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09 Sep, 2020 by Kb
I approached Zachary for a consultation on an upcoming trial at Dupage County. He entertained my call on reference from another lawyer. He looked up the details of the case while on the call and provided very helpful advice on next steps. He was very courteous and went out of the way to help anyway he can. He knows the courts, judge and the system very well. Great guy to work with. Thanks again!
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19 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I retained David Imielski and his firm to represent me on a very sensitive felony case. After being charged, I felt devastated because I knew I was innocent and that it would be difficult to find a criminal lawyer to fight every step of the way. Dave has a strong background in criminal defense and handling felony cases. He is very conscientious and pays close attention to all aspects of my case. From the beginning, I made it extremely clear to Dave that there would be absolutely no plea deals, and he had no problem with this and continued to fight hard for my innocence. This is a rare quality as many other attorneys I worked with are resolute to make an innocent person plead; this was not the case with Dave. My family and I feel at ease with speaking to him, and he informs us of all the motions that he files and the reasons for those motions. At this time, my case is still pending in the criminal courts, but have all the confidence in Dave to see this case through to trial or in getting the charges completely dismissed. I would also like to add that I make this recommendation in the context of having to be in a corrupt government system and a State's Attorney who is presently having her office reviewed by the FBI and the Dept. of Justice for numerous allegations of misconduct and unethical behavior. Dave is fully cognizant of the intricate workings of this county government and prepares for court accordingly. For the reasons stated above, I would recommend, without reservations, David Imielski as a criminal defense lawyer.
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03 Nov, 2017 by Marilyn
I used Dennis for a traffic violation I did not commit. Dennis was knowledgeable, patient and did an excellent job explaining my options and helping to decide what we would do. My case was dismissed and I'm super pleased with his expertise and experience!
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28 Dec, 2024 by Katherine connell
I had the pleasure of working with Susana Jamaica, and I highly recomend her. She is incredibly kind, personable, and approachable, making an already stressful process less stressful. She is very prompt in responding to any concerns I've approached her with and has provided clear, helpful guidance from the beginning and ongoing. I truly appreciate her professionalism and dedication to ensuring my family's case is handled with care and attention.
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28 Dec, 2024 by Leonel manrique
Muy amable atención de parte de la abogada susana muy correcta
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19 Dec, 2024 by Joel jaimes
Excelente trabajo, experiencia profesionalidad y mucha amabilidad, del abogado Robert 100% recomendado y gracias a Marisol excelente equipo de trabajo
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28 Dec, 2024 by Katherine connell
I had the pleasure of working with Susana Jamaica, and I highly recomend her. She is incredibly kind, personable, and approachable, making an already stressful process less stressful. She is very prompt in responding to any concerns I've approached her with and has provided clear, helpful guidance from the beginning and ongoing. I truly appreciate her professionalism and dedication to ensuring my family's case is handled with care and attention.
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28 Dec, 2024 by Leonel manrique
Muy amable atención de parte de la abogada susana muy correcta
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19 Dec, 2024 by Joel jaimes
Excelente trabajo, experiencia profesionalidad y mucha amabilidad, del abogado Robert 100% recomendado y gracias a Marisol excelente equipo de trabajo
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3.7
3 Reviews
4.7
139 Reviews
05 Feb, 2025 by Lmg stevo
My lawyer was Jason Kunowski…Very prompt when responding to emails no matter what time I sent them.He really took the time to analyze my case and pay attention to details.I never once felt like a criminal..Turned a very dire situation with almost certain jail time to expungable probation.I highly recommend you won’t be disappointed!!!!
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05 Feb, 2025 by Epimaco aranda
I COULDN'T BE MORE HAPPY THE WAY I WAS TREATED THE LAWYERS AT RAMSEY AND ASSOCIATES ARE SECOND TO NONE ALL OF THEM ARE FIRST CLASS LAWYERS THEY TREAT YOU LIKE YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY THEY CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CASE IS HANDLED LIKE THEY WERE THE ONES BEEN PROSECUTED AND LET ME TELL YOUUU THIS. IF YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR ANYTHING. DON'T HESITATE TO CALL RAMSEY AND ASSOCIATES AND. YOU WILL GO TO EXTRAORDINARIO EXPERIENCE I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH OF RAMSEY AND ASSOCIATES. THANK YOU. G R A C I A S
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28 Jan, 2025 by Allison
I couldn’t recommend Ramsell and Associates more. Craig Goza and his team were great through the entire process. This can be a very scary and overwhelming thing to go through and Craig took care of everything and updated me throughout the way. He put my nerves at ease from the beginning and couldn’t ask for anything more. They are great.
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09 Dec, 2024 by J malissa jm
Mr. Therman provided tailored and thorough answers to my questions. I now understand my options based on my situation, time and location. I appreciate his personalized approach and feel comfortable about what I need to do next.
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10 Jun, 2024 by Marilyn o'neill
Dennis McNicholas is a superb estate attorney- 50 years experience. He fully explained options and details of my Last Will and Testament. Highly recommend!
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17 Mar, 2023 by Jaroc179
My wife and I first retained Dennis 24 years ago for a real estate purchase and were incredibly impressed by his professionalism, knowledge, and relaxing yet take-charge demeanor. He set everyone at ease at the closing while he handled the legal matters. We just sat back and watched the show, and the next thing we knew, we were owners of our new home. And we never forgot him.
Since then, we have used Dennis for reference on numerous occasions regarding real estate, estate planning, elder law and estate administration. He knows the law and gets things done efficiently, and he follows up matters on his own initiative.
He is also respectful, compassionate and principled, and has a sense of humor that makes dealing with him a pleasure rather than a chore.
When we have an issue that may require legal representation, Dennis J McNicholas is always the first person that comes to mind... always. He does not disappoint, and he has our absolute highest recommendation.
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09 Jan, 2025 by Beth
Please do not use Andy. I never give reviews and I got divorced a long time ago but I have to let people know how bad this attorney is. Between my horrible experience and a friend of mine whose husband used Andy, he is just really bad at what he does. I was in a long term marriage and Andy was only able to get me a 2.5 year reviewable. If I was making any money, I can see how something like that could happen, but I was a stay at home mom for most of my marriage. Basically, I had to go through the financial and emotional burden of a court divorce twice. My new attorney was exceptional and did an amazing job. She was such an advocate and was able to undo much of what Andy allowed. It only emphasized just how bad Andy was. I highly recommend that you try someone else.
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28 Oct, 2024 by Carlos arteaga
11 Jun, 2024 by Carol coglianese-rinker
Andy Cores is quickly able to pick up and go to work with tricky/sticky dynamics.
His 30+ years experience shines in the conference room, courtroom and private conversations. Much deliberation is emotinally based and Andy has a VERY high emotional intellignence combined with diplomacy and legal experience. It was a true pleasure and my priviledge to watch him in action as he implemented strategies and worked to move a 'stuck' process forward. He also showed encouraging leadership to the opposing team as well. You must see for yourself and put him on your 'go to list'!
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02 Nov, 2020 by John jansen
Doug represented us for the sale of our old home and the purchase of our new home, and we had a number of issues that came up along the way that had to be dealt with, and he and his assistant handled everything really well.
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22 May, 2018 by Patrick maloney
We were very pleased with Doug’s service in buying our new home and selling our former home. Doug is very professional and helped us understand each step along the way. We would recommend Doug to anyone needing real estate legal assistance. Doug and Cathy, thank you again for your help.
Pat & Mary
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14 Apr, 2017 by Drew
Andrew helped me beat a serious criminal charge. He knows what he is doing and he will fight hard for you!!
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15 May, 2024 by Laurie o
We sadly did not have the opportunity to work with Eron, but I wanted to give a shout out nonetheless. We contacted Eron for a Real Estate review and time was unfortunately not on our side. He was incredibly helpful, took our call right away, and was honest that he would be away and might not be able to give this full attention and that we may want to work with someone else. He even took the time to follow-up with me. Sorry this didn't work out, but hopefully this review sways someone who was looking for an attorney that is very responsive, and will be straightforward with you.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Alexis martinez
I wanna thank Tate and Cynthia for helping me out thru this whole process u guys really help me out a lot hope u guys keep up the good work 💯
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03 Sep, 2023 by Bhavik patel
05 Dec, 2023 by Vanessa ellen
The staff and attorneys are very helpful and friendly
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19 May, 2022 by Lisa longo
06 May, 2022 by Michelle vollman
05 Dec, 2023 by Vanessa ellen
The staff and attorneys are very helpful and friendly
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19 May, 2022 by Lisa longo
06 May, 2022 by Michelle vollman
01 Feb, 2025 by Daniel okafor
The best way to describe her is Shakespeare's character of ''Shylock'' in The Merchant of Venice. In 2024, I hired her for a DCFS hearing before an administrative judge and after collecting my hard earned money, she changed completely! As an Attorney she was supposed to carry out interviews prior to the hearing to help give my case a chance, but she didn't. During the hearing I was the one that brought one person to support me. My advice to anyone, DO NOT HIRE her, she will do TERRIBLE JOB!!!!
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17 Jan, 2025 by Nick o'connor
Alex Rothenberg served as the court-appointed GAL (Guardian ad Litem) in my case, and my experience with her was deeply troubling. Despite initially appearing engaged by asking questions and taking notes, she failed to address any of my concerns, displayed a clear bias toward my ex-wife, and accepted her statements as truth without requiring any supporting evidence.
Alex prematurely removed herself from the case, leaving critical issues unresolved and contributing to an outcome where my daughter has been denied fair and equal time with both parents. Her actions violated several key statutes and guidelines that GALs are required to follow in Illinois, including:
750 ILCS 5/506(a)(2): GALs must conduct an independent investigation, including interviews and a review of relevant documents, and provide an objective recommendation to the court. Alex failed to conduct a thorough investigation or verify evidence, instead relying on unchecked statements from my ex-wife.
Best Interest of the Child Standard (750 ILCS 5/602.7): GALs are required to prioritize the child’s well-being and ensure meaningful relationships with both parents unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. Alex’s biased and incomplete recommendations directly harmed my daughter’s ability to have a fair and balanced relationship with both parents.
Ethical Obligations of Attorneys and GALs: GALs are required to avoid personal bias, remain neutral, and act in a professional manner that serves the child’s best interests. Alex’s personal bias against me was evident and unprofessional, resulting in recommendations that prioritized her own prejudice over the needs of a 5-year-old child.
To make matters worse, Alex’s conduct was part of a broader pattern within her firm. Other members of her firm displayed similarly unethical behavior, including inflated billing practices, misrepresentations to the court, and a general failure to uphold professional standards.
Alex’s unprofessional and unethical behavior, combined with her failure to follow required statutes, caused irreparable harm to my daughter’s well-being. Her actions were not only a disservice to the court but also a direct violation of the trust placed in her to act in the best interests of the child.
Avoid Alex Rothenberg and her entire firm. Their lack of professionalism, integrity, and accountability makes them unfit for any legal matter, particularly those involving children.
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03 Jan, 2025 by Piff piff
Rude people absolute no customer service at all. Run from this place. Luckily I didn’t spend money on them I almost did.
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13 Mar, 2024 by Autumn
Genuinely one of the most caring people I have met. I had no clue where to even begin to navigate a court case or how to get help. He not only helped advice me with what to do next with my fiances case, but he also walked me through the entire process so I understood all possible outcomes. He checked up on me emotionally as well and took the time to fully understand my situation, something every other lawyer didn’t even consider. He answered every call even if he was busy and he would make sure he made time later if he couldn’t talk. I am beyond grateful for your help getting my fiance out and keeping my head on straight through the process. I’d recommend him to everyone no questions.
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13 Mar, 2024 by Jason
Hi everyone, I want to sincerely appreciate PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST for the dedication and time they put in working my credit. I had 4 charges off accounts (3 cc and 1 installment loan). I do have 2 cards with longevity and bad payment history though lower limits ($1200 and $850) and a car loan with 7 late time payments reflecting. During my financial struggles NFC closed the 2-credit card accounts I had with them. I also had a chapter 7 BK in 2020. I did have high utilization and few late payments (over more than 10 days late). The account closure dropped my scores because the balances took my utilization to 990%. I continued making payments on time until a friend read about PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST on Quora and informed me, I contacted them after reading some testimonies about them, they ran my credit report, analyzed my credit score and determined which action will have the greatest impact. They raised my credit score to 803 and deleted all negative items on my credit report including the chapter 7 BK, within 6 days. They made it work and I have a clean profile now. My heart is full of gratitude. You can reach them via:
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17 Feb, 2024 by Tony
We hired Dan for a bankruptcy case. He was very kind and explained all the pros and cons of bankruptcy, guiding us through the process. He is very knowledgeable, experienced, and highly competent. I highly recommend Dan.
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02 Nov, 2020 by John jansen
Doug represented us for the sale of our old home and the purchase of our new home, and we had a number of issues that came up along the way that had to be dealt with, and he and his assistant handled everything really well.
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22 May, 2018 by Patrick maloney
We were very pleased with Doug’s service in buying our new home and selling our former home. Doug is very professional and helped us understand each step along the way. We would recommend Doug to anyone needing real estate legal assistance. Doug and Cathy, thank you again for your help.
Pat & Mary
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22 Feb, 2018 by Israel
I highly recommend attorney Neil Levine. He is very informative and thorough with his work. I am very pleased with the way he handled our case. I appreciate the fact that he walked us through every step and kept us informed about everything. He also made sure we understood everything that was going on. This attorney is definitely dedicated to helping those seeking his services.
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30 Dec, 2023 by August k
10 Aug, 2023 by Debbie wick
Excellent attorney! Great communication! I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Alex Fawell represent me. The outcome of my case more than met my expectations! Very respectful attorney! I most definitely will retain him for future legal services! Appreciate all you and your staff have done. Apologies for delay in posting this review.
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29 Aug, 2022 by Chi girl
I worked with Alex Fawell to help establish custody & child support. At our initial Consultation, I thought he would advocate for me. This was my 1st time ever dealing with court. The non-custodial parent’s family was familiar with family court & proceedings. I wanted my attorney to discuss with me my options & advocate for me and my child.
I am Disappointed in this firm. Our parenting agreement is extremely long and noncustodial parent continues to use power & control. Since this agreement, I continue to get emotionally abused. The parenting order that Fawell & Fawell established for me, has not worked and has caused distress. He also never informed me of my options and what is realistic.
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05 Nov, 2024 by Jamie moses
My husband needed someone in DuPage County to represent him for a child support case bc we live a few hours away. We found Mr. Davi & could not have asked for a better attorney. We feel incredibly grateful for his knowledge, patience & guidance while navigating our legal matter. Everyone we spoke to over the phone from his office was kind, professional & helpful. We spoke with a handful of attorneys before we found Mr. Davi and none of them seemed to have the same level of expertise required for our child support matter. Yes, hiring a lawyer is expensive, but we felt he was worth every penny we spent!
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01 Nov, 2024 by Jamie swanson
My husband needed someone in DuPage County to represent him for a child support case bc we live a few hours away. We found Mr. Davi & could not have asked for a better attorney. We feel incredibly grateful for his knowledge, patience & guidance while navigating our legal matter. Everyone we spoke to over the phone from his office was kind, professional & helpful. We spoke with a handful of attorneys before we found Mr. Davi and none of them seemed to have the same level of expertise required for our child support matter. Yes, hiring a lawyer is expensive, but we felt he was worth every penny we spent!
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14 Aug, 2024 by Esteban ramirez
Mr Dvi is by far the best lawyer I have ever hired. I got caught driving on a revoked 2 times in less than a month he got 1 case thrown out and 40 days EM on the other one even with it being my 5th offense. Not to mention I hired him once before this, he beat the case in trial for another driving on a revoked. I’m supposed to have 6 offenses but in the eyes of the court i only have 3. Keep up the great work Mr.Davi not many like you who really care about they’re clients
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05 Nov, 2024 by Jamie moses
My husband needed someone in DuPage County to represent him for a child support case bc we live a few hours away. We found Mr. Davi & could not have asked for a better attorney. We feel incredibly grateful for his knowledge, patience & guidance while navigating our legal matter. Everyone we spoke to over the phone from his office was kind, professional & helpful. We spoke with a handful of attorneys before we found Mr. Davi and none of them seemed to have the same level of expertise required for our child support matter. Yes, hiring a lawyer is expensive, but we felt he was worth every penny we spent!
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01 Nov, 2024 by Jamie swanson
My husband needed someone in DuPage County to represent him for a child support case bc we live a few hours away. We found Mr. Davi & could not have asked for a better attorney. We feel incredibly grateful for his knowledge, patience & guidance while navigating our legal matter. Everyone we spoke to over the phone from his office was kind, professional & helpful. We spoke with a handful of attorneys before we found Mr. Davi and none of them seemed to have the same level of expertise required for our child support matter. Yes, hiring a lawyer is expensive, but we felt he was worth every penny we spent!
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14 Aug, 2024 by Esteban ramirez
Mr Dvi is by far the best lawyer I have ever hired. I got caught driving on a revoked 2 times in less than a month he got 1 case thrown out and 40 days EM on the other one even with it being my 5th offense. Not to mention I hired him once before this, he beat the case in trial for another driving on a revoked. I’m supposed to have 6 offenses but in the eyes of the court i only have 3. Keep up the great work Mr.Davi not many like you who really care about they’re clients
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09 Jan, 2025 by Beth
Please do not use Andy. I never give reviews and I got divorced a long time ago but I have to let people know how bad this attorney is. Between my horrible experience and a friend of mine whose husband used Andy, he is just really bad at what he does. I was in a long term marriage and Andy was only able to get me a 2.5 year reviewable. If I was making any money, I can see how something like that could happen, but I was a stay at home mom for most of my marriage. Basically, I had to go through the financial and emotional burden of a court divorce twice. My new attorney was exceptional and did an amazing job. She was such an advocate and was able to undo much of what Andy allowed. It only emphasized just how bad Andy was. I highly recommend that you try someone else.
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28 Oct, 2024 by Carlos arteaga
11 Jun, 2024 by Carol coglianese-rinker
Andy Cores is quickly able to pick up and go to work with tricky/sticky dynamics.
His 30+ years experience shines in the conference room, courtroom and private conversations. Much deliberation is emotinally based and Andy has a VERY high emotional intellignence combined with diplomacy and legal experience. It was a true pleasure and my priviledge to watch him in action as he implemented strategies and worked to move a 'stuck' process forward. He also showed encouraging leadership to the opposing team as well. You must see for yourself and put him on your 'go to list'!
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29 Dec, 2024 by Suzi norris
Terrible! Made so many mistakes that have caused problems 14 years later!!!!!!
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01 Nov, 2024 by Deana lanham
Sally was amazing at handling our real estate sale when I moved out of state. She walked us through everything and made it as seamless as possible. I highly recommend her!
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15 Oct, 2024 by Jon burg dagle
She is very responsive which is very rare with most attorneys. So, she created a Power of Attorney for me which is very specific and was time sensitive. I was impressed by her attention to detail and how she explained legal things that were new to me, made it easier to understand and educate me at the same time.
She is sincere and showed me that she cares for her client(s).
But the best thing was she was able to provide me with the revised/final POA in less than a day!!!
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14 Feb, 2025 by Matthew williams
02 May, 2024 by N g
Very patient, empathetic, good lister. Gave me great advice on how to proceed forward. I'll surely recommend.
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28 Mar, 2024 by Wendy fonk
Words cannot express the compassion, professionalism, and integrity we experienced while working with litigators Amanda Zannoni and Heather Kramer at Rathje Woodward. Throughout our legal matter, Amanda and Heather, meticulously and diligently worked to bring justice to our cause. They truly listened, understood, and fought hard for what was right and fair. Their wit, intelligence, and perseverance gave us complete confidence and faith that they would achieve success in our case…and indeed they did! There are no better hands to leave your legal troubles in than the hands of these two remarkable litigators, Amanda Zannoni and Heather Kramer, at Rathje Woodward.
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02 Nov, 2020 by John jansen
Doug represented us for the sale of our old home and the purchase of our new home, and we had a number of issues that came up along the way that had to be dealt with, and he and his assistant handled everything really well.
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22 May, 2018 by Patrick maloney
We were very pleased with Doug’s service in buying our new home and selling our former home. Doug is very professional and helped us understand each step along the way. We would recommend Doug to anyone needing real estate legal assistance. Doug and Cathy, thank you again for your help.
Pat & Mary
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21 Mar, 2017 by Kevin mcdonell
19 Jul, 2024 by K n
Beyond disappointed, mr beck does not look out for any child’s best interest. Poor job into investing. Bar lisence should be revoked.
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29 Jan, 2024 by William struss
Mr. Beck is an absolute professional and serves his clients' interests well. He is compassionate, knowledgable attorney who is an asset to anyone who requires his assistance. If you're looking for quality representation, this is your guy.
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15 Sep, 2023 by Lonnie teague
John Houlihan helped us with closing on the sale of our home in Wheaton. We could not have asked for a more honest, competent, and reasonable attorney. We had some hurdles, including that we were moving out-of-state prior to our closing date and needed everything wrapped up on our end before we left. John was always responsive, had everything ready when he said he would, handled our closing documents in his office, and managed the deposit of our proceeds into our banking account in our absence. Moreover, a nice guy to work with. We were totally satisfied.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Randal
I hired her for my divorce. My ex filed an EOP saying that she feared her her and the children’s lives to gain custody of the house and kids, I had text messages from the ex saying that she would give me the kids on the weekends if I moved out of the House immediately otherwise she was going to file an EOP. I showed this to Liz because I wanted to present it to the judge and Liz just told me that the judge would view it as retaliation towards my ex. She also told me that she didn’t wanna negotiate custody of the children for the first two years, because once the divorce and custody is finalized the lawyers don’t make any more money. So let’s prolong it as long as possible in order In order to line her pockets with as much cash.
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14 Feb, 2021 by George george
Liz Reed excels at creating more problems and mistrust then existed at the start of a divorce. Excellent at lying to the court to create prejudice. Excellent in milking her clients until the can’t pay anymore. Excellent at playing the victim card.
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05 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired miss Reed for my custody battle. She is a very sweet lady and knows her job but I felt rushed. My intire parenting agreement that she had me sign has so many loop holes that insted of my x and I working things out it made more conflict between us. So 25,000 later I'm still in court every month since then trying to fix the mistakes that sould have never been there.
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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.
