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29 Jul, 2022 by Angela jenkins (doodlebug)
Janet is an amazing attorney!!! I highly recommend here 😊
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04 Sep, 2019 by Jeffery
He represented me regarding a wrongful traffic violation in Hood county and I was pleased. He was on time, looked professional and came prepared, having researched me and my case. I recommend him!
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06 May, 2011 by Dixie
Jim is a honest reputable lawyer who has always given me sage advice with all legal matters that I've approached him with. He has helped me to resolve several court cases in my favor. And if he can't help you, he will point you in the right direction. He' s a great lawyer and a great guy.
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19 May, 2014 by J.b.
Ed and Katie, are the best Team I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I appreciate the guidance during a very difficult divorce and the outcome of the divorce. Positive, Professional, Encouraging, and then of course… “This is what you need to do” and up front about every expectation. Thank you so very much. God Bless you abundantly!!!
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02 Feb, 2023 by Ron naiser
Best Attorney in Hood County. Professional and Honest.
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11 Nov, 2022 by Tim helton
Great service, fair pricing
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07 Nov, 2022 by Brandon holtzinger
I have always been told to get a will and I kept putting it off. I finally contacted Mr Davis. Him and Jessica made the process so easy I have no idea why I did not get it done sooner.
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25 Oct, 2021 by Greg
Worst Firm I have ever dealt with. I retained them for a business and for my divorce, while Kellye Sorelle was still working at the firm. Unfortunately, against my better judgement I remained with them after her departure. My divorce took 22 months to finalize and in the 20+ months The Hyde Firm worked my divorce, they never filed a single response on my behalf, to any petition from the opposing counsel. They were completely unresponsive to my emails, voice messages, texts, etc.. At one point they sent confidential information to the opposing counsel during discovery, which was for their eyes only. When I closed out my business with them, they sent me another clients information mixed into my legal files.......what a disaster. I ended up retaining Koons Fuller Law Firm and they finalized my divorce in five weeks. Wow, what a difference! As for the business side, I had contracts submitted to this firm that never got reviewed or had any feedback provided from a legal perspective. Months after the non responsiveness, I just stopped sending them items for the business altogether. This is just a small snippet of issues, I could go on. Hopefully nobody goes through what I did.
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10 May, 2021 by Randall
Ashley is very professional. She has assisted my wife with a real estate transfer and my mother with obtaining control of her Living Trust. Both circumstances obtained positive outcomes for us. I highly recommend her!
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12 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
Paul Hyde and his practice was such an injustice to me during my divorce. If took 2 years to get a divorce and we didn't even have any children. He won't enforce anything the judge told my ex to pay for. But it sure didn't make it where if my ex does pay, it goes into account set up at his firm to be distributed to me.
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29 May, 2019 by Anonymous
Melinda Owens came highly recommended from a close friend and she has provided legal advice and guidance during a lawsuit to collect money from a former business client. I found her to be experienced, responsive, knowledgable and honest. While working with Melinda, I felt as though my situation was in adept and trustworthy hands, and she did not steer me wrong. I would highly recommend Melinda to anyone seeking legal representation that is fair, honest and will keep your best interest and unique needs at the forefront. Should the situation arise, I would not hesitate to seek representation from Mrs. Owens team again.
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24 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
I was misguided and told that if I allowed my child to go live with his dad prior to our change of custody orders being final, if ANYTHING happened, I could go pick him up and THEN she would deal with the paperwork. Unfortunately, fact was...legally, once I went against the then current orders, and allowed him to go out of schedule...I had no leg to stand on.
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09 Jun, 2017 by Dave
Melinda Owens represented me in my recent divorce and I want to share my thoughts on her representation: She may be pricier than some other attorneys, but I think her expertise in family law and her availability when you have questions are worth it. Don't be afraid to check out other attorneys, but definitely do not miss Melinda. I think you'll find that she's the kind of attorney you want on your side. Her office is conveniently located very close to the courthouse (judicial annex). She was relentless when it came to representing my interests. She helped ensure not only that my ex-wife or the court didn't take my child from me, but that I'd keep my income so that I'm able to raise my child. I pestered her at some odd times of day with some stressful questions about what my ex-wife could and could not do in my home and to my property. Melinda always answered timely and with answers that were very appreciated. She made stressful situations much easier to deal with. In the end, I think my divorce ended about as fairly as could be, and I owe much of that to Melinda Owens.
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17 Aug, 2024 by Chris newton
Mr. Hyde helped us immensely when we are beginning the Medicare/medicaid journey with our Dad. He is very honest with his advise and went the extra mile for us. We recommend him highly.
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10 Jul, 2024 by Mark drumheller
I will always recommend Hyde Law. Number one family law attorneys in town!
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13 Jun, 2024 by Ricky bobby
Need to update the services you provide. States you handle Legal Malpractice. I called in to check and was told you don't...
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08 Jan, 2024 by Ryan curry
Very friendly and helpful.
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22 Dec, 2023 by That guy
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14 Oct, 2022 by Ricky l smith
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08 Jan, 2024 by Ryan curry
Very friendly and helpful.
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22 Dec, 2023 by That guy
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14 Oct, 2022 by Ricky l smith
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08 Oct, 2020 by Cindy
When we first moved to Hood county we had a problem with a homeowners insurance claim and did not have a local attorney. Asking several of our more affluent friends for a suggestion of a good local law firm, the consensus recommendation was Grady Swindel. Grady met with my husband and I for over 2 hours, mapped a strategy, for us to pursue on our own with the insurance company and the appropriate state regulators, and only charged us $250.00. Over the years my husband and I have spent thousands for legal services for our different business interests and not always had such practical, effective, advice. For those who are reluctant to pay a $250.00 consultation fee we would suggest you find a young attorney who is just starting their practice. If you want to achieve a successful solution to your problems you will probably be better served by an experienced attorney like Mr. Swindel whose time is a valuable asset.
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20 Dec, 2019 by Abby
Mr. Swindle represented me in my recent divorce. And, I want to give kudos to he and his staff. He is the least expensive attorney in town. I shopped around and found him. He also allowed me to make payments to him which I could not get any other attorney in town to do so. This was helpful on a strict budget. I think his expertise in family law and his availability when you have questions are worth it. I think you'll find that he is the kind of attorney you want on your side. He was relentless when it came to representing my interests. He helped ensure not only that my ex or the court would not take my child from me but that I would get support from him and would be able to raise my child without worry and stress of being broke all of the time. Mr. Swindle always answered timely and with answers that were very appreciated. He made stressful situations much easier to deal with. He is so kind. His assistant and secretary were so very nice and helpful as well. They made me laugh and took my worries away. In the end, I think my divorce ended about as fairly as could be, and I owe it all to Grady L. Swindle.
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24 Aug, 2019 by Sue
Recommend Grady Swindle in a heartbeat. We were looking for a lawyer to handle a fairly unusual international property, wills and trust situation. Grady Swindle handled our affairs very professionally and with a lovely Texan manner. Would recommend him and his team in a heartbeat. Very happy. When my husband was hospitalized part way through the process Grady stepped up to ensure that we were covered legally. Five stars well earned.
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10 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Lawrence to represent my business interests in small claims court to recoup money unlawfully used by my ex-business partner. I paid a flat fee of roughly $500 for what we assumed would be a quick case as I had collected vast amounts of evidence. Initially, I was relieved to have an attorney working my case. However, my experience quickly took a downward spiral. First, we tried sending letters to try to reconcile out of court. I spent hours writing a draft of the key information. When I presented it to Mr. Lawrence, he charged me another $100 to put his letter head on my draft and covered the cost of shipping after I corrected some mistakes he made. After another similar letter, we hired a constable to physically deliver the court papers. Mr. Lawrence coordinated everything and sent me the bill. My ex-partner had fled with no trace and we couldn’t confirm that papers were served. So, Mr. Lawrence placed an ad in the local newspaper to meet the requirement. Again, he coordinated everything and sent me the bill without consulting with me on the price beforehand. A few months quickly turned into a year with seemingly no progress. During this time, it would typically be a month or longer before receiving an emailed update on the status of my case. He would usually respond after I emailed, sometimes multiple times, to check in. About a week before the one-year mark of beginning this effort, I received a call around 3:30pm from Mr. Lawrence that I finally had a court date scheduled for early the next morning. I had less than 24hrs to coordinate time-off, arrange lodging, and drive over 200 miles away to appear for my hearing. I had no warning. While in the court room waiting for my case, Mr. Lawrence took a phone call and walked out. The bailor called me up before the judge, but had to leave court to retrieve my attorney. When presenting my case, Mr. Lawrence seemed very much unprepared to represent me. He did not have a clear approach to present the evidence and didn’t seem to know how much I was requesting, as he told the judge a number that was about $4K less than I was claiming. Fortunately, I had bought all the evidence I had collected because Mr. Lawrence didn’t appear to bring any deliverables for the judge to review. I felt like I had presented my own case alone. Ultimately, despite expecting a default judgement, the judge pushed my case to next level of authority. Mr. Lawrence had not made it clear to me that there was a limit to how much could be requested in small claims court and we hadn’t strategized prior to the hearing to keep my case below that level. I left court incredible upset and disappointed that I had wasted a year and a significant amount of money, when Mr. Lawrence could have easily guided us to a reasonable default judgement, to be told to start over. I had already considered firing Mr. Lawrence from my case multiple, this situation didn’t help, but I gave him one last chance. We discussed what went wrong, how we would reapproach at the next level, and how he would do better communicating with me. Unfortunately, after another few months, nothing changed and no progress was made. God put it on my heart to forgive my ex-partner and no longer pursue my case to recoup my losses. Fortunately, I think Mr. Lawrence recognized how fed up I was with this process and when I asked him to cancel my case he didn’t charge any more than he already had to close it. Very frustrating experience. I will not be returning to Mr. Lawrence or recommending him to anyone I know. However, by the end, I think he recognized how awful my experience was with him and agreed not to charge me anymore than I had already paid. This one redeeming factor is why I’ve given him two-stars.
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16 May, 2017 by Chas
Broome took my money & then decided he was too busy to continue my case. His non performance cost me thousands. DO NOT USE HIM
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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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