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14 Feb, 2025 by Dawnita
I want to thank Benton Employment Law from the bottom of my heart for taking on my case with no foreknowledge. You believed in me when nobody else would. I am so grateful to you and your entire extraordinary team!
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13 Feb, 2025 by Carleen acevedo
I highly recommend Benton Employment Law, P.C. to guide you through the process of correcting a wrongful termination. I was terminated from my past employer. A dear friend recommended Benton Employment Law to advise me. Chambord is an exceptional attorney! I provided the facts regarding my termination. Chambord knew I had a case. Chambord is diligent in her pursuit of the law. I trust you would put your case to Benton Employment Law, P.C. I only wish I could give her ten stars!
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25 Nov, 2024 by Chéla gage
In a period of time when I felt most vulnerable, confused, ashamed; Chambord treated me as a human first. Giving grace she walked me through the process, advised on next steps and helped me get beyond this moment. I would recommend working with Chambord if you are in need of a good lawyer.
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26 Aug, 2023 by Cathy larsen
Dedicated and caring. You will get 110% Top Drawer firm.
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15 Sep, 2022 by Ken hershbell
Even my attorneys, whom I fired, have this to say: this firm shows evidence of sloppy work in a recent divorce case. They haven’t represented me so you can guess whom they represent.
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01 Mar, 2022 by Olimpia olimpia
Very very rude person at front desk 😡
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15 Jan, 2025 by Adam makyce
Navigating special education legal matters can feel like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing—confusing and frustrating. But Natashe Washington brought clarity and structure to the process, ensuring our family felt supported every step of the way.
Natashe was incredibly easy to reach and always delivered her services within the promised timeframe. Her attention to detail, clear communication, and genuine compassion gave us peace of mind and confidence throughout the journey.
Working with Natashe wasn’t just effective—it was truly a pleasure. She’s the perfect mix of sharp professionalism and warm humanity, which is exactly what you want when tackling such a personal and critical matter.
If you’re looking for someone who will advocate fiercely, expertly, and on time, Natashe is the attorney to call. Thank you, Natashe, for helping us piece together a brighter future!
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07 Dec, 2024 by Jamila cordo
Givelle and her team helped my family during a very difficult time. She was wonderful to speak to and broke the process and costs down, so we could make educated decisions about how to proceed. They were quick to respond and were very communicative throughout. I am grateful we chose them to work with!
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12 Oct, 2024 by Swati mehta
Natashe is the best of the best. She is a ferocious advocate for special needs children, partners very well with parents vision and follows through. She is patient, kind and also very effective as a lawyer. I highly recommend Natashe without any reservations! Thank you so much God bless you Natashe!
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21 Aug, 2015 by William c. bradshaw (okay to use full name)
Although my association was a number of years ago and somewhat limited, I was very much impressed with and appreciative of his honesty and directness. Superb lawyer! This was the result of jury service.
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30 Oct, 2013 by Nate
If you are lucky enough to have Joe Penrod involved in your court case you should count your lucky stars. best lawyer ever
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20 May, 2012 by Mike
I found myself in a situation in a criminal court case against me on some trumped up drug charges. I was giving a Court appointed Public Defender. It seemed to me a clear cut illegal search and seizure. It went on and on for over a year. When it came down to it my public defender was transfered out to a another dept. and I was given a new public defender that had no idea about my case or what had gone on and this was for final judgement. I was in a no win situation and thought i had no options. I remembered Jim Hammond. I talked to him on the phone . Told my story. He told me to meet him the day of court and he took it from there. This man knows whats going on in court room. Once he took over I was relieved and felt i could breath again for the first time in a year. Everything was dropped to about nothing. My hats off to Jim Hammond.
I thank him for that day.
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20 May, 2012 by Heather
I Highly recommend him Once you give him the green light to go for it he
gets the job done. I had possetion and under the influence case in Pleasanton. He got the case dismissed for elligall search siezure. This was not my first affence he was awsome and did not let up. I was very pleased with him.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Julie hiatt
Kyle Koichi Morishita is a highly experienced immigration attorney who practices with dedication and commitment to his clients. He makes time to mentor other attorneys and share his valuable insights. I've been grateful for Kyle's support.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Hu gui
After getting married, I needed to remove the conditions on my green card. Kyle helped me with form I-751 and my interview. The office even had a nice Chinese New Year display.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christopher hikida
08 Jul, 2024 by Victor mondragon
Compassion, Communication and Knowledge, A clear guided experience! I cant express the gratitude I feel for the Peace of Mind brought by their knowledge. As a father, I always look for the best help for my family and I when it comes to situations that can get or have gotten out of control. Clear communication and understanding of the situation is what we wish for in desperate moments.
Right from the first conversation had with them, you will feel the security and confidence of dealing with true professionals. Making things clear is crucial in situations as such, this was provided right from the beginning.
The options provided to solve your situations are clear and explained in simple terms. Attention to detail is always present, no matter the questions or concerns had.
Highly recommend De Castroverde Law group for does want the right assistance in this unexpected and expected difficult situations.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Hu gui
After getting married, I needed to remove the conditions on my green card. Kyle helped me with form I-751 and my interview. The office even had a nice Chinese New Year display.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christopher hikida
08 Jul, 2024 by Victor mondragon
Compassion, Communication and Knowledge, A clear guided experience! I cant express the gratitude I feel for the Peace of Mind brought by their knowledge. As a father, I always look for the best help for my family and I when it comes to situations that can get or have gotten out of control. Clear communication and understanding of the situation is what we wish for in desperate moments.
Right from the first conversation had with them, you will feel the security and confidence of dealing with true professionals. Making things clear is crucial in situations as such, this was provided right from the beginning.
The options provided to solve your situations are clear and explained in simple terms. Attention to detail is always present, no matter the questions or concerns had.
Highly recommend De Castroverde Law group for does want the right assistance in this unexpected and expected difficult situations.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Hu gui
After getting married, I needed to remove the conditions on my green card. Kyle helped me with form I-751 and my interview. The office even had a nice Chinese New Year display.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christopher hikida
08 Jul, 2024 by Hu gui
After getting married, I needed to remove the conditions on my green card. Kyle helped me with form I-751 and my interview. The office even had a nice Chinese New Year display.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Paul shih
08 Jul, 2024 by Christopher hikida
08 Jul, 2024 by Hu gui
After getting married, I needed to remove the conditions on my green card. Kyle helped me with form I-751 and my interview. The office even had a nice Chinese New Year display.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Paul shih
08 Jul, 2024 by Tomiko sharpnack
After our wonderful experience with Kyle and De Castroverde I just had to write a review. My sister-in-law had an urgent immigration matter. My brother referred me to De Castroverde. So, we called De Castroverde Law and they were extremely responsive and helpful. They gave our family a huge sense of relief and understanding. Kyle was warm and professional on top of being extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend him and his firm without reservation to anyone who needs immigration help.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Peter kim
Kyle gives great customer service and he is very responsive and knowledgeable! He helped me with my injury case tremendously. I had a lot of questions and was unsure about parts of the law, but Kyle was there with me every step of the way! I would definitely recommend him and his law group!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Paul shih
08 Jul, 2024 by Tomiko sharpnack
After our wonderful experience with Kyle and De Castroverde I just had to write a review. My sister-in-law had an urgent immigration matter. My brother referred me to De Castroverde. So, we called De Castroverde Law and they were extremely responsive and helpful. They gave our family a huge sense of relief and understanding. Kyle was warm and professional on top of being extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend him and his firm without reservation to anyone who needs immigration help.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Peter kim
Kyle gives great customer service and he is very responsive and knowledgeable! He helped me with my injury case tremendously. I had a lot of questions and was unsure about parts of the law, but Kyle was there with me every step of the way! I would definitely recommend him and his law group!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Paul shih
08 Jul, 2024 by Tomiko sharpnack
After our wonderful experience with Kyle and De Castroverde I just had to write a review. My sister-in-law had an urgent immigration matter. My brother referred me to De Castroverde. So, we called De Castroverde Law and they were extremely responsive and helpful. They gave our family a huge sense of relief and understanding. Kyle was warm and professional on top of being extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend him and his firm without reservation to anyone who needs immigration help.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Peter kim
Kyle gives great customer service and he is very responsive and knowledgeable! He helped me with my injury case tremendously. I had a lot of questions and was unsure about parts of the law, but Kyle was there with me every step of the way! I would definitely recommend him and his law group!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Paul shih
08 Jul, 2024 by Tomiko sharpnack
After our wonderful experience with Kyle and De Castroverde I just had to write a review. My sister-in-law had an urgent immigration matter. My brother referred me to De Castroverde. So, we called De Castroverde Law and they were extremely responsive and helpful. They gave our family a huge sense of relief and understanding. Kyle was warm and professional on top of being extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend him and his firm without reservation to anyone who needs immigration help.
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15 Oct, 2015 by Martha
I called Andrew in Norton Tooby's office to help with my husband's case. Both of them were very good lawyers and were able to clean my husband's record so he could become a citizen.
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07 Jan, 2016 by Stephen
Laura Robinson was hired at the very end of a long court diversion program escapade in which I had ineffective assistance of counsel and things were a chaotic mess. I called her up and she spent several hours with me on the phone, despite this being the first time we had met or communicated. He agreed to meet with me the next day, in which she spent the entire afternoon with me.
Laura took the time to learn the details of my case, and genuinely cared about me and my welfare. In the court room, he demeanor is sharp, and she has an innate ability to ask all the right questions such as to ensure that all the pertinent details will be included in the transcript, if needed for future use. She is unaffraid to defend her clients and her abandon in dealing with Judges and Prosecution is definitely an asset that I have not experienced with other 'attorney's' in the same area of practice.
Laura Robinson is everything, AND MORE, that she advertises of herself.
"I am dedicated to representing my clients as aggressively and effectively as possible. I have the reputation of a fighter who will pursue all legal means to provide the best defense possible. My reputation is among the most respected criminal defense attorneys in the bay area"
I would recommend Laura Robinson to everyone whom inquired. And I would even advertise for her on my own as she is just that good.
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26 Oct, 2014 by Eric torres
One of San Francisco finest lawyers ding ding ding Peter Santina wins the case knocking out the D.A in the face!!! A true champion and master mind of his work!!
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05 Nov, 2021 by Chris
Being charged with a crime is overwhelming even when you may be innocent of the accusations. It makes you feel hopeless and with now power. Sierra has helped me with a very tough case highly complex that also involves family law. She is highly competent and fierce never backing down from opposition. She is very dedicated and definitely someone you want in your corner when you are in trouble. She has made me feel she believes in me even when others do not. I highly recommend!!!
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02 Jul, 2018 by My
Greg has provided stellar representation for family and friends for over twenty years.
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18 Sep, 2024 by Dr tekk
Although we were not direct clients, we recently had the pleasure of working directly with them in coordinating a client's appointment, and I was thoroughly impressed. They were incredibly precise and phenomenally accommodating, making sure every specific detail of their client's appointment was addressed in settling their estate plans. Their professionalism is truly unmatched, making them an outstanding choice for anyone in need of legal services. We pride ourselves on partnering exclusively with fast, reputable, high-quality companies that share our commitment to excellence and they certainly fit that.
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07 Feb, 2025 by Da biz
Lawyer Key was amazing. He guided me through a realy bad situation and made sure I didn't do anything foolish.
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05 Feb, 2025 by Bradley espinoza
Fantastic experience with this law firm! Their team was knowledgeable, approachable, and efficient, offering sound legal advice that really put my mind at ease. They took the time to explain everything thoroughly and made sure I was well-informed throughout the process. I highly recommend them for your legal needs.
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27 Jan, 2025 by Steven hamlin
Best experience with a lawyer. They know their stuff and really care.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Elias pizano
Today we celebrate a hard-won victory in a challenging case,
And the Master mind behind this victory is my incredible attorney !Clayton Robertson!
His unwavering dedication and passion for justice are truly inspiring, im so lucky to have you by my side in this difficult case, If you need a Legal Champion who will fight for you with heart and soul look no further,
"Clayton Robertson" is a Top-notch Legal Professional who truly cares for you.
For being a Shining Star in the Legal world
and truly frien to me, you deserve all the Accolades and More!
#Grateful Client...
#Exceptional Attorney ...!
#Legal Rockstar.....!
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13 Sep, 2024 by Guerra guerra
Gracias un equipo profesional e eficiente se los recomiendo 👍
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07 Sep, 2024 by Josie mendoza
I travel to California, presented my case to doctor alex and he kindly listen to all details and was blessed by all the help I received from all his experience.
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17 Jan, 2025 by Sharann gomez
Ravi is a top-notch attorney. Very knowledgeable in the Heggstad petition and helped me so much during the process. He checked in often & kept me informed during the process. His cost was incredibly reasonable. I had two other consultations before I chose Ravi and I couldn't have asked for more. If you're in doubt, don't, hire him, you won't regret it.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Stacey warren
Navigating the sale of my business was one of the most stressful experiences I’ve faced, but Vincent Tong of TONG LAW made it manageable and even seamless. Vincent helped me establish a thorough strategy, drafted necessary contracts that protected my interests and walked me through each step of the process, ensuring I understood all the details. Vincent is also an expert in the area of employment law; Vincent helped me with a separate situation with an employer. Vincent's expert advice and calm, steady counsel turned what could have been an overwhelming ordeal into a smooth and successful transaction. Thanks to his guidance, I felt confident and assured every step of the way. If you are a business owner, especially one who is considering buying or selling a business, or if you are an employee or employer dealing with an employment issues, I can’t imagine a better legal partner than TONG LAW. :)
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27 Dec, 2024 by Natacha lopez
The journey through the immigration process seemed daunting and choosing an attorney seemed perhaps even more daunting.
After a first consultation with Kevin,
the process just appeared very straightfoward.
All the information he gave was clear and concise, bringing alot of needed reassurance.
He consistently remained accessible during the entire process with upmost patience answering any new questions that would arise.
There we're some complex aspects to my case that required in depth law expertise and Kevin went above and beyond to finalize brilliantly!
I couldn't have found a better attorney!
For the success of my applications but also for the extra kindness demonstrated along the way.
I also want to mention how Immigrating is and can be a very costly journey to embark on. Affordability and unseen costs we're a concern. I have appreciated that Kevin kept all fees transparent and consistently fair from go to finish!
I think he could charge more in regards of his time offered, so many other attorneys do so ruthlessly but this too reflects kevin's integrity and dedication to helping others.
I classify Kevin in the world of attorneys as a rare gem and find.
He's been a blessing on my journey 🙏
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17 Jan, 2025 by Sharann gomez
Ravi is a top-notch attorney. Very knowledgeable in the Heggstad petition and helped me so much during the process. He checked in often & kept me informed during the process. His cost was incredibly reasonable. I had two other consultations before I chose Ravi and I couldn't have asked for more. If you're in doubt, don't, hire him, you won't regret it.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Stacey warren
Navigating the sale of my business was one of the most stressful experiences I’ve faced, but Vincent Tong of TONG LAW made it manageable and even seamless. Vincent helped me establish a thorough strategy, drafted necessary contracts that protected my interests and walked me through each step of the process, ensuring I understood all the details. Vincent is also an expert in the area of employment law; Vincent helped me with a separate situation with an employer. Vincent's expert advice and calm, steady counsel turned what could have been an overwhelming ordeal into a smooth and successful transaction. Thanks to his guidance, I felt confident and assured every step of the way. If you are a business owner, especially one who is considering buying or selling a business, or if you are an employee or employer dealing with an employment issues, I can’t imagine a better legal partner than TONG LAW. :)
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27 Dec, 2024 by Natacha lopez
The journey through the immigration process seemed daunting and choosing an attorney seemed perhaps even more daunting.
After a first consultation with Kevin,
the process just appeared very straightfoward.
All the information he gave was clear and concise, bringing alot of needed reassurance.
He consistently remained accessible during the entire process with upmost patience answering any new questions that would arise.
There we're some complex aspects to my case that required in depth law expertise and Kevin went above and beyond to finalize brilliantly!
I couldn't have found a better attorney!
For the success of my applications but also for the extra kindness demonstrated along the way.
I also want to mention how Immigrating is and can be a very costly journey to embark on. Affordability and unseen costs we're a concern. I have appreciated that Kevin kept all fees transparent and consistently fair from go to finish!
I think he could charge more in regards of his time offered, so many other attorneys do so ruthlessly but this too reflects kevin's integrity and dedication to helping others.
I classify Kevin in the world of attorneys as a rare gem and find.
He's been a blessing on my journey 🙏
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17 Jan, 2025 by Tablet account
Bob and his team brought their wealth of experience and expertise when handling my case. I wasn't happy with the outcome, but it's not at all their fault -- I have nobody to blame but myself. I am at least grateful that I have a chance to show the world how much remorse I have about my bad decisions; I'm only able to do this because I was able to stay out of prison. THAT part I do credit to Bob and his team!
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19 Nov, 2024 by Pamela rohrer
They were very professional but empathetic as well. We found Octavio Sajuan to be incredibly knowledgeable and relentless in getting our case settled. We are very appreciative of his skills and kindness.
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19 Nov, 2024 by Lupe salgado
Octavio SaJuan..did excelent work for me and my husband with our Emigration case....I want to recommend his services.
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26 May, 2024 by Simon de giuli botta
Takes your money then never shows up. Never responds to messages or calls BEWARE!
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11 May, 2023 by M t
Caught a commercial ticket in a semi truck in los banos ca i-5,must i remind you its not easy to get a commercial Ticket dismissed,i was little doubtful he can do it,but he told me to be patient,but man he was right,he got the job done,i can assure you, he knows what he’s doing 🥇 Mr Rodriguez i would like to say Thank You,i will also like to include that i will refer mr Rodriguez to family and friends,he’s 💯 percent Legit Dont hesitate to reach out to him,take care guys ✌️
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01 Jul, 2019 by Silent majority
I got a ticket in an 18 wheeler and this office beat it after 7 months.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Marina
We are so thankful to Attorney Jennifer R Solomon for representing us in our SSI case.
Her quick response, listening and communication skills immediately put us at ease.
Without a doubt she is a professional Attorney who cares about her clients.
Jennifer was always on top of our case dotting all i's and crossing every t. Throughout our case having been kept well informed was a comforting relief.
Due to Jennifer's thorough preparation and diligence we won our case.
Jennifer Solomon is a reliable Attorney offering much experience and expertise to her clients.
We were in good hands having Jennifer as our representative.
Thank you Attorney Jennifer R Solomon for taking us under your wing.
Rey and Marina San Juan
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24 Aug, 2024 by Adamika village
The best attorney in the bay area attorney that just not cares about the client support. The clients family also.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Meet the islands
R.B. If definitely one of my favorite people in the World my best friend been representing me and my family for 30 years the best Attorney ever he saved me so many times when I was in trouble and didn’t have no money for representation he worked with me I’m forever thankful for Robert Byers 💯🫡
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27 Apr, 2023 by L stewart
5 stars is simply not enough! Ever felt lost at sea in the middle of a storm taking on water ? That was my divorce and my boat was 10 feet under water surrounded by sharks. Best day in my divorce was the moment Tong Family Law entered my life. What Suzanne and her team accomplished in such a short time (1 month) was simply incredible during the most difficult time in my life. She is a pro, just gets it and knows how to untangle all the garbage but most importantly executes on what matters. Suzanne was referred to me from my forensic accountant and protected me against a shady firm and not only simplified everything, explained it so that the judge gets it and fights hard for you to resolve matters. In 1 month Suzanne and her firm untangled years of my worst nightmare and I am not only thankful but impressed.
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14 Apr, 2023 by Jennifer chang
Suzanne is an excellent family lawyer providing compassionate and diligent legal services. She truly cares about her clients and is a great ally through difficult and frustrating times.
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03 Apr, 2023 by Sheri scott
Suzanne and her team have represented me on more than one occassion. She truly is there to serve her clients with honesty and compassion, while fighting hard to win the toughest family law cases. I wish there were more than just 5 stars, because only giving 5 starts doesn't give Suzanne and her team the credit they deserve. #Highly Recommend
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19 Sep, 2023 by Juan
Attorney Martin was extremely caring and extremely transparent in times where I felt the world was ending for my specific case. Constant communication, weekly updates, always ensuring we asked questions and every question is answered with the utmost detail. I couldn’t have asked for any better attorney to represent me. From start to finish and despite the length of our specific case , she always made sure to keep me in the loop to ensure we obtain the best outcome and I can’t emphasize on the transparency. No false promises , but concrete results. I didn’t picture myself where I am currently as I’m writing this post if it wasn’t for Attorney Martin, I am eternally grateful for the hard work put in to getting me back on my feet and allowing me to feel human despite mistakes that can occur as we journey through life. Thank you so much Attorney Martin. A super lawyer indeed!
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14 Oct, 2022 by Guadalupe
Long story short, Manjula is a great lawyer. She communicates with you on your case, she'll tell you exactly what to do. My first DUI offense was waived down to a wet and reckless. The second offense was dismissed. I highly recommend her if you get in a bind.
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08 Jan, 2021 by Sarah jen
2020 and covid led me to drink and drive and I ended up getting arrested during the holidays. I called Oakland DUI Attorneys and it was the best decision. I'm also glad I called right when I was released from Santa Rita jail because many attorneys didn't answer their phones because of the holidays but this DUI lawyer was free to talk and within 30 minutes of being on the phone with them, I ended hiring them. They are on top of their game when it comes to making sure you understand what the next steps are. This place is five stars for sure.
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31 Aug, 2012 by Margaret
Mr. Mishook answered my online question by the end of the day. His response was extremely helpful, as we had been misled by members of law enforcement as to our rights, expectations and available recourse in response to the situation in question.
If I ever need an attorney with the type of expert advice that I was given, I would hire Mr. Mishook without hesitation. And kudos for taking the time to participate in the Q&A website--I was given valuable information for free that I most likely would have had to either pay for, or I would have been forced to slog through the local law library to attain. Thank you.
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23 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
we had a difficult fraud case and he was able to get my aunt and my cousin free of that case. Excellent lawyering skills and very approachable. He didnt give us any expectations and after he had read through over 5 thousand pages of grand jury documents he told my aunt and my cousin that the government didnt have a case against them and he was able to get bail reduced from 500, 000 to ZERO.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.
Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.
When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:
- Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
- Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
- Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
- Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
- Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
- Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:
- Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
- Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
- Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
- Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
- Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
- Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
- Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.
How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?
Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:
- Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
- Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
- Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.
The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:
- Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
- Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
- Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.
Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction. -
How many cases have you taken to trial?
While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial. -
Who will handle my case?
Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work. -
How do you communicate with your clients?
Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
- Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
- Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:
- Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
- Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
- List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
- Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.
By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.
