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05 Sep, 2024 by Diane o'neil
I have found Brian Hanlin at Wick & Trautwein to be extremely professional, helpful, and knowledgeable. He is helping me navigate the confusing claims process of a class action case that has been in progress for many years. He participated in a conference call with me and the class action attorneys and has given me the confidence that my claim with get processed correctly. He is also extremely detail oriented and I feel has the capacity and skill set to handle this type of case and would highly recommend him for your legal needs.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Bruce crane
Dealing with Wick Law…best to heed their negative reviews. They seem more “Wick”-ed than helpful as burn through a retainer. We met with them to discuss case only to be told at the END of the meeting we were being charged for it. They said we should be glad they were only charging for one lawyer during the consult since they decided to bring in two lawyers to sit in. Two for the price of one they said laughing at the end. I was not aware in slightest we were paying to tell them our case! Then took thousands in retainer (not realizing money was drawn monthly even though they were not actively working our case) which continued until just a few hundred left while we were wait on insurance to resolve our claim. Worst part is when we were trying to move ahead and re-engage (and actually have them pursue action) they sounded interested- then just ignored us - 2 months no reply even after multiple attempts from us to hear back from them. A professional should at least tell you if they were not wanting to take action further. We would have appreciated that before they drained us of several thousand in retainer draws!
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07 Aug, 2024 by Colin jones
I was referred to Kevin Havelda at Wick & Trautwein by a highly reputable top-tier law firm and I quickly retained him to handle a substantial and complex case involving employment matters and commercial litigation. Kevin’s quick response, meticulous attention to detail and innovative strategies delivered the results I needed. His advocacy guided me through one of the most challenging and stressful times in my life. I have utmost trust in his counsel and would highly recommend Kevin Havelda and the Wick & Trautwein team to anyone experiencing complex legal issues!
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05 Sep, 2024 by Diane o'neil
I have found Brian Hanlin at Wick & Trautwein to be extremely professional, helpful, and knowledgeable. He is helping me navigate the confusing claims process of a class action case that has been in progress for many years. He participated in a conference call with me and the class action attorneys and has given me the confidence that my claim with get processed correctly. He is also extremely detail oriented and I feel has the capacity and skill set to handle this type of case and would highly recommend him for your legal needs.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
13 Aug, 2024 by Bruce crane
Dealing with Wick Law…best to heed their negative reviews. They seem more “Wick”-ed than helpful as burn through a retainer. We met with them to discuss case only to be told at the END of the meeting we were being charged for it. They said we should be glad they were only charging for one lawyer during the consult since they decided to bring in two lawyers to sit in. Two for the price of one they said laughing at the end. I was not aware in slightest we were paying to tell them our case! Then took thousands in retainer (not realizing money was drawn monthly even though they were not actively working our case) which continued until just a few hundred left while we were wait on insurance to resolve our claim. Worst part is when we were trying to move ahead and re-engage (and actually have them pursue action) they sounded interested- then just ignored us - 2 months no reply even after multiple attempts from us to hear back from them. A professional should at least tell you if they were not wanting to take action further. We would have appreciated that before they drained us of several thousand in retainer draws!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Aug, 2024 by Colin jones
I was referred to Kevin Havelda at Wick & Trautwein by a highly reputable top-tier law firm and I quickly retained him to handle a substantial and complex case involving employment matters and commercial litigation. Kevin’s quick response, meticulous attention to detail and innovative strategies delivered the results I needed. His advocacy guided me through one of the most challenging and stressful times in my life. I have utmost trust in his counsel and would highly recommend Kevin Havelda and the Wick & Trautwein team to anyone experiencing complex legal issues!
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01 Mar, 2022 by Kiley
Owen Hathaway is by far the most incompetent attorney on earth. He completely screwed up my case and even QUIT BEFORE the case was even over. If you use him you will end up in a worse situation than when you began. He is the King Of Malpractice and should not be allowed to practice law in my opinion.
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20 May, 2020 by Anonymous
What should have been a simple filing for a small business took months, not because it was at all complicated but because he was "busy." It took multiple emails to get any response and then only a day to actually get the paperwork filed. Meanwhile we were just waiting with everything on hold. Later, when we had a question about our tax filing status, he actually gave us the wrong answer. There are plenty of competent attorneys, Owen Hathaway is not one.
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25 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Owen is the man!
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29 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Kris helped us with an estate plan and was very helpful and thorough. She knows special needs trusts and helped us understand how to move things into the trust and what to leave out.
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10 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
This Attorney was very cold,unproffesional, and even lied to me. She created a problem between my family because of her lies and misconduct toward me and my sig. Other. My father in law had hired her. She milks the client stretching out things in an unecessary way.
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31 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Allan has guided me through a divorce and continues to guide me through child-custody agreements. Allan gives you the facts: he does not overpromise or underpromise in terms of what can be accomplished with the court. He is highly skilled at understanding situations and people. I highly recommend Allan to be your divorce/child custody advocate... He is always working for you, and he understands your situation.
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11 Jan, 2023 by Dana
I purchased representation of this law firm of Alexander and Ewart when I was referred to Mr. Ewart's partner, Brooke Alexander for my son's custody case. Mr Ewart on several occasions made decisions against what was told of him to make, made comments to opposing attorney that was contrary to the demands of my son throwing him under the bus on numerous occasions. When he was called out for these bad decisions and indiscretions, he would say he messed up but would then, on each occasion charge fees to explain himself via emails. The final straw was when he was told that his partner, Brooke Alexander would be the only one acceptable to conduct and represent my son in mediation. He would not reply nor acknowledge this demand and was terminated. This firm still owes back fees advanced and kept in trust of approximately $1500.
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02 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
My family hired Mr. Wilson to help with disputed personal representation over a family members will. He couldn't keep names, dates, facts straight. He crossed with no pertinent questions, asked no pertinent questions of us in court. He caused us to lose the trial and cost a lot of money. I would never recommend him to anyone.
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30 Mar, 2016 by Randy haberkon
I was seeking an attorney that was experienced in the dissolution of a business. Mr. Wilson presented himself as a non-confrontational. Turns out, he was non-conformational with everyone but me. Mr. Wilson provided poor almost non-exist legal advice. This ended up costing more than ½ of my business. He made agreements with the defenses attorney and did not consult with me. I lost buildings, equipment and money without as much as a courtesy call. He told me that I was legally entitled to ½ of the business and that we would without issue receive at least that. During negotiations with the defendant Mr. Wilson sent emails to the defense that I had written to him without as much changing a word. He would only communicate through email, I repeatedly requested a face to face strategy session, but he was never available. When I showed up for a case management meeting, he did not even recognize me. My lawsuit was unnecessarily drug out by Mr. Wilson’s lack of legal knowledge and advice, poor communication and lack of focus on my case. When I hired Mr. Wilson, I was told I would get ½ of a business that I rightfully owned, and as it turned out a good portion of that was lost to poor negotiations and give a ways without my knowledge and consent.
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07 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
You seek an attorney for legal consul, experience and professional advice. In our experience Mr. Wilson provided poor representation and costly incorrect legal advice. In my opinion, he did not put enough time into our case which cost our company a great deal of money. He told us our tennent was in our facility illegally and said our key witness would give us an 80% chance of success. The problem was he did not speak with our key witness until 10 minutes prior to court as was not prepared. It was very evident that if he had spoken with the key witness earlier, he should have know our tenant was in fact in our facility legally and the opposing counsel brought this our very successfully. In addition Mr. Wilson underestimated his time and cost on 3 separate instances by as much a 100%. So every time he told us 3-4 hours of attorney fees, it was 6-8. He also did not inform us that if we lost the case we would be liable for our tenants attorney fees which we again very costly. All in all this was not a good experience and I feel Mr. Wilson did not provide experience, legal knowledge and dedicated time needed as evident by poor results and very costly fees. I quote Mr. Wilson when he told us, "You want them out, I'll get them out". The judge said no. And I paid a high price for poor legal representation.
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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:

  1. What is your experience with businesses like mine?
    Find out if the lawyer has handled legal issues for companies in your industry.
  2. What services do you offer?
    Ensure the lawyer can meet all your business's legal needs, from contract drafting to dispute resolution.
  3. 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.
  4. How do you handle conflicts of interest?
    Ask how the lawyer ensures there is no conflict in representing your business.
  5. Can you provide references from other business clients?
    Speaking with past clients will give you an idea of the lawyer's expertise and professionalism.
  6. 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.

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