Lawyers map
>89
experienced lawyers
Filter by
20 May, 2013 by Kimelmenendez
The Court appointed Mr Austin was my attorney a couple of months ago for child dependency case , custody and parenting plan , I live in Florida and what he did for me was great , I got custody of my kids he won the case , he really help me in everything to the point that I received a phone call from him and told me hey your kids are moving from Wa to Fl . God will bless this attorney forever .
Read more
03 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
I think with all powers combined with the first psych and a good attorney we should have had our kids home 365 days ago my kids have been begging to come home we have been fighting cps for almost 2 years our kids love my wife and I more then you will ever know the psych said you can't hide that we got a good home that we have had over a year now John promised anti herrastment orders and nothing Shannon Ross kept telling me things like you're wife and kids are deathly afraid of you man they don't want nothing to do with you don't you get that they want you to leave just leave look at the size you man people are afraid of you she has tried multi times to get my wife to leave me my wife loves me I asked her this garbage and she said that's just Shannon trying to feed you're head with bull I have a feeling that a conspiracy is taking place because I love my kids very much and would never stop fighting for them but this is wrong there has never been anything wrong what so ever with my kids and I the problems have been with certain workers for cps there is a conspiracy with John Austin Doris Walkins Jennifer Ferguson Leona Smith Shannon Ross and a couple others can't quite pin point anyway the times they said I did something wrong I have had a perfectly good explanation for anything and every thing that has ever happened in the past but even though the information was there John Austin let Shannon Ross rule the court I felt like I could have done a better job throughout this whole case and it probably would have been over a long time ago but now that I was told to keep my mouth shut thing's have got way out of control letting Shannon Ross rule the court for 19 months not fair John has said very little in this whole case I do say that I 'am sorry for being low income but still we are talking about children that are very loved by there parent's and just imagine there little heart's how they feel knowing that they love there dad so much and these people from CPS are trying to ruin there family you would not believe there has been text messages from Doris Walkins telling my wife that if you don't leave Donald thing's are gonna get worse Jennifer Ferguson told my wife that if you continue to be with you're husband you won't get you're kids back Shannon Ross told my wife on the phone she better leave now or you are not gonna see you're kids know more I was at my visit and my wife was at home Shannon stormed out from behind the spy glass went back called my wife threatend her with what she said .
Read more
12 May, 2014 by Ken
Barbara Joe is a superior trial lawyer who has mastered her discipline. I have used her twice in two equally as difficult of cases with excellent outcomes. She conducts her business in the most professional manner like no other. In Pierce County, all trial lawyers know her and respect her.
Read more
17 Jan, 2014 by David
My case was mishandled due to Barbara Jo's awful demeanor in court with opposing counsel and the Judge. To be specific, Judge Arend. I heard that she was a "go-getter", but she overcharged me, rarely, if ever, returned emails/phone calls, and her aggressive style in court was repeatedly rude and unsuccessful. This was on a custody case in 2010-2011 and I would never use her again.
Read more
11 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
I had a bad experience with Mrs. Sylvester and her law office. I called her office several times and never could get a hold of her. She has too many clients and I did not feel like she had time to devote herself to my case. Because of that, I do not recommend her to anyone.
Read more
25 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
To prospective clients considering Puget Law Group (PLG), I wish to provide an honest account of my engagement with Tim Lewis and the firm.
I initially chose PLG on February 14th, 2022, based on a recommendation from a trusted friend within the legal community. My expectations were set high for a professional and effective working relationship. Unfortunately, from the very outset, my experience fell far short of satisfactory. I was initially assigned to a different attorney within the firm, and for almost eight months, little to no progress was made. There were no interviews, no strategy sessions, and even worse, there was a troubling lack of communication during this period.
It wasn't until the beginning of November 2022 that I was informed I would be getting a new attorney, Tim Lewis. On Tuesday, November 8th, I was included in a group email for an introduction, with the expectation that Mr. Lewis would reach out to me. By Thursday the 10th, having heard nothing, I decided to take the initiative and left a message for Mr. Lewis.
Despite this, by Tuesday, November 15th, I had still not received any communication. Frustrated with the complete lack of responsiveness, I responded to the group email, reiterating my contact information in case it had been overlooked. By the end of the day on Wednesday, November 16th, with still no response from anyone, I took the step of emailing the managing partner to express my frustration at the complete absence of any communication. In that email, I made it clear that while I did not expect to be the sole focus, I at least expected to feel like a valued client.
Finally, I was contacted, but I continued to feel isolated and unsupported. The advice I received from Mr. Lewis was to "take the deal," a suggestion that left me feeling stuck and frustrated. Given my responsibilities as the full-time caregiver of an 18-month-old daughter, I couldn't afford jail time, so I reluctantly signed the deal.
Before the sentencing, I expressed my desire not to speak during the proceeding, given my dissatisfaction with the justice system. However, when the judge inquired about me, Mr. Lewis, who had not taken a minute to learn anything about me, stumbled over his words and had nothing substantial to offer, leading to my forced participation in explaining my background to the judge.
In July of that year, as part of my sentencing, I was required to enroll in an online course, with a hearing scheduled for September 1st to review my compliance. I provided proof of registration to Mr. Lewis on August 24th, and again on September 20th. Despite this, no motion was filed, and I was unaware of this. As a result, the hearing was rescheduled for September 29th, with the threat of a warrant if I didn't attend. In early September, I left a message with Tim about the upcoming hearing, which I believed would prompt a simple response indicating that the motion had been filed, and my presence was not required. Regrettably, no response was received.
Nine days passed, and I had still not heard from Mr. Lewis. I expected him to at least appear on my behalf, but he did not. I had to face the court without legal representation.
I understand that being a lawyer is often a challenging and demanding profession. My intention is not to impugn anyone's character or motives but to share my personal experience, which left me unrepresented in court.
Read more
31 May, 2020 by Anonymous
My divorce was over 10 years ago. when I met him he looked at our assets and stated "there is not much money here". Very arrogant. I spoke mostly to his assistant, I would call her and tell her what i wanted from the divorce, I expected her to relay that to margullis but when we got to court she or he had nothing with them. Norman was friends with the ex's attorney and didn't fight for me.
Read more
18 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Very condescending remarks throughout divorce process, told me to stop acting like a victim.
Did not represent me, sided with my ex's attorney during the process.
Was not knowledgeable about my case at all, only interested in charging fees.
Read more
19 Aug, 2013 by Anonymous
when I first consulted Mr. Margullis I was inclined to think he would do a good job but after he got my money I was handed over to his assistant. He seemed disinterested and didn't fight for me in the divorce and was very friendly with the opposing attorney. I really felt betrayed. Do not hire this guy.
Read more
16 Jul, 2023 by Timothy
In 2020 I was wrongfully arrested by an officer in training with his FTO at his side after calling for assistance for a verbal dispute with my spouse in Thurston County. After she attempted to force unwanted contact, I instinctively picked up the phone and called 911. That was a mistake. 14 months later, after a NCO was developed from the false arrest, I was persuaded by Eric Schuler as my public defense to take a plea or I would go to jail, even though he understood I was innocent. He had plenty of photos, audio, transcripts, interviews, etc to show I was violated. I would have went to jail and lost everything all over again if I stood up for myself according to him. This is because there were accusations of me violating the NCO and emails standing up for my son that was about to turn 5 as the government was promoting these harmful vaccinations for that age group and telling my ex to pay the house that almost went under foreclosure due to her neglect. We're also both Navy veterans and in truth, I have no criminal background. The comradery and brotherhood is a lie. If you want to be let down, you're in the right spot.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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:
-
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.
