interest?" Degrees do not make people smart, competent nor compassionate. Mr. Bitner now refuses to talk to my father or return repeated phone calls. It's been months. My dad has lost the enjoyment of the almost $3000 they charged him plus all my dad's time and loss of enjoyment of the money he earned by changing tires and towing vehicles for 40 years. My dad and mom are known to many locally in Noblesville as generous, kind, hard-working people. It breaks my heart to see them treated with such disregard by those that are in a position to do financial harm. They both grew up extremely poor and clawed their way to success. My dad retired as a truck driver at 50 years old and bought a Shell franchise. He ran it as Shell gas and service station and later McMillan's Towing and Auto Care. He didn't retire until he was 85 years old. He is now 88. A proud army veteran. And smarter than Mr. Bitner, because if it weren't for him knowing the difference, my mom and dad would be out thousands of dollars and none the wiser. He and my mom have been married for 65 years. It breaks my heart to hear that a local attorney is treating my father this way. My dad had to spend hours on the phone to get his social security benefits restored after Mr. Bitner's incompetence. Please think again before hiring Mr. Bitner or those who think he's worthy of a partnership. God bless people like my parents: honest, hard working, people who treated their hundreds of customers over the years honestly and fairly. I know this rambles a bit, but anyone reading this knows the love a daughter has for her parents. Sincerely, Debbie McMillan Mason
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05 Mar, 2024 by Lori allbright
I am grateful for the time and effort put in by Rachel Woloshin, on my sons personal injury case. Her approach of treating him as an adult and listening to him made a significant difference. Thank you for transforming a difficult situation into a positive one for him. Whenever I require assistance in the future, you and your firm will be my first choice.
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23 Jul, 2024 by Leadership in action
Mason Archie, II served as a 2024 Summer Associate and was wrongfully terminated. The firm has been in existence for over 150 years and attempted to make their first Native American/Black/Latino hire. Their reasoning was that Mason needs "help". This was after Mason requested to attend the NBA National Convention in Las Vegas. The firm approved Mason's work and school schedule, then went on to terminate him for the same scenario that was approved. A civil suit will be filed against CCHA for wrongful termination.
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25 Jun, 2024 by Debra mcmillan mason
Mr. Bruce Bitner incorrectly filed my father's taxes in 2022 after he sold his local Noblesville business after 40 years. My hard working father hired Mr. Bitner to file his taxes, and he reported my dad's business proceeds as capitol gains, thus costing my father thousands of dollars in taxes and hours of his own time getting he and my mom's back pay from social security. When my dad called him out on his error, he insisted he filed it correctly. My dad hired a local accountant for $300 who refiled it CORRECTLY and he got the thousands of dollars owed him in overpaid taxes from both federal and state government. Money he never would have received had be not been more knowledgeable then the attorney he hired. But my father still had to spend hours of his own time getting their social security benefits back to what they were supposed to be due to this gross error. My mother and father got thousands refunded from both the federal and state governments as a result of Mr. Bitner's incompetence and refusal to acknowledge that he made a costly error. My dad has the records (and refunds) to prove it. When he told Mr. Bitner that the local accountant filed it correctly and he got refunds, Mr. Bitner said, "well I could have done that." Good Lord. Does his arrogance know no bounds? He wouldn't even acknowledge to my father that he made a gross error in the first place. When my dad asked for his fees paid to Mr. Bitner to be refunded (plus interest), Brucey actually said, "didn't the government pay you interest?" Degrees do not make people smart, competent nor compassionate. Mr. Bitner now refuses to talk to my father or return repeated phone calls. It's been months. My dad has lost the enjoyment of the almost $3000 they charged him plus all my dad's time and loss of enjoyment of the money he earned by changing tires and towing vehicles for 40 years. My dad and mom are known to many locally in Noblesville as generous, kind, hard-working people. It breaks my heart to see them treated with such disregard by those that are in a position to do financial harm. They both grew up extremely poor and clawed their way to success. My dad retired as a truck driver at 50 years old and bought a Shell franchise. He ran it as Shell gas and service station and later McMillan's Towing and Auto Care. He didn't retire until he was 85 years old. He is now 88. A proud army veteran. And smarter than Mr. Bitner, because if it weren't for him knowing the difference, my mom and dad would be out thousands of dollars and none the wiser. He and my mom have been married for 65 years. It breaks my heart to hear that a local attorney is treating my father this way. My dad had to spend hours on the phone to get his social security benefits restored after Mr. Bitner's incompetence. Please think again before hiring Mr. Bitner or those who think he's worthy of a partnership. God bless people like my parents: honest, hard working, people who treated their hundreds of customers over the years honestly and fairly. I know this rambles a bit, but anyone reading this knows the love a daughter has for her parents. Sincerely, Debbie McMillan Mason
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star star star star star
05 Mar, 2024 by Lori allbright
I am grateful for the time and effort put in by Rachel Woloshin, on my sons personal injury case. Her approach of treating him as an adult and listening to him made a significant difference. Thank you for transforming a difficult situation into a positive one for him. Whenever I require assistance in the future, you and your firm will be my first choice.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
23 Jul, 2024 by Leadership in action
Mason Archie, II served as a 2024 Summer Associate and was wrongfully terminated. The firm has been in existence for over 150 years and attempted to make their first Native American/Black/Latino hire. Their reasoning was that Mason needs "help". This was after Mason requested to attend the NBA National Convention in Las Vegas. The firm approved Mason's work and school schedule, then went on to terminate him for the same scenario that was approved. A civil suit will be filed against CCHA for wrongful termination.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
25 Jun, 2024 by Debra mcmillan mason
Mr. Bruce Bitner incorrectly filed my father's taxes in 2022 after he sold his local Noblesville business after 40 years. My hard working father hired Mr. Bitner to file his taxes, and he reported my dad's business proceeds as capitol gains, thus costing my father thousands of dollars in taxes and hours of his own time getting he and my mom's back pay from social security. When my dad called him out on his error, he insisted he filed it correctly. My dad hired a local accountant for $300 who refiled it CORRECTLY and he got the thousands of dollars owed him in overpaid taxes from both federal and state government. Money he never would have received had be not been more knowledgeable then the attorney he hired. But my father still had to spend hours of his own time getting their social security benefits back to what they were supposed to be due to this gross error. My mother and father got thousands refunded from both the federal and state governments as a result of Mr. Bitner's incompetence and refusal to acknowledge that he made a costly error. My dad has the records (and refunds) to prove it. When he told Mr. Bitner that the local accountant filed it correctly and he got refunds, Mr. Bitner said, "well I could have done that." Good Lord. Does his arrogance know no bounds? He wouldn't even acknowledge to my father that he made a gross error in the first place. When my dad asked for his fees paid to Mr. Bitner to be refunded (plus interest), Brucey actually said, "didn't the government pay you interest?" Degrees do not make people smart, competent nor compassionate. Mr. Bitner now refuses to talk to my father or return repeated phone calls. It's been months. My dad has lost the enjoyment of the almost $3000 they charged him plus all my dad's time and loss of enjoyment of the money he earned by changing tires and towing vehicles for 40 years. My dad and mom are known to many locally in Noblesville as generous, kind, hard-working people. It breaks my heart to see them treated with such disregard by those that are in a position to do financial harm. They both grew up extremely poor and clawed their way to success. My dad retired as a truck driver at 50 years old and bought a Shell franchise. He ran it as Shell gas and service station and later McMillan's Towing and Auto Care. He didn't retire until he was 85 years old. He is now 88. A proud army veteran. And smarter than Mr. Bitner, because if it weren't for him knowing the difference, my mom and dad would be out thousands of dollars and none the wiser. He and my mom have been married for 65 years. It breaks my heart to hear that a local attorney is treating my father this way. My dad had to spend hours on the phone to get his social security benefits restored after Mr. Bitner's incompetence. Please think again before hiring Mr. Bitner or those who think he's worthy of a partnership. God bless people like my parents: honest, hard working, people who treated their hundreds of customers over the years honestly and fairly. I know this rambles a bit, but anyone reading this knows the love a daughter has for her parents. Sincerely, Debbie McMillan Mason
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
05 Mar, 2024 by Lori allbright
I am grateful for the time and effort put in by Rachel Woloshin, on my sons personal injury case. Her approach of treating him as an adult and listening to him made a significant difference. Thank you for transforming a difficult situation into a positive one for him. Whenever I require assistance in the future, you and your firm will be my first choice.
Read more Google Maps
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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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