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11 Jul, 2016 by Rich
To whom it may concern:
I engaged Josh Marks for a Residential Real estate closing. Collaborating with Josh was nothing short of outstanding. From the onset of the closing, Josh went above and beyond the call of duty. This was a FSBO closing so his guidance was not only needed but it was impactful.
Josh was very thorough in his explanation of all matters related to the closing. He went through all of the necessary documents line by line so I could understand every aspect of the process. In sum, he helped facilitate a seamless transaction. I would recommend Josh to anyone looking for an attorney in a business or real estate setting.
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19 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Josh for a residential purchase. He recommended a reliable home inspector and title company and worked with me at my convenience. He responded to my questions and concerns in a professional and timely manner. The fee for his services is reasonable. The purchase went very smooth and it was a good experience working with Josh. I would hire him again in the future and recommend his services for anyone.
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30 Dec, 2013 by Martin
I didn't have much experience with Josh, but he provided some quick legal advice on a real estate transaction. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and took time to speak with me even though he determined that his services were not needed at the moment. I certainly plan to contact Josh if and when I need real estate legal advice.
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08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
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02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
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15 Jun, 2020 by Dmitry
I've got great consultation from Mr. Joseph Bahgat about copyright infringement. He answered my questions and show me the right way to solve my problem.
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02 Mar, 2018 by Sandeep
I had a situation where I was unable to get out of. This lawyer has been very professional and responded every single time I needed him to. He did take up my case and seen it to a closure in favor of me.
I strongly recommend Joe as your lawyer, if needed.
Thanks Joe.
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29 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
I discovered an organization is using a revised version of my logo on my online portfolio site. This is unacceptable. Joseph was responsive to my needs but did not seem to be aware of fair use of images in U.S. copyright law, which would be directly related to my issue.
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16 Jan, 2023 by Elizabeth
My children’s father had a life insurance policy through Securion (rip off artists, avoid at all costs). He had cancer and was dying, but kept up his payments. It wasn’t much, but he wanted to leave the kids something. His last payment was returned to him as having been sent to the wrong address though it was sent in the pre-addressed envelope the company provided.
When he passed away, the company denied the claim because he’d missed payments. I called Ms. Lee. I didn’t have a lot of hope because it was a very small policy and I didn’t think any attorney would work that case for so little compensation. But it was his dying wish, he’d made his payments faithfully until the company began returning them and even if the money was eaten up in court fees I didn’t want those scam artists to keep it.
Ms. Lee took the case, fought for nine months and eventually won. She was paid a little over $3,000 for that time. That comes out to less than minimum wage. She took our case out of kindness and a desire not to allow these rinky dink companies to take advantage of a terminally ill man. She was always available to us, answered all our questions and treated us with compassion and sensitivity throughout. I cannot recommend this lawyer highly enough.
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05 Feb, 2020 by Nicholas campbell
Heather was so wonderful to work with. Always very attentive to our questions and concerns. Always responded quickly. NEVER had such a great interaction with attorney.
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30 Sep, 2017 by Maria
Heather Danielle Lee was very compassionate about my situation she spoke to me about the policy and gave me great advice. Very honest person. I would definitely recommend this attorney. Thank you heather
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11 Oct, 2024 by Shen jiangchuan
This law group is, in my point of view, a scam group. They responded to you pretty well for initial contact and payment collection, however, they disappeared later. They took 15k from me and wrote me a demanding letter based on my personal narratives. Since then, I never had any updates, however hard I tried to set up a communication. Very disappointing experience. So after almost 10 months, I requested that the service fee to be refunded and one more time, they disappeared. My life needs to move on with more important aspect and I had unsuccessful experience searching for legal service from Lento's and so should you not consider hiring them. Terrell Ratliff was the so called attorney that was assigned to me and he is horrible. He doesn't seem to have any professional competence for what he is doing and nor does he care about customer, very cocky. Stay away.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Yan yan
We highly recommend Mr. Lento and the attorney that was assigned to our case - Mr. Thomas Terrill! They helped us navigate a challenging situation involving unfair treatment at our son's public elementary school in Houston, TX, and their support was invaluable. From the start, Thomas was compassionate and approached the case with sound reasoning, helping us to prioritize our demands and stay focused on what was most important—not only improving our son's current situation, but also ensuring a better future for him. He was incredibly responsive, always quick to answer our questions and provide guidance during a stressful time. Thomas is an exceptional lawyer who genuinely cares about his clients, and we are so grateful for his expertise and dedication!
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10 Sep, 2024 by A gia
I did a chat on the website because I was looking for an educational attorney after a thorough explanation of my situation the employee failed to mention this is a law firm that handles criminal defense not and educational attorney. They then proceeded to send me an email to collect a $350.00 consultation fee to speak with one of there attorneys about a matter they don’t even handle. I would steer clear of this place deceptively trying to collect unfair fees for services they don’t handle.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Patricia clymer
I hired Michael to consult on a situation I found myself in with an attorney I hired to handle a debt collection resulting from the pandemic who let a default judgement happen and a second attorney I hired to resolve the situation. Michael was thorough, gave me sage advice, and was down to earth. Michael is unlike any other attorney that I've enountered in that he genuinely cares about his clients and is a good person, and demonstrated that each time we spoke. He was a bright light in a dark situation and I would highly recommend him to anyone. I hope to never need representation again, but if I do, he will be my first call.
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15 Jul, 2024 by Tiray jackson
⭐☆☆☆☆
Michael Fineman was the worst lawyer I’ve ever dealt with. He took my case without doing any research and charged me $2,000 for a preliminary hearing where he didn’t even need to show up—I waived it myself. Initially, he wanted to charge me $2,500 for that. Then, he charged me another $3,500 to “negotiate” a deal, but he did nothing. He pushed me to accept the first offer from the DA without even trying to negotiate the probation terms.
When I asked for a refund because I had to hire another lawyer for better advice, he offered me a measly $400 out of the $5,500 I paid him. This was after he disrespected me and suggested a partial refund only if I hired another lawyer.
To make matters worse, he made racist comments about Black people and Asians. So if you’re Black or Asian, do not hire him!!
This is the worst lawyer in the city. His representation is no better than a public defender’s, and honestly, I feel I would have been better off with a public defender. I’ll be letting everyone know how terrible his services are.
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17 Mar, 2024 by Malik hashim
09 Oct, 2024 by Patricia clymer
I hired Michael to consult on a situation I found myself in with an attorney I hired to handle a debt collection resulting from the pandemic who let a default judgement happen and a second attorney I hired to resolve the situation. Michael was thorough, gave me sage advice, and was down to earth. Michael is unlike any other attorney that I've enountered in that he genuinely cares about his clients and is a good person, and demonstrated that each time we spoke. He was a bright light in a dark situation and I would highly recommend him to anyone. I hope to never need representation again, but if I do, he will be my first call.
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15 Jul, 2024 by Tiray jackson
⭐☆☆☆☆
Michael Fineman was the worst lawyer I’ve ever dealt with. He took my case without doing any research and charged me $2,000 for a preliminary hearing where he didn’t even need to show up—I waived it myself. Initially, he wanted to charge me $2,500 for that. Then, he charged me another $3,500 to “negotiate” a deal, but he did nothing. He pushed me to accept the first offer from the DA without even trying to negotiate the probation terms.
When I asked for a refund because I had to hire another lawyer for better advice, he offered me a measly $400 out of the $5,500 I paid him. This was after he disrespected me and suggested a partial refund only if I hired another lawyer.
To make matters worse, he made racist comments about Black people and Asians. So if you’re Black or Asian, do not hire him!!
This is the worst lawyer in the city. His representation is no better than a public defender’s, and honestly, I feel I would have been better off with a public defender. I’ll be letting everyone know how terrible his services are.
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17 Mar, 2024 by Malik hashim
14 Oct, 2024 by Tiffany burton
I had the great Lawyers at Dion Solomon & Shapiro L.L.C kevin proud was the best her fight to get you wat u deserve Also Gray was the best I First getting into an accident and they fought there Hatdesy from me
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26 Sep, 2024 by Victor torres
Jeffrey Soloman and Kevin Proud were amazing. From the beginning I felt very comfortable with Dion, Soloman and Shapiro. My needs were always met and I received the best care and attention from my attorneys and their team. Dion, Soloman and Shapiro will fight for you, not just represent you. Thank you for everything.
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26 Sep, 2024 by Cynthia canty
Pleasent good lawyer Mr Kevin Proud
Thank you
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14 Oct, 2024 by Tiffany burton
I had the great Lawyers at Dion Solomon & Shapiro L.L.C kevin proud was the best her fight to get you wat u deserve Also Gray was the best I First getting into an accident and they fought there Hatdesy from me
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26 Sep, 2024 by Victor torres
Jeffrey Soloman and Kevin Proud were amazing. From the beginning I felt very comfortable with Dion, Soloman and Shapiro. My needs were always met and I received the best care and attention from my attorneys and their team. Dion, Soloman and Shapiro will fight for you, not just represent you. Thank you for everything.
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26 Sep, 2024 by Cynthia canty
Pleasent good lawyer Mr Kevin Proud
Thank you
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20 Aug, 2024 by Ian mattikow
20 Aug, 2024 by Chris sheridan
was a great experience, always got a return call, great people, will be a return customer, thank you again
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12 Aug, 2024 by Trey gammino
Great attorney. Has helped me out so much
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29 Jul, 2023 by Zoe z.
Initially great experience working with Lydia to draft custody doc quickly. But it’s worth noting that she does not have experience with domestic violence or cross jurisdictional custody. Really key items were left out of the custody document which I didn’t realize until almost two years later. When I reached out to her about it, she didn’t respond. There was no way for me to know these items needed to be included— that was her job. This is the type of mistake that means my child will grow up without knowing my family. It’s pretty serious and will cost me a lot of money to fix. If you’re looking for someone with experience protecting you and your family from a high conflict ex, I would recommend paying for a more experienced attorney who will go to bat for you.
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27 Jul, 2023 by Jamila harris
I can’t thank Lydia enough she’s an amazing person very professional she went above and beyond Lydia became my friend, Lydia handled my case as if she were fighting for her own child just when I thought my life was falling apart Lydia put the pieces back together. Lydia made sure I had a beautiful Happy ending I am forever grateful for her….Lydia is Wonder Woman!!!
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15 Jul, 2023 by Kirsten c.
It was great working with Louis. He was patient and personable, and always available to answer any of my questions or concerns. Louis made the not-so-fun process of end of life planning a lot less daunting. Thank you, Louis!!
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27 Aug, 2024 by Chuck lewandowski
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jay Edelstein and his team on several occasion’s and I cannot recommend them highly enough! From the moment I reached out for their assistance, I was met with professionalism, compassion, and a genuine commitment to my case. Jay Edelstein and his team took the time to listen to my concerns, thoroughly explain the legal process, and provide me with the guidance I needed.
I felt supported every step of the way, and their proactive approach made a significant difference in the outcome. Jay's knowledge of the law is impressive, and he truly advocates for his clients with passion and dedication.
I’m incredibly grateful for their help and would recommend them to anyone in need of legal assistance!
Charles Lewandowski
Berlin, NJ
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27 Aug, 2024 by Kayla devlin
I can’t say enough great things about this firm. When I first called for information I was transferred to speak to Maria. She spent an hour speaking with me. I knew from the first 5 minutes of our conversation that this was the firm for me. Everyone who works here is amazing! Matthew has been great at communicating during this process. He’s kept me up to date on everything happening. Jay, reassured me that he would get me justice. He got me more than justice. They made the entire process so easy. If you’re looking for a lawyer, I highly recommend using them! I can’t thank everyone here enough for what they’ve done for me.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Robert lutzky
Edelstein Law LLP…Jay Edelstein and his associates represent a highly professional, extremely knowledgeable and compassionate law firm. My experience was seamless. The personal support was unwavering and the results went well beyond my expectations.
Justice prevailed…thanks to Jay and his associates.
Thank You Edelstein Law LLP.
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08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
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08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
Read more
08 Nov, 2023 by Mary beth bryan
20 Oct, 2023 by David emerson
I had the privilege of working with Attorney Kathy Kirkpatrick and had a wonderful experience!
In short, I was tied up in a frivolous lawsuit with lots of questions and concerns having not been entangled in a lawsuit before. She and her firm were prompt and professional, but most importantly drove my desired outcome which absolutely saved me tens of thousands of dollars.
Highly recommend!
Read more
02 Jun, 2021 by Anwar muwwakkil
Kathleen Kirkpatrick EsQ tried to help me find a lawyer Md. Get customer service, however it was more than customer service. Definitely would give them a call if I had any questions about anything.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Mike assad
03 Oct, 2024 by Mrs bailey alexandria trippett
Well done Law Offices Team of Mr. Sadek.
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01 Oct, 2024 by Minor garro
18 Sep, 2024 by Ramata ba
I am beyond satisfied of the consultation i had with David Bercovitch, he was an amazing listener and give me all the answers i needed . I am definitely recommending this field for any immigration matters THANK YOU again for your time
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06 Sep, 2024 by Brian vino
Brooke is the best!
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24 Aug, 2024 by Anthony domonick
David is a excellent lawyer. He truly cares about his clients. I highly recommend him.
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4.3
17 Reviews
4.8
168 Reviews
06 Sep, 2024 by Brian vino
Brooke is the best!
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17 Aug, 2024 by Court gucci
Oh how i wish this was a 5 star great experience like the others but unfortunately Mr.Ellis did not give 5 star service.Instead he charged me $3500 to go see my father (20 Min visit) who I explained to him was in need of a fighter (facing federal charges/Life) . These monies are non refundable and a 20 min visit for a case as big as this is certainly unacceptable.
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14 Aug, 2024 by The bn show
Ellis Palivias is a genius, he beat my case only using 12 words. He didn't over charge me or just take my money. This gentleman knows the law. If he runs for governor I'm voting for him. Thanks for everything....
M.Skp
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06 Sep, 2024 by Brian vino
Brooke is the best!
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17 Aug, 2024 by Court gucci
Oh how i wish this was a 5 star great experience like the others but unfortunately Mr.Ellis did not give 5 star service.Instead he charged me $3500 to go see my father (20 Min visit) who I explained to him was in need of a fighter (facing federal charges/Life) . These monies are non refundable and a 20 min visit for a case as big as this is certainly unacceptable.
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14 Aug, 2024 by The bn show
Ellis Palivias is a genius, he beat my case only using 12 words. He didn't over charge me or just take my money. This gentleman knows the law. If he runs for governor I'm voting for him. Thanks for everything....
M.Skp
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21 Jun, 2024 by Kenneth vega-manboadh
If you are in need of legal representation, I highly recommend reaching out to Mr. Goldstein. Throughout my experience working with him, Mr. Goldstein displayed an exceptional level of professionalism that put me at ease during a stressful time. He took the time to thoroughly explain each step of the legal process, ensuring that I was informed and prepared at every stage.
When faced with severe allegations, Mr. Goldstein's expertise and dedication truly shone. Not only did he diligently fight on my behalf in court, but he also strategized effectively to have the case ultimately dismissed. His commitment to my case and his unwavering support were instrumental in achieving this favorable outcome.
I found Mr. Goldstein to be not only a skilled lawyer but also a compassionate advocate who genuinely cares about his clients' well-being. His ability to navigate complex legal matters with ease and his attention to detail were truly impressive. I felt confident and reassured knowing that he was in my corner, relentlessly working to achieve the best possible result for me.
In conclusion, if you are facing a legal challenge, I highly recommend entrusting your case to Mr. Goldstein. His professionalism, knowledge, and effectiveness in the courtroom make him an invaluable ally in navigating the legal system and securing a positive resolution for his clients.
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21 Jun, 2024 by Ahmed tawansy
I had a tough situation I was going through and I contacted Mr Thomas Clemens seeking advice.Thank God I was cleared and i didnt face any charges..Mr clemens was very knowledgeable and assuring and gave me free great advice over the phone as of what to do in case the situation escalated and I need his assistance.i immediately felt i got the right guy behind my back..and i was really able to calm down a lot and focus more on what need to be done according to his advice. luckily nothing bad happened and hopefully nothing bad will ever happen But I will always be grateful to Mr Thomas and the phone call I had with him..God Bless you all for amazing great work at this lawfirm
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26 Apr, 2024 by Sabrina fair
Zak has been amazing and thorough from day one. His communication is immaculate. He is very knowledgeable and puts his time into your case and goes above and beyond. He truly cares about getting the best possible outcome and doesn’t stop fighting until he gets it. He has truly been the best lawyer my fiancé and I could ask for. I would recommend him to anyone!
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26 Feb, 2024 by Mike o'neil
26 Feb, 2024 by Dave schwartz
Lane took care of us in a first class way.
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26 Feb, 2024 by Laura salminen
13 Sep, 2021 by Sharon smith
05 Jun, 2021 by Tf sch
Mike is a outstanding lawyer. He fought for my boyfriend and our son and reunited them after a year and a half battle with the system. We were able to beat this due to Mikes excellent skills in research and knowledge of the laws. He was straight forward and took the time to explain everything every step of the way. Mike cares about the cases he fights for and I could never thank him enough. I would definitely recommend him!
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04 Jun, 2021 by M. p.
Mr. Houghton is a first class lawyer, he is responsive, organized and respectful! He helped our family with a favorable outcome and he did so professionally.
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13 Sep, 2021 by Sharon smith
05 Jun, 2021 by Tf sch
Mike is a outstanding lawyer. He fought for my boyfriend and our son and reunited them after a year and a half battle with the system. We were able to beat this due to Mikes excellent skills in research and knowledge of the laws. He was straight forward and took the time to explain everything every step of the way. Mike cares about the cases he fights for and I could never thank him enough. I would definitely recommend him!
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04 Jun, 2021 by M. p.
Mr. Houghton is a first class lawyer, he is responsive, organized and respectful! He helped our family with a favorable outcome and he did so professionally.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Mike assad
03 Oct, 2024 by Mrs bailey alexandria trippett
Well done Law Offices Team of Mr. Sadek.
Read more
01 Oct, 2024 by Minor garro
Discover the ideal lawyer
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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.
