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13 Jan, 2022 by Sundar
Matthew was always very patient with us, answered all our questions with the always present graciousness and was very systematic in providing us the details. He went to great lengths to help us fight our case against the school district and obtained for us a very favorable result. He is a very dedicated and hard working attorney and we were very happy to have him on our side.
Matthew prepared a comprehensive packet which provided all the details from our point of view. He spent a lot of time in helping us build the case and guided us in different areas to ensure we fulfilled all requirements before hand. This helped in presenting a very compulsive case.
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10 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
If you are in need of consistently aggressive, calculated and very professional advocacy, Wallin and Klarich is the law firm that you should go to. I understand, it is terrifying to be in a situation wherein you are accused specially if you have not have not had experience with the legal system before, so looking for strong lawyers will be your best defense.
Our story with Wallin and Klarich started when we had a serious accusation thrown at a family member. I called them on a Saturday evening, left a message; I immediately got a call from Jonathan Lynn, one of their senior lawyers who made an appointment with us even on a Sunday. He then referred us to one of the partners of the firm, Matthew Wallin, and after our first meeting, we knew that we were starting off on the right path in having this firm at our side.
Matt was always there for us. I know he is a top rated lawyer who handles a lot of cases, but he never made us feel that our case was any less serious or less important. He was always prompt, detailed, pro-active and he was always respectful. Contrary to what a few negative reviewers post here, this firm never made us feel that our case was about money first. I actually had to ask them several times to review the retainer since I really felt that they were spending so much time on our case vs. what we were paying for. Matt is a very strong advocate and he really cares about his clients. He acted as a confidant, coach, lawyer, mentor during our darkest and most trying times. Like I always said to him, his advocacy is much more than whatever money we can pay for. His service, his care, his diligence is unsurpassed. I have heard horror stories from other families about how badly they were treated by their law firms and honestly, if I would just say out loud to those having problems, go to Wallin and Klarich.
On a personal note to Matt and his team, thank your work and your firm. It is because of people like you, that people get a fighting chance to defend themselves and be presumed innocent first in the eyes of the law. You guys have chosen to fight the hard fight with your clients and just for making that career choice and that decision, gives all of your clients a fighting chance to prove themselves innocent. Our family, will always be forever grateful for your advocacy.
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29 Mar, 2019 by Jon
I was pulled over for doing donuts in an empty dirt lot, and the police officer told me I would get something in the mail. Almost a year later, I got a court summons telling me I was to be charged with misdemeanor reckless driving and vandalism. Adding insult to injury, the DA’s office made me court date AFTER I had moved out of state for school! After consulting with and retaining Matt Wallin, I could not be happier with the outcome. He represented me and kept me updated with all relevant info, and was very professional. Mr. Wallin eventually got both charges dropped and the case dismissed. Considering I could have been facing jail time, a nasty fine and a license suspension, this could not have gone any better for me. A big thank you to Mr. Matt Wallin and the entire team!
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18 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
In 2012 our family was involved in a rear end accident on the 210 freeway. Both my wife and daughter were taken to the hospital via ambulance. The individual that struck our vehicle was uninsured; therefore, we were forced to file a claim with our own insurance company. Our insurance company did not want to pay us a fair settlement, so we retained attorney Connor for our uninsured motorist claim. To date the attorney has been awesome.
I would highly recommend Attorney Thomas Connor to anyone looking for an auto accident attorney in Orange County.
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30 May, 2024 by Ahmed hussain
Maxine fought hard for me and won at every single milestone. She will aim for the things that are beneficial in the long run and not let you get stuck in the useless emotional drama that comes along in divorce.
Highly collective & calm, professional, tactical and combative when needed. She had the strength to go and fight a case in another county with a top notch opposing attorney who unfortunately was a pathological liar with no ethics or character, driven solely by the pursuit of money who unsuccessfully tried to separate me from my son for almost 3 years by utilizing every loophole of the family law.
I am grateful to Maxine and her assistant Leslie for the support they have provided and wish them the very best in their life!
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16 Apr, 2024 by Ann shin
Divorce was a very emotionally painful experience and I was often unable to make calm decisions on my own.
She guided me through these situations with strength, calmness, and integrity at all times.
Without her support, I would not have been able to overcome this difficult challenge.
Because of her prompt responses and the steady stream of frank and calm advice you provided, I felt I could trust and accept whatever end result I got with her support.
Before I hired her, it was difficult to trust my former attorney because he was slow to respond and seemed to be little more than a clerical messenger.
Although I was not satisfied with the service I received from the former attorney, I was afraid of changing attorneys in the middle of the divorce process.
But after meeting with her and interviewing, I immediately felt in my gut that this was the right person for the job and I am so glad I made the choice to change attorneys at that time.
I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs solid help with family law.
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26 May, 2023 by Hamza k
Maxine saved my life, I had a bad experience with another lawyer and I moved to work with Maxine, she gives you reasonable prices with the best service ever.
Thank you Maxine I really appreciate your business!
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02 Aug, 2024 by Aylinn huerta flores (student whs)
22 May, 2024 by Test
25 Nov, 2023 by Chad richardson
No words can describe the gratitude that me and my family have for you. The way you took time you and your team with the investigation and how thoroughly you put together your arguments from beginning until closing you gave us hope, when hope was lost. Mr Garson, you changed a potential 75 year sentence to a 1 year sentence. The Brown and Richardson family appreciate YOU. You got a man with 3 strikes 1 year on a 664/187 charge. We are forever grateful. Best Criminal Defense Attorney.
Sincerely,
Chad Richardson
Aka FREE MAN!
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25 Jul, 2024 by Ruth relf
I am so grateful to Katie Walsh for her professional and compassionate service. From Day 1, dealing with completely panicked parents who had no idea what was going on and why our young teen was being detained, Katie was able to provide the information, and the guidance, we needed to calm down and move forward.
Katie responded very quickly to our enquiry for help, spent time with us on the phone on a weekend, told us what to do/say and what not to, what the process would be, and most of all provided assurance.
Katie knows the Orange County Juvenile Court, the people and how it works inside and out. She is worth every penny. She got our teen back home with us as quickly as was possible and steered us through the court and probation process to getting the most positive outcome we could expect. The case is dismissed and sealed!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Don't hesitate to call Kate Walsh for a brief consultation - you won't regret it.
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24 Jun, 2024 by Kimberly oli
This review is long overdue. I would highly recommend Katie Walsh for legal representation for your child!!! Katie was very professional and in constant communication about our situation. She helped us in working with the district attorney’s office to get the best outcome for our daughter.
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22 Jun, 2024 by Chet hartley
Will Bruzzo is honest, reliable, responsible, savvy, confident, flexible, knowledgeable, reassuring, calm,
experienced, communicative, supportive, patient and well-connected. What set Will apart initially, was that he was the only attorney that responded to me virtually immediately after I submitted a contact form. He listened to me and didn’t judge my behavior nor actions. After becoming familiar with what
transpired, he developed a plan – a reasonable plan based on the circumstances and evidence. As the
process unfolded, at each decision point, he described the possible outcomes and then recommended that he believed was the best course of action - but always allowed me to make the final decision on
which way (when and how) to go. He was never patronizing and was careful to never over-promise. He always answered my texts, emails and phone calls in a timely manner. I never felt that he was “aloof,” avoiding me, too busy or difficult to reach. I never felt that he “didn’t care.” While I went through multiple emotional stages (anger, frustration, confusion, helplessness, impatience, uncertainty, etc.), he remained resolved that his plan would work. He never promised that his plan would be 100% successful, but he laid it out clearly and stuck to it. He knew most of the other players (judges, DAs and courtroom staff) and they knew him. Over time, he has become familiar with how specific judges decide on certain
issues. Some judges are more lenient in certain areas, while others are more strict. He combined this experiential knowledge with his patient and methodical manner to guide me to the best possible outcome. In the end, his plan worked – exactly how he said it would. He would probably be the first to
say that my case could have gone any number of other ways, but it was no accident that the plan he laid out came together just as we both had hoped.
Regarding money, it's hard to tell if Will's fees were appropriate or excessive, because I didn't have time to "shop around." Could I have "saved money" by hiring someone else? Maybe. But you never know if someone else will charge less upfront, but then nickel and dime you to death later on. Will had a fixed fee that I thought was pretty high, but looking back, his services (and his character) were worth every penny.
Will Bruzzo is a straight-shooter, does what he says, and is a man of his word. Tough to put a price tag on that.
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08 Aug, 2024 by Chad mackenzie
I started working with Celia last year with an ugly situation with my ex. Celia is 100% straight to the point and extremely honest with how things can turn out.
I talked to about 10 lawyers before I decided to go with Celia and have really been amazing. Celia and her team are great, excellent at communicating, and have been an enormous help. Even with a stressful situation like child custody, Celia has been incredible with her expertise in family law.
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04 Nov, 2023 by Hary t
Celia is truly wonderful. How often you heard a story of "a lawyer with a heart"? She is practical, straightforward, helpful, efficient, and well organized.
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11 Oct, 2023 by Frank parth
Celia is one of the most amazing attorneys I have ever come across! She was able to take on an extremely complicated case and worked effortlessly to get us the win we needed with very little time to prepare. I've worked with a number of attorneys in the past, three of whom I still have on retainer, and was impressed with her ability to know what needed to be done to get the win and let us know exactly what evidence she needed us to prepare. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an experienced attorney in need of justice!
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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:
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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.
