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25 Jul, 2024 by Jessica flores
Very professional and impressive representation, he explains everything about the case, great communication, Mr . Motamedi thank you for helped and walked me through the process and results.
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02 Jul, 2024 by Atif siddiqui
Straight shooter, knows his stuff! Was expecting on my initial consultation to be sold a service before an attorney really gives advice, I was proven wrong.
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03 May, 2024 by Walter banks
Excellent advice on how the JP Houston courts will, in all likelihood, short cut a fair hearing. Rarelly do you find a lawyer that is both candid and telling it like it is. Greatly appreciate such open and honest opinion and they are our top pick for honesty and sound legal advice.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Brittany foster
Ha!
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25 Feb, 2022 by Stephen bouis
27 Jul, 2021 by Tula hahn
THEY ARE NOT LOCATED AT 901 MAIN ST IN DALLAS TEXAS - Check their "contact us" page on their website for accurate locations.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Brittany foster
Ha!
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25 Feb, 2022 by Stephen bouis
27 Jul, 2021 by Tula hahn
THEY ARE NOT LOCATED AT 901 MAIN ST IN DALLAS TEXAS - Check their "contact us" page on their website for accurate locations.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Brittany foster
Ha!
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25 Feb, 2022 by Stephen bouis
27 Jul, 2021 by Tula hahn
THEY ARE NOT LOCATED AT 901 MAIN ST IN DALLAS TEXAS - Check their "contact us" page on their website for accurate locations.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Janette ramirez
Erica was super knowledgeable and professional!!
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15 Aug, 2024 by Bluntgodofficial
Terrible
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09 Aug, 2024 by Ali james
As a law firm, they had so much potential but then the true colours of one of the owners comes out. You will be treated like dirt, bragging how they are so much better than everyone else including you and then eludes to people in hospitality are slaves that have no place in society. What? The case and conversation has nothing to do with hospitality, what an idiotic line. Did they have a bad meal last night? Why say that? Give this unprofessional law firm a very very wide birth.
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01 May, 2024 by Wilfred milburn
5 STARS & 👍🏽👍🏽 up to Mr. Criaco & His staff !! I tried 2 other Law Firms before reaching out to Mr. Criaco and were denied their services , but when I spoke to Mr. Criaco about 2 months in after he accepted my case ; he told me to let him work ( I don’t pick fruits from the bottom of the tree I go to the top) I understood what he was saying and I let them work . I wish that I would have chosen Mr. Criaco 1st . Give him time and everything will work out for the best.Thanks again Mr. Criaco , to you and your Staff 👍🏽
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29 Apr, 2024 by Steven barker
I cannot express enough gratitude to Adam Criaco of Criaco & Samperi for their exceptional legal representation in my daughter's case. From the moment we reached out to them, they exhibited professionalism, expertise, and unwavering support.
Adam and his team went above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome for my daughter. They were thorough in their approach, leaving no stone unturned in building a strong case. Their communication throughout the process was clear and transparent, keeping us informed every step of the way.
What truly stood out was their genuine care and dedication to our family's well-being. They took the time to understand our concerns and provided invaluable guidance and reassurance throughout the legal proceedings.
Thanks to Criaco & Samperi, my daughter's case was handled with the utmost professionalism and expertise, resulting in a favorable outcome that exceeded our expectations. Our family is grateful for their support and highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Stefanie
I highly recommend anyone seeking legal representation related to injuries and accidents DONT HESITATE call Criaco & Samperi. Mr. Criaco in particular has been representing me for over 5 years. He is the best expert and advocate for you and your family in these matters. His persistence is unwavering. Once again I am very satisfied with Criaco & Samperi.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Jh adair
Daly & Black PC did a fantastic job handling our accident case. Andrew Dao and his team were amazing and kept us informed every step of the way. We were extremely pleased with the outcome and would highly recommend Andrew to anyone that needs legal representation in a personal injury case!
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04 Sep, 2024 by Francisco torres
Excellent service by Maria. Very attentive to my needs. Always communicating everything that happened with the case. And the best was that she won!!
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29 Jul, 2024 by David deej
11 Jul, 2024 by Brittany foster
Ha!
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25 Feb, 2022 by Stephen bouis
27 Jul, 2021 by Tula hahn
THEY ARE NOT LOCATED AT 901 MAIN ST IN DALLAS TEXAS - Check their "contact us" page on their website for accurate locations.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Brittany foster
Ha!
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25 Feb, 2022 by Stephen bouis
27 Jul, 2021 by Tula hahn
THEY ARE NOT LOCATED AT 901 MAIN ST IN DALLAS TEXAS - Check their "contact us" page on their website for accurate locations.
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02 May, 2024 by Veronica alvarez
Muchas gracias al departamento de familia por ayudarme con mi caso de divorcio. Estuve muy satisfecho con mi paralegal Brisa por siempre estar pendiente de mi. Estoy muy feliz con los resultados
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02 May, 2024 by Ciro t.
The Gonzalez Law Group always provided me with exceptional customer service and guidance through every step of the process. I’m delighted with Stacey follow up's and alway in constant communication. I strongly recommend this law group, even for a consultation because they are very professional and care about their clients.
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02 May, 2024 by Francisco hernandez
01 Jul, 2024 by Jen lockett
17 Jan, 2024 by Jessica nuche
A friend told me about their delivery experience when delivering food to your office, How can a Billion dollar company, not Tip the delivery drivers, for the hard work it takes to prepare your food for delivery, and not to mention the bad weather we are experiencing, y'all might be some great lawyers, but y'all are some bad tippers. I'm not talking about small deliveries, I'm talking about $100's of dollars worth of food. SMH. #Tip#make it right.
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22 Aug, 2023 by Ray burchette
02 Jan, 2020 by Mary
Attorney Jones kept his word he was honest and fair. His support staff is a great reflection of his leadership. I have referred family members and friends who expressed their satisfaction as well. I pray God’s favor in all that you do.
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10 Aug, 2018 by Jacqueline
“I was very thankful to God for placing The Rodney Jones Law Firm in my path. They do excellent and very matter of fact work, never was I in the blind about anything, and anytime that I called they answered any of my questions that I had and I felt very confident and comfortable in trusting them with my auto injury case like they were my family and I was very very pleased with the outcome.” God bless you all Jacqueline Norman”
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01 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
This Attorney was suppose to have been very good in supporting me in my case. Rodney wasn't supportive, nor informative and never ever met him in person. I feel like this was not professional in his field. for a solid year the run around. but sometimes you just have to go through and experience people. but never again I was very unsatisfied with this group. NO STARS...
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22 Apr, 2020 by Cynthia banda
Very helpful, professional provided me peace of mind. Exceeded my expectations. Wonderful every step of the way. I highly recommend Aaron Adams
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12 Apr, 2020 by Julia
I would highly recommend this attorney to anyone. I was referred to Aaron by another client of his and I can say that he did not disappoint at all. In the past when I have hired attorneys I look for competence, customer service, timeliness, and ethical behavior. Aaron exemplifies excellence in these areas and then some. I hired Aaron on a retainer to be my lawyer after he helped me establish my LLC and trust documents for a new business venture. Aaron was swift, thorough and walked me through every step of the process. Aaron was very keen on asking me not only what my business needs where today but also helping me think about the big picture and where my business needed to be in 5 years and what legal steps I needed to take not limited to intellectual property protection, trust setup, and having the proper legal information for employees. Aaron next did a great job of negotiating my commercial business lease as well. The landlord and the realtor were attempting to screw me over and Aaron did the diligence to discover a lien that had been placed on the building that the landlord did not disclose. Aaron also did a good job of discovering that the landlord wasnt offering a true good guy clause as the landlord has promised in his letter of intent. These are only a few examples of where Aaron has saved me a great deal of time and money. This is why Aaron will remain as our company's attorney for the foreseeable future. You wont find a more intelligent and persistent attorney who knows his stuff. Thank you for everything Aaron.
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10 Apr, 2020 by Sam
As a business owner, I need a lawyer that understands business. Attorney Adams has handled my business litigation as well as our intellectual property filings for years and will be for many more years to come. SP
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28 Sep, 2024 by Ricarda marcano
Excellent service
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23 Aug, 2024 by Ingimar lezama
De verdad muy ageadecida con la firma del abogado Lopez por su representacion estos años. Los recomiendo 100%,
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21 Aug, 2024 by Cristina cheng
Me siento muy agradecida y satisfecha con el excelente equipo del abogado Héctor López. Bendiciones !!!!!!
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09 Mar, 2024 by Mukesh kharde
11 May, 2018 by Matt davis
01 Jan, 2018 by Shane brooks
06 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
NO WONDER HIS BAR LICENSE IN NEW YORK IN 2019 THIS GUY IS DESPERATE DECEITFUL AND VERY DISHONEST NOT ONLY DOES HE RELY ON A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEDESTRIANS TO FINACE HIS DRUG PROBLEM HES ALSO A JERK AND CONMAN IN DRESS SHOES BEWARE.
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09 Aug, 2021 by 王沛荣
06 Nov, 2018 by Ted wessale
Great Immigration lawyer at a very fair cost. She's the greatest and helped me and my wife allot! We will continue to use her services for life!
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20 Sep, 2022 by Alexa lash
08 Oct, 2021 by John
29 Aug, 2020 by Ronan fitzmaurice
17 Sep, 2023 by John
03 Aug, 2023 by Sharon fuller
Great communication and extremely helpful. Would highly recommend them
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08 Jan, 2023 by Diana morales
Never heard a word back from these attorneys.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Dymond hall
Horrible just horrible!
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26 Aug, 2024 by Stephanie a
TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!
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26 Aug, 2024 by Brandy schaffer
Trash firm can’t be trusted!
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14 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
DO NOT HIRE THIS GHETTO LAWYER! Curses you out and very rude. Disrespectful!!!!
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12 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Very nasty attitude! Had a phone conversation & as soon as she picked up I was discouraged! Please do not hire this lady to represent you. Has been disbarred this year 2024, that’s a clear sign to not hire her. If I would have saw that before calling I wouldn’t have wasted my time!
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10 Oct, 2024 by Conrad c
I recently had the pleasure of working with Chanae on a criminal case , and I can't recommend them highly enough. From our first consultation, it was clear that Chanae is not only knowledgeable and experienced, but also genuinely cares about their clients.
Throughout the process, she kept me informed at every step, explaining legal jargon in a way that was easy to understand. She provided insightful advice that helped me make informed decisions.
What impressed me the most was her dedication to my case. She worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome, showing great attention to detail and a strategic approach that ultimately paid off. I felt supported and confident knowing I had such a competent advocate on my side.
If you are looking for a lawyer who combines expertise with compassion, look no further than Chanae Connell. I am grateful for her assistance and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone in need of legal representation.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Edgar
I am truly grateful to have Shawn as my Lawyer. Did everything in his power to make sure I was not behind bars and be a freeman I am today. Very solid man and will do anything to make sure you have your freedom.
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30 Sep, 2024 by Victor
I highly recommend Shawn for DWI cases. His expertise, professionalism, and dedication ensured the best possible outcome for my situation of my 4th DWI case. Shawn effectively navigated the complexities of my case, providing strategic guidance and support throughout. His effort resulted in keeping me out of prison for 10years. I highly recommend Shawn to anyone facing DWI charges!
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21 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
this guy was gift from God I honestly can say that the way he work in trial was amazing, his cross was on another level he do his job not because he getting pay for watching him fighting the case make you feel like it was him and not you on trial l you know as I always believe you can go to school and try to learn but honestly for u to be good and best at thing you do it has to be in you for example math you can't learn math is either you know numbers or you don't this guy fight as his life was dependent on it he watch every little detail he pay attention every single words been used or said I can give my guaranteed you can't loss with him been on your side and most important thing is he listen to you and do his own investigation on if you telling the truth or liying he was the person after listing to my case look dead in to my eyes and told me I believe you as I said in the beginning his gift from God because he truly is he saw what other ignore it or chose not to look at it it's crazy my whole life I wouldn't never thought that one day I be in this situation just based on greed but as I say God hasn't created a single soul who can knock you down when his holding on to you greed made people to destroy me but God send help to protect me I'm grateful that I chosen him to tell my side of the story. He may be very expensive but he is worth every dollar.
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16 Mar, 2021 by Marsa
Things had been very trying and I was so overwhelmed and frustrated. I was connected with Rubin and things started to look up. He was very helpful and honest. I didn't feel like I was being taken advantage of at all. Every time I reached out to him with a question or concern he replied promptly. In my personal opinion, he's a great attorney. If I ever need another attorney I'm going with Rubin.
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11 Nov, 2015 by Rob dambroso
He handled my divorce and subsequent adoption of my wife,s kids a few years later. Did a great job. A little busy and remote sometimes from being a small outfit, but hit it out of the park when it mattered every time.
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06 Apr, 2011 by Anonymous
Mr. Rubin did not act in my best interests regarding my case. I had a difficult time reaching him. He is unorganized and does not have the office staff to fully support him. He didn't work my case the way I wanted and instead took too long to finalize my case. I ended up going with another attorney who finished it much quicker.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Lamont addison
I wouldn't hire this firm to do anything for me, mediocrity is acceptable at this firm. RUN 🏃♂️ YOUVE BEEN WARNED ⚠️ RED 🚨 ⚠️🚨⚠️🚨⚠️
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06 Sep, 2024 by Stephen wright
Not recommend, My experience in dealing with this firm the sence 2019 is they have one managing partner that has become incapable of being upfront with basic cost and adds unnecessary charges. When I first hired this firm cost was upfront and fair. As of late when they say a dollar they charge 2 dollars.
Dealing with this managing partner I have found him to be unprofessional and agrumentivite when asked about cost or copies of documents that have been paid for.
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23 Mar, 2024 by G “ms. old crown” h
I was thoroughly dissatisfied with the services provided by Kearney, McWilliams & Davis, PLLC. Their communication and responsiveness to clients seemed lacking. I strongly advise against using their services. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
I suggest reading reviews from other clients to gain a better understanding of their short comings.
Quedé completamente insatisfecho con los servicios proporcionados por Kearney, McWilliams & Davis, PLLC. Su comunicación y capacidad de respuesta hacia los clientes parecía deficiente. Aconsejo firmemente no utilizar sus servicios. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻
Sugiero leer reseñas de otros clientes para obtener una mejor comprensión de sus deficiencias.
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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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16 Jan, 2023 by Birdie _t
Don’t not waste of your time! Have not heard back on case since August 2022 and have been ignored.
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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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28 Feb, 2013 by Thebeasley
I retained Attorney Justin L Writt to represent us with a simple name change. After three misguided directives from Atty. Writt I was finally advised of a court date of 1/25/13 at the 247th District Court @ 9am. Atty. Writt was 40 minutes late. Upon entering the court room, he went directly to the clerk's desk and held a five minute conversation. He approached me and motioned for me to step out of courtroom. He proceeded to explain that the clerk failed to add my case to the docket. I questioned how he was notified about the date and he said he received a phone call. Having knowledge of court proceedings, just receiving a call was not customary. I called my Estate Planning Attorney who advised me to request a copy of the Notice of Publication, required to be filed as public notice and proof of submission to the court. His first response was to inquire what that was. He then stated it was in at his office and we could get a copy of the entire file. I arrived at his office prior to him and was greeted with profanity and abusive language by Atty. R L Manor who was speaking to someone on the phone. When he noticed I was in the office, he asked "How you doin' ?" To which I replied "offended" Atty. Manor proceeded to explain that someone was talking bad about his wife and he didn't take that. He then stated "this is my house and my receptionist should have informed him they had company". I was seated in his front office. As I continued to wait for Atty. Writt to supply the proof if filing, I could hear a discussion going on between both attorneys regarding my request for the Proof of Publication document. Finally after having waited nearly an hour, the receptionist handed me an envelope with documents dated prior to October 2012. Atty. Writt refused to come discuss why there was no document confirming his submission of the Notice of Publication. Instead, I heard Atty. Manor state "I'll tell her'" in a manner that suggested Atty. Writt was avoiding me. At which point Atty. Manor approached me stating that I would need to make an appointment for the following week to discuss the missing document. His tone was aggressive and his body language threatening. When asked why Atty. Writt would not come speak with me, Atty. Manor became belligerent and said "I told you, make an appointment!" and he proceeded to show me the door. When I advised Atty. Manor that I would be contacting another attorney and the Bar Association, he challenged me by stating "go ahead, if you really have one." We retained Atty. Writt for a simple name change preceding. It was emotionally devastating to have been failed by him as a result of his incompetence. But to have been verbally assaulted by his partner while Atty. Writt was able to hear the entire exchange was disheartening. We later confirmed with the court clerk that there was never an actual court date assigned because of his failure to remit the required documents.
What both of these attorneys are ignorant to is the fact that I really do have outside legal representation, who is very experienced with filings with the Attorney General's office, the BBB and the Bar Association.
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04 Oct, 2010 by Blanca
Justin me represento en un caso criminal y fue pasienten y educado al esplicarme mi caso
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16 Jul, 2008 by Anonymous
Never responds to your phone calls.... Told me that ALR was not any importance... Didn't take any consideration that the ALR hearing was a chance to cross examine the officer... Nobody knows him, not the judge or even other criminal attorneys... When I asked him about my case... he needed to consult with other attorneys to provide an answer.
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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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16 Jan, 2023 by Birdie _t
Don’t not waste of your time! Have not heard back on case since August 2022 and have been ignored.
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08 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
I wish I'd never spoken to Mr. Barrett. He was quite personable on the phone. We had some nice, very brief chats, but when he wants to disappear, he WILL disappear. I went ~42 days with nothing which would be absolutely fine but you have to manage expectations, and not say 4 days then go 42. Bizarre. Oh and he never withdrew from my case. The case continued and the entire process was a nightmare. I’m still baffled.
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24 Dec, 2022 by Frank
Retained Kenneth Royce Barrett after the initial consultation to ensure it was understood in that the rodent infestation I was dealing with inside apartment dwelling was clearly conveyed to property management; however, property management ignored the problem and failed to provide exterminating services despite monthly reminders for six months after infestation compounded exponentially. Served with eviction notice, sought an attorney and foolishly relied on the Peer Review provided to this attorney during selection process. Suddenly, Barrett increased retainer from $450/2 hours to $1,000/4 hours. After retainer was remitted, he immediately came back to me concerned in that level of case perceived difficulty had increased though no changes resulted to warrant any concerns for any increases in case perceived difficulties. This implied Barrett was forewarning of the potential need for additional funding. I decided to instead to negotiate an Exit Strategy with property management myself and did given I’d already relinquished $1.0K to Barrett for essentially no reason. Informed Barrett who then advised to not let property know of move out intentions in writing. Then he became unreachable. Three weeks later I requested my residual retainer be refunded on two different days before he responded with having had Covid and was behind on record keeping tasks but would resolve following week. This did NOT happen. Four months later I contact him again to learn he’s suffered another bout with Covid and remains behind on work tasks. He then tells me he advised me to remain in my previous apartment. Another lie. So I investigate to learn he has a reputation for being dishonest. Another month passes, seven months after initial retainer paid, request formal contact information for litigation purposes and receive nothing. As 100% Disabled American Veteran unable to work, trusting this person created a financial hardship I continue to struggle with present day given the unexpected relocation expenses and non-refunded retainer in part or in whole.
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26 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
This attorney I wouldn’t hire at all, he hardly ever shows up to court for you, also he has a hard time doing his job when it needs to be done. I feel sorry for whoever has him at their attorney.
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18 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
I don’t know how James Pizzitola still has his license. He is not only uninformed but is also unprofessional and quite frankly unpleasant to meet with. Steer clear.
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Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Entertainment Lawyer Can Do for You
An entertainment lawyer specializes in legal matters related to the entertainment industry, including film, television, music, publishing, sports, and digital media. They assist artists, creators, producers, and companies with contract negotiations, intellectual property protection, licensing deals, royalties, and disputes. Entertainment lawyers also help clients navigate complex industry regulations and ensure their creative rights are protected.
Whether you're an actor, musician, producer, writer, or influencer, an entertainment lawyer can help safeguard your rights and ensure that your business deals are legally sound.
When Should I Hire an Entertainment Lawyer?
You should consider hiring an entertainment lawyer in a variety of situations, including:
- Contract negotiations: If you're signing a contract for a film role, recording deal, or publishing agreement, an entertainment lawyer can review the terms and negotiate on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected.
- Intellectual property protection: If you're a creator (musician, writer, filmmaker), an entertainment lawyer can help secure copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements to protect your work from unauthorized use.
- Disputes or litigation: If you’re involved in a legal dispute, such as breach of contract, copyright infringement, or defamation, an entertainment lawyer can represent you in negotiations or court.
- Representation agreements: If you’re hiring or entering into a contract with a manager, agent, or publicist, a lawyer can ensure that the terms of representation are fair and comply with industry standards.
- Royalties and licensing: If you're licensing your work for use in film, TV, or digital platforms, a lawyer can negotiate royalty agreements to ensure you receive proper compensation.
- Talent contracts: Whether you are hiring talent for a project or negotiating your own appearance or performance fees, an entertainment lawyer can ensure the terms are legally binding and beneficial.
- Film and television production: If you're producing a film, TV show, or other media project, a lawyer can handle contracts with crew, talent, and distributors, and ensure that all legal aspects of the production are covered.
Hiring a lawyer early in your entertainment career or project can prevent costly legal mistakes and protect your creative and financial interests.
What Does an Entertainment Lawyer Do?
An entertainment lawyer provides a range of legal services to professionals in the entertainment industry. Their responsibilities often include:
- Reviewing and drafting contracts: Entertainment lawyers review, draft, and negotiate contracts for talent, production, licensing, distribution, and endorsements. This ensures that the terms are fair and protect their client's interests.
- Securing intellectual property rights: They help clients obtain copyrights, trademarks, and patents for their creative works, and assist with licensing those rights to third parties.
- Negotiating deals: Whether it's a film deal, music contract, publishing agreement, or endorsement, an entertainment lawyer ensures that their client gets favorable terms and is protected from potential legal pitfalls.
- Handling disputes and litigation: In cases where contract terms are violated, intellectual property is infringed, or other legal issues arise, an entertainment lawyer can represent clients in negotiations, arbitration, or court.
- Advising on industry regulations: Entertainment lawyers help clients navigate industry-specific laws, such as union regulations, labor laws, or FCC rules for broadcasting.
- Managing royalties and residuals: They assist in tracking and collecting royalties or residuals for music, film, television, and digital content to ensure clients receive the compensation they are owed.
- Talent agreements and representation: Entertainment lawyers often work with talent agents and managers, ensuring that their clients' representation agreements are legally sound and financially beneficial.
How Are Entertainment Lawyers Paid?
Entertainment lawyers may be paid in various ways, depending on the type of service provided. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many entertainment lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fee: For specific legal services, such as drafting a contract or filing a trademark, some lawyers offer flat fees. Flat fees are common in simpler or one-time transactions.
- Contingency fee: In some cases, especially when working with talent, entertainment lawyers may charge a contingency fee, meaning they take a percentage (usually 5% to 10%) of the client's earnings from a particular project.
- Retainer: For ongoing legal services, such as managing contracts and royalties over a long period, a lawyer may require a retainer fee. This is an upfront payment that covers future legal services, and the lawyer bills against the retainer as they work on the case.
It’s important to discuss fee structures with your lawyer at the outset to ensure you understand the total cost of legal services.
How Much Does an Entertainment Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an entertainment lawyer depends on the complexity of your legal needs, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of fee arrangement. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Entertainment lawyers typically charge between $250 and $1,000 per hour. More experienced lawyers with extensive connections in the entertainment industry may charge higher rates.
- Flat fees: For simpler services like drafting a basic contract, flat fees can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the agreement.
- Contingency fees: Lawyers working on a contingency basis typically charge between 5% and 10% of the earnings from a project or deal. For example, if a lawyer helps you secure a $100,000 film contract, their fee might be $5,000 to $10,000.
- Retainers: For ongoing legal representation, retainers can range from $2,500 to $50,000 or more, depending on the scope of the legal services and the length of the engagement.
Always discuss the costs and fee structure during your initial consultation to ensure that the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask an Entertainment Lawyer
Before hiring an entertainment lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they are the right fit for your career or project. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have in entertainment law?
Ensure the lawyer has experience in your specific area of the entertainment industry, whether it's film, music, television, or digital media. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fee, or contingency fee, and ask for a detailed cost estimate. -
Do you have industry connections?
Ask about the lawyer’s experience and connections in the entertainment industry, which can be valuable for contract negotiations and deal-making. -
What contracts or legal issues should I be aware of?
Ask the lawyer to identify potential legal pitfalls in your specific project or career and how they would help you avoid them. -
What intellectual property protections do I need?
If you’re a creator, ask how the lawyer will help protect your intellectual property rights and prevent others from using your work without permission. -
How will you negotiate deals on my behalf?
Ask about the lawyer’s approach to negotiating contracts, ensuring they focus on getting favorable terms while maintaining strong industry relationships. -
What happens if there is a dispute?
Ask the lawyer how they handle disputes, including whether they aim for negotiation or litigation and how they would protect your interests.
How to Check the Credibility of an Entertainment Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable entertainment lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for entertainment law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in entertainment law and have successfully handled cases or negotiations relevant to your industry.
- 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, especially in terms of contract negotiations and industry knowledge.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on entertainment-related matters.
- Check for industry memberships: Membership in entertainment law organizations, such as the Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment Law Section, can indicate a lawyer’s dedication to staying up-to-date on industry trends and regulations.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with an entertainment lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Current contracts or agreements: Bring any contracts you have already signed or are considering, such as talent agreements, recording contracts, publishing deals, or management contracts.
- Intellectual property portfolio: Provide details about any copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property you own or are seeking to protect.
- Project details: If you’re working on a specific project (e.g., film, album, book), provide a summary of the project, your role, and any legal needs, such as contract negotiations or copyright protection.
- List of collaborators or stakeholders: Provide information about other parties involved in your project, such as agents, managers, producers, or distributors, and any contracts related to them.
- Questions about your legal needs: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, potential issues, and how the lawyer can help you protect your interests.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your legal needs effectively and provide the best possible advice tailored to your entertainment career or project.
