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Jill Michelle Manning, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
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13,65
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3.0/5
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3.0
2 Reviews
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15 May, 2023 by Mi na
I'm convinced that Ann Riley is the most ethical, competent, and intelligent divorce attorney in the Bay Area. I interviewed a lot of lawyers and many of them were simply not confident about the law and fairly apathetic. Ann really cares in a way that is helpful. She doesn't waste your time, she is able to be firm when needed, and is extremely logical. She has a good understanding of the family court system in SF. Opposing counsel was unprofessional and difficult and Ms. Riley refused to engage, knowing that it would cost me more if she did so and that it wouldn't get me any further ahead. A lot of attorneys like to engage in time wasting activities because they know they can get away with billing you for them - there wasn't a single line item in Ms.Riley's bill that was questionable - she deserved every penny of her retainer. I wish I had met Ann under different circumstances but I'm really grateful to have met her when I did. She gives me hope that there are still decent and good people who find value in doing the right thing.
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23 Dec, 2020 by Brayden fox
Riley Ann bullies me!
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Su Li, experienced Civil Rights, Intellectual Property attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
13,65
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3.0/5
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3.0
2 Reviews
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12 Mar, 2024 by Heung kim
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire.. He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined! I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented. This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing. Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence. I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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Steven Lee Smith, experienced Civil Rights, Financial Markets And Services attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
13,65
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3.0/5
Google Maps
3.0
2 Reviews
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12 Mar, 2024 by Heung kim
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire.. He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined! I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented. This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing. Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence. I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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Dawne Sara Lo, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
Below Average
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
13,65
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3.0/5
Google Maps
3.0
2 Reviews
star star star star star
12 Mar, 2024 by Heung kim
Google Maps
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire.. He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined! I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented. This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing. Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence. I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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Hilarie Anne Atkisson, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
Below Average
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
13,65
star star star star star
3.0/5
Google Maps
3.0
2 Reviews
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12 Mar, 2024 by Heung kim
Google Maps
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire.. He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined! I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented. This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing. Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence. I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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Shayne Hunter Henry, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
Below Average
info
Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
13,65
star star star star star
3.0/5
Google Maps
3.0
2 Reviews
star star star star star
12 Mar, 2024 by Heung kim
Google Maps
star star star star star
22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire.. He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined! I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented. This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing. Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence. I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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Christopher Whang, experienced Bankruptcy, Business attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
Below Average
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12,00
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0.0/5
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Christine Louise Garcia, experienced Civil Rights, Government attorney in San Francisco, CA with 5 reviews
Below Average
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
11,93
star star star star star
2.6/5
Avvo
2.6
5 Reviews
star star star star star
25 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Without a doubt the most amazing person/ attorney on the Planet. Without great detail- Christine saved my life, my dogs life and my sanity! Need help with an animal situation? Why are you procrastinating? Contact Christine immediately!!!!
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25 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
We were referred to her for a case involving 3 dogs that were in my care as fosters for a local rescue for well over a year that we wanted to adopt after finding out the rescue wanted to terminate one for being a bully breed and possibly "unadoptable." She started out strong as far as emails go, saying we would have a good case against them and their unrealistic attitudes and demands. She did nothing to help us resolve this case but give the opposing counsel money amounts on what we could do to settle the case without consulting me some of the times. She was rude, unprofessional and charged me ridiculous amounts of money she had me pay through her "non profit" page and got us no where. Stay clear of her, she has no interest in helping animals.
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21 Jan, 2019 by Christine
Christine doesn't care about animals. She actually gets mad at you for asking legal questions. I wrote her an email regarding my town's SPCA that commits ongoing animal cruelty. She responded telling me to call her the next day. I did and she said, "Remind me what your emailss was about. Whenever someone writes more than 2 sentences I just have them call me". It sounded like she never even read my email. I explained the animal cruelty at the animal shelter in detail. I thought she'd be shocked to hear that these poor animals were treated so cruelly. Her response was "Umm..hmm..." and interrupted frequently hurrying the conversation. Then she told, "You want the animal shelter to sue you." Then she told me to look up this website and advised that I provoke the animal shelter to sue so I could get this Whistle Blower organization to represent me for free. WHAT?! I told her I wanted to know her fees so she could bring a case against the animal shelter. She said, "I have child and I really don't have time." I have to go take care of MY now. MY CHILD needs me. She became very dramatic and angry. As if I was to blame for the fact her website was still up asking for business. First, how could she be so cold when hearing about systemic animal cruelty? Second, she told me to provoke a lawsuit on myself? What kind of nutty legal advice is that? What kind of lawyer tells someone to go get sued? I made it clear I was willing to pay to bring a case against the animal shelter. Furthermore, she doesn't even care that in the time it would take me to get sued more animals would be subjected to cruelty. Third, why is she acting like I'm the one taking her away from her child? I don't know her. She's the one who told me to call her! Something is really wrong with this woman. I don't think she's mentally all there.
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Daniel Ray Bacon, experienced Civil Rights, Discrimination attorney in San Francisco, CA with 4 reviews
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
9,18
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2.0/5
Avvo
2.0
4 Reviews
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01 Jul, 2013 by Ray coleman
TRIPLE BEWARE!!! Stay far away from this guy! He did nothing but bs about how fantastic and successful he was at wrongful terminations and sexual discrimination, only to fold at every turn of our suit. He did absolutely nothing but take what little money we had and made us look and feel like fools. If it appears to him he might actually have to work, (We did all our work for him and he would try to charge us for that), he shuts down leaving you to defend yourself from the oncoming lawyers. He is very arrogant, unprofessional and was a BIG BULLY toward us! PLease search harder and find the right person for the job... never Daniel Ray Bacon!!!!!!
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11 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
BEWARE!!!! Our family hired Daniel Ray Bacon for a dispute over a trust. It turns out that Bacon does not handle this area of law but took our case boasting about how versed he was. Bacon strings you along, promising that your case is really strong. He bills you for subpoenas, depositions, all the while stating he's gathering "evidence." His depositions clearly show he's grasping for straws and unprepared. His plan from the get-go is to bill, bill, bill and urge you to settle before any trial can occur, because that is where his flawed work as an attorney all comes out. We eventually left Bacon after one year and about $100,000 in legal fees. It was our mistake picking Bacon. After finding a real expert in trust law, we realized that Bacon wasn't even fighting the right battles. There were fundamental errors made by Bacon which showed he was oblivious to trust law. In fact, based on the manner of how he conducts his deposition, I'm flabbergasted that he had enough competence to pass the state BAR. Bacon is downright incompetent. For example, Bacon assumed that assets in the trust were properly deeded to the trust when all the while, they were left in the name of the trustor. He failed to realize this. Once brought to his attention, he stated that it was not an issue which it turned out to be. Bacon was fighting for a trust that was never properly funded to begin with and never saw this huge problem. Google Bacon in the California BAR and you will find adverse action was taken on him previously. He was "suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year." This man is downright dangerous, stay away! He will hurt your pocket book, but worse, he will hurt you while you are involved in a lawsuit. Bacon is best described as the quintessential lawyer that our society loves to hate.
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27 Apr, 2011 by Anonymous
Twice Mr. Bacon has served us very well. First, in my wife's discrimination case, he was able to negotiate a fair settlement in a timely manner. Second, in my wrongful termination case, while up against a gang of vicious lawyers, inept or prejudiced state officials, and a thoroughly biased judicial system, over a three year period he was able to keep my case alive and in the end negotiate a settlement.
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Jacob Andrew Glaser, experienced Civil Rights, Copyright Application attorney in San Francisco, CA with 36 reviews
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7,30
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1.6/5
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1.6
36 Reviews
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29 Jan, 2025 by Kyle
The bar is only there to help protect lawyers. Their purpose is to protect from the public any licensing, regulation and non-discipline of their attorneys shielding them from any type of prosecution. Government corruption at its finest.
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10 Jan, 2025 by I p
I filed a complaint against an attorney and law firm for allegedly forging my signature on documents for monetary gain. I submitted all proof including to and from emails from the alleged attorney where he clearly stated the new revised documents were not available when I signed onto the law firm over 5 years ago. So, how could my signature that was dated Dec 2019 get onto newly revised documents that were not available Dec 2019? Why would I signed a old version of documents and a new version of documents on the same day and month of 2019? That makes zero sense. My complaint was dismissed. So this law firm was not reprimanded for alleged forgery. So, I guess attorneys don't have to abide by the law. They have the State Bar Association to protect them from their wrongdoing. Unbelievable! And Unacceptable!
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08 Jan, 2025 by Brayan berrios
I filed a complaint against an attorney & they automatically closed it out without helping me on the matter 👎
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Kathleen Ann McCormac, experienced Civil Rights, Sexual Harassment attorney in San Francisco, CA with 2 reviews
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7,19
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1.0/5
Avvo
1.0
2 Reviews
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23 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
She reviewed my case with me and confirmed that she could help me win employment case and it is covered by my insurance. None of that happened. She refused to bill my insurance on my behalf. When pressed, she would do it and I had to pay for extra for billing insurance. I paid her lots of money and got nothing in return.
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25 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
I engaged this lawyer and after one year of no action a mediation was planned and no result. Later the my case was proven in arbitration and that settled a million.
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Ryan Joshua Vlasak, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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6,00
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Inez Kim, experienced Civil Rights, Divorce attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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6,00
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Russell Bret Murphy, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Gretchen Anne Ramos, experienced Civil Rights, Litigation attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Kassra Powell Nassiri, experienced Civil Rights, Class Action attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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James Michael Finberg, experienced Civil Rights, Class Action attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Conor Hughes Kennedy, experienced Civil Rights, Intellectual Property attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Sean Paul Debruine, experienced Civil Rights, Intellectual Property attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Batya Floryn Forsyth, experienced Civil Rights, Litigation attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Robert Douglas Brownstone, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Celine Marie Guillou, experienced Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Julia Erin Gonzalez Sanders, experienced Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Walter White Hansell, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Tenaya Rodewald, experienced Civil Rights, Intellectual Property attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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David William Tollen, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Matthew Alois Lavrinets, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Alix Amelia Rosenthal, experienced Business, Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Daniel Mark Jackson, experienced Civil Rights, Litigation attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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Katherine Elizabeth Avery, experienced Civil Rights attorney in San Francisco, CA with 0 reviews
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4,00
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Have you handled cases like mine before?
    Inquire about the lawyer’s experience in cases with similar facts and legal issues.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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