>366
experienced lawyers
Filter by
19 Sep, 2024 by Chandiliers
Sorry bums! What was I paying them for?
Read more
05 Aug, 2024 by Nicholasdavis45
I am a father of two children. I have custodial custody of my two son’s as well. I am an active duty service member and have obligations to duty such as deployments/rotations out of country. I followed my permanent parenting plan and had my kids stay with their mother and her boyfriend while I was gone overseas. Within two and a half weeks of being gone she and her boyfriend disappeared with my kids, alienated me from my kids, filed false abuse allegations to my current post ( which was investigated and unfounded). Among other things my kids were also not registered in school and ended up starting a week late once I had began filing missing persons reports for my children which forced her hand in enrolling them and letting me contact them. My firm I had used previously to Grant Konvalinka & Harrison was amazing and was the firm that helped me to win my custodial custody a year earlier all the way from Colorado. After about nine months of using my previous firm, to save me some expenses my attorney had recommended that I use local representation and advised that Katherine Lentz would be more than capable of representing me fairly and well in this case. Once I agreed to make this transition I spoke with Katherine and everything we spoke about seemed like a clean cut case seeing that I had more than enough evidence in the case to come out with a successful ruling. However, as the months went on the opposing attorney in the case found ways to keep getting the hearing dates moved and have yet to be heard. I fought the whole nine months I was gone to try to get my kids home and to be cared for by my wife. My ex wife broke every single court order, everything in the PPP and someone I had to budge and bend and at one point even had to pay money to my ex wife for her to meet halfway to exchange my kids when she has never paid a dime in child support. She continued to let my ex wife break court orders for the longest time without filing any motions of contempt, the GAL had filed two previous contempt motions on her own behalf before Katherine actually filed one. This case has been so screwed up and unjust since I have been using Katherine to represent me. She had informed me that the opposing counsel had been getting her case probono even though she’s the one that committed tax fraud by claiming my children which goes against the PPP and false reporting. Countless emails were sent to Katherine with no response and when there was a response it was short and barely helpful. I conveyed my frustration over and over again and was met with we don’t like the way you speak to everyone ( referring to my ex wife and herself). After over a year of begging this case to gain progress and hold my ex wife accountable and the event of my children being moved to four different homes over the summer due to the lack of my attorney to take action in getting them back along with nine months of begging her to file a child support order to help with expenses, I finally filed a complaint to the Tennessee Board of Professional responsibility and within 24 hours of being notified that my complaint was granted an investigation Katherine without even speaking with me filed a motion to withdraw her representation in my case after charging me over 18,000 dollars with nothing to show for it and all on the weekend I have to be gone to training for the month and can’t find proper representation to continue my case to hold my ex accountable. This just goes to show the injustice that fathers have when fighting for what is best for their children because history shows clearly fathers in the same role that the mother is in have been put in jail and drained financially with child support for a lot less yet I have to beg and beg for the same justice. I will never recommend this firm and luckily it’s not close to base where so many fathers on active duty are fighting for their kids because this firm does not seem to care about how they treat their service members nor the fathers position.
Read more
20 Jun, 2024 by Dr. bryan christoffer
Awesome firm, great customer service, would definitely recommend!
Read more
19 Sep, 2024 by Chandiliers
Sorry bums! What was I paying them for?
Read more
05 Aug, 2024 by Nicholasdavis45
I am a father of two children. I have custodial custody of my two son’s as well. I am an active duty service member and have obligations to duty such as deployments/rotations out of country. I followed my permanent parenting plan and had my kids stay with their mother and her boyfriend while I was gone overseas. Within two and a half weeks of being gone she and her boyfriend disappeared with my kids, alienated me from my kids, filed false abuse allegations to my current post ( which was investigated and unfounded). Among other things my kids were also not registered in school and ended up starting a week late once I had began filing missing persons reports for my children which forced her hand in enrolling them and letting me contact them. My firm I had used previously to Grant Konvalinka & Harrison was amazing and was the firm that helped me to win my custodial custody a year earlier all the way from Colorado. After about nine months of using my previous firm, to save me some expenses my attorney had recommended that I use local representation and advised that Katherine Lentz would be more than capable of representing me fairly and well in this case. Once I agreed to make this transition I spoke with Katherine and everything we spoke about seemed like a clean cut case seeing that I had more than enough evidence in the case to come out with a successful ruling. However, as the months went on the opposing attorney in the case found ways to keep getting the hearing dates moved and have yet to be heard. I fought the whole nine months I was gone to try to get my kids home and to be cared for by my wife. My ex wife broke every single court order, everything in the PPP and someone I had to budge and bend and at one point even had to pay money to my ex wife for her to meet halfway to exchange my kids when she has never paid a dime in child support. She continued to let my ex wife break court orders for the longest time without filing any motions of contempt, the GAL had filed two previous contempt motions on her own behalf before Katherine actually filed one. This case has been so screwed up and unjust since I have been using Katherine to represent me. She had informed me that the opposing counsel had been getting her case probono even though she’s the one that committed tax fraud by claiming my children which goes against the PPP and false reporting. Countless emails were sent to Katherine with no response and when there was a response it was short and barely helpful. I conveyed my frustration over and over again and was met with we don’t like the way you speak to everyone ( referring to my ex wife and herself). After over a year of begging this case to gain progress and hold my ex wife accountable and the event of my children being moved to four different homes over the summer due to the lack of my attorney to take action in getting them back along with nine months of begging her to file a child support order to help with expenses, I finally filed a complaint to the Tennessee Board of Professional responsibility and within 24 hours of being notified that my complaint was granted an investigation Katherine without even speaking with me filed a motion to withdraw her representation in my case after charging me over 18,000 dollars with nothing to show for it and all on the weekend I have to be gone to training for the month and can’t find proper representation to continue my case to hold my ex accountable. This just goes to show the injustice that fathers have when fighting for what is best for their children because history shows clearly fathers in the same role that the mother is in have been put in jail and drained financially with child support for a lot less yet I have to beg and beg for the same justice. I will never recommend this firm and luckily it’s not close to base where so many fathers on active duty are fighting for their kids because this firm does not seem to care about how they treat their service members nor the fathers position.
Read more
20 Jun, 2024 by Dr. bryan christoffer
Awesome firm, great customer service, would definitely recommend!
Read more
19 Sep, 2024 by Chandiliers
Sorry bums! What was I paying them for?
Read more
05 Aug, 2024 by Nicholasdavis45
I am a father of two children. I have custodial custody of my two son’s as well. I am an active duty service member and have obligations to duty such as deployments/rotations out of country. I followed my permanent parenting plan and had my kids stay with their mother and her boyfriend while I was gone overseas. Within two and a half weeks of being gone she and her boyfriend disappeared with my kids, alienated me from my kids, filed false abuse allegations to my current post ( which was investigated and unfounded). Among other things my kids were also not registered in school and ended up starting a week late once I had began filing missing persons reports for my children which forced her hand in enrolling them and letting me contact them. My firm I had used previously to Grant Konvalinka & Harrison was amazing and was the firm that helped me to win my custodial custody a year earlier all the way from Colorado. After about nine months of using my previous firm, to save me some expenses my attorney had recommended that I use local representation and advised that Katherine Lentz would be more than capable of representing me fairly and well in this case. Once I agreed to make this transition I spoke with Katherine and everything we spoke about seemed like a clean cut case seeing that I had more than enough evidence in the case to come out with a successful ruling. However, as the months went on the opposing attorney in the case found ways to keep getting the hearing dates moved and have yet to be heard. I fought the whole nine months I was gone to try to get my kids home and to be cared for by my wife. My ex wife broke every single court order, everything in the PPP and someone I had to budge and bend and at one point even had to pay money to my ex wife for her to meet halfway to exchange my kids when she has never paid a dime in child support. She continued to let my ex wife break court orders for the longest time without filing any motions of contempt, the GAL had filed two previous contempt motions on her own behalf before Katherine actually filed one. This case has been so screwed up and unjust since I have been using Katherine to represent me. She had informed me that the opposing counsel had been getting her case probono even though she’s the one that committed tax fraud by claiming my children which goes against the PPP and false reporting. Countless emails were sent to Katherine with no response and when there was a response it was short and barely helpful. I conveyed my frustration over and over again and was met with we don’t like the way you speak to everyone ( referring to my ex wife and herself). After over a year of begging this case to gain progress and hold my ex wife accountable and the event of my children being moved to four different homes over the summer due to the lack of my attorney to take action in getting them back along with nine months of begging her to file a child support order to help with expenses, I finally filed a complaint to the Tennessee Board of Professional responsibility and within 24 hours of being notified that my complaint was granted an investigation Katherine without even speaking with me filed a motion to withdraw her representation in my case after charging me over 18,000 dollars with nothing to show for it and all on the weekend I have to be gone to training for the month and can’t find proper representation to continue my case to hold my ex accountable. This just goes to show the injustice that fathers have when fighting for what is best for their children because history shows clearly fathers in the same role that the mother is in have been put in jail and drained financially with child support for a lot less yet I have to beg and beg for the same justice. I will never recommend this firm and luckily it’s not close to base where so many fathers on active duty are fighting for their kids because this firm does not seem to care about how they treat their service members nor the fathers position.
Read more
20 Jun, 2024 by Dr. bryan christoffer
Awesome firm, great customer service, would definitely recommend!
Read more
21 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
We were referred to Mr. Berke by a friend who used him and loved him. My husband and I were unfortunately in a car accident where my husband was injured and unable to work. Mr. Berke was very good about communication, he seemed to understand what we need and most importantly, he got us an exceptional result. I would highly recommend this attorney.
Read more
04 May, 2016 by Anonymous
I have never felt more at ease knowing I was going to get the care I deserved. These guys worked hard to get me the settlement I needed, and I highly recommend them.
Read more
18 Mar, 2015 by Anna
He is a horrible man. He took my case and dropped me for no reason 2 months before the statue of limitation ran out and could not give me a reason why. It's my opinion that he took a payout from this company I was suing just so I'd keep my mouth shut.
Read more
19 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Summers to represent me for a DUI charge in East Ridge court. He was in the media a lot at the time and seemed to be one of the best attorneys in our area. Definitely very knowledgeable. From my experience he does a cattle call on a Saturday morning and has all of his potential customers show up so he can do his dog and pony show. He has everyone show up at the same time and you just wait until he calls you in. I felt like he was a car salesman and really trying to sell himself to me. Well, it worked because I hired him. Of course I paid an extra fee for him having to come to court on a Tuesday night. With that I ended up paying his total fee off prior to my first court appearance with him. That night he had several clients. I watched one by one as he called them into the hall to discuss the case and then come back to talk to the judge. He never called my name so I went out to him in the hall. He asked my name, I told him what it was and he started walking away from me to another client. I went back up to him and asked what was going on. He got angry with me and said that he runs a business and that in order for him to operate his business he needs his clients to pay him. He was a real jerk the way he was talking to me. Then I got pissed and told him he needed to check his records because I had fully paid him. I pulled the receipt out of my wallet and he was stunned. His attitude changed. He represented me and I was convicted of a 1st offense when it was technically my 2nd. Not sure if I could have done any better since it was all done in East Ridge. The icing on the cake was getting a letter from him a couple weeks later asking for basically a "bonus" check for achieving what he called favorable results. I didn't owe it and he didn't deserve it. I personally believe there are better attorneys to work with out there other than Mr. Summers.
Read more
26 Jul, 2024 by A k
Down right rude. Cynthia is unprofessional and needs an attitude adjustment.
Read more
04 Apr, 2024 by Dennis elmore
26 Jan, 2024 by Rob r
This law firm is trying to file suit on a handicapped person for fraudulent charges.
Read more
11 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
I was treated as an employee. I had to do most of my research. He had 4 paralegals that quit while handling my case. He spoke very rude to me. During a meeting I listened the entire Time and when I tried to speak he pointed his finger at me. Do yourself a favor. Find a lawyer that works and will help you instead you get the vice versa.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Business Lawyer Can Do for You
A business lawyer provides critical legal guidance and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses. Whether you are forming a new company, drafting contracts, or navigating complex regulations, a business attorney ensures you are legally protected and operating within the law. They can also help prevent legal disputes or represent you in negotiations, transactions, or lawsuits that arise during the course of business operations.
Business lawyers have expertise in areas such as business formation, contract law, intellectual property, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. They ensure that your business is compliant with relevant laws and help mitigate risks that could threaten your company's success.
When Should I Hire a Business Lawyer?
Hiring a business lawyer is essential at various stages of business development, including:
- Forming a business: When deciding on the best structure for your company (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), a lawyer can guide you through the registration and compliance process.
- Drafting contracts: If you need contracts for employees, partners, suppliers, or clients, a lawyer ensures these documents are legally sound and in your best interest.
- Mergers, acquisitions, or dissolutions: If you are buying, selling, or dissolving a company, legal counsel is critical to avoid costly mistakes.
- Compliance and regulatory issues: A lawyer can help navigate complex regulations, particularly in industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.
- Resolving disputes: Whether it's contract disagreements, intellectual property infringement, or employment issues, a business lawyer helps mediate, negotiate, or litigate on your behalf.
What Does a Business Lawyer Do?
Business lawyers provide a wide range of services that cater to different legal needs of a business. They can:
- Help you choose the best legal structure for your business.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners.
- Ensure regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
- Advise on tax strategies to minimize your business's tax burden.
- Assist with intellectual property protection, such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
- Handle mergers, acquisitions, and business sales, ensuring all legal paperwork is in order.
- Resolve disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.
How Are Business Lawyers Paid?
Business lawyers typically charge either by the hour or on a flat-fee basis, depending on the complexity of the work. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rates: The lawyer charges based on the time spent working on your case. Rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and location.
- Flat fees: For certain tasks, such as incorporating a business or drafting a standard contract, a lawyer may offer a flat fee.
- Retainer: Some businesses may hire a lawyer on retainer, paying a fixed amount each month to have ongoing access to legal services.
The payment structure is often discussed during an initial consultation so you can choose the one that best suits your business needs and budget.
How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a business lawyer depends on factors such as:
- The complexity of the legal issue: More complex matters, like mergers or intellectual property disputes, typically cost more than routine tasks like contract drafting.
- The lawyer's experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in larger cities often charge higher fees.
- The nature of the billing arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $150 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer's expertise. Flat fees are usually available for simpler matters like forming an LLC or drafting a standard contract.
It's essential to discuss fee structures upfront to avoid surprises.
Top Questions to Ask a Business Lawyer
Before hiring a business lawyer, ask the following questions during your consultation:
-
What is your experience with businesses like mine?
Find out if the lawyer has handled legal issues for companies in your industry. -
What services do you offer?
Ensure the lawyer can meet all your business's legal needs, from contract drafting to dispute resolution. -
What are your fees, and how do you bill?
Get clarity on how you'll be charged - whether by the hour, flat fee, or retainer. -
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
Ask how the lawyer ensures there is no conflict in representing your business. -
Can you provide references from other business clients?
Speaking with past clients will give you an idea of the lawyer's expertise and professionalism. -
Do you have experience in my specific industry?
Industry-specific knowledge can be crucial, especially in highly regulated fields like healthcare or finance.
How to Check the Credibility of a Business Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable business lawyer:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is in good standing and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for client reviews or testimonials: Online reviews, testimonials, or word of mouth from other business owners can provide insight into the lawyer's reliability and effectiveness.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have satisfied clients who can vouch for their services.
- Check professional memberships: Membership in respected legal organizations (such as the American Bar Association or a local business lawyer association) can signal credibility.
- Review their website and professional profile: A well-established lawyer typically has a professional website showcasing their areas of expertise, credentials, and case success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a business lawyer, prepare the following:
- A description of your business and its structure: This will help the lawyer understand your legal needs.
- Any current contracts or agreements: If you're seeking contract advice, bring copies of existing contracts.
- A list of legal issues or concerns: Be ready to discuss any potential legal challenges, such as regulatory compliance, disputes, or transactions.
- Financial documents: If applicable, bring financial records related to the legal matter you're seeking help with.
- Questions about fees and billing: Ensure you understand the lawyer’s payment structure and fees upfront.
By preparing these materials, you can ensure that your first meeting with a business lawyer is productive and informative.
