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27 Feb, 2019 by Jackie
I highly recommend this Attorney. He is very professional, keeps me informed of the case and is very dedicated and hard working. He is patient and looks at the long term effects of the possible outcomes. Again I highly recommend him and so does my Son.
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29 Jan, 2019 by Ed
Mr. Cecil was extremely helpful to me on a case involving my daughter. I called Mr. Cecil in the morning, he was not in so I left a message. He called me back on his lunch break. I explained my situation and he said he would look into it and call me back as soon as he could. Mr. Cecil called me back at 5:00 with the good news that my case was now closed and another case with my daughter (that he wasn't even working on) was also closed.
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25 Oct, 2013 by Irhonda
Mr Cecil represented me on a Deferred Prosecution Revocation. Everyone said we wouldn't win this case, and that my deferred would be revoked. I was down and out, and didn't know what I would do. Mr Cecil went in, and presented our case, and we won! Many attorneys told me they've never seen an attorney win one of those cases. Sean Cecil helped me get a second chance at complying with the terms of my program, and it has truly changed my life. I now have a 10 month old son, and just recently started my own business. Life Is Good! If you want an attorney who will keep you informed, and present a strong case on your behalf, then I strongly recommend Sean Cecil.
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15 Sep, 2023 by Daniel
Anton Is Someone I will always be thankful for. Mr Lebedev has helped me so much with many things. Mistakes I made when I was younger that have interacted and interfered with my future is being turned around. He’s a great person to have on your side, there’s not been one time he hasn’t been RELIABLE, PROFESSIONAL, and Just an all around man of his word. I’m very thankful for stumbling upon him. If I could give a 10 star review I would. I highly suggest him, trust him and wouldn’t choose anyone else to step up to bat for me. Again thank you for all your patience and hard work. He also did alot of what he did for me because he wanted to. Even though he’s a very busy guy. Anton has always been quick to respond - Daniel
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07 Dec, 2022 by Andersson flores
Mr Anton Is very professional and extremely helpful. Mr Anton is always there for you when you need him the most, no doubt the best lawyer out there. I highly recommend Anton’s legal services.
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20 Feb, 2022 by Khan
Anton was very professional and extremely helpful. He delivered what he said. He is very knowledgeable about the law and in my personal experience, I felt that he did his utmost best in my situation. Anton takes care of his clients. I highly recommend Anton’s legal services.
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09 Feb, 2015 by Anne
Stacey Carless handled my uncontested divorce. I didn't have to go to her office or appear in court. It was efficient, fast and reasonably priced. She even sent me money back!
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11 Dec, 2014 by Ms. thornton
I had the pleasure of working with Stacey Carless. She was very attentive, knowledgeable, assertive and genuine.
She helped me to find a middle ground for all parties involved. I was able to voice my concerns, she welcomed my suggestions and encouraged positive feedback. She provided tools and conducts follow-ups.
I was truly satisfied with her services and would highly recommend her to others.
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18 Nov, 2014 by Dianne
Stacey's work on my case was great. It was such a relief not to have to worry about everything. She took care of everything for me. She was very responsive to my phone calls and emails and always kept me in the know of what was going on. She treated me as a person not just a case file. Anyone would be very lucky to have her represent them as an attorney.
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01 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
I was worried when I received a ticket on my way to school. It was great that Mr. Willis was professional and explained my options and what he could do for me. After several extensions i had my reckless driving charges dropped and speeding reduced significantly so i could use a pjc. I would recommend him to anyone who receives a speeding ticket in raleigh.
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25 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Atty Ryan Willis did a great job providing me legal informations and he respond quickly and in timely passion. Thanks again.
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24 Mar, 2015 by Grateful.
Ryan was both genuine and personable. After my initial consultation with him, I knew that I had someone on my side. Unlike other attorneys, Ryan didn't seem to be after money, but instead sought after justice. I would not only recommend his services, but won't hesitate to utilize him myself again if necessary.
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18 Apr, 2016 by Dr. john
He helps with my complicated and serious case. Throughout the whole process he was easily accessible and showed that he cared. Regardless of results I would have liked him as a person. Btw I got the result I wanted. Icing on the cake.
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03 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Elliot worked tirelessly on a case for my family. Elliot organized disparate facts and thoughts into persuasive arguments and briefs with appropriate legal citations. When necessitated by pending deadlines, Elliot turned work out in short order, often returning documents late into the night. He was patient with my questions, open to input, and leveraged the resources of his firm as appropriate. Despite the long hours Elliot was investing in work products for our case, he took the time to keep me informed along the way. Through the efforts of Elliot and his firm, our matter was brought to a successful conclusion.
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26 Jul, 2013 by Mandy
Elliot was part of a legal team which represented my sister in a recent Federal case. I was also indicted in the same case and frequently read Elliot's messages to my sister. It was obvious to me that Elliot was very dedicated to the case by the contents of his messages. I believe that he did most of the research and evidence gathering that eventually led to a dismissal for my sister. I would not hesitate to be represented by Elliot Abrams in any legal matter that may arise. He is dedicated, personable and very thorough.
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01 Dec, 2021 by Cherri
Shannon has been a life saver for me. She took my case when no one else would even talk to me. I was being harassed and bullied by a large company and no one wanted to fight for the “little guy” except Shannon. She was fantastic. The large company was attempting to retaliate against me and she quickly identified they had breached their own contract. Shannon took them on and pushed them back.
Shannon was very responsive and has a keen attention to detail. She truly wants to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. I’m sincerely indebted.
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28 Mar, 2017 by Benjamin
Ms Williamson was quick to respond when i was in need of help. She was very intelligible and offered great advice. She eased my concerns when a company i previously worked for tried to argue with me to pay workers comp. with her knowledge of the law, i was reassured that even the small cant be pushed around. in turn i was question no further from the company. If your looking for someone who knows their job and how to do it well this is your attorney, i couldn't have been more pleased and my search for guidance was immediately over. If i have any legal matters she will definitely be my attorney i can say i truly trust she would be the best at the job.
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30 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Ms. Williamson was quick to respond to my calls (within a day), which is far faster than other attorneys I've hired in the past. Additionally, she was frank about realities in potential outcomes in the matter and only encouraged the courses of action that were likely to be resolved in a favorable way. She also charged very fairly, not drawing the process out and even advising against work that I could have paid her for but which she felt was unnecessary and might be a potential hardship for my family financially. Many in the law field are cavalier about taking a client's money without it always being the best path for the client, and Ms. Williamson did not do that. In short, she's ethical. And she's also tough and smart. I would encourage anyone with a legal need to call her. I believe her consultations are still free, and she will only take your case or matter up if she's a good person for the particular job.
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08 Feb, 2018 by Keisha
Had the pleasure of working with Mr Williams. Upon his hiring, he was very thorough in explaining all details to the processes we had to go through as well as actions to be taken. He remained in touch with me to provide updates. Documents were frequently sent for my own review and he always remained responsive during the entire time. He had his work cut out for him due to the case having many obstacles and I was not sure of the outcome. However, Mr Williams remained confident and pursued every conceivable option on my behalf. In the end, he was able to obtain a healthy settlement for me which I did not think possible. I am very grateful I decided to work with this firm. Everyone there was knowledgeable, polite, and helpful. I am very appreciative of the outcome.
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17 Feb, 2017 by J.y.
Attorney Williams represented me in an auto accident case. As an attorney myself, at first I thought I could handle it on my own. After he agreed to represent me, I felt a big sense of relief not having to deal with the insurance company on my own. Attorney Williams and his staff were very responsive and kept me in the loop, giving me much appreciated, objective advice. The settlement package they created looked better than anything I could have done. I am so pleased with the results in my case that I will continue to recommend this firm as always.
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31 Aug, 2013 by Pam
After the termination of my attorney-client relationship with prior firm I was in search of an attorney to represent me and my rights. We met, reviewed my claim and discuss our expectations of an attorney-client relationship. I hired attorney Williams to represent me in my personal injury case. He was straight forward and informative, when explaining the many details to process our case. He was honest, didn't mislead me and fought for my rights.
I was pleased with the outcome of my personal injury settlement.
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12 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
Mr. Peterson was recommended to me by another attorney in a neighboring county. Since working with Mr. Peterson, I've found him to be very responsive to my questions and tells me what to expect given my circumstances. While I hope to not need a lawyer again, I won't hesitate to contact Mr. Peterson if the need arises.
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10 Aug, 2018 by Brock
Mr. Peterson represented me for a traffic ticket and did a wonderful job. He was terrific to work with, and I really appreciated how quick and willing he was to answer my questions and make sure everything was taken care of. I would recommend him highly to family, friends and anyone who asks!
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06 Aug, 2018 by Susan
Mr. Peterson took care of my ticket for me in the best way possible. I did not have to worry anything.
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05 Sep, 2012 by William
Though Mark is a criminal defense attorney and though I didn't have much in the way of income at the time I approached him with my civil legal problem, he thought I had been so thoroughly aggrieved that he took on my personal civil case -- which became quite complicated and protracted -- pro bono, and saw it through to the end, obtaining a six-figure Final Monetary Judgment in my favor. He wouldn't take any money from me when offered, except for some filing fees, etc, which he would pay out of pocket when I was unable. I have *never* worked with *any* attorney who was as diligent and responsive to my wishes as Mark has been. He truly puts his client's interests first, above his own. Additionally, it should be told that his selfless work over the years in defending poor Montagnard immigrants from Vietnam who have relocated to North Carolina is extraordinary. He's become their Quetzalcoatl...Google it!
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14 Mar, 2012 by Randy
I have known Mark for over 15 years and know him to be reliable, very knowledgeable of the law, trustworthy and a real advocate for his clients.
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12 Jan, 2011 by Meg
Mark is highly responsive, gets the job done and has the most reasonable prices I've encountered - and I work in the legal services industry. I would highly recommend him for advice and counsel on most legal matters.
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01 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
Cindy was a super star defending my case, she was always available and helped my family tremendously.
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24 Jun, 2012 by Laura
Ms. Popkin-Bradley represented me in a traffic offense and did a tremendous job educating me about how the legal system worked, what my options were, and gave me sound advice as to the best course of action. I was very pleased with the outcome of my case. She always returned my phone calls within 24 hours. I have recommended her to some of my friends and they have also been pleased with her representation.
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25 Mar, 2012 by Tony
Ms. Bradley represented me on a traffic offense. She kept me informed of what was going to happen, went to court on my behalf, and was able to obtain a favorable outcome for me. I have recommended her to some of my friends and they have had good things to say about her, as well.
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30 Mar, 2021 by Sonia
Nick is a very professional and honest lawyer. I had the pleasure of hiring him for a very personal and important case for my son. He handled this case with expertise and I was very pleased with the outcome. great lawyer .
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12 Jun, 2020 by Kathy
Nick & Trisha provided really professional services on two different problems we had. They were very knowledgeable and friendly. I was very pleased with my outcome and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to a friend.
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31 Jan, 2017 by Randy
Nick has provided services for a family member for family law case. He provided excellent advice, and was easy to work with. Nick is knowledge of the laws and ready to fight for you no matter how far it goes. He will not leave you hanging.
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09 Jan, 2016 by Dominic high
I had several speeding tickets in NC dating back to 2001. I contacted Ms Bostrom and she immediately got back with me and we planned out a strategy to pursue these tickets. Seeing that the tickets were in several counties, Ms Bostrom had to do a bit of leg worked to make contact with several small county DAs. That was not an obstacle for her!
When all was said and done, Ms Bostrom somehow was able to get me out of a ticket that carried a possible suspension of my license,etc. I was able to pay other tickets and fines through Ms Bostrom and that was really great, seeing that I now live in New Jersey.
We communicated on the phone and via email and she was always forthright in what the possible scenarios entailed.
I'd suggest that you retain Ms Bostrom's services because she is that good. Thank you.
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21 Apr, 2015 by Shareasa
I received a speeding/revoked license ticket about 2 years ago while employed with a transit company. In order not to lose my job and my remaining driving privileges I was ordered to attend a driving class. Mrs. Bostrom was a great helper in getting me the information I needed in a fast and timely matter. Once class was paid for and completed I received a certificate as verification and Mrs. Bostrom presented it to the right person and charges were dismissed. She is SO great!!!
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22 Feb, 2013 by David
Michaela is smart, hard working, and extremely passionate about her profession. She will work hard to make sure you get what you need, and is understanding to most circumstances. She was very flexible in working with my busy scheduled and I was very happy with the outcome.
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03 Jan, 2024 by Vennesa
Today he had my boyfriend's case continued so he could take care of our sick son. He responded to my messages within minutes. Very kind man.
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07 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
I thank God and am beyond grateful to have had such a skilled lawyer as Mr. Fauntleroy help me with a misdemeanor! Despite the petty crime/ and this pandemic he was 100% professional, confidential, intelligent, kind, non-judgemental, and had my back as a lawyer! I recommend Mr. Courtney Fauntleroy as an attorney!!!!
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04 Oct, 2021 by Shameka
Courtney is very knowledgeable, honest and detailed oriented. Courtney has a passion for what he does and he really loves to help people. I would refer Courtney to anyone who is need of an profession Attorney.
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23 Mar, 2018 by Jeff
Anna has done an exceptional job on my legal matter. She was very thorough, and ALWAYS returned phone calls whenever I had questions about my case. Anna has an in-depth understanding of North Carolina statutes and goes to great lengths to explore every option available. Anna is also a very caring, genuine and you can see that she is very dedicated when it comes to pursuing the best outcome in any task she undertakes. I highly recommend Anna as a defender for any of your legal issues
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13 May, 2013 by Russell
Anna was such a helpful attorney during some very troubling times for me in my life. Not only did she just help with my legal problems, she also helped me get back on the right track in life. She was always available to answer my questions, and always had a smile on her face. A great attorney, who I will recommend to anyone looking for representation.
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25 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
She was very helpful in getting my cases dismissed. Has a great relationship with all of the District Attorneys and that really helped.
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20 Jan, 2019 by Bridget
I highly recommend Mr. Rhodenhiser. He is efficient, professional, and compassionate that is why I am happy he is representing me. He always keeps me updated on my case and he is always available to answer all of my questions I have anytime of day! I highly recommend him to all of my family and friends or anyone seeking legal advice.
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14 Jan, 2019 by Jen
He is efficient, professional, organized, knows the law just to name a few reasons why I am glad he is representing me. I appreciate that he keeps good communication on the progress of my case. I do highly recommend him to my family and friends, to anyone who needs any legal needs.
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18 Jun, 2018 by Jason
Giles is your best choice when facing a difficult situation. He was very thorough in clearly communicating the best options for my specific situation, he was always available to continuously update me on my case. You will be impressed by his professionalism, his compassion.
I'm 100% satisfied with the resolution of my legal situation. Mr. Rhodenhiser rates are reasonable, and he is available whenever I need him.
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03 Sep, 2015 by Mr. perry
Very professional and considerate of my needs. As of the moment my lawyer is helping me with my mother financials which was very overwhelming for me. This is where my lawyer helped ease the pain for me since my mother is disabled.
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03 Sep, 2015 by Ngonidzaishe
Attorney Hermiller is an asset to the legal community. She sets standards in legal knowledge & professionalism, client care, and work ethic. Not only am I proud to call her a colleague, but I highly recommend her.
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20 Sep, 2017 by Brandi
It's been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders after making the decision to hire attorney, Shauna Guyton at Arroyo Law Practice. Ms. Guyton was positive from the first moment we consulted and very professional throughout a very difficult time. Ms. Guyton handled my case with compassion, always responding quickly, and effectively with any questions or issues as they arose. I highly recommend Shauna Guyton at Arroyo Law Practice. Words really can't express my gratitude! Thank you!!
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27 May, 2015 by Contractor
Members of my crew were cited for not having proper fall protection. In photos, taken by the OSHA rep, it showed that they were tied off correctly. The rep then cited them for improperly using a cooking device with an extension cord on the site. I felt that the fine was wrong and decided to hire an attorney to review the situation. Atty Guyton communicated with OSHA in a timely manner and was able to get the fine drastically reduced.
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22 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous
He returned my call the same day. He sized up the situation and took care of my case quickly and cheaply. I highly recommend him.
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26 May, 2011 by Anonymous
Brad did everything he promised and more. I called around and he had the best price. I highly recommend him!
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03 Mar, 2015 by Vanessa
Mr. Ravi Manne was very professional from the initial consultancy until the satisfactory outcome of our case. Our case was sent in on 2/20/2015 and on 2/24/2015 we were notified that our I601a had been approved!
I started the I-601 process with another attorney but found out that attorney had been disbarred for fraud. When I found out I no longer had an attorney I received an RFE from immigration.
I decided to contact Ravi because he had successfully completed an H1B transfer for my employer.
Even though we were in the middle of our I-601a process, Ravi picked up our case and stuck with us even though we had such little time to present our case. By the time i contacted Ravi, we had less than 2 weeks to respond to the RFE.
He asked us to gather the required documents and gave us a detailed list of what we needed to gather. After we turned over all the documents to him, he promptly and accurately prepared our application. After all the applications were signed, he sent them to the immigration office without any delay.
Ravi was extremely dedicated to our case. We spent many evenings on the phone and numerous emails back and forth to meet our deadline. He was very attentive to our case and answered all of our questions (And there were quite a few questions!)
My husband and I want to thank Mr. Manne for his dedication, hardwork, attentiveness, professionalism, knowledge, and communication. We want to thank him especially for his willingness to deal with our nervousness and worries. He went above and beyond his responsibilities by making sure that we understood the process and answered any questions we could possibly think of.
Contacting Mr. Ravi Manne was the best decision i could have made for our case.
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29 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Manne is an intelligent and experienced attorney that truly cares about his clients and the situations they are in. I worked with him on an immigration matter - he was reliable, respectful and provided excellent representation.
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03 Aug, 2015 by Cynthia
I first employed Mr. Arnold to provide legal services in setting up my Limited Liability Corporation. I continue to use Mr. Arnold for my legal service needs including but not limited to reviewing client contracts, establishing intellectual property conditions, and other terms and conditions. He always provides prompt response to questions and emergent requests with his client's best interest in mind. I highly recommend Mr. Arnold.
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03 Aug, 2015 by Jeruvia
Taylor has been a very trusted advisor to my business for more than 5 years.
He understands the complexity of issues and is quick to communicate the limits of his own legal understanding of specific topics. Importantly, the next you speak with him, he often knows a great deal more about those areas where he felt he was lacking. That shows enthusiasm, energy and integrity - important values that are the foundation of his practice.
Taylor is also a fine communicator - often pointing out the nuance of specific agreements and areas where we might be concerned. This quality was particularly helpful in my most recent agreement with a longtime business partner.
Additionally, Taylor successfully advised me through a difficult negotiation with Chinese business partners that required special attention to international laws governing disputes and arbitration. He understands these areas quite well now because my agreement required him to do so.
I trust him and could not offer a stronger recommendation of his services and practice. He's a good man.
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04 Sep, 2019 by R
Adam help my husband a few times with his court and get a good result. It's good for our family because my husband is a driver for his work. And also Mr. Levy does not charge us for consultations only for working. So he is a good lawyer because he is listening.
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01 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Consulted with this attorney & found this lawyer to be incredibly kind, sincere, & honest. I would refer anyone to this person.
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28 Jun, 2017 by Tank
I was referred to Mr. Manning by the top two criminal attorneys in Georgia. Mr. Manning made himself available and quickly took control of a very unfortunate matter where, out of nowhere, I was falsely accused of a heinous act. His depth of knowledge of the law and his extensive history in navigating the intricate layers of a complex criminal matter are unparalleled.
He is a formidable advocate to have representing you and I cannot recommend him highly enough!
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31 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Weiss was very helpful with my case. He is very attentive at answering any legal questions and has gone above and beyond to make me feel like I mattered. I truly appreciate his professionalism and compassion for his clients and job.
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02 May, 2017 by Kirsten
Mrs Springsteen started representing my immigration case in 2015. She has continued to work on my case, as it has been extremely complicated. She has always been available when I have needed her, whether it is to speak about my case, or just offer support/advise. She is extremely professional, prompt and will do absolutely anything in her power to help. My experience with her has been an absolute pleasure.
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07 Dec, 2015 by Dave w.
Continued trespass, harassment and property damage by a neighbor ultimately escalated to a point of confrontation in which I was assaulted. In response, I summoned local police and brought an assault charge against the offender. In retaliation, the neighbor later made false claims & brought a baseless charge against me. The ensuing case caused substantial anxiety over the potential consequences as they would affect me legally, socially & financially.
Hiring attorney Kevin Boxberger was the best decision that I could have made. His professional confidence and obvious legal acumen quickly put me at ease. Mr. Boxberger reliably returned my calls, patiently answered all of my questions, articulated thoughtful legal strategies, and always kept me apprised of any progress made in my case.
Kevin (and his top-notch staff) remained self-motivated throughout and outworked the opposition in every manner. I'm eternally grateful to Kevin and his staff for managing the optimal legal result: having my charge dismissed outright!
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18 Sep, 2022 by Brittany
I had a single car accident and was taken to the hospital. I didn't even know they took my blood for an alcohol test. It came back over the legal limit. The first lawyer I spoke to told me I had no defense since it was a single car crash and alcohol was in my blood. Greg disagreed. He did a great job questioning the officer and got a NOT GUILTY!
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01 Oct, 2020 by Karina
I have worked with several lawyers over the years for various professional and personal needs. Aneta was the most responsive lawyer which I have experienced. Her responsiveness to phone calls and emails was amazing! She goes the extra mile to give the best defense possible and to negotiate the most advantageous conditions possible. I would highly recommend her to any and all persons in need of an extraordinary defense attorney and immigration purposes.
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15 Jan, 2019 by Vivek
Miguel and team worked on my application. He is very knowledgeable. An excellent professional who understands your concerns. The way he explains makes you feel confident and gives you a feeling of being in safe hands. With all his qualities and abilities, he makes a wonderful professional and person. In short, if I have to select someone to defend my life. He and team are right on top of the list.
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05 Feb, 2019 by Nina torano
First and foremost, this firm is professional, trustworthy and reliable. They were helpful and responsive to all questions and concerns and made the divorce process smoother than I imagined it could be. Highly recommend.
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FAQs
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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.
