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13 Jun, 2012 by Anonymous
The Middlebrooks & Shapiro Law firm has been instrumental in helping me managing my finances for the last 7 years. When I first contacted the firm in 2005 my personal finances were in shambles. Health problems were the root cause of my problems. First, Melinda and her team listened carefully to what I had to say. Then it did not take them long to devise a plan for me to get back on a good path of being financially responsible and accountable for all the expenses that I incur. This was not the end of the story though. The staff at the Ms. Middlebrooks' office worked shoulder to shoulder with me as I began to implement the custom tailored tasks that I needed to accomplish. At the heart of my financial recovery was a very detailed budget of my monthly income and expenses. I had never been taught how to discipline myself economically. It was only after it was explained patiently by her group that the methods and techniques made sense. I am happy to say that in the last few years all the help that the Middlebrooks Shapiro law firm has made a monumental positive difference in my life. I sincerely thank them for that!
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13 Jun, 2012 by Lauren
Working with Melinda is always a pleasure. She is knowledgeable, approachable and empathetic to her clients' needs. Her ability to translate "legalese" for the layperson’s comprehension gives her a boost in my book.
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12 Jun, 2012 by Karen
I used Melinda after I was downsized and lost my job after 27 years. I was devastated and very anxious about what was going to happen next, would I lose my house, be able to pay my bills, I had so many questions. I had heard about Melinda from several friends and decided to schedule an appointment. At the initial consultation, Melinda was so compassionate and knowledgeable, I really felt she cared about me as a person and not just another case. She walked me through all my options without making me feel pressured to decide immediately such a large decision. I decided to file with Melinda's guidance and she was there every step of the way. The beauty of this smaller, specialized firm is that I never felt I was bothering anyone with my questions or phone calls. They were always extremely accommodating. Filing for bankruptcy is a very difficult decision and anxiety provoking to say the least. I know that the process was made so much easier by the personalized care I received from Melinda.
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07 Sep, 2010 by Anonymous
We would highly recommend John for anyone who needs estate planning. My wife and I were very impressed by his professionalism and knowledge of the area. My brother also used John when he sold his business several years ago and could not have been happier with John's great service.
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10 Feb, 2012 by Alan
I have recommended Mr. Gartenberg to clients who have business matters and they were all very satisfied with his services. He responds quickly and gets the job done professionally and efficiently.
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18 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Greg does quality work in entertainment. He negotiated a contract for me, everything went smoothly, he even caught mistakes made by the other lawyer. I highly recommend him.
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02 Jan, 2024 by Aaron
Karen quickly understood and was responsive to our legal needs in a timely and thorough manner.
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02 Jan, 2024 by Tom
Ms Wachs has represented us on several issues with our practice and I am continually impressed with her depth of knowledge. Ms Wachs worked tirelessly on our behalf, while providing valuable and knowledgeable insight. We were fortunate to have both Ms Wachs and Ms Campanella work together and they truly are the "Dynamic Duo". We are very grateful for Ms Wachs commitment to our practice and confidently recommend her to fellow colleagues.
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26 Feb, 2022 by Konstantin
Karen was fantastic! Took her time to make sure that my needs were well taken cared of and that my business can thrive!
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05 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
The previous post was written by my tenant who I had to sue for eviction. It was “I” who hired Mr. Corrigan to assist me with the eviction process. In a "Tenant Friendly" state, the deciding judge granted the eviction. I believe this speaks for itself. I highly recommend Brian Corrigan.
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16 Jul, 2020 by Dr. salilesh mukhopadhyay
I still remember the first time home buying experience in America! By the way we came here from Melbourne, AUSTRALIA! Yes! we bought our first house in AUSTRALIA and sold that too after getting the Green Card to USA! Just a breeze! Mercy took care of everything from review to the closing of our first house in USA! And she helped us to sell that house too! NO PROBLEM! We bought our apparently last home in New Jersey in 2006! Yes! she took the trouble to drive on Rt. 18 at Kaplan place and was late for the first time because the GPS at night played around! We will recommend Mercy for any real estate closing! MAY GOD BLESS HER AND WISHING HER MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! LOVE, Sumita & Sal
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25 Dec, 2024 by Sabina simone
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02 Nov, 2024 by Tatyana semenova
Great service !
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11 Oct, 2024 by Marina
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04 Dec, 2024 by Telmo moreira
I hired John Pihno , possibly the worst communication process , I’ve been dealing with this office for a year and never met my lawyer , couldn’t get him on the phone his assistant Suzette never responded back to emails or calls . I felt like I was constantly chasing them . A lot of the things that happens during my case as , surgically etc. would have never happened unless I pushed and of course these people want a piece of your check when it’s all over . I HIGHLY DONT RECOMMEND THIS LAW FIRM . Please trust the reviews . I can’t believe I didn’t look them up before . Other say the say NO RESPONSE
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17 Sep, 2024 by D c
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09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
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04 Dec, 2024 by Telmo moreira
I hired John Pihno , possibly the worst communication process , I’ve been dealing with this office for a year and never met my lawyer , couldn’t get him on the phone his assistant Suzette never responded back to emails or calls . I felt like I was constantly chasing them . A lot of the things that happens during my case as , surgically etc. would have never happened unless I pushed and of course these people want a piece of your check when it’s all over . I HIGHLY DONT RECOMMEND THIS LAW FIRM . Please trust the reviews . I can’t believe I didn’t look them up before . Other say the say NO RESPONSE
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17 Sep, 2024 by D c
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09 Jul, 2024 by Salvatore mattiaccio
We did a project which included several change orders asked for by the Hicks at his residence . Mr. Hicks, a partner at this law firm , acted very unprofessional, his wife actually contacted my employees via text causing tortious interference with our contracts. While completing his contracts, we found his soil was sub par and full of clay and needed to be remediated. He and his wife practically had temper tantrums causing for an unbelievably unsuitable work environment at his home. Even with their attempts to cause harm to me and my company, we competed the contract. A year later, he claimed that some of the brick pavers moved, I explained to him that he refused to pay to remedy the soil situation and therefore it was not covered by our warranty. He proceeded to use his law degree to sue us, he filed suit for over $24,000.00 which included almost $12,000.00 in new landscaping which was not part of my contract. While delivering the discovery to his house, the driveway which he claimed to have been removed and reinstalled in his lawsuit had the same pavers sinking in the same spot a year after they were supposedly replaced.. if this partnership allows attorneys like this, who use their law license to try to steal from hard working contractors then I would say run away from this firm. They support disgraceful behavior like this from their partners! We just recently went to binding arbitration. The arbiter threw out 99% of his case and awarded him $2300.00, one tenth of what he was fraudulently suing me and my company for!
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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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