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09 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Erik assisted one of my parents in a case that we didn’t think had the capability of ending in a positive outcome. However, through his tenacity and drive to help his clients, he ended up obtaining a result that was better than we could have imagined. He’s a very excellent and caring Attorney. I couldn’t imagine hiring anyone else. Thank you again, Erik!
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08 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
As a father committed to my daughters, I was disheartened with attorneys who seem to lack interest in fighting for me. After almost giving up, I gave Real Fathers Rights a try, and boy, o boy, I did not regret it. Erik, fought for me. Thanks to Erik, I was able to be part of my daughters life! Fight for your kids, and this guy has your back!!!
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01 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Erik is a great advocate for men going through divorce. He is knowledgeable and empathetic. He is also an extremely skilled litigator. I would highly recommend any man in family court speak with Erik
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25 Jun, 2024 by Brandon oh
Attorney Jay helped me out with my injury case a couple months ago. I called around a couple of places and most took my name and number and I couldn't talk to a lawyer. My friend recommended Jay and I called his number and he picked up and talked to me about my case for a long time and helped me with all the questions I had. Extremely pleased with the results of my case and I'm very pleased with the level of service. Thank you so much Jay!
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25 Jun, 2024 by Evan m
I was asked by a friend (not internet savvy) to help search for some legal advice, so I turned to yelp to filter out the top rated lawyers to cut down on call time.
Aventus was the second on the list that I had called and ended up being the last since I didn't need to call on any others. They genuinely listened to the scenario and gave some sound feedback. I setup an appointment so they could talk directly in detail with my friend. I'm happy that Aventus helped my friend get things resolved quickly, and my call list short! Their 5 star review is well deserved!
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25 Jun, 2024 by Phat nguyen
What a great group of guys. Jay and Jonathan really took care of me during my accident process. I got rear ended SO HARD that my car stopped working, it was immobile, and i was in a lot of back pain. The person that rear ended me also didnt even have insurance! These guys really helped me feel at ease that everything will be taken care of and I was compensated for my time and medical bills that followed taking care of my injuries. Its nice having someone to take care of process for you so you can just go see the right physicians to get back to normal healthy living and you didnt have to spend hours on the phone with insurance companies, back and forth, stuck in limbo, not knowing if your bills will be covered or not. A+ for these guys! Thank you!
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25 Jun, 2024 by Brandon oh
Attorney Jay helped me out with my injury case a couple months ago. I called around a couple of places and most took my name and number and I couldn't talk to a lawyer. My friend recommended Jay and I called his number and he picked up and talked to me about my case for a long time and helped me with all the questions I had. Extremely pleased with the results of my case and I'm very pleased with the level of service. Thank you so much Jay!
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25 Jun, 2024 by Evan m
I was asked by a friend (not internet savvy) to help search for some legal advice, so I turned to yelp to filter out the top rated lawyers to cut down on call time.
Aventus was the second on the list that I had called and ended up being the last since I didn't need to call on any others. They genuinely listened to the scenario and gave some sound feedback. I setup an appointment so they could talk directly in detail with my friend. I'm happy that Aventus helped my friend get things resolved quickly, and my call list short! Their 5 star review is well deserved!
Read more
25 Jun, 2024 by Phat nguyen
What a great group of guys. Jay and Jonathan really took care of me during my accident process. I got rear ended SO HARD that my car stopped working, it was immobile, and i was in a lot of back pain. The person that rear ended me also didnt even have insurance! These guys really helped me feel at ease that everything will be taken care of and I was compensated for my time and medical bills that followed taking care of my injuries. Its nice having someone to take care of process for you so you can just go see the right physicians to get back to normal healthy living and you didnt have to spend hours on the phone with insurance companies, back and forth, stuck in limbo, not knowing if your bills will be covered or not. A+ for these guys! Thank you!
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25 Apr, 2024 by Sin c
The firm was great at answering all my questions. They were extremely polite and considerate of my situation, I highly recommend them!
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22 Apr, 2024 by Xavier m
I WOULD HONESTLY GIVE 0 STARTS IF I COULD!!! REEL FATHERS RIGHTS IS HERE FOR YOUR MONEY AND NOT YOUR RIGHTS!
I would run like your hair is on fire there is nothing good to say about this corrupt practice. I spent over $15,000 in 2 months with Reel Fathers Rights not doing ANYTHING for me. When I said they did NOTHING they really did NOTHING the only thing I got out of it was a scheduled FaceTime call with my son. We were supposed to go in for a custody battle (with LOADS) of evidence that would have made it an easy case yet NONE of the evidence was provided and nothing was even talked about. Heath was the one to suggest we push back the hearing for my case back (so they could keep stealing my money for the next 2 months).
THEN after the case I was not and still have not be contacted AT ALL about what was actually done during court (this was in January). It has been over 3 months and I was not been reach out to by anyone except the billing lady even after I reloaded my “trust” ($3500) TWICE (paid them $7,000) when the firm wasn’t even doing anything and I had 2 months until we present all the evidence that I had already been billed for and paid.
I have called them multiple times to try and get that paperwork and everything that they have “filed” and spent with my $15,000 I have paid in the last 2 months and I have yet to be sent anything except for a bill.
During my time having these guys as my attorney the best part was firing them and finding a new attorney. BUT (not to my surprise) when I fired them my “trust” went from $700 all the way down to $200 so it essentially costed me $500 to fire them and of course there was no explanation and there were charges added that didn’t occur and I can prove.
I have never felt like a company left me worse off than I started with but this firm is TERRIBLE. Heath would tell me “we should file this” then when I would give them the go ahead to do it then he would turn around THE NEXT DAY and tell me “ah nah let’s not file that anymore not worth it” EVEN THOUGH I HAD ALREADY PAID AND BEEN BILLED OVER A $1,000 FOR THEM TO DO IT!!!!
I really don’t want YOU to have this experience as I know MANY MANY MANY others have had the exact same experience as me so please DO NOT let this firm steal your money switch to an attorney who is cheaper won’t add and make up fake charges to bill you for and actually does there job. (Such as saying that you had an hr phone call with the attorney when you didn’t and have phone records to prove it). I know there is many people who have filed a complaint with the California bar against these guys which goes to show how bad and corrupt of a business they are running.
Heath baker is the laziest attorney I have ever met, will not represent you in person, wastes time on your call (that is $600 an hr) talking about things that are not relevant to your case whatsoever, and will not follow up after court or even send an email. There is a lot more that I could say and share from my experience but I think that you get the point by now.
TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE!!!!!
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12 Apr, 2024 by Jonathan stout
Reel fathers rights is not a place that is in it too help fathers. They are in it to rip you off and steal your money during my time with the firm. They were extremely poor with any communication and wait until the last second in the middle of the night to review or do any of my documents along with charging 600+ dollars per hour Attorney fees, and they charge on top of that to file every single little thing, including any communication between anybody ever and after my account was closed when I fired them, they had proceeded to With another 800+ dollar bill you’ll find a photo attached of the billing document after they have been fired and before they have returned my remaining trust. And during my time with them, they claimed my attorney went on vacation, but during the time they actually had to let her go, and they had to move one of my court dates saying that they had to be another court case And resulted in me having to pay all of those fees for them to change my date I do not recommend this firm. They are not accommodating with anything. They have no tolerance policy the second you get upset that they’re charging so much money they threatened to leave you. I fired this firm on April 5, 2024, and this billing statement is April 11, 2024
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25 Apr, 2024 by Sin c
The firm was great at answering all my questions. They were extremely polite and considerate of my situation, I highly recommend them!
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22 Apr, 2024 by Xavier m
I WOULD HONESTLY GIVE 0 STARTS IF I COULD!!! REEL FATHERS RIGHTS IS HERE FOR YOUR MONEY AND NOT YOUR RIGHTS!
I would run like your hair is on fire there is nothing good to say about this corrupt practice. I spent over $15,000 in 2 months with Reel Fathers Rights not doing ANYTHING for me. When I said they did NOTHING they really did NOTHING the only thing I got out of it was a scheduled FaceTime call with my son. We were supposed to go in for a custody battle (with LOADS) of evidence that would have made it an easy case yet NONE of the evidence was provided and nothing was even talked about. Heath was the one to suggest we push back the hearing for my case back (so they could keep stealing my money for the next 2 months).
THEN after the case I was not and still have not be contacted AT ALL about what was actually done during court (this was in January). It has been over 3 months and I was not been reach out to by anyone except the billing lady even after I reloaded my “trust” ($3500) TWICE (paid them $7,000) when the firm wasn’t even doing anything and I had 2 months until we present all the evidence that I had already been billed for and paid.
I have called them multiple times to try and get that paperwork and everything that they have “filed” and spent with my $15,000 I have paid in the last 2 months and I have yet to be sent anything except for a bill.
During my time having these guys as my attorney the best part was firing them and finding a new attorney. BUT (not to my surprise) when I fired them my “trust” went from $700 all the way down to $200 so it essentially costed me $500 to fire them and of course there was no explanation and there were charges added that didn’t occur and I can prove.
I have never felt like a company left me worse off than I started with but this firm is TERRIBLE. Heath would tell me “we should file this” then when I would give them the go ahead to do it then he would turn around THE NEXT DAY and tell me “ah nah let’s not file that anymore not worth it” EVEN THOUGH I HAD ALREADY PAID AND BEEN BILLED OVER A $1,000 FOR THEM TO DO IT!!!!
I really don’t want YOU to have this experience as I know MANY MANY MANY others have had the exact same experience as me so please DO NOT let this firm steal your money switch to an attorney who is cheaper won’t add and make up fake charges to bill you for and actually does there job. (Such as saying that you had an hr phone call with the attorney when you didn’t and have phone records to prove it). I know there is many people who have filed a complaint with the California bar against these guys which goes to show how bad and corrupt of a business they are running.
Heath baker is the laziest attorney I have ever met, will not represent you in person, wastes time on your call (that is $600 an hr) talking about things that are not relevant to your case whatsoever, and will not follow up after court or even send an email. There is a lot more that I could say and share from my experience but I think that you get the point by now.
TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE!!!!!
Read more
12 Apr, 2024 by Jonathan stout
Reel fathers rights is not a place that is in it too help fathers. They are in it to rip you off and steal your money during my time with the firm. They were extremely poor with any communication and wait until the last second in the middle of the night to review or do any of my documents along with charging 600+ dollars per hour Attorney fees, and they charge on top of that to file every single little thing, including any communication between anybody ever and after my account was closed when I fired them, they had proceeded to With another 800+ dollar bill you’ll find a photo attached of the billing document after they have been fired and before they have returned my remaining trust. And during my time with them, they claimed my attorney went on vacation, but during the time they actually had to let her go, and they had to move one of my court dates saying that they had to be another court case And resulted in me having to pay all of those fees for them to change my date I do not recommend this firm. They are not accommodating with anything. They have no tolerance policy the second you get upset that they’re charging so much money they threatened to leave you. I fired this firm on April 5, 2024, and this billing statement is April 11, 2024
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4.6
9 Reviews
4.7
89 Reviews
21 Sep, 2024 by Dave
From the initial interview with lacilento it seemed a little shady. First he said how much did I quote you? He hadn’t quoted me so I yet airballed 2k? He charged me 5500. Before he was involved I had some contact with my little girl. 6k later I have zero contact with my daughter , I was shocked when he asked for more money. I was shocked he charged 2k for 30 min we were in court . I was shocked when he charged me 450 for a 4 minute phone call . Thank you Iacilento for strongly upholding the vile reputation of most lawyers
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15 Aug, 2024 by Johanna rocha
I was rear ended on the freeway and didn’t know what were my next steps. I called Karlin & Karlin, and they helped me thru everything. They set up my doctor appointments and handled everything with the insurance company. I can’t thank Marc and his team enough for all of their help.
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13 May, 2024 by Marlene
I highly recommend Michael J Lacilento. He is very knowledgeable and will fight for you. He goes above and beyond to get the results you need. I had a public defender before him and they did nothing compared to Michael. With Michael as your attorney you will feel confident and get the results you want. Thank you Michael!
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5.0
21 Reviews
4.5
44 Reviews
13 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
Attorney Samantha McBride was attentive and thorough during the entirety of my case. She is not only exceedingly knowledgeable about family law, but she took an active interest in me as a client and a person, and supported me each step of the way. I am grateful for her help and service, and I would recommend her to anyone in need of a family law attorney.
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18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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13 Mar, 2024 by Lisa
Hired Sam last minute, literally 48hrs before court, and with how prepared she was, you’d think she knew my case for months. Her coordinator, James, was phenomenal in gathering the information and putting the packets together for her. She kept it 100% with me the entire time, things she thought the courts would agree to and told me when to back off of other items. I hate to say we “won” our case because in child custody matters, it shouldn’t be able winning or losing, but she got exactly what was best for my child. And that is all I was concerned about. She was concise, articulate, to the point, with poise and a firm no nonsense tone in her voice she breezed through the hearing. I couldn’t be more happy with her and her team. They came together in a rush and we can a successful outcome. In a moment of panic, she had me take a moment, talked over things, and prepped me to face the opposing party. I haven’t felt that confident around him in years.
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5.0
20 Reviews
4.5
44 Reviews
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
27 May, 2022 by Joe byers
5.0
20 Reviews
4.5
44 Reviews
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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06 Jul, 2024 by Bonillamichelle10
I was referred to Holstrom, Sissung Mark & Anderson by a friend who said they were the very best. I have to say he was absolutely right! Since the moment I walked in to the firm I felt as if a huge wheight lifted off my shoulders. That day I met with Dayn, he was firm and very knowledgable. He laid out his plan and I was very impressed. After being harassed and taken advantage of by my estranged husband and his attorney I finally didn't feel afraid. Everyone at Holstrom, Sissung Mark & Anderson is very knowledgable, organized, and compassionate. They know exactly what to do and will defend you with all they've got!! They are currently working on my domestic violence/divorce/child custody case and I am confident to say that they will GET IT DONE! The entire staff at Holstrom, Sissung Mark & Anderson is extraordinary, they make you feel at ease & really know how to take care of their clients. Tiffany Zurita is the paralegal assigned to assist with my case. She has been very helpful & professional. She answer all my questions/emails within a matter of minutes and really gives me peace of mind. I highly recommend Holstrom, Sissung Mark & Anderson.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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02 Jul, 2024 by Jenc2279
From the day that I walked into meet with Jeff and Dayn it has been a pleasurable experience. I was forced to hire an attorney when my ex filed a motion for full custody of our daughter even though I had been the custodial parent since birth . After making a few calls to law offices I made an appointment to meet with Dayn Holstrom.. I have worked with Dayn, Jeff and Mariana throughout my case and I have never been disappointed. I was very comfortable with each of them. I never felt nervous at any time throughout my case. Before I hired them, I was representing myself and it has been very scary. They did a great job in representing me and won my custody case for me. I have an upcoming support hearing and I am comforted by the fact that I know I have great representation. Dayn agreed to work with me financially. Had he not done this I would have been fighting this battle alone. Dayn’s firm is the first and only attorney I have used. I will never use another firm in the future either. Comfort is very important to me and every person in that office makes me feel comfortable. This is a great feeling.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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09 Feb, 2024 by Michael
Highly recommend Jeremy Roark. His intelligence and courtroom presence is unmatched. Just walking down the halls people knew he’s a big deal. He explained everything very clearly and was dedicated to the best possible outcome. I would not hesitate to have Jeremy represent me in the future.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
25 Apr, 2024 by Sin c
The firm was great at answering all my questions. They were extremely polite and considerate of my situation, I highly recommend them!
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22 Apr, 2024 by Xavier m
I WOULD HONESTLY GIVE 0 STARTS IF I COULD!!! REEL FATHERS RIGHTS IS HERE FOR YOUR MONEY AND NOT YOUR RIGHTS!
I would run like your hair is on fire there is nothing good to say about this corrupt practice. I spent over $15,000 in 2 months with Reel Fathers Rights not doing ANYTHING for me. When I said they did NOTHING they really did NOTHING the only thing I got out of it was a scheduled FaceTime call with my son. We were supposed to go in for a custody battle (with LOADS) of evidence that would have made it an easy case yet NONE of the evidence was provided and nothing was even talked about. Heath was the one to suggest we push back the hearing for my case back (so they could keep stealing my money for the next 2 months).
THEN after the case I was not and still have not be contacted AT ALL about what was actually done during court (this was in January). It has been over 3 months and I was not been reach out to by anyone except the billing lady even after I reloaded my “trust” ($3500) TWICE (paid them $7,000) when the firm wasn’t even doing anything and I had 2 months until we present all the evidence that I had already been billed for and paid.
I have called them multiple times to try and get that paperwork and everything that they have “filed” and spent with my $15,000 I have paid in the last 2 months and I have yet to be sent anything except for a bill.
During my time having these guys as my attorney the best part was firing them and finding a new attorney. BUT (not to my surprise) when I fired them my “trust” went from $700 all the way down to $200 so it essentially costed me $500 to fire them and of course there was no explanation and there were charges added that didn’t occur and I can prove.
I have never felt like a company left me worse off than I started with but this firm is TERRIBLE. Heath would tell me “we should file this” then when I would give them the go ahead to do it then he would turn around THE NEXT DAY and tell me “ah nah let’s not file that anymore not worth it” EVEN THOUGH I HAD ALREADY PAID AND BEEN BILLED OVER A $1,000 FOR THEM TO DO IT!!!!
I really don’t want YOU to have this experience as I know MANY MANY MANY others have had the exact same experience as me so please DO NOT let this firm steal your money switch to an attorney who is cheaper won’t add and make up fake charges to bill you for and actually does there job. (Such as saying that you had an hr phone call with the attorney when you didn’t and have phone records to prove it). I know there is many people who have filed a complaint with the California bar against these guys which goes to show how bad and corrupt of a business they are running.
Heath baker is the laziest attorney I have ever met, will not represent you in person, wastes time on your call (that is $600 an hr) talking about things that are not relevant to your case whatsoever, and will not follow up after court or even send an email. There is a lot more that I could say and share from my experience but I think that you get the point by now.
TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE!!!!!
Read more
12 Apr, 2024 by Jonathan stout
Reel fathers rights is not a place that is in it too help fathers. They are in it to rip you off and steal your money during my time with the firm. They were extremely poor with any communication and wait until the last second in the middle of the night to review or do any of my documents along with charging 600+ dollars per hour Attorney fees, and they charge on top of that to file every single little thing, including any communication between anybody ever and after my account was closed when I fired them, they had proceeded to With another 800+ dollar bill you’ll find a photo attached of the billing document after they have been fired and before they have returned my remaining trust. And during my time with them, they claimed my attorney went on vacation, but during the time they actually had to let her go, and they had to move one of my court dates saying that they had to be another court case And resulted in me having to pay all of those fees for them to change my date I do not recommend this firm. They are not accommodating with anything. They have no tolerance policy the second you get upset that they’re charging so much money they threatened to leave you. I fired this firm on April 5, 2024, and this billing statement is April 11, 2024
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18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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14 Mar, 2024 by Emma
she was my former attorney, and I fired her after acted against my will three time on the same issue. I have serious reservations about her competence and ethical conduct:
1. She ignored and acted against my will not once, not twice, but three times on the same issue. I didn’t feel like I was respected at all. She failed to communicate her strategy and get my consent, which I think is to the purpose of maximizing her billing hours.
2. Her oversight delayed my case for a month. I told her the other party’s translation was not done by a court-certified translator twice, one time via phone, one time via email. she just ignored it. When the judge asked her if she knew that, she said she didn’t. I don’t know if she perjured herself or she didn’t remember. The result is that I had to wait a month for the other party to get the translation done by court-certified translator.
3. I believe Ms. Eyre knew the court wouldn't grant spousal support and attorney's fee while the jurisdiction hasn't been determined, the best option for me was to continue the hearing until the jurisdiction is determined. But instead she deliberately found a case law that’s obviously irrelevant to jurisdiction and pretended that I had a chance so that she could argue in court to maximize her billing hours. In re Marriage of Knox, 83 Cal.App.5th 15 (2022), the case law she used, has no bearing on jurisdiction. I think this action resulted in a Breach of Duty. If she argues that that’s not her intention, then she is incompetent to see that the case law had no bearing on jurisdiction. I consulted multiple lawyers, they all told me every lawyer knows the court wouldn't grant any financial relief while the jurisdiction hasn't been determined, this is taught in the first year of law school I felt deeply wronged upon learning this. I knew lawyers could be greedy, but I thought she'd go easy on me because I told her I couldn’t get a job due to my immigrant status and had taken a loan to fund the lawsuit.
I strongly advise against considering her for your legal needs.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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26 Feb, 2024 by Claudia
Everything I was looking for in an attorney representation of my case I was able to find in Mr. Ruiz. I felt like my case had very unique circumstances and that I needed to find an adequate, professional, strong, confident and understanding of my needs type of representation. Mr. Ruiz was always very professional, approachable and always provided the guidance I needed. I am very grateful and satisfied with the level of service provided by Mr. Ruiz and the successful overall outcome of my case as it helped me get closure to all the pain and suffering I endured during my divorce settlement proceedings.
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14 Dec, 2023 by Debra
Alex recently represented me as part of Kristen Holstrom's team in a custody and child support dispute. Admittedly, I was nervous at first with Alex only being an attorney for a short amount of time; however he understanding this he was able to communicate what the plan of attack was and how we would move forward with the case. There were a lot of unknowns, but Alez's calm yet stern demeanor proved to be successful in the court room. We went in very well prepared and walked out with a better result that we had even expected. I am thankful for the service I have had with Alex and the Holstrom firm over all.
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5.0
1 Reviews
4.5
44 Reviews
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
27 May, 2022 by Joe byers
18 Jul, 2024 by Sarai boe
Xenia was an amazing lawyer, I totally recommend This law firm.
Read more
07 Sep, 2023 by Serena chen
27 May, 2022 by Joe byers
25 Apr, 2024 by Sin c
The firm was great at answering all my questions. They were extremely polite and considerate of my situation, I highly recommend them!
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25 Apr, 2024 by Chantelle
Mark was hired by my fiance
My fiance had to pay double than what he was expected to. My fiance also added up all the numbers all of his income for mark and my fiance continuously called Mark to make sure he had all the numbers correct. Mark assured him and my fiancé ended up paying more than what he makes. Mark lacks communication, empathy, experience. There have been other poor reviews but they seem to get erased he took his last site down with all the poor reviews he received. Mark promised reimbursement since it was his wrong doing and never received a dime. DO NOT go to Mark unless you want to get screwed over!
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22 Apr, 2024 by Xavier m
I WOULD HONESTLY GIVE 0 STARTS IF I COULD!!! REEL FATHERS RIGHTS IS HERE FOR YOUR MONEY AND NOT YOUR RIGHTS!
I would run like your hair is on fire there is nothing good to say about this corrupt practice. I spent over $15,000 in 2 months with Reel Fathers Rights not doing ANYTHING for me. When I said they did NOTHING they really did NOTHING the only thing I got out of it was a scheduled FaceTime call with my son. We were supposed to go in for a custody battle (with LOADS) of evidence that would have made it an easy case yet NONE of the evidence was provided and nothing was even talked about. Heath was the one to suggest we push back the hearing for my case back (so they could keep stealing my money for the next 2 months).
THEN after the case I was not and still have not be contacted AT ALL about what was actually done during court (this was in January). It has been over 3 months and I was not been reach out to by anyone except the billing lady even after I reloaded my “trust” ($3500) TWICE (paid them $7,000) when the firm wasn’t even doing anything and I had 2 months until we present all the evidence that I had already been billed for and paid.
I have called them multiple times to try and get that paperwork and everything that they have “filed” and spent with my $15,000 I have paid in the last 2 months and I have yet to be sent anything except for a bill.
During my time having these guys as my attorney the best part was firing them and finding a new attorney. BUT (not to my surprise) when I fired them my “trust” went from $700 all the way down to $200 so it essentially costed me $500 to fire them and of course there was no explanation and there were charges added that didn’t occur and I can prove.
I have never felt like a company left me worse off than I started with but this firm is TERRIBLE. Heath would tell me “we should file this” then when I would give them the go ahead to do it then he would turn around THE NEXT DAY and tell me “ah nah let’s not file that anymore not worth it” EVEN THOUGH I HAD ALREADY PAID AND BEEN BILLED OVER A $1,000 FOR THEM TO DO IT!!!!
I really don’t want YOU to have this experience as I know MANY MANY MANY others have had the exact same experience as me so please DO NOT let this firm steal your money switch to an attorney who is cheaper won’t add and make up fake charges to bill you for and actually does there job. (Such as saying that you had an hr phone call with the attorney when you didn’t and have phone records to prove it). I know there is many people who have filed a complaint with the California bar against these guys which goes to show how bad and corrupt of a business they are running.
Heath baker is the laziest attorney I have ever met, will not represent you in person, wastes time on your call (that is $600 an hr) talking about things that are not relevant to your case whatsoever, and will not follow up after court or even send an email. There is a lot more that I could say and share from my experience but I think that you get the point by now.
TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE!!!!!
Read more
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What a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Do for You
A domestic violence lawyer provides legal assistance to individuals involved in cases of domestic abuse, whether you are a victim seeking protection or someone accused of domestic violence defending against the charges. These lawyers help with obtaining restraining orders (protective orders), representing clients in criminal court, and handling related family law issues such as child custody, divorce, and visitation rights.
If you are dealing with domestic violence, a lawyer can help protect your rights and navigate the legal system to ensure your safety or defend you if you’re falsely accused.
When Should I Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a domestic violence lawyer if you are:
-
A Victim of Domestic Violence:
- Filing for a protective order (restraining order): If you need immediate protection from an abuser, a lawyer can help you file for a protective order, which legally requires the abuser to stay away from you and refrain from contacting you.
- Divorce or separation due to abuse: If domestic violence is a factor in your relationship, a lawyer can help you pursue a divorce or legal separation and ensure that you are protected throughout the process.
- Child custody and visitation issues: A lawyer can help you secure custody of your children and limit or restrict the abuser’s visitation rights to protect the safety of your children.
- Filing criminal charges: If you are pursuing criminal charges against the abuser, a domestic violence lawyer can work with law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the case is handled properly.
- Assistance with safety planning: A lawyer can advise on the legal steps to create a safety plan, including securing temporary housing, and taking steps to protect you and your family.
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Accused of Domestic Violence:
- Defending against criminal charges: If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, a lawyer can defend your case, challenge the evidence, and represent you in court. If possible, the lawyer can help get charges reduced or dismissed.
- Challenging a restraining order: If someone has obtained a protective order against you, a lawyer can help you contest the order to prevent it from negatively impacting your life, including your employment and child custody rights.
- Dealing with family law issues: Domestic violence allegations can affect child custody, divorce, and property division. A lawyer can represent your interests in family court and ensure that your parental rights are protected.
- Avoiding criminal record implications: A lawyer can work to minimize the impact of the allegations on your record, which can affect your employment, housing, and future legal matters.
Hiring a lawyer at the earliest stages can help ensure your rights are protected and the case is handled effectively, whether you are seeking protection or defending against accusations.
What Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Do?
A domestic violence lawyer provides various legal services depending on the specifics of your case. These responsibilities often include:
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For Victims:
- Filing for protective orders: A lawyer can help victims of domestic violence obtain temporary or permanent restraining orders, which provide legal protection by restricting the abuser’s access to you and your children.
- Representing you in divorce and child custody matters: Domestic violence often leads to divorce or separation, and a lawyer can represent you in family court to protect your assets, secure custody of your children, and arrange spousal and child support.
- Criminal representation: Lawyers work with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against the abuser, ensuring that you are informed and supported throughout the legal process.
- Safety planning and legal advice: Lawyers provide advice on how to stay safe legally and can assist in securing temporary housing, providing guidance on how to leave abusive situations safely.
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For the Accused:
- Defending against charges: A lawyer will build a defense by investigating the case, gathering evidence, and challenging the claims made against you. If necessary, the lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties.
- Challenging protective orders: If a restraining order has been placed against you, a lawyer can contest the order and present evidence to defend against it, aiming to minimize its impact on your life and reputation.
- Handling related family law issues: Lawyers help defend against domestic violence allegations in divorce, child custody, and visitation disputes, working to protect your parental rights and reputation.
- Preventing long-term consequences: A lawyer will work to protect you from the long-term consequences of a domestic violence conviction, such as a criminal record that could affect employment, housing, and more.
How Are Domestic Violence Lawyers Paid?
Domestic violence lawyers generally charge for their services in different ways depending on the case's complexity and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many domestic violence lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. Hourly rates are common for both criminal defense and family law matters.
- Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as filing a restraining order or defending against a straightforward domestic violence charge, some lawyers offer a flat fee that covers all legal work related to that service.
- Retainer: In complex cases, such as those involving criminal charges, divorce, and custody disputes, a lawyer may require a retainer fee, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
- Pro bono or reduced fees: Some domestic violence lawyers provide pro bono (free) or reduced-fee services to victims of domestic abuse who cannot afford legal representation.
It’s important to discuss fees during your consultation to ensure you understand how much your case will cost and what payment options may be available.
How Much Does a Domestic Violence Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a domestic violence lawyer depends on the complexity of your case, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of legal work required. General cost estimates include:
- Restraining orders: The legal fees for filing a protective or restraining order typically range from $500 to $2,500, depending on whether the case requires a hearing.
- Criminal defense: If you’re defending against domestic violence charges, legal fees may range from $2,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on whether the case goes to trial and the severity of the charges.
- Family law issues: Legal fees for divorce, child custody, and other family law issues related to domestic violence can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
- Hourly rates: Domestic violence lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour for their services, with more experienced lawyers charging higher rates.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand the total cost of legal services.
Top Questions to Ask a Domestic Violence Lawyer
Before hiring a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the right experience and approach for your case. Key questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with domestic violence cases?
Ensure that the lawyer has handled domestic violence cases similar to yours, whether you’re a victim or the accused. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fees, or a retainer, and ask for a detailed cost estimate. -
What is the likely outcome of my case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Domestic violence cases vary in length, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what might cause delays. -
Will I need to appear in court?
Ask if your participation in court is required, and how the lawyer plans to represent you during hearings or trials. -
What steps should I take to protect myself or my rights?
Whether you’re a victim seeking protection or defending against allegations, ask the lawyer how they will help you navigate the situation.
How to Check the Credibility of a Domestic Violence Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable domestic violence lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for domestic violence experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in domestic violence cases and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients say about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have been involved in domestic violence cases.
- Check for memberships in relevant organizations: Look for certifications or memberships in family law or domestic violence advocacy groups, such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a domestic violence lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
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For Victims:
- Details of the abuse: Prepare a detailed account of the abuse, including dates, locations, and descriptions of any injuries or threats.
- Police reports and medical records: Bring copies of any police reports, medical records, or photographs that document the abuse.
- Legal filings: If you have already filed for a restraining order or been involved in any legal proceedings, bring copies of those documents.
- Questions about your safety and legal options: Be ready to ask about the best steps to protect yourself and your family, as well as what legal actions you should pursue.
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For the Accused:
- Details of the allegations: Prepare a detailed account of the incident or allegations against you, including any evidence or witnesses that support your defense.
- Legal documents: Bring any legal documents you have received, such as a restraining order, criminal charges, or child custody filings.
- Questions about your defense: Prepare questions about the legal process, possible penalties, and how the lawyer plans to defend your case.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation and provide the best possible legal advice.
