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06 Jan, 2025 by Jose gomez
06 Jan, 2025 by Ana en tu vida
Me encanto la comunicacion te hacen llamada seguido para que sepaz como va tu caso.
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06 Jan, 2025 by Karina vazquez
06 Jan, 2025 by Jose gomez
06 Jan, 2025 by Ana en tu vida
Me encanto la comunicacion te hacen llamada seguido para que sepaz como va tu caso.
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06 Jan, 2025 by Karina vazquez
06 Jan, 2025 by Jose gomez
06 Jan, 2025 by Ana en tu vida
Me encanto la comunicacion te hacen llamada seguido para que sepaz como va tu caso.
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06 Jan, 2025 by Karina vazquez
12 Dec, 2024 by Michael deruyter
We hired Lauren Noriega to fight my felony probation violation. I was denied bail in the beginning and served 2.5 months in jail at which point Lauren fought for me and got me released on bail. The judge and DA tried to sentence me to 3 years in prison. Lauren got the appellate court involved who issues a stay order the day before I was supposed to surrender myself. She did an amazing job, found a lot of legal presidents that worked in our favor. Dealing with the DA’s and courts took way longer than expected, but we did get the results that she told us we would get from the beginning. Which was a full dismissal of the probation violation.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Chantsee roquemore
Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer!! Hired Lauren late in the game and she came in clutch knocking out motion after motion. If you want a lawyer who truly cares & doesn’t come to play please retain Ms. Noriega you won’t regret it !!!
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12 Sep, 2024 by Sydney g
The best! They got my texting ticket dismissed with zero hassle or effort on my part! Highly recommend!
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12 Dec, 2024 by Michael deruyter
We hired Lauren Noriega to fight my felony probation violation. I was denied bail in the beginning and served 2.5 months in jail at which point Lauren fought for me and got me released on bail. The judge and DA tried to sentence me to 3 years in prison. Lauren got the appellate court involved who issues a stay order the day before I was supposed to surrender myself. She did an amazing job, found a lot of legal presidents that worked in our favor. Dealing with the DA’s and courts took way longer than expected, but we did get the results that she told us we would get from the beginning. Which was a full dismissal of the probation violation.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Chantsee roquemore
Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer!! Hired Lauren late in the game and she came in clutch knocking out motion after motion. If you want a lawyer who truly cares & doesn’t come to play please retain Ms. Noriega you won’t regret it !!!
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12 Sep, 2024 by Sydney g
The best! They got my texting ticket dismissed with zero hassle or effort on my part! Highly recommend!
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12 Dec, 2024 by Michael deruyter
We hired Lauren Noriega to fight my felony probation violation. I was denied bail in the beginning and served 2.5 months in jail at which point Lauren fought for me and got me released on bail. The judge and DA tried to sentence me to 3 years in prison. Lauren got the appellate court involved who issues a stay order the day before I was supposed to surrender myself. She did an amazing job, found a lot of legal presidents that worked in our favor. Dealing with the DA’s and courts took way longer than expected, but we did get the results that she told us we would get from the beginning. Which was a full dismissal of the probation violation.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Chantsee roquemore
Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer!! Hired Lauren late in the game and she came in clutch knocking out motion after motion. If you want a lawyer who truly cares & doesn’t come to play please retain Ms. Noriega you won’t regret it !!!
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12 Sep, 2024 by Sydney g
The best! They got my texting ticket dismissed with zero hassle or effort on my part! Highly recommend!
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06 Jan, 2025 by Amira collison
I am so grateful that I found Joshua Fabian at Boyd Law to represent me as my lawyer for my restraining order case, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. What stood out to me the most was his kind, warm, and empathetic personality. Dealing with a stressful legal situation and the emotional pain of assault was incredibly difficult, but Joshua’s understanding and compassion made the entire process much more manageable.
Not only is Joshua Fabian a genuinely caring person, but he is also exceptionally intelligent and deeply knowledgeable about the law. I always felt confident that he was working diligently on my behalf and had my back throughout the entire process. Joshua was incredibly thorough and took the time to fully understand every aspect of my case and how to get me justice. He ensured he was well-prepared at every step, which made me feel so relieved, and that I didn't have to worry as much, because he had things handled.
Joshua Fabian at Boyd Law is an excellent family law attorney who is not only skilled but also truly cares about his clients. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal services in this area.
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08 Aug, 2024 by Lisa morris
05 Jul, 2024 by Richard forensky
Consulting Ethan Tidwell was an absolute godsend during my complex divorce case that involved the nightmare complexities of custody issues, finances, and an abusive/vindictive ex-spouse who falsely spread accusations about me during the divorce in an attempt to secure sole custody and leave the state with my children. And prevent my children from having a relationship with their father. Whenever Ethan was available for consultation, he was consistent in providing extremely valuable, honest, and reliable information. I was impressed in how I could ask Ethan any question and he always had an answer right away backed by extensive knowledge, objective facts, and a strong understanding of the inner workings of family court. He is also able to remember facts well and can regurgitate granular details from our conversations of months prior. This gave me confidence in speaking to him about my case. His guidance helped me in not only the legal aspects of my case but also in maintaining a positive bearing during what was one of the most emotionally-difficult periods of my life. Ethan has a good grasp of knowing what is important and what isn't, which often provided relief for me on many occasions when I was overstressed out about something. He gave solid guidance prior to my custody/fact finder evaluation. Ethan was always available in some form or fashion, which is rare with busy attorneys. If Ethan was in trial or mediation, he would always make a transparent attempt to let me know what he was doing whenever he was available to do so. And after he would reach back out, which speaks to his ability to juggle many cases at once. I have personally witnessed how he works hard around the clock. I remain more than impressed in how he continued to provide support for my case despite sometimes having to travel long distances within the state of California to represent his clients in other counties/jurisdictions as not all of his cases remain solely in Los Angeles. Additionally, Ethan is a family man and somehow has found a balance between being an active father and supporting me during my divorce. To me, this speaks to his time management, character, and credibility of being an attorney who cares despite all that life will throw at one in their personal life. I have a lot of respect for him not only as a professional, but also as a friend. Thank you Ethan!
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21 Feb, 2025 by Daniela rodríguez
If you are looking for a lawyer who will support your visa process in a professional, truthful, and experienced way, I definitely recommend this firm. I can't thank enough Linda and Winston Lee for guiding me through the process of building my case and getting my TN visa approved. As a previous J-1 visa holder, I needed a lawyer who could understand my case throughouly and provided personalized guidance based on my profession and opportunities. Winston and Linda were just that! They were very supportive and patient in explaining the complicated legal landscape. 5 starts!
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05 Feb, 2025 by Javier rodriguez
Very knowledgeable and extremely skilled attorney! Highly recommended.
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05 Feb, 2025 by Stefon
Aaron is amazing lawyer who really looks out for his clients and care about helping. His consultations and care really put me in was that I was in good hands.
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21 Feb, 2025 by Daniela rodríguez
If you are looking for a lawyer who will support your visa process in a professional, truthful, and experienced way, I definitely recommend this firm. I can't thank enough Linda and Winston Lee for guiding me through the process of building my case and getting my TN visa approved. As a previous J-1 visa holder, I needed a lawyer who could understand my case throughouly and provided personalized guidance based on my profession and opportunities. Winston and Linda were just that! They were very supportive and patient in explaining the complicated legal landscape. 5 starts!
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05 Feb, 2025 by Javier rodriguez
Very knowledgeable and extremely skilled attorney! Highly recommended.
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05 Feb, 2025 by Stefon
Aaron is amazing lawyer who really looks out for his clients and care about helping. His consultations and care really put me in was that I was in good hands.
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18 Oct, 2024 by Luis f
Kristopher and his team are excellent!
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07 Oct, 2024 by Gwendolyn stephens
WTCL IS TRULY THE 5 STAR FIRM OF LOS ANGELES , CA THEY PROFESSIONALLY AND EFFICIENTLY WALK YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR CASE STEP BY STEP. ALWAYS THERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR PHONE CALLS YOU MAY HAVE PROMPTLY. YOU'LL BE IN THE KNOW FROM BEGINNING TO END.
THE ENTIRE STAFF TREATS YOU WITH COURTESY AND RESPECT. THEY MAKE YOU KNOW YOU'RE MOST IMPORTANT TO THEM. THEY ARE THE BEST...... I CHOSE AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND WEST COAST TRAIL LAWYERS FOR ALL ... YOU'LL BE HAPPY AND SATISFIED....
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24 Aug, 2024 by Rosa mendoza
Las muchas me ayudaron muy rápido. Me ayudarno con el proceso.
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10 Feb, 2025 by Afton lowery
Melody is a gem
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14 Jan, 2025 by Charly bender
great law firm. they made a difficult process so easy and painless.
hats off to crystal for her diligence and knowledge.
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22 Dec, 2024 by Master_mind
My brother was the victim of a drunk driver his femur bone snapped in half I regret recommending these people he only got $50,000 back thats how much they got him back for a broken femur bone the biggest bone in the body.
If you notice all the real reviews are posting numbers and what they got back and didn’t get back. All the fake reviews are about the same length and sentencing. And none of them are speaking numbers it should be illegal to post fake reviews. These people are the worst.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Efe kiracı
Greetings can you please get back to me I have an urgent case I am short on time
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22 Jul, 2024 by Sebastian harrison
Worst most unethical attorney I have had the displeasure to have been associated with. He was my former wife's first attorney (until she fired him). Does the typical dance that unethical family law attorneys do which is to try to create chaos and havoc and hatred. We were attempting to have an amicable divorce but he did everything in his power (lying, restraining order) to cause a war. He even, get this as this is unbelievable, whispered in the ear of my attorney, "should we get them to sell the property." I overheard this in the hall of the courthouse. It was well discussed that the mutually owned property was going to be put in a trust for our son. He even admitted that he makes more money litigating.
Word of caution, with his smooth talking and accent he can be convincing but don't believe a word he says.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
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13 Jul, 2024 by Vadi efe
We had a consultation call with Mr Agopoglu - he is very helpful and gave us valuable feedback, including legal aspects, way of working and best practices in family law. Highly recommended.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Efe kiracı
Greetings can you please get back to me I have an urgent case I am short on time
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22 Jul, 2024 by Sebastian harrison
Worst most unethical attorney I have had the displeasure to have been associated with. He was my former wife's first attorney (until she fired him). Does the typical dance that unethical family law attorneys do which is to try to create chaos and havoc and hatred. We were attempting to have an amicable divorce but he did everything in his power (lying, restraining order) to cause a war. He even, get this as this is unbelievable, whispered in the ear of my attorney, "should we get them to sell the property." I overheard this in the hall of the courthouse. It was well discussed that the mutually owned property was going to be put in a trust for our son. He even admitted that he makes more money litigating.
Word of caution, with his smooth talking and accent he can be convincing but don't believe a word he says.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
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13 Jul, 2024 by Vadi efe
We had a consultation call with Mr Agopoglu - he is very helpful and gave us valuable feedback, including legal aspects, way of working and best practices in family law. Highly recommended.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Efe kiracı
Greetings can you please get back to me I have an urgent case I am short on time
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22 Jul, 2024 by Sebastian harrison
Worst most unethical attorney I have had the displeasure to have been associated with. He was my former wife's first attorney (until she fired him). Does the typical dance that unethical family law attorneys do which is to try to create chaos and havoc and hatred. We were attempting to have an amicable divorce but he did everything in his power (lying, restraining order) to cause a war. He even, get this as this is unbelievable, whispered in the ear of my attorney, "should we get them to sell the property." I overheard this in the hall of the courthouse. It was well discussed that the mutually owned property was going to be put in a trust for our son. He even admitted that he makes more money litigating.
Word of caution, with his smooth talking and accent he can be convincing but don't believe a word he says.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
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13 Jul, 2024 by Vadi efe
We had a consultation call with Mr Agopoglu - he is very helpful and gave us valuable feedback, including legal aspects, way of working and best practices in family law. Highly recommended.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Efe kiracı
Greetings can you please get back to me I have an urgent case I am short on time
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22 Jul, 2024 by Sebastian harrison
Worst most unethical attorney I have had the displeasure to have been associated with. He was my former wife's first attorney (until she fired him). Does the typical dance that unethical family law attorneys do which is to try to create chaos and havoc and hatred. We were attempting to have an amicable divorce but he did everything in his power (lying, restraining order) to cause a war. He even, get this as this is unbelievable, whispered in the ear of my attorney, "should we get them to sell the property." I overheard this in the hall of the courthouse. It was well discussed that the mutually owned property was going to be put in a trust for our son. He even admitted that he makes more money litigating.
Word of caution, with his smooth talking and accent he can be convincing but don't believe a word he says.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
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13 Jul, 2024 by Vadi efe
We had a consultation call with Mr Agopoglu - he is very helpful and gave us valuable feedback, including legal aspects, way of working and best practices in family law. Highly recommended.
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28 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Ms. Lewis has been extremely helpful with some difficult legal situations that required a thorough understanding of our various counterparts. Ms. Lewis not only guided us through difficult negotiations but also offered numerous suggestions on how to best approach our licensing agreements and contracts. Our agreements stretch over years and occasionally decades and have significant consequences for the future of our business endeavors. Ms. Lewis has been instrumental in avoiding many pitfalls and made our exchanges with the other party a little easier. I would highly recommend working with Ms. Lewis and make sure you write down some of her comments. She thinks fast and out of her quick mind comes real nuggets. It is up to you to catch them. Don't be afraid to ask her "why" when discussing the minutiae of a paragraph or a line in a contract. Ms. Lewis will go into all the possible angles on your counterpart's side and yours. It is occasionally scary but ultimately helpful since it gives you an opportunity to choose the best possible path knowing full well what all the possible options are. Take your time to review all her suggestions and comments on your documents. Sleep on them ! It will be worth your time. You won't regret it. I could not recommend Ms. Lewis enough.
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15 Jan, 2011 by Jerry
Mrs. Lewis obtained everything I requested during my contract negotiations. I couldn't believe it. This attorney fought for me like a parent would . She holds a deep allegiance for her clients. I have find my attorney for life!
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02 Nov, 2010 by Anonymous
One of the few lawyers who doesn't rip you off and in fact gets you money in your deals. She was worth every penny and more.
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09 Mar, 2017 by Cari
Sara Frisch was very attentive and answered all of my questions with knowledge and patience. She understood, and was able to explain, the nuances of the law as it pertained to my case; I found her advice extremely helpful. I would recommend Sara without reservations.
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18 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Sara was great to work with. She took time to get to know me and my case. I felt supported the whole time. She's smart and efficient.
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10 Feb, 2017 by Jason
Highly professional and great resolution to issues. Has a deep understanding of intellectual property and Licensing matters. I would definitely recommend.
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07 Apr, 2014 by Nick
As a business owner in the ever-changing entertainment industry, it's paramount to not only have an attorney that's extremely eloquent and passionate but also very responsive and extremely intelligent. Her professional work has demonstrated to me that her highly specialized skill set is second to none in Los Angeles; always three steps a head with a plan of action to execute.
Her style of business is forth-coming, honest and pragmatic. She's creative, collaborative and consistently delivers far beyond any expectation I could have ever imagined. A+
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25 Feb, 2014 by James
I have known and worked with Lindsay Salk for over a year now on a various array of legal and contractual matters and can honestly say she is one of the best in the business. An attorney with extensive legal knowledge and business acumen, her attention to detail is second to none. Her fair and honest business practices reinforce a strong working relationship that I highly value and respect.
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16 Dec, 2013 by Christine
If more lawyers were like Ms. Salk, people wouldn't have a bad opinion of lawyers. She's the absolute best - I trust her with all my legal matters.
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16 Apr, 2018 by Stacey
I am a business attorney who has referred a number of friends and clients to Humberto, and he gets nothing but rave reviews. Always helpful, positive, available and knows how to make the immigration system work for you, regardless of your immigration problem! And his office staff is great as well.
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14 Sep, 2013 by Dom
Humberto Grey is a very good,passionate immigration lawyer. I went to many others before i went to him and they told our case is difficult and can t be done. Humberto was so confident and told us to extend our E2 Visa should not be a problem. Well,we got our extension and very grateful to Humberto. His team is great too and they always answered my questions and the communication was awesome. He truely cares about his clients and makes sure that everything is 100% correct. I definitely can recommend him and he is worth it the money. GREAT EXPERIENCE AND 5 STARS TO HUMBERTO AND HIS TEAM!!!!
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24 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Exellent Lawyer! Very happy with his service.
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07 Jun, 2010 by Gerald goldstein
Excellent attorney. I have worked with many lawyers and Joshua Blum is one of the most sophisticated and skilled attorney that I have come across in the past five years. He is very organized, thorough and attentive. I highly recommend him.
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10 Jan, 2025 by Barry mirmotahari
The firm has exceeded my expectations time frame wise.
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17 Dec, 2024 by Anna alioto-hogan
I recently worked with MSD Law on an employment misclassification case, and I couldn't be more satisfied with their service. From the moment I reached out to them, I felt confident that I was in good hands. I first spoke with Brie and after I told her of the circumstances and she agreed to take on my case. She introduced me to Camron who would take the lead and he was great to work with. From the beginning to end, the team at MSD Law, Camron and Brie, is not only professional but also incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to employment law.
They took the time to thoroughly understand the details of my case and provided clear, actionable advice every step of the way. Throughout the process, they kept me well-informed of where we were in the process. They even have an app that keeps you updated.
What impressed me most was their dedication to getting the best outcome for me. They were tenacious in advocating for my rights, and thanks to their hard work, I was able to resolve the misclassification issue successfully.
If you're facing an employment misclassification issue or any other workplace legal concerns, I highly recommend MSD Law. Their expertise, professionalism, and personal commitment to clients make them an outstanding choice!
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11 Dec, 2024 by Allyssa bautista
10 Jan, 2025 by Barry mirmotahari
The firm has exceeded my expectations time frame wise.
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17 Dec, 2024 by Anna alioto-hogan
I recently worked with MSD Law on an employment misclassification case, and I couldn't be more satisfied with their service. From the moment I reached out to them, I felt confident that I was in good hands. I first spoke with Brie and after I told her of the circumstances and she agreed to take on my case. She introduced me to Camron who would take the lead and he was great to work with. From the beginning to end, the team at MSD Law, Camron and Brie, is not only professional but also incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to employment law.
They took the time to thoroughly understand the details of my case and provided clear, actionable advice every step of the way. Throughout the process, they kept me well-informed of where we were in the process. They even have an app that keeps you updated.
What impressed me most was their dedication to getting the best outcome for me. They were tenacious in advocating for my rights, and thanks to their hard work, I was able to resolve the misclassification issue successfully.
If you're facing an employment misclassification issue or any other workplace legal concerns, I highly recommend MSD Law. Their expertise, professionalism, and personal commitment to clients make them an outstanding choice!
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11 Dec, 2024 by Allyssa bautista
03 Apr, 2014 by Brian
I have used Michael for over 10 years, mainly for Entertainment Law, but also for personal issues as well. He's always been on top of the situation, needs no prompting from me - quite the opposite; he's kept on me to make sure the key points are handled on time. He's very hardworking and more reasonably priced than most, considering his experience. Good legal counsel is often tough to find, and can vary according to expertise - Michael has also referred me to others when he knows something is outside his level of knowledge. Recommended.
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04 Apr, 2015 by Rain
Attorney Page is the best she is so knowledgeable in every area of the law especially entertainment and put my mind at ease. She represented me in a case that I didn't think I could win and guess what, we Won! She is no longer in private practice and can no longer represent me any more. I miss her and wish her the best at the new law firm, they are lucky to have her.
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04 Nov, 2014 by Jeff
James worked tirelessly on two claims for me in the Lehman Bankruptcy case. I feel his calm and thorough explanations of the process helped me to ultimately settle on the best strategy to maximize my claims. A young attorney, I never felt this hindered my case as he was eager to go up against more seasoned NYC lawyers and their egos and was not at all intimidated. I recommend him without hesitation.
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12 Jun, 2015 by Mary lee pilla
Laurence Berman was one of a handful of "go to lawyers" i retained to handle our litigation matters in California and on at least one occasion out of state. His depth of knowledge in many subject matter areas of the law, seasoned litigation skills and his solid and practical business acumen made him a stand out. He understands the need to be cost effective and work in a team environment. I recommend him whole heartedly.
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06 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Jamshidi from Sion and Associates represented our company in a personal injury claim recently and did a great job. He appeared very capable and did a thorough job in gathering and presenting the facts of our case. After an employee had filed a claim against us for an ACL injury, Mr. Jamshidi and his team were able to find and acquire video evidence that helped rid us of any fault. Mr. Jamshidi kept our company informed throughout the length of the case and was always very easy to reach if any questions came up. I would definitely recommend Mr. Jamshidi and his team at Sion and Associates for any personal injury or industrial injury claims.
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09 Sep, 2011 by Anonymous
As lawyers go, Mr. Davis is a fine example of a wonderful and honest attorney. I worked with him on a few entertainment deals and he made sure me and my team were protected completely. He was personable and dedicated his time to making sure things were done right. I've worked with him for many years. I consider him to be a very trustworthy attorney who always does excellent work on the highest level.
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16 Mar, 2024 by Raina nelson
Eanet, PC was extremely responsive and helpful in guiding me through a tough workplace situation with a successful outcome, I highly recommend!
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29 Jan, 2024 by Steve murillo
Danielle Eanet, Esq and her team have been excellent! They are professional and extremely competent. I would highly recommend their services to anyone!
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29 Jan, 2024 by Dr. kevin sands
I am so grateful to have hired Danielle Eanet to represent me for a claim regarding a disgruntled employee. I was so scared when i received the compliant. Danielle walked me thru the process and kept encouraging me and kept my spirits up. She was always available to talk and eased my mind. Mrs. Eanet has incredible experience, knowledge, and resources. She fought hard for me. I felt like she cared about me like a family member the entire step of the way. She delivered the results i was hoping for!!! I have never slept better!! Danielle Eanet is awesome and will be recommending her the rest of my life!
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01 Dec, 2020 by Peter bell
Tony is a very dedicated individual who does what he says he will do and is persistent to the end of the task.
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01 Dec, 2020 by Jai jai
I've worked with Tony on bankruptcy cases and he is very knowledgeable and reliable. His communication skills are excellent and he makes sure that all client issues are addressed properly. He is brilliant! I highly recommend his services.
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01 Dec, 2020 by Patrick king
Tony has a great analytical mind and a unique perspective when it comes to the law. I had the pleasure of working with him a few years ago on the East Coast. He is a classical debater, very strategic in his approach and methodical when it comes to moving his opponent to his position. All of that and a heart of gold makes Tony an attorney that you want in your corner. When the good guys win it's because they have good fighters on their side, and Tony is one of the best!
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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.
