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13 Jun, 2024 by Gabriel scafidi
I have been pleased with Jessica Walter's services thus far in handling my son's custody case. She seems thorough, looks for every angle she can, and has many years working with the judge overseeing our case.
Get ready to pay though. Half of my retainer deposit was depleted before the case was even seen! That's mostly just because there's a lot of prep and foot work involved though.
At no fault of hers, the trial got delayed twice and finally got scheduled on my daughter's birthday. Well I was, understandably, livid. The court's excuse was the approaching holiday and that they are moving over to a new virtual system, which meant they would shut down for a couple months.
I have to hand it to Debbie, Jessica's assistant, for how she handled this. She was very pleasant, dispute my ill mood about the situation, and they were able to get the hearing moved to another day. They only turn 5 once and I am ever greatful they were able to fix this.
My family thanks you all down a Jessica Walter's office! Check them out for your custody or divorce needs!
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23 Apr, 2024 by Eden trejo (edeliciouss)
We had the pleasure and luck of working with Patrick to sell our home.
Patrick was always on time, and always made time to address our questions or concerns in a timely manner. He always made sure that we were properly informed and satisfied with every step of the process.
He recommended that we used a concierge to get the house sold for a more smooth transaction, since we didn’t have enough time to handle the process by ourselves.
The concierge (Zoom Casa) worked with us to get the house in shape to be sold. They did all of the work getting the contractors and arranging every service needed. It was a smooth and profitable transaction.
We would work with Patrick again without doubt, and we would do the same with the concierge. Thank you!!
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10 Feb, 2024 by Martha blevins
i find your messages most interesting. I am not in the frame of mind to sell, I do enjoy your keeping me in the loop of available homes and land. I would need a 3 bedroom, with a bonus room for my cloth and yarn. NO BASEMENT unless it is finished. I am very private right now and if I sold itwould have to be likewise 3-5 ac.
Hope you get alot of calls, you are one of the best !
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24 May, 2012 by Pam
I used Mr Daniels for a closing, and he made the daunting paperwork seem effortless. He answered all my questions, was prompt and knowledgable.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Serenity farm
08 Jul, 2024 by Charlie riddle
12 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
Ms. Myers truly knows the ins and outs of documents and proceedings. She is a great attorney and when needed, a great listener.
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02 Jan, 2025 by Mary kate rikard
I wish there were more stars ... Jim and Dorothy are nothing short of top notch.
They are reasonably priced and offer top shelf service. Over the years, I've used him for multiple legal matters and have never been disappointed. They continue to be responsive, fast, thoughtful, kind and of the highest character. I have referred them to many clients and friends through the years and have never had anyone have less than a wonderful experience. They will see you through both difficult and happy times with the same level of care and thoughtfulness.
Nothing short of incredible.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Paul cove
not very helpful at all. Daniel fox took my spouses money and refuses to give me a refund after she passed away. he didn't provided no service in the short period of time before her passing.
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21 Nov, 2024 by Martha gilliam
Mr. Hudson professionally managed my court case with caring insight into the situation. I highly recommend him and would consult with him again if the need arises. I also commend the Siemens Family Law Group in their judgement to have him on their team.
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16 Dec, 2024 by Jayden kadiya
A friend and I were falsely accused, and from the second we met Dustin, the case was smooth-sailing, he exercises incredible professionalism and maturity. The situation was resolved with minimal stress and little effort from my end. Dustin had a sizeable role to play in saving my future and I couldn't recommend him more.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Nicholas ivers
I have used Mr.Dow multiple times across many years his prices are 100% Reasonable and came out with the favor of the courts on my side every time. He’s very calm and reassuring in the most stressful situations. He’s the best criminal defense lawyer in Asheville.
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19 Jun, 2024 by James parris
Honestly the most professional and efficient lawyer i have ever met. He does exactly what he says he is going to and his results are beyond impressive. Couldn't recommend a better Lawyer.
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02 Jan, 2025 by Mary kate rikard
I wish there were more stars ... Jim and Dorothy are nothing short of top notch.
They are reasonably priced and offer top shelf service. Over the years, I've used him for multiple legal matters and have never been disappointed. They continue to be responsive, fast, thoughtful, kind and of the highest character. I have referred them to many clients and friends through the years and have never had anyone have less than a wonderful experience. They will see you through both difficult and happy times with the same level of care and thoughtfulness.
Nothing short of incredible.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Paul cove
not very helpful at all. Daniel fox took my spouses money and refuses to give me a refund after she passed away. he didn't provided no service in the short period of time before her passing.
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21 Nov, 2024 by Martha gilliam
Mr. Hudson professionally managed my court case with caring insight into the situation. I highly recommend him and would consult with him again if the need arises. I also commend the Siemens Family Law Group in their judgement to have him on their team.
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21 Dec, 2024 by T tinay
I want to express my appreciation to Mr. Dillin for seeing the facts and believing my innocence for a strange car accident accusation. And getting the matter resolved. He well deserves all those high praises.
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18 Dec, 2024 by John henline
Mr. Dillin is one of the best attorneys I have ever gotten the pleasure to meet. He got my case dismissed. I Highly recommend him! Thank you, Mr. Dillin and your team for everything you’ve done…
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10 Oct, 2024 by Nicholas
The best traffic attorney in North Carolina BY FAR. Scott is a straightforward, trustworthy, and fast-acting solution to your law-related needs. At the start of my case, what he said would happen, happened. He doesn't beat around the bush, so if he tells you your case will turn out a certain way. Then that is the way it'll turn out. His fees are provided to you with proper notice, and they're dead accurate so no need to worry about any sudden bills. He will happily answer any and all questions you may have, and doesn't make you wait for a response. Given he is most definitely the busiest traffic attorney on this end of the state, it's awesome that he still takes the time to confront any concerns or queries you present in a timely manner.
10 out of 10 experience! Thank you Scott!
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31 Oct, 2019 by Amy
Very personable and thorough attorney who did a unique will and trust for us. The horses can rest assured that their lifestyle can continue uninterrupted!
Extremely detailed and well documented.
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07 Mar, 2016 by Annette
After a very difficult year and 5,000 mile relocation to NC with my two small children, I was very nervous about my financial future and protecting my children's future. Peter facilitated this transition and guided me through the estate planning process. It was a relaxing and very professional atmosphere. Peter pointed out other aspects of financial planning that I had not even considered and put me in touch with several other professional associates. The process went very quickly. Directions were complete and thorough. I look forward to a long relationship with this firm.
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19 Oct, 2015 by Annabelle
In the handling of my estate and personal legal concerns Peter McGuire has suggested different courses of action, and explained each in a manner that is understandable. Within the direction I decided upon, my concerns were addressed, the consequences of each course of action explained, and the final documents have been prepared promptly. P
ayment was not accepted or asked for until I was satisfied.
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08 Jan, 2020 by Larry
we hired Mr Grabenstin to handle an estate dispute and could not have been more pleased with his service. He was very well equipped to handle our problem. we felt like we had the best lawyer in the state. He far outshined the other lawyers involved.
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30 Sep, 2017 by Libby
My sister and I hired Steve Grabenstein to represent us in litigation over our fathers estate. Steve and his team (Pat & Heather) were always responsive to our needs and request. They were always VERY prepared for each step in the case. I am not sure how my sister found Steve but I am very glad she did. Through Steve's representation and guidance we were able to settle the estate in our favor. Steve had our best interest in mind at every step of the process. He always advised us on how we could minimize our litigation cost rather then running the bill up in his favor.
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04 Mar, 2015 by Deborah
Mr. Grabenstein was one of the most attentive, attorneys I have ever come into contact with. I only wish I could hire him for all my attorney needs. He gets the job done and does not waste any time in doing so. Extremely dependable, will step up and lead if need be, when the others may be slacking. Very pleasant, easy to reach, and has a great assistant you may speak to if he is busy, Pat. You will be very well pleased with them. He worked for me over a year on a difficult, and unusual case involving two other attorneys for him to keep track of. He is a credit to his profession
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11 Apr, 2017 by Doug
First time divorcee... What a difficult experience. I chose Katherine's firm because she was incredibly astute - immediately understood my primary goal was to have a civilized dissolution of my marriage. Life is way too short to get caught up in years of turmoil, hatred and ugliness for the sake of money... but that's just me. Regardless, Katherine was always right on point, doing her job to protect me and my future interests, while not "stirring the pot" in a negative way. I would fully trust her to execute an equally ugly, contentious legal matter because I always felt as though she was right on top of things, and more importantly on top of the law. All I can say is that I can't recommend her more highly... And don't forget the rest of the team, this isn't a "one woman show" - Tahani and others had been right in the midst and always on top of things, pleasant to work with and timely in every way. Honestly, I don't write reviews (often), but I absolutely needed to share my positive experience with people who might otherwise make a terrible decision with a horrible troll of a lawyer - and trust me, they're out there.... so go with someone that won't drag you down into their world... stays on top with the high road, while still making sure you come out the way you want.
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08 May, 2014 by Anonymous
Katherine is smart, knows the law, and is both tenacious and fair. I was involved in litigation in another state and hired Katherine to represent me in NC. I shared legal documents from the other lawyer with her and she found a huge mistake in his draft settlement offer that would have cost me a tremendous amount. After that, I had her look at everything and she steered me through very tough negotiations with a deft and tough approach that resulted in a good settlement for me. She is the best lawyer I've ever hired.
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29 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Katherine has represented me beyond my expectations. Katherine follows the rules, she files documents on time, she is efficient, trustworthy, knowledgeable and very helpful. In court Katherine is courteous and professional, informed , prepared and on time.. I could not have wished for better representation .
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02 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Cory came highly recommended to me. I'd heard that he was a near legend miracle worker in the courtroom (a repeated D.U.I case that might have ended up really bad, he made really right.) . But I"d never needed a D.U.I. fixed. However! Crazy things can happen when you least expect it--a police officer going through your purse and finding EXACTLY the wrong thing for instance. Thank heaven's there is someone like Cory to step up and saved me. he is so easy to talk to and fair in his charges. I would ay, you can;t do better in Asheville. Thanks so much, Cory.
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05 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
This was my first time getting into to trouble, and while it was a minor charge it was still a scary and stressful time. Corey made me feel better the moment I spoke to him and made me feel confident in how things were going to turn out. He was quick to get back into contact even for this very minor charge. Corey ended up having everything dismissed in the most professional way. Thank you Corey!
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04 Nov, 2015 by Thomas
Robert, (Corey), has helped us with two incidents involving my college-age daughters. In both cases, he was polite, prompt, and successful in obtaining a fair resolution. He has a way of calming the anxiety during the period leading up to the decision, maintaining perspective and using tact and humor to keep everyone focused and on track. A true professional at all levels!
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30 Nov, 2015 by Sheri
I'm likely one of the pickiest people out there due to past experience handling parental issues with lawyers in other states. 90% of the time, I had to correct mistakes from lawyers with an excellent reputation to lawyers who too late appeared to be missing some brain cells. This was through about four lawyers I hired and fired.
When we moved to Asheville, we searched unsuccessfully for a Trust lawyer some years ago. We gave up until we got a recommendation this year. Our work needed to be done and lawyers tend to make me nervous due to their inadequacies in past encounters.
When we met with Ms. Burt, I tried to trip her on her knowledge (as we did with another lawyer we interviewed and knew we wouldn't go to her as her knowledge was very limited). I was unable to find errors in Ms. Burt's documents. She's extremely knowledgeable, professional, and personable. I've already recommended her to friends and I do not take recommending lawyers lightly.
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29 Jun, 2014 by Randy
April assisted with the formation of my new PLLC. She seemed very knowledgeable in the matter, was always prompt to respond to questions I had, and kept me fully informed throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking to form a new legal entity.
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01 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Working with Robert's firm was a good experience. They put my best interests first and had the solid experience that I needed to win my case. I highly recommend this firm.
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07 Aug, 2012 by Mike
Adam explained procedures, possible scenarios, and expected results. Adam put us at ease and was pleasant to work with.
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20 Apr, 2024 by Ashley pearce
19 Sep, 2023 by Jonathan farrell
Unmatched Compassion
Matthew Giangrosso of Allen Stahl + Kilbourne is an exceptional attorney who deserves praise. He defended my family against a menacing neighbor with professionalism, compassion, and unmatched dedication. What truly sets him apart is his responsiveness and genuine concern, making you feel valued regardless of your financial status. I wholeheartedly recommend Matthew Giangrosso to anyone seeking legal help. He's a true hero in the legal world!
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30 May, 2023 by Kathryn small
Have trusted Allen Stahl + Kilbourne with our legal items and they've been instrumental in helping us navigate legal matters of every aspect.
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20 Apr, 2024 by Ashley pearce
19 Sep, 2023 by Jonathan farrell
Unmatched Compassion
Matthew Giangrosso of Allen Stahl + Kilbourne is an exceptional attorney who deserves praise. He defended my family against a menacing neighbor with professionalism, compassion, and unmatched dedication. What truly sets him apart is his responsiveness and genuine concern, making you feel valued regardless of your financial status. I wholeheartedly recommend Matthew Giangrosso to anyone seeking legal help. He's a true hero in the legal world!
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30 May, 2023 by Kathryn small
Have trusted Allen Stahl + Kilbourne with our legal items and they've been instrumental in helping us navigate legal matters of every aspect.
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30 Aug, 2023 by Jessie figueroa
Eric takes his research seriously, communicates effectively, and ensures his clients are well supported in determining a game plan for court. He assisted with an eviction case, and we would highly recommend him for other property managers.
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19 Feb, 2021 by Jodi penn
Exceptional attorney.
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06 Dec, 2019 by Dillon minish
Awesome to work with. Really helped me grasp where I stand in an estate foreclosure sale.
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05 Feb, 2020 by John ray
I live in North Carolina and got a ticket in Savannah Ryan Langlois was honest and upfront about everything gave a fair price and did an excellent job representing me. I could not be happier with the outcome Ryan was extremely professional and extremely thorough. I would highly recommend him, other attorneys tried to over charge me and take advantage of me being from out of town and he was straightforward and let his actions do the talking. Amazing firm to deal with!
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13 Sep, 2024 by Dana mathis
30 Jan, 2024 by David harrison
Best in town.
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10 Oct, 2023 by Lou jaffe
I required an expert Lawyer for Bankruptcy
problems. Ben Pitts was recommended to
me and I am very satisfied with his
excellent service. He is friendly and
caring person.I was very happy with the
results and I highly recommend his services.
Thank you very much
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11 Nov, 2024 by Sabrina berg
We hired Chris Reinhardt to help us with a very difficult (one of a kind) custody case. His thorough knowledge of the law, brilliant strategies and determination led to a victory for us!! We can’t thank him enough for his hard work and dedication!!
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07 Nov, 2024 by Haley thomas
I worked with Attorney Abbey Forde for a second time and had another amazing experience. She is very quick to respond and is so intelligent and seriously knows her stuff. She really cares about you and your situation and takes the time to make sure that you understand all of your options and are making informed decisions. I just appreciate Abbey and her term a ton and if I ever need any legal assistance in the future, I’ll be working with Abbey again.
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05 Nov, 2024 by Mr. nice guy owens
08 Jul, 2024 by Charlie riddle
08 Jul, 2024 by Serenity farm
08 Jul, 2024 by Charlie riddle
08 Jul, 2024 by Serenity farm
06 Feb, 2022 by Serenity farm
15 Jun, 2020 by Charlie riddle
29 Dec, 2024 by Jennifer leigh
26 Aug, 2024 by Bridget peterson
Jake is an incredibly talented, knowledgeable, lawyer who truly gave it his all fighting for my cause. I hired him to sue a GC who left me with a house full of problems. He got me the judgement i asked him for today. I’m so grateful to him for all his hard work and efforts. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs legal help!!!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Lily rose
As an attorney who practiced for 11 years at a large firm before taking another career path, I was incredibly impressed with Asheville Legal! Jake is bright, a fantastic listener, astute, and responsive. Jake's legal assistant is helpful, and offered lighting fast responses to all inquiries and requests. This is a very rare combination in the legal field. Jake's quick and on-point analysis brought a near immediate resolution to a potentially arduous situation. The icing on the cake-- the fees are very reasonable! I would highly recommend this law firm to anyone. Great experience.
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29 Dec, 2024 by Jennifer leigh
26 Aug, 2024 by Bridget peterson
Jake is an incredibly talented, knowledgeable, lawyer who truly gave it his all fighting for my cause. I hired him to sue a GC who left me with a house full of problems. He got me the judgement i asked him for today. I’m so grateful to him for all his hard work and efforts. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs legal help!!!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Lily rose
As an attorney who practiced for 11 years at a large firm before taking another career path, I was incredibly impressed with Asheville Legal! Jake is bright, a fantastic listener, astute, and responsive. Jake's legal assistant is helpful, and offered lighting fast responses to all inquiries and requests. This is a very rare combination in the legal field. Jake's quick and on-point analysis brought a near immediate resolution to a potentially arduous situation. The icing on the cake-- the fees are very reasonable! I would highly recommend this law firm to anyone. Great experience.
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21 Dec, 2024 by Erving cortez
Abogado 100% garantizado eficaz honesto .
Lawyer 100% guaranteed efficient honest.
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19 Dec, 2024 by Lynsie williams
Attorney Doug Edward’s has been such a blessing! He’s thorough, honest, understanding, and he truly has your best interest in mind! A lot of attorneys are in it for the money but with Doug he actually cares about the outcome and the long term impacts on one’s life! He will explore every avenue making sure the best route is being taken but most importantly he sees and acknowledges the humanness of his clients! He will meet you where you are and once a common goal is established he will make sure it’s met! Doug is truly a top tier attorney! He goes 10 toes for his clients and as long as you’re open and honest with him he’ll go to bat for you! He will forever be my go to for legal counsel! Lord forbid I ever need it but I know that if I do I’m In good hands! He’s literally the Allstate of attorneys! 10/10 highly recommended!!
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18 Dec, 2024 by Dave coltrain
Attorney Benjamin Waldman provided exceptional legal counsel for a matter my family faced. He is an outstanding criminal defense attorney with extensive knowledge of the law and excellent negotiation skills. What truly sets him apart from others are his common sense, reliable insights, and strong interpersonal skills, which earn him the respect of clients, district attorneys, and judges alike.
I also appreciated that he never dismissed our concerns; instead, he was always willing to explore all options. Ben genuinely cared about our needs and worked diligently to achieve a favorable outcome. After witnessing his passion and dedication, I have recommended him to all my friends and family, and I will continue to refer Attorney Benjamin Waldman at King Law to anyone seeking legal advice or services. Thank you, Ben, for delivering outstanding results!
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21 Dec, 2024 by Erving cortez
Abogado 100% garantizado eficaz honesto .
Lawyer 100% guaranteed efficient honest.
Read more
19 Dec, 2024 by Lynsie williams
Attorney Doug Edward’s has been such a blessing! He’s thorough, honest, understanding, and he truly has your best interest in mind! A lot of attorneys are in it for the money but with Doug he actually cares about the outcome and the long term impacts on one’s life! He will explore every avenue making sure the best route is being taken but most importantly he sees and acknowledges the humanness of his clients! He will meet you where you are and once a common goal is established he will make sure it’s met! Doug is truly a top tier attorney! He goes 10 toes for his clients and as long as you’re open and honest with him he’ll go to bat for you! He will forever be my go to for legal counsel! Lord forbid I ever need it but I know that if I do I’m In good hands! He’s literally the Allstate of attorneys! 10/10 highly recommended!!
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18 Dec, 2024 by Dave coltrain
Attorney Benjamin Waldman provided exceptional legal counsel for a matter my family faced. He is an outstanding criminal defense attorney with extensive knowledge of the law and excellent negotiation skills. What truly sets him apart from others are his common sense, reliable insights, and strong interpersonal skills, which earn him the respect of clients, district attorneys, and judges alike.
I also appreciated that he never dismissed our concerns; instead, he was always willing to explore all options. Ben genuinely cared about our needs and worked diligently to achieve a favorable outcome. After witnessing his passion and dedication, I have recommended him to all my friends and family, and I will continue to refer Attorney Benjamin Waldman at King Law to anyone seeking legal advice or services. Thank you, Ben, for delivering outstanding results!
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25 Sep, 2017 by Kristen
I hired James Mills to represent my case for a DWI refusal to blow. I was in a severe car accident and was unable to comply due to my injuries. However, I did refuse medical help so I was arrested and taken to jail. I spoke with James within a few days of my arrest and he said we had a strong case but he would not guarantee my outcome. He understood the law well and informed me of what my options were.
Because my case was in a county outside of where he primarily works I did have to sit in court 6 times due to continuances because he was unable to make the appearance. With that being said, we met before my trial in his office and I felt prepared and confident with him as my attorney. The day of my trial, the arresting trooper made several untrue allegations and James was still able to keep the trial on track. He was Thorough and I was found not guilty by the judge. I am very confident that James is a great attorney and will get the job done.
My only recommendation if you hire him is to not expect him to hold your hand. I didn't hear from him much and this being my first time in court, made me nervous because I wasn't sure how the court system worked and what to expect. He did what he was hired to do and he was very kind and very affordable. I would highly recommend him.
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06 Dec, 2023 by Maria milla
Thank you so much for taking care of my legal needs on finalizing the Estate process of my very best friend. I was already broken heart, despaired of legal need and you provided the help I need.
Thank you with all my heart, attorney Lisa M. Rothman and Team.
Maria
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06 Dec, 2023 by P thom
15 Aug, 2023 by Legal contact
4.2
15 Reviews
4.1
106 Reviews
11 Nov, 2024 by Sabrina berg
We hired Chris Reinhardt to help us with a very difficult (one of a kind) custody case. His thorough knowledge of the law, brilliant strategies and determination led to a victory for us!! We can’t thank him enough for his hard work and dedication!!
Read more
07 Nov, 2024 by Haley thomas
I worked with Attorney Abbey Forde for a second time and had another amazing experience. She is very quick to respond and is so intelligent and seriously knows her stuff. She really cares about you and your situation and takes the time to make sure that you understand all of your options and are making informed decisions. I just appreciate Abbey and her term a ton and if I ever need any legal assistance in the future, I’ll be working with Abbey again.
Read more
05 Nov, 2024 by Mr. nice guy owens
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 a Litigation Lawyer Can Do for You
A litigation lawyer specializes in representing individuals, businesses, or organizations involved in legal disputes. Whether you're the one filing a lawsuit or you're being sued, a litigation attorney will advocate on your behalf throughout the entire legal process. Their goal is to resolve disputes, either through negotiation, settlement, or trial. Litigation lawyers can help with a wide range of disputes, including contract disagreements, real estate issues, employment disputes, personal injury claims, and more.
Litigation lawyers provide strategic legal advice and manage all aspects of your case, from filing motions to representing you in court, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome.
When Should I Hire a Litigation Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a litigation lawyer if you're involved in a legal dispute that you cannot resolve on your own. Common situations include:
- Breach of contract disputes: If a party to a contract fails to fulfill their obligations, a litigation lawyer can help you seek damages or enforce the agreement.
- Business disputes: Litigation lawyers can represent you in cases of partnership disagreements, intellectual property disputes, or business fraud.
- Employment disputes: If you're facing issues like wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or wage disputes, a litigation lawyer can help resolve these matters through negotiation or court action.
- Personal injury claims: If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence and are seeking compensation, a litigation attorney can help you pursue your case.
- Real estate or property disputes: When there are conflicts over property ownership, boundary issues, or lease agreements, a litigation lawyer can assist in resolving the dispute.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process is beneficial, especially if a lawsuit seems imminent or you have already been served with legal documents.
What Does a Litigation Lawyer Do?
A litigation lawyer handles all aspects of your case, from the initial investigation to the trial and even the appeals process, if necessary. Their role includes:
- Case assessment and investigation: Analyzing the facts of your case and advising whether it’s worth pursuing or defending.
- Pleadings and motions: Drafting and filing documents to initiate or respond to a lawsuit, including complaints, motions to dismiss, and answers.
- Discovery: Gathering evidence, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests, to build your case.
- Negotiations and settlement discussions: Attempting to resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration, or settlement talks before going to trial.
- Trial representation: Presenting your case in court, examining witnesses, introducing evidence, and making legal arguments before a judge or jury.
- Appeals: If necessary, filing appeals to challenge or defend the outcome of the trial.
Litigation lawyers are also skilled negotiators and often work to resolve disputes outside of court to save time, money, and stress for their clients.
How Are Litigation Lawyers Paid?
Litigation lawyers typically use a variety of fee structures depending on the type of case, the complexity of the legal matter, and the financial circumstances of the client. Common payment arrangements include:
- Hourly rates: Many litigation attorneys charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and geographic location.
- Flat fees: For specific, predictable legal tasks (such as filing a motion), lawyers may offer a flat fee.
- Contingency fees: In personal injury or other cases where you seek damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of the settlement or award if you win.
- Retainer: Some clients pay a retainer fee upfront to secure ongoing legal services. The lawyer then bills against this retainer as work is done.
The exact structure should be discussed in the initial consultation to ensure you understand how and when you'll be charged.
How Much Does a Litigation Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a litigation lawyer varies significantly depending on the nature of the dispute and the lawyer’s experience. Factors affecting the cost include:
- The complexity of the case: More complex litigation involving extensive discovery, expert witnesses, or multi-party suits typically costs more.
- Time spent: Litigation cases can be time-consuming, especially if they go to trial. The longer the case, the higher the legal fees.
- Type of fee arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $200 to over $1,000 per hour, depending on the lawyer’s reputation and location. Contingency fees generally range from 25% to 40% of the settlement or award.
- Stage of litigation: Cases that settle early in the process are often less expensive than those that proceed to trial or appeal.
It’s crucial to ask about cost estimates during your initial consultation to avoid surprises.
Top Questions to Ask a Litigation Lawyer
Before hiring a litigation lawyer, it's essential to ask key questions to ensure you're choosing the right representation:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Ensure that the lawyer has experience handling your specific type of dispute, whether it's a contract issue, personal injury, or business matter. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case's strengths, weaknesses, and the likelihood of success. -
What is your fee structure?
Clarify how you'll be charged, whether by the hour, a flat fee, or on a contingency basis. -
How long do you expect my case to take?
While it's hard to predict, an experienced lawyer can give you a rough estimate based on similar cases. -
How often do you settle cases versus going to trial?
Some lawyers are more inclined to settle, while others may be more experienced in the courtroom. It’s important to understand their strategy. -
What is your approach to resolving disputes?
Some lawyers prefer aggressive litigation, while others focus on settlement or mediation. Choose one whose approach aligns with your goals.
How to Check the Credibility of a Litigation Lawyer
To verify a litigation lawyer’s credibility, consider the following steps:
- Check bar association records: Ensure the lawyer is in good standing with the state bar and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and track record.
- Look for litigation experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they have handled cases like yours and have a record of success.
- Request references: Ask the lawyer to provide references from past clients who can speak to their effectiveness and approach.
- Research their trial experience: If your case is likely to go to trial, ensure the lawyer has a history of courtroom success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make your first consultation with a litigation lawyer productive, you should prepare the following:
- A clear outline of the dispute: Provide a timeline and key details about the legal issue you're facing.
- Any relevant documents: Bring contracts, emails, letters, or any other documentation that pertains to the case.
- A list of key players: Provide the names of individuals or companies involved in the dispute.
- Questions about fees and the litigation process: Make sure you understand how the lawyer plans to approach your case and how you will be charged.
- Your goals and expectations: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, whether it's a settlement, compensation, or another resolution.
By coming prepared, you can ensure that your initial meeting with the lawyer is both efficient and insightful, giving you a better sense of how to proceed with your case.
