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21 Nov, 2024 by Sarah jones
I felt supported every step of the way, and their expertise gave me confidence during a stressful time. I highly recommend Ferro Law Firm for anyone seeking reliable legal services!
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07 Nov, 2024 by Miriam salazar
Lawyer Kearney was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for my case.He was able to come to an agreement on a case were I was been charged with harboring a dangerous dog ,He explained legal issues clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and fought on my behalf. I highly recommend him to anyone needing legal assistance.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
I made a dumb mistake and Mr Kearny achieved the best possible outcome. He communicated very well and told me exactly what to do and it paid off. Worth every penny.
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03 Dec, 2024 by Alyse
My husband and I hired RJ Fisher to represent him. He was charged with a felony (person not to possess) and 2 ungraded misdemeanors. RJ was able to get the firearm and one of the misdemeanors thrown out! I have so much respect for RJ because he was always honest with us, he was so thorough, we were never left in the dark about anything, he listened to our concerns and we always felt heard. RJ was fighting with us, not just for us. We never felt like “just a paycheck” to RJ. He was always reachable when we needed him and he never procrastinated. When we were having issues with my husband’s transfers, RJ was on it immediately! He reached out to the court anytime needed and even reached out to parole to make sure things were moving along afterwards. He has went above and beyond. We will forever be thankful for RJ. I would recommend RJ Fisher to everyone if I could!
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21 Nov, 2024 by Sarah jones
I felt supported every step of the way, and their expertise gave me confidence during a stressful time. I highly recommend Ferro Law Firm for anyone seeking reliable legal services!
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07 Nov, 2024 by Miriam salazar
Lawyer Kearney was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for my case.He was able to come to an agreement on a case were I was been charged with harboring a dangerous dog ,He explained legal issues clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and fought on my behalf. I highly recommend him to anyone needing legal assistance.
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31 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
I went in to court with charges n came out with a fine n a clean slate. Great job diana thank you!
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09 Jul, 2019 by Carl
Diana is a very knowledgeable attorney every aspect of my case was unique and she made sure I understood everything that was happening and was very clued into the legal side of it,I recommend her because everything she said that was going to happen did and the outcome was exactly like we discussed
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02 Jul, 2019 by Glen
Diana was very helpful and nice and she fought her hardest for me highly would recommend her
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10 Dec, 2017 by Terry
Attorney Edd helped with multiple kegal issues including staff problems and other things.I sm very pleased with his personable service and great knowledge . I would strongly recommend him to sll my friends and family
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28 Apr, 2016 by Raifert
I came to Mr. Paskey to help me with troubles that were brought on. When i came to the firm, they welcomed me in and herd everything that i had to say. Mr. Paskey told me up front that he would like to help but could not promise anything, and also told me that he did not want me to hire him right away, to go out and look at other lawyers to be sure. I knew from the beginning that i choose the right person for the job. During the entire process he kept me informed and made professional references as to what would be smart to do through the process (ex: hiring a court stenographer). In the end of everything he always made sure that i was doing okay and tried to work with me even when i lived out of state. When it came down to the final trial he worked his hardest to make sure that I was comfortable and that i remained calm. The trial came out in favor and i couldn't be more grateful that he handled my case and fought his hardest for me. I am forever grateful that he took time out of his busy days to handle my case. Thank You so much and peace be with you Mr. Paskey!
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19 Aug, 2015 by Nan
Ed Paskey helped and supported us through the details of the transaction to purchase our house. He was thoughtful, immediately responsive and continuously advising about our best interests in the process. We would certainly ask for his help and guidance in the future and strongly recommend his expertise to others.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Demary santos
Thank you so much for going above and beyond! I am extremely grateful for all of your help and bearing with me through everything! I write today to express my gratitude for your help on winning my trial. Your work ethic and presentation was great. Your professionalism and legal advice was so helpful throughout these months of stress.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Dominic ramos
She’s a great lawyer and always keeps you updated on your cases. I recommend to anyone who needs a not so costly, but hard working lawyer!
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23 Aug, 2024 by Kevin crook
Very knowledgeable, compassionate, and will go to work for you and guide you towards the best outcome. Definitely would recommend
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14 Oct, 2024 by Alise
John Bergdoll is a very competent and caring attorney. He listens carefully and understands how important your case is to you while at the same time offering you balanced and realistic legal advice. His practice has helped our family several times over the last 10 years and has provided us with consistently sound advice and service.
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30 Mar, 2021 by Sam
Attorney Bergdoll did a excellent job at taking his time to listen and work with me on issues I had and was honest up front towards my options and focus on what was best for my child. I would recommend him if you need a honest upfront options that does not affect anyone in the custody situation, and an understanding explanation on pros and cons to help you with the decision making you may have.
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28 Jul, 2015 by Gabbriel
John prepared my will and healthcare directive. I appreciated the way he took the time to listen to my concerns and then carefully discussed my options so that I could make the best informed decision for my particular situation. I left thinking why didn't I do this sooner. The overall office was also welcoming and came with the exceptional service of a family owned business that has built a solid reputation for two generations.
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10 Dec, 2017 by Tarik
He represented us in a commercial real estate closing,very attentive to details . Very pleased with the service. They go above and beyond
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24 Nov, 2016 by Jarred and julie
Doug France and his staff are extremely easy to work with and have been a huge help in our situation. Doug explained everything to us so we fully understood what the laws were and knew what to expect. He has a straight to it attitude and is very confident. We never felt like he didn't have the time to listen to our concerns. We will recommend Doug France to any of our family or friends! This will be a long term professional relationship for sure. We are so thankful this Thanksgiving for all Doug and his staff have helped us accomplish. Great people!
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17 Feb, 2016 by Stephen
I have known Doug France professionally for going on 7 years now and have always found him to be responsive and effective. His demeanor has always reflected the fact that he has a sympathetic ear regardless of the nature of my inquiries.
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24 Sep, 2019 by Ilene
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25 Jul, 2018 by Jose pol
Honorable attorney.
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18 Dec, 2017 by A blair
Very knowledgeable on the estate questions that I had. Prevented me from making a potentially costly mistake. There are times it is better to not accept the position of executor of an estate.
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16 Oct, 2012 by Anonymous
We have used Attorney Hamme since he started at this office, after working for the District Attorney. We have found him to be very detail oriented and informative in many ascpects of law. We have used him for Wills, Estate Planning and Real Estate services.
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16 Mar, 2015 by Nick
I was and still am represented by Attorney Lord and he is what all Attorneys should strive to be. He always responded to my question, treated my family with respect and has truly changed my life.
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14 Aug, 2024 by Elaine
My family and I reached out to Heidi about a charge I had from 2018. I had moved to Florida without finishing handling it and a bench warrant had been issued. Heidi was able to get the warrant dismissed and the original charge down to a summary offense that only required paying a fine. Communicating with her was seamless and she provided all the answers and details we needed. It couldn't have gone any better and I am so grateful for the work she did for me.
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09 Aug, 2024 by Jon
Heidi has consistantly gone above and beyond in all aspects of a highly complex case. She was a beacon of hope and confidence during difficult times. Her genuine care, compassion, and tenacity is unparalleled in the court room and beyond. Her dedication to justice is unquestionable and her perpetual results are undeniable. Her keen insights sythesized with the aforementioned truths equate to her being a phenomenal and trust worthy attorney as well as a great friend. Heidi is truly a best in class lawyer and a powerful asset to help navigate simple or complex situations. I would highly recommend her and the firm she represents. Anyone who is a client of hers will no doubt be in the best of hands.
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17 Aug, 2024 by Barb jones
Just wanted to say what a great guy and he makes sure the job he has to do gets done and treated me so great and help me feel more relax would recommend Chuck anyday to represent you
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04 May, 2024 by Masterdavidshim
Great people who truly care and work hard to serve. I don't typically leave reviews, but they deserve a 5 star rating:) Generous in time, genuine in spirit, and professional in every sense of the word! Thanks again Jeremy and Wendy for taking me in and helping me out!!
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24 Apr, 2024 by Barb jones
I can't say enough good things about this law firm they have been so kind to me they took my case under circumstances that they usually don't they were very prompt very fast got things moving very quickly much faster than I thought would everybody was so kind no matter how many questions I asked they didn't make me feel stupid they help me through everything and I could tell them something wasn't right over and over again and they would just fix it I would absolutely recommend this law firm to anyone I will give them five out of five if it was star rating I would probably give them 10 out of five they were absolutely the nicest people and did such a great job helping me through the first process here thank you Wendy and Jeremy very much
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27 Apr, 2024 by Diosnel lopez
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27 Apr, 2024 by Erin cuddy
Working with Rosina S. Stambaugh was an absolute game-changer for my immigration journey. From the initial consultation to the final outcome, their expertise and dedication were evident every step of the way. They provided clear guidance, answered all my questions promptly, and navigated through the complexities of the immigration process with ease. Their professionalism and attention to detail instilled confidence in me throughout the entire process. Thanks to their tireless efforts, I successfully obtained my green card, and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend Rosina S. Stambaugh to anyone seeking reliable, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal representation for their immigration needs. Five stars all the way!
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27 Apr, 2024 by Jessica servano
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20 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
I just wanted to post this review in thanks for Attorney Lineberry. I'm going through a very difficult time in what's been a 2+ year struggle to set my life back on a good path, his advice on my situation did exactly as he said and my stomach is calmer knowing my rights and that I'm not wrong and that I'm being taken advantage of. So, if you have questions in his area of law, he's definitely the one to call!! Thank you thank you thank you!
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02 Sep, 2015 by Heather
Attorney Lineberry is a great attorney that I have hired more than once for different situations. No matter the situation he has a calming influence and his knowledge and professionalism help to make the legal processes I have encountered go smoothly and give me the confidence needed to get through them. He is always accessible and makes me feel as though my case is important to him. Though I hope to never need an attorney I am glad to know he is only a phone call away.
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01 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Lineberry made me feel like I was his number one priority. He was very passionate about what he was doing and it really eased my worries. Not being knowledgeable in legal matters, he was also able to explain everything to me in a way that I could easily understand. What I appreciated most was his regular updates on my case and prompt responses to my emails.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Kalene gingrich
Taylor Bare was wonderful and very professional! He walked me through what to expect and was patient and kind. I never felt rushed when meeting with him and he answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend Bare Law to anyone.
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28 Jul, 2024 by Imani krause
Taylor Bare was absolutely phenomenal. He’s very realistic and professional. I will forever recommend his work.
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21 Apr, 2024 by Sylvia berger
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30 Jul, 2024 by Kalene gingrich
Taylor Bare was wonderful and very professional! He walked me through what to expect and was patient and kind. I never felt rushed when meeting with him and he answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend Bare Law to anyone.
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28 Jul, 2024 by Imani krause
Taylor Bare was absolutely phenomenal. He’s very realistic and professional. I will forever recommend his work.
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21 Apr, 2024 by Sylvia berger
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30 Jul, 2024 by Kalene gingrich
Taylor Bare was wonderful and very professional! He walked me through what to expect and was patient and kind. I never felt rushed when meeting with him and he answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend Bare Law to anyone.
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28 Jul, 2024 by Imani krause
Taylor Bare was absolutely phenomenal. He’s very realistic and professional. I will forever recommend his work.
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21 Apr, 2024 by Sylvia berger
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04 Sep, 2024 by Scott
He was very thorough and explained everything!! This is the second time I have used Attorney Schefter and would recommend him to all my friends who need guidance during difficult times !!!
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04 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Great lawyer, really came thru for us! Thank u!! Will recommend and call if needed again!
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24 Aug, 2024 by Tyler
Originally hired Penny Ayres & she was great, very competent & skilled. Jason Shirley had taken over for her & became the worst choice for my custody trial I could have made. He is by far the worst attonrey I’ve ever witnessed practice. Very lazy & very unprofessional, said my daughter looked like a “chuckey” doll to opposing counsel. Showed up to trial with a 13 point small binder, every hearing was 10 steps backwards from where Penny got us. Hiring anybody or anything else would be a better choice than Jason, If I could choose less than 1 star I would. If he truly wanted to help people Get Justice he would change practices or retire. A brick wall could have represented me better. How he still has any business is beyond me. Office staff / paralegals were great
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16 Oct, 2024 by Michael eckenrode
Very knowledgeable. Very supportive. Kept in contact. Will definitely hire again.
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18 Sep, 2024 by Kayla hodge
I submitted a request for a consult for a civil matter in early July 2024 and heard back from who I would assume is their front desk staff and/or paralegal that my info was sent on to the attorney. I never heard from the attorney. A month later I followed up by email as that had been the original method of communication asking when I should expect to hear back and never received a response. It's now mid-September 2024.
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21 Aug, 2024 by Brian diehl
She was awesome easy to communicate with and really helped me out. Plus she doesn’t look a day over 25
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16 Oct, 2024 by Michael eckenrode
Very knowledgeable. Very supportive. Kept in contact. Will definitely hire again.
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18 Sep, 2024 by Kayla hodge
I submitted a request for a consult for a civil matter in early July 2024 and heard back from who I would assume is their front desk staff and/or paralegal that my info was sent on to the attorney. I never heard from the attorney. A month later I followed up by email as that had been the original method of communication asking when I should expect to hear back and never received a response. It's now mid-September 2024.
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21 Aug, 2024 by Brian diehl
She was awesome easy to communicate with and really helped me out. Plus she doesn’t look a day over 25
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11 Oct, 2024 by Daniel marquette
After 40 years in the trades I was injured and lost ability to continue in the labor field . From day one Rachel trembly paralegal and Jennifer kline attorney were honest and caring . They didn't tell me what I wanted to hear , they told me truth and facts . They made sure that as u went through some of the most difficult medical issues and treatments they were there to be a 'hand to hold'. Attorney kline was always clear and never tried to 'lawyer' me into false hopes . What she said day one was exactly what happened at the end . If you are in need of TRUE legal representation only Jennifer kline and Rachael trembly will be able to give you honest, clear and true caring throughout your ordeal. Thank you to all at law firm as I'm sure many there assisted behind the scenes. And especially to Rachael who I texted probably too often but always answered me with pure thoughts and feelings for a human being way beyond a client relationship .
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05 Oct, 2024 by Robert hamm
Brad accomplished more in the few months he represented us than the other firm did in 3 plus years. He always kept us updated as well. Thank you Brad. If I ever need another lawyer, you will be my first contact.
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21 May, 2024 by Luz vega
I cannot thank John Ogden and his staff enough. Mr. Ogden represented me with a real estate issue. He and his staff stayed in communication, were extremely knowledgeable, and friendly. They were able to get back my funds in a timely manner. I would definitely use them again.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Hang
He respected me and conducted his business with great empathy. He guided me in right direction and I am very great full to him. Once again a excellent attorney and human being.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Rebecca hollenbach
Excellent and responsive representation.
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11 Feb, 2024 by Stefani haverstock
She is an amazing attorney
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30 Nov, 2023 by Kate maloney
I have worked with Attorney Woodward on personal and professional matters. Could not recommend her more highly.
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30 Nov, 2023 by Pie katie
Gillian is my go to attorney for family law. She is deligent, kind, and thorough. I have recommended her several times and the people who hired her were also pleased.
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28 Sep, 2022 by Lynn
Reached out for advice of what to do with the home warranty claim issue. There were several pages in home warranty contract that spelled out liability coverages. The attorney offered free-of-charge advice regarding the pursuit of the contractor rather than the home warranty company. Very knowledgeable and concise.
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10 Jun, 2024 by Diane gettys
A+. Peter Vaughn and his staff took great care of me and had my best interest at heart.
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25 Jul, 2023 by Lamar sipe
Was going to use them to represent me extremely unprofessional. Wouldn't allow me to state the facts of my case. Extremely unprofessional again and I wouldn't recommend them. Poor service
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07 Jul, 2023 by Ron betts
Very truthful and straight forward
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01 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
Marakay Rogers helped me with a child custody case recently. She was honest and upfront with me about what we would be dealing with and our chances for success, although they were limited. Not only did she let me know what to expect, she was in my corner every step of the way. With her knowledge and persistence, we won the case on every count. Every phone call that I've left for her was returned in a reasonable amount of time and any necessary paperwork was delivered quickly. I'm happy to use her again and to recommend her to anyone who wants to know that they have a fighter with them in their corner.
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10 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
To keep this short and sweet, I wouldn't recommend this women to anyone. She us unresponsive, unprofessional, rude and just plain wrong. I read these other reviews and wonder if relatives wrote them about her. If shes currently your lawyer. GOOD LUCK.
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23 Oct, 2012 by Diane
I have been fortunate to have had Ms. Rogers represent me on several occasions. All I can say is this: Any attorney who can put up with me as a client, and still hold her own in any courtroom is a winner in my book. I would recommend Marakay anytime, any day.
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14 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Biggest mistake to hire Chris Ferro ! Does not return phone calls or emails . Sometimes it would take more than 5 days … sometimes not even at all ! After consultation we only sat in front of him in his office 2 times from 2018-2024 while case was pushed thru appeals . Saw him more during trial than did leading up to it and even then he didn’t know how to use word OBJECT … while pleading my defense his voice was monotone .. low … he did not convey conviction to get any of the jurors attention .. the jurors were FALLING ASLEEP while he was speaking !!!! He allowed the Commonwealth to tear my expert witness apart and didn’t OBJECT ONE TIME ! Felt in our gut to seek other counsel … shame on us for not doing so ! SEEK COUNSEL ELSEWHERE
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24 Nov, 2023 by Stacey l. kargbo
Henderson Law was great. I'm very proud of her on what she's accomplished. I wish Kanika great success in all her endeavors.
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25 Sep, 2023 by Gabrielle diaz
I called to schedule a consultation. The lawyer said that she had called my number and left a voice message and she never did. She lied what I see is non-motivated workers with an attitude. They are very rude and disrespectful. I would not go here at all unless you have the patience to deal with disrespectful people .
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07 Mar, 2024 by Alicia
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08 Sep, 2023 by Danielle grey
I choose this law firm because the location was great for me since it's not far away and it's convenient they are open until 5pm. Had never worked with an Attorney before but wasn't impressed and glad I changed council. Fees are based on a “sliding scale” percentage depending on amount of money your working with = Expensive. In my case for an Estate account. I planned to handle basic responsibilities like opening the account to pay bills, reduce late fees, phone calls, etc. but that was made out to seem like it would be complicated and they should do all the work. $$$ Jack wasn't very personable and didn't shake my hand once. Glad I went with my gut and changed to an hourly Lawyer that was willing to let me be a part of the process and not nickel and dime me. I do not recommend and hate the idea of paying the ridiculously high bill I received for the little work that was done.
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11 Apr, 2022 by Doug mccaskey
Vicky was great at getting me scheduled for a consultation quickly, and Jack was able to review my contract in easy to understand terms and ensure that all clauses are reasonable vs anything out of the ordinary and weighed the pros/cons of making a change. Fortunately, this was fairly uncomplicated and the only potential change would not be significantly relevant for me so we did not pursue any changes. He was very nice to talk with and I would certainly recommend him for others looking for contract review.
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09 May, 2016 by Anonymous
I can't express how pleased I am with the work Heather and her staff put into my high conflict custody case. I found her to be incredibly organized and prepared which was, without a doubt, an immense asset to my defense when things went to trial. She is knowledgable of the law, handled herself well in the court room, and is empathetic and honest. I had no issues getting a response from Heather or her staff. She was pleasant to be around and even more importantly, I am pleased and relieved at the custody order we received.
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09 Aug, 2015 by Karen
Without any hesitation, Heather Z. Reynosa is an amazing attorney. Heather displays knowledge, empathy and persistence towards her clients. I have had the privilege of working with her and she has earned my admiration and appreciation. I am grateful to have her on my team.
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24 Oct, 2012 by Steve
After an intensive search for York County's best custody trial attorney (contacting no less then 25 law offices) I kept hearing the name Heather Reynosa. She did not disappoint. She won my case which had certain complexities that she went out of her way to learn about and handle appropriately. I will use and refer Heather in all family law matters from now on.
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18 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
good communication skills and I was informed of the process that resulted in having charges dismissed against my son
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24 Jun, 2017 by Amber
Dean went to bat for me on a case that was one of the first to be on trial with a new law. He showed confidence and was very professional in his proceedings. We won our case. He did an awesome job.
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21 Jun, 2017 by Chris
Failed to effectively communicate with me. Mr. Reynosa allowed inaccurate information presented by prosecutor to harm me. Did not correct factual errors of my PSI. During the sentencing phase, he did not advocate on my behalf. Did not mention favorable or mitigating factor as well. The billing is highly questionable. Me and my family are extremely disappointed. I'd advise caution to anyone looking for representation from this attorney.
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20 May, 2024 by Lori sargent
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01 Feb, 2024 by Colette ritter
They were very Professional and insightful. I had a landlord tenant issue and they were able to guide me in the direction to get the response that was best for me.
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11 Dec, 2023 by Notta daygoby
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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