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16 Jan, 2020 by Texas plaintiff
Shaun represented me in a personal injury matter against a vicious predator and his army of victim blaming lawyers. The case went to trial and Shaun single handedly represented me with honor, dignity, and victory. Six lawyers in the courtroom for the opposing side were no match in the seven day trial against solo Shaun Murphy. I knew after the first interview I had with SBEMP that Shaun Murphy was the only lawyer who would properly handle my type of case. Shaun had the knowledge, experience and proven results in the often misunderstood and sensationalized type of personal injury case he represented me in. I spoke with several lawyers before talking to Shaun and they all wanted to take my case. It was only after Shaun reviewed my case that I felt comfortable in moving forward. It was the best thing I did. Shaun confidently and aggressively pursued justice until the mission was complete. Through pre-trial litigation, trial, appeals, and full collection Shaun was a pillar of integrity. He was always responsive and focused on justice. Shaun is not only a fierce litigator but he has a very high emotional intelligence as well. He knew exactly how to respond to me in my most difficult moments of a long haul. He was a rock solid pillar of strength all the way. I can never thank him enough for all that he did while fighting for me. Impeccable with his word. Impeccable honor. Don't trust your highly sensitive litigations matters to anyone else. Proven experience matters. Litigation with Shaun is not a drill or a legal experiment. He knows exactly what he is doing.
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15 Jan, 2020 by Doug
Shaun Murphy has been my attorney against Riverside County for the past 5 years. At the trial court level, the judge made some very poor decisions against me, which the 4th DCA reversed in full last week. Now I have the opportunity to hold the County accountable for some very serious federal civil rights violations, in addition to several state law torts.
Throughout this long, difficult, and very trying process, Shaun Murphy has been a consummate legal professional. He has been personable, knowledgeable, and responsive to all of my legal needs and requirements. He co-authored a masterful appeal that formed the foundation for the appellate reversal in my favor at the 4th District Court of Appeal. He stood up to the bully man tactics of my legal opponents, and protected my legal rights at every critical juncture. Finally, Shaun Murphy has a feel for the litigation process that is difficult to quantify, but that is tactically invaluable, and it inspires client confidence at every point in the legal process.
I highly recommend Shaun and his team at SBEMP for any and all of your legal needs.
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16 Oct, 2012 by Anonymous
Shaun Murphy is the best Attorney ever! My experience with him was a personal injury case. I contracted an STD from a man that I had been dating long term, who forgot to tell me that he had herpes before we had sex. The devastation, embarrassment and humiliation was unbelievable. My self worth was gone forever, or so I thought. One night I was watching the news and heard of this Attorney who had just won a 4.5 million dollar law suite for a simular case. I had no idea one could sue for something like this. I called his office the next day, told my story and he took me on as a client. Shaun is dedicated to these types of cases, so I felt no embarrassment when I had to discuss anything with him or anyone in the office. When I felt hopeless, Shaun always brought me strength. He was sure we would reach a settlement, which we eventually did. We had to fly to a different state to meet with the X and his Attorney. Four hours later, we settled! The very first day I spoke with Shaun, he told me that we would settle, but I had so many doubts at that time. I gotta hand it too him.... He sure knew what he was doing. He never gave up!
Not only has Shaun won a settlement for me, but he was instrumental in helping me to believe in myself again and to trust in others. Thank you Shaun for making someone else think twice before spreading an STD around again! "One down..... thousands to go"!
I would not hesitate to hire this man as my Attorney again. Highly recommend him, especially for Personal Injury involving an STD.
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10 Jan, 2021 by Dave
First, my sincerest apologies to Chris, Pam, and all the staff for my complete negligence and selfish tardiness in posting these reviews of our experience. My only excuse and defense is that I have been having way too much fun these past few months with the toys I have always hoped for in my “Golden Years” of retirement. I.e. Kubota Tractor, hydraulic dump, flat bed, and now constructing a pole barn to store it.
My wife, I, and our Minnie Aussie departed our Olympia, WA home on the start of a month long retirement “road trip of a lifetime.” On day two we were hit by a drunk driver in Joshua Tree, CA. While we were all relatively unharmed our brand new (3,500 miles) GMC truck was totaled. We returned back to Olympia six days later and asked ourselves, “what the heck just happened and now what?” I sat down and composed a six page narrative of what happened describing what was going on in our lives before, at the time, and after, this horrific incident. At the same time, Leta was searching for a personal injury lawyer. After much debate and settling on two, we flipped a coin and Leta won. I am SO glad she did.
I am confident that this narrative assisted Chris greatly in determining the value of our case and, more importantly, who we are, our history, feelings, dreams, etc. And he was able to achieve this without us ever having hade face to face communication. We did have, however, enjoy many hours on the phone at both the beginning and at the end of our near 18 month association. And none of that time on the phone was created for “billing hours.” It was all on Chris’s dime.
Chris worked tirelessly in communication with both the defendant’s insurance company, as well as ours to obtain the maximum “underinsured motorist” coverage we carry. Ultimately, we were awarded the maximum limits allowable on both policies. We each received two checks, one from the drunk drivers insurance, and one from ours. We just renewed with our insurance and I have not noticed any increase in premium. The only way we could have received more money would have been to go to court with a jury trial. Given our Covid-19 environment and the snail’s pace the court is moving, I believe Chris advised us correctly in accepting the full limit offer. I can never thank this firm enough and would, without hesitancy, recommend them to anyone who has been wrongly injured in the Palm Springs area. I’m still looking forward to footing the bill for a meal at Elmer’s.
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28 Dec, 2020 by Leta
We had the misfortune of being 1200 miles and 2 states away from home when we were broadsided by a drunk driver in Feb. 2019. Our new truck was totaled right in the middle of 29 Palms Highway. Our injuries were not life threatening thanks to air bags and other safety features. We found Christopher Vader, who along with his trusted sidekick, Pam Kitchens, handled all the details, medical billing, communicating with insurance adjusters and providing us with frequent updates. When it seemed like we were preparing to settle with all involved parties, the Courts shut down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Chris remained optimistic and by mid summer we received the maximum payout awarded by the Insurance companies. We couldn't be happier with the process and outcome. Thank you Chris (and Pam)!
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19 Sep, 2017 by David
Mr. Vader was my choice for attorney for a personal injury event I had in Palm Springs, 1,000 miles away from my home. He listened carefully to my case, evaluated me as much as I did him, and was completely honest about the possible outcomes, promising nothing more than hard and honest work.
And that is what I received; skilled and careful preparation all done with an honestly friendly demeanor that resulted in a fair settlement. I felt included and valued as a client and Mr. Vader respected my own professionalism and communication skills, consulting at all times for consensus and agreement on the path of the case.
When the case settled, Mr. Vader showed the content of his character with clarity. An error of the written word, in the firm's favor, was corrected in my favor, honoring our handshake agreement. And he was the one finding the error, not I.
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19 Dec, 2014 by Jeff
John is an excellent attorney
He has done excellent work for our city
I am very impressed with his knowledge aND his abilities in court.
John is also not afraid to go to court. Several attorneys I have worked with want you to settle everything John is not like that.
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15 Dec, 2014 by Earl
Mr. John Pinkney is a fabulous, caring and aggressive attorney who knows the law and delivers favorable results to his clients. John's guidance and demeanor along with his excellent staff offer great communication along the way of the issues being addressed. If you are looking for a smart attorney that you can trust and feel at ease with from your initial meeting, I highly recommend John and the services he can offer to resolve the most complex legal issues we face in today's world.
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21 May, 2024 by Kevin abrams
Unacceptable experience. See my feedback below to the firm after having an awful experience on what was a very simple request.
"The manner in which your firm has been communicating with me is bizarre and almost robotic...On top of that, there was no material explanation as to why such fees would be necessary. For your reference, I reached out to two of your competitors, all of which promptly responded to me via email with a normal conversation and discussion that involved a human back and forth with questions, and elaboration on my request. It was refreshing. Secondly, the potential fees of up to 4 hours for $550/hour for a reaffirmation were referred to as "ridiculous" not only by your competitors, but from other out-of-state counsel that I have worked with in the past. On top of that, some of which offered alternatives that require no fees whatsoever. In conclusion, the manner in which you conduct business and communicate is not only seemingly fee-driven instead of sincerely helping the needs of a potential client, but also not a fit for me."
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04 Apr, 2024 by Judy garcia
My husband and myself had a great experience with SBEMP, they are very professional and helpful. We had some legal documents taken care of with them and couldn’t have been more pleased. Highly recommend them for all your legal needs.
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08 Mar, 2024 by Charlie calhoun
So, I have a very challenging case. It spans two states and two different courts in Riverside County. Did I mention a very challenging Ex? Long story short, Valarie (probate area of practice) and Carolyn (family law) are amazing. They have fought tooth and nail for me. Let me be clear….this is not a “discount” law firm. The old adage, you get what you pay for. I needed competent hard working lawyers. Lawyers who knew the ins and out of each issue. That is what I got. Their guidance was/is worth every penny. These two women are amazing and I am so thankful for finding them. I can’t speak for anything outside of family law or probate, but I can tell you if you have an issue in these two areas, use them.
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21 May, 2024 by Kevin abrams
Unacceptable experience. See my feedback below to the firm after having an awful experience on what was a very simple request.
"The manner in which your firm has been communicating with me is bizarre and almost robotic...On top of that, there was no material explanation as to why such fees would be necessary. For your reference, I reached out to two of your competitors, all of which promptly responded to me via email with a normal conversation and discussion that involved a human back and forth with questions, and elaboration on my request. It was refreshing. Secondly, the potential fees of up to 4 hours for $550/hour for a reaffirmation were referred to as "ridiculous" not only by your competitors, but from other out-of-state counsel that I have worked with in the past. On top of that, some of which offered alternatives that require no fees whatsoever. In conclusion, the manner in which you conduct business and communicate is not only seemingly fee-driven instead of sincerely helping the needs of a potential client, but also not a fit for me."
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04 Apr, 2024 by Judy garcia
My husband and myself had a great experience with SBEMP, they are very professional and helpful. We had some legal documents taken care of with them and couldn’t have been more pleased. Highly recommend them for all your legal needs.
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08 Mar, 2024 by Charlie calhoun
So, I have a very challenging case. It spans two states and two different courts in Riverside County. Did I mention a very challenging Ex? Long story short, Valarie (probate area of practice) and Carolyn (family law) are amazing. They have fought tooth and nail for me. Let me be clear….this is not a “discount” law firm. The old adage, you get what you pay for. I needed competent hard working lawyers. Lawyers who knew the ins and out of each issue. That is what I got. Their guidance was/is worth every penny. These two women are amazing and I am so thankful for finding them. I can’t speak for anything outside of family law or probate, but I can tell you if you have an issue in these two areas, use them.
Read more
21 May, 2024 by Kevin abrams
Unacceptable experience. See my feedback below to the firm after having an awful experience on what was a very simple request.
"The manner in which your firm has been communicating with me is bizarre and almost robotic...On top of that, there was no material explanation as to why such fees would be necessary. For your reference, I reached out to two of your competitors, all of which promptly responded to me via email with a normal conversation and discussion that involved a human back and forth with questions, and elaboration on my request. It was refreshing. Secondly, the potential fees of up to 4 hours for $550/hour for a reaffirmation were referred to as "ridiculous" not only by your competitors, but from other out-of-state counsel that I have worked with in the past. On top of that, some of which offered alternatives that require no fees whatsoever. In conclusion, the manner in which you conduct business and communicate is not only seemingly fee-driven instead of sincerely helping the needs of a potential client, but also not a fit for me."
Read more
04 Apr, 2024 by Judy garcia
My husband and myself had a great experience with SBEMP, they are very professional and helpful. We had some legal documents taken care of with them and couldn’t have been more pleased. Highly recommend them for all your legal needs.
Read more
08 Mar, 2024 by Charlie calhoun
So, I have a very challenging case. It spans two states and two different courts in Riverside County. Did I mention a very challenging Ex? Long story short, Valarie (probate area of practice) and Carolyn (family law) are amazing. They have fought tooth and nail for me. Let me be clear….this is not a “discount” law firm. The old adage, you get what you pay for. I needed competent hard working lawyers. Lawyers who knew the ins and out of each issue. That is what I got. Their guidance was/is worth every penny. These two women are amazing and I am so thankful for finding them. I can’t speak for anything outside of family law or probate, but I can tell you if you have an issue in these two areas, use them.
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What a Civil Rights Lawyer Can Do for You
A civil rights lawyer focuses on protecting individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated by government authorities, employers, or private organizations. These lawyers specialize in cases involving discrimination, police misconduct, freedom of speech, and other fundamental rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws, such as the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act.
Whether you've been discriminated against due to race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics, or you believe your civil rights have been violated by a government entity, a civil rights lawyer can help you seek justice, hold wrongdoers accountable, and secure compensation for any harm you've suffered.
When Should I Hire a Civil Rights Lawyer?
You should hire a civil rights lawyer when your constitutional rights or other protected rights have been violated, and you need legal assistance to seek justice. Some key situations in which you may need a civil rights lawyer include:
- Employment discrimination: If you have faced discrimination at work based on race, gender, age, religion, national origin, or disability, a civil rights lawyer can help you file claims under laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Police misconduct or brutality: If you were the victim of police brutality, unlawful arrest, racial profiling, or other forms of misconduct, a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit for violations of your Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
- Freedom of speech or assembly violations: If your First Amendment rights to free speech or peaceful assembly have been restricted by the government, a civil rights lawyer can represent you in challenging the violation.
- Housing discrimination: If you’ve been denied housing or faced unfair treatment due to your race, ethnicity, gender, or disability, a lawyer can help you file a complaint under the Fair Housing Act.
- Voter rights violations: If you believe your right to vote has been unfairly suppressed or you’ve faced discrimination in the voting process, a civil rights lawyer can help you fight for your rights.
- Disability rights violations: If you’ve faced discrimination in accessing public spaces, employment, or services due to a disability, a lawyer can help enforce your rights under the ADA.
- LGBTQ+ rights violations: If you've experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, or public services, a civil rights lawyer can help you pursue legal remedies.
Hiring a lawyer early on can help you understand your legal options and build a strong case to protect your rights.
What Does a Civil Rights Lawyer Do?
A civil rights lawyer provides legal representation and advocacy to individuals whose rights have been violated. Their work can include:
- Filing lawsuits: A civil rights lawyer can represent you in court by filing lawsuits against individuals, businesses, or government entities that violated your rights.
- Advocating for policy changes: Civil rights lawyers often engage in advocacy work, pushing for reforms to laws and policies that infringe upon people's rights.
- Representing clients in discrimination claims: These lawyers help clients file claims with federal or state agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Negotiating settlements: In many cases, civil rights lawyers work to negotiate settlements for their clients before a case goes to trial, securing compensation for damages such as lost wages, emotional distress, or legal fees.
- Defending freedom of expression: Lawyers may represent clients whose rights to free speech, assembly, or protest were violated by government restrictions or other actions.
- Handling appeals: If your civil rights case has been decided but you wish to appeal the ruling, a civil rights lawyer can help you through the appeals process.
How Are Civil Rights Lawyers Paid?
Civil rights lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Contingency fee: Many civil rights lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. Their fee is typically a percentage (usually 25% to 40%) of the settlement or damages awarded.
- Hourly rate: For cases that require extensive legal research or litigation, some lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Pro bono or sliding scale: Some civil rights lawyers or organizations may work on a pro bono (free) basis or use a sliding fee scale for clients who cannot afford typical legal fees.
- Flat fee: In specific cases, a lawyer may charge a flat fee for services like drafting legal documents or filing a complaint.
It’s important to clarify the fee structure during your initial consultation to avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does a Civil Rights Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a civil rights lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of legal issue. General cost estimates include:
- Contingency fee cases: For cases taken on a contingency basis, the lawyer’s fee will typically range from 25% to 40% of the settlement or judgment awarded.
- Hourly rates: Many civil rights lawyers charge hourly rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on their experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fees: For straightforward legal tasks, such as filing a complaint with a government agency or drafting legal documents, flat fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Pro bono work: Some civil rights lawyers or nonprofit organizations provide free legal representation in certain cases involving important constitutional or civil rights issues.
Be sure to ask for a detailed estimate of costs during your consultation to understand the financial commitment involved.
Top Questions to Ask a Civil Rights Lawyer
Before hiring a civil rights lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your case. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with civil rights cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it’s employment discrimination, police misconduct, or First Amendment violations. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, hourly rate, or flat fee, and ask for an estimate of the total cost of your case. -
What is the likelihood of success for my case?
Ask the lawyer to provide an honest assessment of your case, including the strengths, weaknesses, and potential outcomes. -
Have you handled cases like mine before?
Inquire about the lawyer’s experience in cases with similar facts and legal issues. -
What is the timeline for resolving my case?
While exact timelines can vary, ask for an estimate of how long your case may take, from filing to resolution. -
Will you handle my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may work on parts of your case, so it’s important to know who will handle your legal matter directly.
How to Check the Credibility of a Civil Rights Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable civil rights lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for specific civil rights experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in civil rights law and have a history of handling cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who can speak to their experience with civil rights cases.
- Check for advocacy or nonprofit work: Lawyers involved with civil rights organizations, such as the ACLU or NAACP Legal Defense Fund, may have a strong reputation in the civil rights legal community.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a civil rights lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- A detailed account of the violation: Provide a written summary of the events, including dates, times, and any people involved in the violation of your rights.
- Documentation and evidence: Bring any supporting documentation, such as emails, letters, photos, or video footage that may help prove the violation of your rights.
- Records of complaints or reports: If you’ve filed complaints with a government agency or reported the violation, bring copies of those documents.
- List of questions: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, costs, and potential outcomes of your case.
- Information on damages or harm: Be prepared to discuss the harm you’ve suffered due to the violation, such as emotional distress, financial loss, or physical injury.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your case more effectively and get the best possible legal advice on how to proceed.
