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04 Aug, 2023 by Fallon s
Took about 3 years to barely make a file. When fired charged all the hours to retainer fee. Basically took all the money and did not do work
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29 Jan, 2020 by Mo jag
Don't deal with this firm. I was impressed with the way they held my hand and helped me get my case approved 15 years ago. I made a mistake by giving them the job of applying H1B for my employee. I had practically everything. The staff is very rude. Jerry Zhang is not even in USA. We had to call several times to get the job done. He should be paying money to us. They just send you a DIY template and we have to work on it. They don't offer any help. They are in the business of just charging money. Don't waste your time by dealing with them. I am a successful businessman take my advise. I've seen how success has hit this company. They don't care for customers any more like they used to. They offer "0" support and no customer service plus they are all very rude. The attorney I was dealing with yelled at me several times. Their team is in China, they just outsource everything.
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05 Nov, 2019 by Felix banguera
Working day
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20 Oct, 2024 by J s
16 Oct, 2024 by Luis de la fuente
01 Sep, 2024 by Arlen sauer
These scamming pieces of trash, continuously send me warnings, I've already contacted the city I apparently have a warrant from. No warrant. Already paid YEARS AGO! Yet they continue their scare tactics. There's a special place in hell for companies like this. Just wait when I get to actually talk to someone, whatever nonexistent god they believe in better protect them that day.
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28 Nov, 2024 by Brian johnson
25 Nov, 2024 by Anoosah store
Very Bad experience they know nothing to advocate for their clients. Don't waste your money here
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05 Aug, 2024 by Bill lane
Big Firm, Big Reputation, Very poor representation, no client advocacy, billing so high they would need to add hours in a day to justify. Intentional delays at every corner. All about double and triple billing. Stay away if you want to win your case and have a good experience.
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05 Oct, 2024 by Scott y.
I recommend you look somewhere else for an attorney. This one is an ahole, just like Lynn Bradshaw-Hull.
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kimala ned
Christopher Hall Attorney He is not good with returning calls and do not keep you posted with your case...... State Bar Associates needs to be contacted A. S.A.P
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22 Jul, 2023 by Ehuerta37
His license should be revoked for malpractice. I contacted State Bar of Texas a few times. Money is the root of all evil, and I pray people like this God will handle. To many times he avoided me, over the years, a case by default judgement and he said he never collected.There was a Lien placed on the property so they wouldn't sell unless we got paid, but guess what ? I did my own research and someone got paid because the apt. Complex was sold, and the Harris Cnty records ,show that my case was paid, but never received a penny. Don't waste your time.
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26 Dec, 2024 by Eric
James Schull worked on preparing legal documents for a family matter - his family matter. Unfortunately, the quality of work and outcome did not meet expectations, leading to confusion and intensely ugly disagreements within family. A process that was supposed to be straightforward became more complicated than ever anticipated.
I recommend researching other attorneys.
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09 Jun, 2024 by J
Hired Attorney Schull for a divorce. He rarely returned phone calls and when he did, it was days later. When the divorce was over, I asked him to send me a final bill and return all funds not used. Guess what? His bill exactly matched the escrow I'd given him... to the cent. He spent hours reviewing small documents and I felt more money was used than was necessary. Highly disappointed in the quality of service,
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30 Oct, 2017 by Peggy reed
Even tho he and I parted company perhaps 10 years ago; I begged the Judge in my case to not let Atty Schull withdraw. When I had to replace him, I went to several attys that a highly respected Atty @ my Church recommended, but alas, I finally ended up with the worse Atty in Tarrant County that gave me a nervous breakdown and repeatedly bullied me into taking 10 cents on the $1 of the case Mr. Schull had filed for me and done a lot of the WORK. Regarding the fee I finally settled for with the crooked Judge deciding how much the bully/lazy atty recd, I reminded the Judge that I had begged him not to release Schull and the Judge remarked: "he's not going to do any more work for you." I think he was trying to get into a sudden political race, nevertheless, when I finally settled and gave that crooked atty his fee of 30% I told the Judge that he had not done any work on my case; and Schull had.
The atty I ended up with simply put my files on a shelf and waited until I was so desperate and stressed and bad credit that I would "cave in" to his badgering/bullying, etc. I still think Atty Schull was and is most honest. He and his staff did a lot of work on my case and he even paid the filing fee.
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25 Apr, 2020 by Richard
Darrell and Darrell Cook and Associates team has represented me and my companies for over 10 years. We have won cases and lost cases. I have aways felt well represented and valued.
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27 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
We hired him to defend a law suit. We said get ready for trial we won't settle. He did not get ready, billed us a small fortune and when we challenged him he bailed out on us. Bad lawyer, do not engage.
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22 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
Darrell W. Cooke & Associates represented were knowledgeable and could handle my case. They failed to inform me of a important deadline, then tried to blame the missed deadline on advice I had received prior to hiring them. They were attorney of record. Do not use this law firm under any circumstances.
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11 Dec, 2019 by Bb hs
Good business, great job to have
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23 Jan, 2019 by Richard polmon
The worst criminal attorney who works with the Clarendon Sherriff Blackburn.
A total waste of money who pretends he is a lawyer.
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29 Jul, 2017 by Robbie macy
My daughter told him she could not sign a legal document without my being there, I have full power of attorney over any legal document she signs he lied to her and told her she had too, he also did not tell her about her other options as in trial by jury of peers this man lies and had my daughter sign 18 years of her life away, she suffers,from adhd,ptsd,panic attacks ,plus has a reading disability, I will be filing a complaint with the bar assc of texas. He did not listen he did not hear her.
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22 Jan, 2025 by Hollis horn
Very professional organization. Had a very pleasant experience with this firm. Hope I don’t need again 😁 thank you for your courtesy.
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01 Jan, 2025 by Tiffiny owens
Very professional. Responds quickly to resolve issues. Friendly staff.
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01 Jan, 2025 by Chris angulo
At the beginning of this I was very nervous about what was going on but then I spoke to someone and they explained the whole process and made arrangements and payments schedule and everything worked out perfectly
Thank you Jenkins for your help in taking care of my issue
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24 Oct, 2024 by M mm
I’ve had a horrible experience with this company! There is no negotiating with them and all they’re out is to try to make as much money as possible, regardless of your financial hardship.
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18 Oct, 2024 by Reyna alvarado
I had a terrible experience with one of their representatives. She was unbelievably rude and hung up on me. It was clear she had no interest in helping me or even looking into my case. When I called back, another person managed to find the information easily, which just shows how unhelpful the first person was. Completely unprofessional.
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02 Aug, 2024 by Luis valenciano
Abigail Flores was very helpful in dealing with my issue I appreciate the whole staff for working with me for something I was not even aware of.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Jami mccalla
I’ve been trying to get them on the phone for a month, no one calls back. I’ve been trying to make payments for 2 months and can’t because for some reason my account number isn’t working. So now my plan is not current and I’m trying to fix it!
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20 Sep, 2024 by Ashton b
Absolute criminals. They make it impossible to get ahold them and they will still take you to court if you make your payments. Do not pay them a penny. If you make a settlement agreement and pay it in full then will say you have not and still take you to court. I repeat do not pay them a penny. They have illegally double charged me, I fought it with my bank and they won. They are thieves.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Dasheonna
This company is absolutely horrible. They don’t answer the phone or respond to emails. I have been reaching out daily because I am not able to log in to make payments. I’ve left over 3 voicemails and at this point I will report them to the BBB & Attorney General. I’m unsure what else I can do at this point.
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11 Oct, 2024 by Justina bruzgulytė
27 Oct, 2023 by Kayla scott
Complete JOKE! They filed suit without our permission. They do not communicate at all. They do not follow directions. And they lie! Horrible service. Do not use them unless you want your situation to get worse.
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24 Oct, 2023 by David pena
Did not show up to court. Lost all our paperwork and emailed copies 3 times. Resending not a big deal but annoying. Communication through out the whole process was horrible. Now we lost the case and it's very hard to over turn. He has promised to return our money in payments. First check was denied by the bank. And now he says I forgot. I have the emails to prove it.
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11 Oct, 2024 by Justina bruzgulytė
27 Oct, 2023 by Kayla scott
Complete JOKE! They filed suit without our permission. They do not communicate at all. They do not follow directions. And they lie! Horrible service. Do not use them unless you want your situation to get worse.
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24 Oct, 2023 by David pena
Did not show up to court. Lost all our paperwork and emailed copies 3 times. Resending not a big deal but annoying. Communication through out the whole process was horrible. Now we lost the case and it's very hard to over turn. He has promised to return our money in payments. First check was denied by the bank. And now he says I forgot. I have the emails to prove it.
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01 Mar, 2024 by Texastechdude40
As my review states this attorney is a very smart attorney,but he is very lazy and really unorganized he will lose your evidence because he has no secretary. he will never return your calls until the day before court then he will submit a bill to you that reflects all of this work that he has been doing but it is a lie because he just starts blowing your phone up the night before your court date. he will take all your money and give you no receipts until you ask 100 times then he will throw one together that will eat all of your retainer and reflect that you owe him a couple grand more.....then he will hound you until you pay him then you will not here from him again until the night before court again he is always unprepaired !
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09 Dec, 2021 by Kathy
Hired this guy several years ago ..
I recently found out the work he did for me wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.
I reached out to him about the problem .
I told him he should fix this screw up free of charge ..He focused on the free of charge.
I never heard back from him..
I felt like since he didn’t do it right it the first place and I paid him back then that he should fix it free of charge ..
I hired a new lawyer that knew what he was doing and he was able to fix the mess this guy left me with..
If you hire him just be warned his screw ups might come back to bite you in the butt later on …He never even apologized !!!!
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04 Jan, 2021 by Abby
Mr. Patterson is an outstanding attorney. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
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21 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
This attorney was never in the office. Always out of town. His secretary never could answer simple questions, Not very friendly! Never received an itemized statement of what I had used on my retainer. I think he talked too much about things not to relevant to my case. Using up my retainer. In the end, he insulted me personally!!!!!!!! Never went back to his office!
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01 Oct, 2024 by Michelle & amir livas
Had a completely horrible experience with Natalie. Paid her $10,000 never met her nor did she handle any of our case. We paid all that money just to have to go to court alone and handle the case by ourselves. Definitely not an attorney I would recommend for anyone to use unless you just want to give money away.
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12 Dec, 2023 by Thelithia wise
This attorney has no idea how to argue a case! This lady said um and uh during the attire case. This individuals mailbox and office is at a ups store in cedar hill. She has no home office and her augments in court were very beginner. Her courtroom presence was nonexistent and she sounded very ignorant on what the case was about. She did not file the case paperwork properly and waisted 11,000 plus dollars only for us to get to court and lose the case. (We only lost due to her wasting the time allowed to prove the case and she never proved the case or got to present evidence from client..it was embarrassing to watch) She should be disbarred for the lives she ruined. She’s the worst attorney in the DFW area and I’m shocked she even passed the bar. God will pay her for her miss deeds
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12 Dec, 2023 by Tiffany stencer
Nope! TRASH!!!!! wasted time and money lost the case because she's has no time management or common sense. Please don't use
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18 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
I was recommended to Mr. Zipp by a friend. I hired him to probate the will of my mother. He a confident, trustworthy and compassionate attorney. In the future I would not hesitate to use him again should the need arise. I highly recommend him.
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11 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
Excellent experienced attorney. His calm and compassionate demeanor helped our family navigate through our difficult situation while he diligently worked on our matter. I highly recommend Ronald Zipp.
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28 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Won't return calls are the least of your worries with this attorney. LITERALLY charged 3 times what other attorneys cost and when you need to speak to him, you might receive a call days later from an assistant who doesn't know anything either. Will offer suggestions that aren't applicable. The absolute worst experience I've ever encountered with a lawyer. Nightmare. Feels somewhat like he's not your attorney but rather extension of the prosecutions office.
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12 Jun, 2023 by Lora cantu
Didn't help me 😭 n what I needed didn't even give me a chance to explain my situation
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04 Jan, 2023 by Drew h
I don’t see how this guy is in business. He exudes apathy. Every interaction I’ve had with him just seemed like he couldn’t care less or was bothered. I felt like a huge imposition just from contacting him to consult on my case.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Vernell boson
Nice environment and safe.
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18 Aug, 2024 by L lebron
I dont dislike Andrew Tatgenhorst as a person even though he does appear very bored and generally disgruntled. However, I do have experience with him as opposing counsel and my genuine feeling/opinion is that he’s bad for kids. Andrew ramps things up, serving only himself in legal fees, and seemingly has no sight of the child at the core of the dispute. Thus, districts are paying taxpayer dollars to Andrew’s attitude rather than to children’s services. I didn’t find Andrew to be incredibly honest, the opposite in my experiences. I also noted that Andrew focused quite a lot (perhaps exclusively) on extraneous things that did not serve the child or resolution but designed to malign the student and/or their family. Unfortunately, I also witnessed harmful tactics. I would hope school districts would partner with solution oriented, student centered firms who can advance mutual interests and needs, support children, and save taxpayer dollars. I did not feel like this was the case with Andrew and Thompson Horton.
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06 Jun, 2024 by Hannah marie
21 Oct, 2023 by Tasteforbattle
Would never pay these unethical and immoral clowns to represent me. I prefer ones who abide by the law instead of side stepping it.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Carolyn mitchell
09 Nov, 2023 by Elizabeth luna
They kept passing the buck. Never got an answer to my questions.
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07 Jul, 2022 by National furniture
EXTREMELY RUDE PERSON WHO ANSWERS THE PHONE, INCOMPETENT OFFICE, THEY HANG UP ON YOU AND DONT RETURN ANY CALLS, THEY DONT EVEN DESERVE A 1 STAR. BIG 0
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04 Aug, 2017 by Theresa
This was the worst experience with a lawyer ever. He was never available to speak with us. He lost our documents. He would ask us to leave items in the mailbox and pick them up from the mailbox because he was never available. We wasted two months of our time only to find out none of the paperwork he had prepared were what was needed for our case.
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05 Apr, 2016 by Lucero alfaro
I had been previously struggling with a different attorney whom i paid and he was the worst Attorney i could have ever hired! I fired him and was out of funds for a new one. I then received a court appointed Attorney whom was Edward P. Dancause and the difference was night and DAY! Mr. Dancause went above and beyond for my case. He has a genuine interest in the outcome for his clients the care that he showed for my case was clear and he DELIVERED the BEST outcome that i could have had!! He under promised and over delivered, he also kept his word on the promises he did make as far as returning calls and providing documents especially since i live states away from Texas where my case was. Mr. Dancause is an attorney you can trust and i am forever greatful to him for helping me and my family through a very difficult time not only for the great outcome but more so for the genuine care that he showed to us. He made the process as easy as he could for us since we had to travel 12 hours for every court. If you want an attorney you can TRUST this is where you can find him!!
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26 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr Dancause was my lawyer in family court.
It was a terrible experience all the way. He will nether return my calls or respond to my emails.
Our first appearance in court was a disaster. He was not prepare at all. He asked me for documents I sent him months prior to the hearing.
When I had the opportunity to talk to him on the phone he will always find excuse not to stay on the phone using excuses like I am at the mechanic for my car, or I am moving offices. I will use the same excuses over and over.
The second court appearance was an other awful experience.
I will not recommend that lawyer.
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11 Dec, 2019 by Bb hs
Good business, great job to have
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23 Jan, 2019 by Richard polmon
The worst criminal attorney who works with the Clarendon Sherriff Blackburn.
A total waste of money who pretends he is a lawyer.
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29 Jul, 2017 by Robbie macy
My daughter told him she could not sign a legal document without my being there, I have full power of attorney over any legal document she signs he lied to her and told her she had too, he also did not tell her about her other options as in trial by jury of peers this man lies and had my daughter sign 18 years of her life away, she suffers,from adhd,ptsd,panic attacks ,plus has a reading disability, I will be filing a complaint with the bar assc of texas. He did not listen he did not hear her.
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30 Jan, 2025 by A r
Nuestra experiencia con esta agencia y sus abogados fue excelente, nos ayudaron en todo momento en nuestro caso, muy profesionales, dedicados a nuestro caso y gracias a su excelente trabajo nos concedieron nuestro asilo político, eternamente agradecidos con ustedes
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04 Oct, 2024 by Cl1505
Receptionist answered the phone, I said good morning instead of good afternoon, and as I was correcting myself she just hung up on me. Good to know this is how they treat people.
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03 May, 2023 by Jorge diaz
Called to get a consultation and quote. Person who answered asked me to describe what happened so they could transfer my call. Once I got transferred again they asked again for me to describe the event. Then I was told I’d get a link to type up a statement about the event. When I got to the link there’s no option for my cases scenario so I have to call back just to figure out they don’t take my kind of cases. Terrible service, would not trust the attorney anymore than the clerks considering how bad the consultation process is
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21 Jun, 2024 by Sondra
Nicholas Veach was quick, responsive and got the job I needed DONE!! Highly recommend!!
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18 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
This guy as part of the firm I contacted for an abandoned easement issue involving a utility company. The firm advertises expertise in this area, but then refer to this guy. Says in his email he has a plan. Our goal was to get the easement removed and then sue for damages. After reading these reviews I was trying to be objective. But after a 15 min consult, he nor the hiring firm had knowledge of what an abandoned easement was. Kept asking ME on the phone what it was....HELLO? Thats why we're seeking your counsel! ..then said literally at the 15 min mark your time is up get your credit card ready...most lawfirms give a free consult outlining your case etc. If you pay for a consult, which we were happy to do...there's an expectancy of a plan, cause of action , advise, etc. We received nothing in exchange. They had all the information we sent, evidence and bullet points of information yet have no clue. Very unprofessional. The other reviews are correct.
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10 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
When I first contacted Veach he was fired up about my case. I paid him a large amount up front. A couple of months later I contact him for an update. He gives me this sob story about how him and his wife are struggling to make ends meet because he is a new attorney and trying to make it on his own. I send him several more thousands of dollars. He acted very graciously and laid out this grand plan of how my case was going. He claimed he had sent the defendant's attorney all these papers and had filed all these motions. He told me how things were going and what to expect. Then months later the defendant fires his attorney and gets a new one. All of the sudden Veach's attitude changes. He has supposedly talked to the defendant and his attorney and now it seemed they were running to show.
Veach lied to me and then when the well went dry he dropped my case because he said he had other bigger cases to worry about. I have never met him in person, but now believe he is a con-artist and should be brought up on ethics charges by the State Bar Association. I now have to find another attorney and start the whole process over. He never offered to return any of the money I paid him.
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07 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Terrible communication skills. He takes weeks to respond back, well that’s if he responds. If you like to have a peace of mind this is not the lawyer for you.
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12 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
I would not recommend Bob as he started out great at first, but has trouble finishing his job. We hired him and paid him in full due to a lawsuit, then we just can't get a hold of him as he would never respond to our calls, emails or text messages. Until finally he responded and apologized and finished the job and even offered some free service. Three months later he still did not provide the free service that he promised and again cannot be reached. It is very frustrating for us and unprofessional on his part.
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25 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
I reached out to Roberto to see if he would take my case. He agreed he would and would send over a contract. I waited for over two weeks to get said contract. I called and emailed multiple times. I even asked if he doesn't have the time, just communicate that so I can find another attorney. Nothing. Dead silence. I would not recommend working with him. If this is the level of communication he provides before starting a case, image how it is during a case. No thank you.
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26 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. King is obviously an intelligent attorney, which was easily recognized during our very first conversation. But, unfortunately he involves himself too much in small-town gossip and has been guilty of repeating such talk in an unprofessional manner. I did not feel it was very professional on his part to discuss such gossip with me. It seems he has allowed himself to get caught up in small-town politics as well. Going into specifics would create the need to name names, and for that reason I will not do so. Because of this, I would not want to use his services again if I lived in the same town as he does, due to the concern that my personal matters would be discussed behind my back, as I later found out they were. He does not seem to remember the concept of attorney/client privilege, at least in my case he did not.
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10 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. Malanga did very little work on my case and largely relied on my footwork to deal with my case. I would not recommend this lawyer.
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03 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Working on my case was an extremely lengthy (and thus more costly) process that only seemed to be moved forward when I called or showed up in person. It was difficult to reach him to voice my concerns. Once the case (an appeal) was filed in the courts, he would have nothing more to do with me and said so to me, I believe he could have checked on the progression of my case in the courts. He did not do so. I certainly would NOT recommend R: Michael Appell (especial if you are a woman) for your legal needs.
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10 Feb, 2024 by Grace.kelli
26 Mar, 2023 by Jeff l
09 Jun, 2020 by Skylar elizabeth
07 Oct, 2024 by Jami mccalla
I’ve been trying to get them on the phone for a month, no one calls back. I’ve been trying to make payments for 2 months and can’t because for some reason my account number isn’t working. So now my plan is not current and I’m trying to fix it!
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20 Sep, 2024 by Ashton b
Absolute criminals. They make it impossible to get ahold them and they will still take you to court if you make your payments. Do not pay them a penny. If you make a settlement agreement and pay it in full then will say you have not and still take you to court. I repeat do not pay them a penny. They have illegally double charged me, I fought it with my bank and they won. They are thieves.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Dasheonna
This company is absolutely horrible. They don’t answer the phone or respond to emails. I have been reaching out daily because I am not able to log in to make payments. I’ve left over 3 voicemails and at this point I will report them to the BBB & Attorney General. I’m unsure what else I can do at this point.
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12 May, 2016 by Christina
I hired this law firm for my husbend for him to be released for a detainer in 2011. I had called probably 10 lawyer's and they had all denied to take my husbend case. Finally I went down the list of attorneys that were closer to where he was and I called this law firm. I do a free consultation and they told me that he could get out and we'll just listening to them I said forget it and I hired them without taking in the fact of what everyone else said and 1 month later at my husbend court date. Boom he was out. I am sooo thankful I found this firm. Thank you Mr. Ray and Mrs. Patricia..
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15 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Did my paperwork incorrectly and attempted to charge me for the correction. He filed with the court an order appointing my son as his own father and changing his name to the wrong name. Then when I asked him to change it quoted me $2k. His secretary yelled at me for questioning that charge. Is that ethical or legal?
Get it right with a better lawyer who can read and spell.
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19 Nov, 2014 by Jennifer
Unethical.
He made an error on a court order. It states that my son is his own father. When I asked to help change it and even offered to pay the court filing, he requires his retainer. $2500. I wonder if this is a business. Make an error and funnel more money from people? Good idea in theory but save your money and find someone to do it correctly the first time.
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What a Debt Collection Lawyer Can Do for You
A debt collection lawyer helps individuals and businesses navigate legal matters related to debt collection. Whether you’re a creditor seeking to recover unpaid debts or a debtor facing aggressive collection actions, a debt collection lawyer can provide valuable assistance. These lawyers help creditors pursue legal action to collect overdue debts and ensure compliance with debt collection laws. On the debtor’s side, they help defend against unlawful collection practices, negotiate repayment plans, or file for bankruptcy if necessary.
If you’re dealing with a debt collection issue, a lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and work toward a resolution that aligns with your financial or business needs.
When Should I Hire a Debt Collection Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a debt collection lawyer if you are facing any of the following situations:
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For Creditors:
- Unpaid debts: If you’re a creditor (such as a business or individual) with unpaid invoices, loans, or accounts receivable, a lawyer can help you pursue legal action to recover the debt.
- Debtor refuses to pay: When a debtor is unwilling or unable to make payments, a lawyer can assist with filing lawsuits, securing judgments, and enforcing those judgments to collect the debt.
- Negotiating repayment plans: If you’re willing to work with a debtor to arrange a payment plan, a lawyer can negotiate and draft a legally enforceable agreement.
- Legal representation in court: If a debtor disputes the debt or countersues, a lawyer can represent you in court and ensure your legal interests are protected.
- Securing liens or garnishments: A lawyer can help you secure liens on a debtor’s property or garnishments on their wages to recover the owed debt.
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For Debtors:
- Facing debt collection lawsuits: If you’ve been sued by a creditor or collection agency, a lawyer can represent you in court and help you defend against the claim or negotiate a settlement.
- Debt collection harassment: If creditors or debt collection agencies are harassing you or violating your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a lawyer can help stop the harassment and potentially sue for damages.
- Negotiating debt settlements: If you owe a significant amount of money but want to avoid bankruptcy, a lawyer can negotiate with creditors to reduce the total amount owed or set up a payment plan.
- Disputing a debt: If you believe a debt is incorrect or have been wrongfully targeted by debt collectors, a lawyer can help you dispute the claim and provide evidence to resolve the matter.
- Bankruptcy options: If your debts are overwhelming and you’re unable to repay them, a debt collection lawyer can help you explore bankruptcy as an option for debt relief.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help you protect your financial interests and avoid escalating legal issues.
What Does a Debt Collection Lawyer Do?
A debt collection lawyer provides a variety of services depending on whether they are representing the creditor or the debtor. Their responsibilities often include:
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For Creditors:
- Filing lawsuits: A lawyer can file a lawsuit against a debtor who has failed to pay what they owe. This includes preparing and submitting legal documents, representing you in court, and pursuing judgments.
- Negotiating settlements: If the debtor is willing to settle, the lawyer can negotiate a payment arrangement or reduced settlement that ensures you recover some or all of the debt.
- Securing judgments and enforcement: After obtaining a court judgment, a lawyer can help enforce it through methods like wage garnishment, bank levies, or property liens.
- Reviewing contracts and agreements: A lawyer can review your contracts and lending agreements to ensure that they comply with the law and are enforceable if a debtor defaults.
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For Debtors:
- Defending against debt collection lawsuits: If you’re being sued by a creditor, a lawyer can challenge the lawsuit, dispute the debt’s validity, or negotiate a more favorable settlement.
- Stopping harassment: If debt collectors are using unlawful practices to collect a debt (such as threatening you or contacting you excessively), a lawyer can intervene and protect your rights.
- Negotiating debt relief: A lawyer can negotiate with creditors to reduce the total amount of debt you owe or develop a manageable payment plan that suits your financial situation.
- Disputing inaccurate debts: If a debt is not valid, a lawyer can help you gather evidence to dispute the claim and prevent further collection actions.
- Filing for bankruptcy: If your debts are overwhelming, a lawyer can advise you on whether filing for bankruptcy is the best option and help you through the process.
How Are Debt Collection Lawyers Paid?
Debt collection lawyers typically charge for their services in different ways depending on the complexity of the case and whether they represent a creditor or debtor. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many debt collection lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the case’s complexity. Hourly fees are common when the lawyer is representing either party in litigation or negotiation.
- Contingency fee: For creditors, some lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully recover the debt. Their fee is typically a percentage of the recovered amount, usually ranging from 20% to 40%.
- Flat fee: For specific services, such as reviewing a contract, drafting a demand letter, or defending a straightforward debt collection lawsuit, a lawyer may charge a flat fee.
- Retainer: For larger or ongoing cases, a lawyer may require a retainer fee ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the case and the expected duration.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation and understand the total cost of their services before proceeding with your case.
How Much Does a Debt Collection Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a debt collection lawyer depends on whether you are a creditor or debtor, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Most debt collection lawyers charge between $150 and $500 per hour. Complex cases involving litigation or large amounts of money may result in higher legal fees.
- Contingency fees: If the lawyer works on a contingency basis, they typically charge between 20% and 40% of the recovered amount. For example, if you recover $10,000 and the contingency fee is 30%, the lawyer would take $3,000.
- Flat fees: For simpler services like drafting a demand letter or responding to a debt collection lawsuit, flat fees may range from $500 to $2,500, depending on the work required.
- Retainers: For larger or ongoing cases, a lawyer may require a retainer fee ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the case and the expected duration.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to avoid surprises and ensure that the services fit your budget.
Top Questions to Ask a Debt Collection Lawyer
Before hiring a debt collection lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise to handle your case. Key questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with debt collection cases?
Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether you’re a creditor or debtor. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, on a contingency fee basis, or a flat fee, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case and the potential outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Debt collection cases can take time, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last, from filing the claim to recovering the debt or resolving the dispute. -
What are my legal rights?
Ask the lawyer to explain your rights as a creditor or debtor, including protections under laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). -
Will you personally handle my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be managing your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Debt Collection Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable debt collection lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for debt collection experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in debt collection law and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and ability to handle debt collection cases.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on debt collection matters.
- Check for certifications or memberships: Look for certifications or memberships in organizations like the National Creditors Bar Association (NCBA) or other relevant associations that focus on debt collection law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a debt collection lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
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For Creditors:
- List of outstanding debts: Bring a detailed list of the debts owed to you or your business, including invoices, contracts, or other supporting documentation.
- Previous communication with the debtor: Provide copies of any emails, letters, or phone call logs showing attempts to collect the debt.
- Contracts or agreements: Bring any contracts or agreements related to the debt, as they may be critical in proving your case.
- Judgment information (if applicable): If you’ve already obtained a court judgment against the debtor, bring the judgment documents and any enforcement attempts.
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For Debtors:
- Debt collection letters or notices: Bring any correspondence from creditors or collection agencies, including demand letters and collection notices.
- Payment records: Provide proof of any payments made toward the debt, including receipts, canceled checks, or bank statements.
- Debt validation or dispute documentation: If you’ve disputed the debt or requested validation, bring copies of the dispute letters and the creditor’s response.
- Legal summons or lawsuit documentation: If you’re facing a lawsuit, bring the court summons, complaint, and any legal documents related to the case.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best legal advice tailored to your needs.
