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06 May, 2024 by Jess rodriguez
What a great experience with Ira and his firm! Not only is he knowledgeable and professional, he cares for his clients. He creates a a comfortable relationship through care and concern. He is always responsive and thorough, explains the process and ensures every detail is accounted for. He calls every now and again to make sure you’re ok and to give you updates on the progress he’s made. His staff is also very nice, professional and helpful at all times, it felt great having all of them in our corner. THANK YOU Ira! Vidal & Jessie
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02 May, 2024 by Leonora
In the realm of legal representation, finding an attorney who not only possesses expertise but also genuinely cares about their clients can be rare. However, our experience with Ira Maurer has been nothing short of exceptional, prompting us to share our satisfaction with his services. One of the standout qualities of Ira Maurer is his unwavering commitment to keeping his clients informed throughout the legal process. From the initial consultation to the final settlement, he ensured that we were always in the loop, providing clarity and transparency at every step. Accessibility is another area where Ira excels. Despite his busy schedule, he consistently made himself available for discussions via phone or email, sometimes even accommodating both modes of communication to address our concerns promptly and effectively. Beyond his availability and communication skills, Ira's depth of knowledge in the legal field as well as medical field is truly impressive. He navigated complexities with ease, offering insights and strategies that showcased his mastery of the law. What sets Ira apart is not just his legal acumen but also his genuine care for his clients. He took the time to understand our unique situation, offering personalized advice and solutions that reflected his dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for us. Our journey with Ira Maurer began with my first case, where his representation led to a satisfying settlement. When my husband faced a similar situation after being rear-ended, I had no hesitation in referring him to Ira. Once again, Ira's diligence and expertise shone through, resulting in a settlement that exceeded our expectations. If you're seeking a knowledgeable attorney who combines expertise with genuine care for his clients, Ira Maurer is an excellent choice. Our experiences have been nothing short of outstanding, and we wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of legal representation. Ira, my husband and I Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all your hard work, expertise and dedication to our case and for the many many many phone calls and emails I send you throughout these two cases and for always getting back to us promptly.
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24 Apr, 2024 by Peter rpdriguez
After being in a car accident I contacted the Maurer Law Firm . I met with Ira and he explained exactly how the law worked , what he needed from me and what my possible outcomes could be . Ira was in constant communication with me as well as his lovely assistant Isha , every question was always answered and every concern was always addressed . I'm very thankful and grateful for all of their help and hard work reaching a settlement .
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06 May, 2024 by Jess rodriguez
What a great experience with Ira and his firm! Not only is he knowledgeable and professional, he cares for his clients. He creates a a comfortable relationship through care and concern. He is always responsive and thorough, explains the process and ensures every detail is accounted for. He calls every now and again to make sure you’re ok and to give you updates on the progress he’s made. His staff is also very nice, professional and helpful at all times, it felt great having all of them in our corner. THANK YOU Ira! Vidal & Jessie
Read more Google Maps
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02 May, 2024 by Leonora
In the realm of legal representation, finding an attorney who not only possesses expertise but also genuinely cares about their clients can be rare. However, our experience with Ira Maurer has been nothing short of exceptional, prompting us to share our satisfaction with his services. One of the standout qualities of Ira Maurer is his unwavering commitment to keeping his clients informed throughout the legal process. From the initial consultation to the final settlement, he ensured that we were always in the loop, providing clarity and transparency at every step. Accessibility is another area where Ira excels. Despite his busy schedule, he consistently made himself available for discussions via phone or email, sometimes even accommodating both modes of communication to address our concerns promptly and effectively. Beyond his availability and communication skills, Ira's depth of knowledge in the legal field as well as medical field is truly impressive. He navigated complexities with ease, offering insights and strategies that showcased his mastery of the law. What sets Ira apart is not just his legal acumen but also his genuine care for his clients. He took the time to understand our unique situation, offering personalized advice and solutions that reflected his dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for us. Our journey with Ira Maurer began with my first case, where his representation led to a satisfying settlement. When my husband faced a similar situation after being rear-ended, I had no hesitation in referring him to Ira. Once again, Ira's diligence and expertise shone through, resulting in a settlement that exceeded our expectations. If you're seeking a knowledgeable attorney who combines expertise with genuine care for his clients, Ira Maurer is an excellent choice. Our experiences have been nothing short of outstanding, and we wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of legal representation. Ira, my husband and I Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all your hard work, expertise and dedication to our case and for the many many many phone calls and emails I send you throughout these two cases and for always getting back to us promptly.
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24 Apr, 2024 by Peter rpdriguez
After being in a car accident I contacted the Maurer Law Firm . I met with Ira and he explained exactly how the law worked , what he needed from me and what my possible outcomes could be . Ira was in constant communication with me as well as his lovely assistant Isha , every question was always answered and every concern was always addressed . I'm very thankful and grateful for all of their help and hard work reaching a settlement .
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23 Dec, 2021 by Chris
I worked with Carl on an ongoing family court matter. From our initial phone call. His intent and misconduct was blatantly observed. Our case was messy and long drawn out. When I tried to give Carl a summary of the history of our case. He replied "... I'm not interested in any history, when I want history I'll ask for it.". He went on to say " I'm here to reel you in Mr ......., I'm a 30 year friend of Judge -----, & I have trained both opposing counsel and the attorney for the child". ( Glad I took a friend's advice and recorded our conversation.). Although we met under pandemic and at a time social interaction was greatly limited. Carl refused to share an email. For purposes of correspondence. He advised me " If you have something to say write me a letter". When I wrote and sent certified letters to his office. They were forwarded to Teterboro NJ. The office address he provided is for a building that has been vacant for sometime. I tracked my certified letter to a post office in Hopewell. After intercepting my own letter. I was able to glean his actual office address. Which when Google searched. Comes up listed as a vaccum company. Carl refused to acknowledge my petitions, failed to come up to speed on my case, and even blew off our deadline for discovery. He files a motion to be relieved as my counsel. Stating he was well versed as to the facts and circumstances of our case. Upon his exit . I requested a copy of my file. Carl issued me a hand full of documents. Although our case had been ongoing for years and the files I have contains hundreds of documents. Carl is a the equivalent of a "hitman" for the Dutchess County Family Court. I documented instances where he did not confer with me prior to, or after appearances. There was even an instance where he didn't show for court. Oddly on that day and representing myself pro se. I was able to get the current petition dismissed. I am not the only person Carl has done this too. But I can assure you the buck stops here. I will use any and all documentation I have obtained and retained. To ensure he is no longer allowed to operate in this fashion. The detailed grievance I have compiled against Carl. Complete with audio files of his blatant misconduct. Will be filed with the Bar and any and all governing bodies. In hopes of ending this criminal behavior, and / or drawing the much needed attention. To the broke Dutchess County Family Court system. Which grossly misuses their power and is in desperate need of reform . If your are thinking of working with Carl, or Carl is appointed as your counsel. Do yourself a favour. Find someone else, or represent yourself. As Carl has one agenda. His own. See you at the bar hearing Carl! Can't wait to hear how you articulate your argument against your recorded statements.....!
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12 Jun, 2018 by Gregory
I’ve used Carl Chu as my Real-Estate attorney twice. He’s awesome. Does a great job and everything went smoothe both times. His paralegal Jeff is also great. Both made me feel like i was right at home in their office and I was extremely comfortable with their business. They advised me well. ;)
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19 Dec, 2017 by Josh
Both Carl and his para Jeff made us feel like we were their only clients. Phone calls or messages were always answered immediately, and we were always aware of what was happening now and what to expect next. We were able to pre-sign closing docs and move 2500 miles away while Cartl handled all transactions and even deposited our check in our bank. Any time an issue was raised by the opposite side, we referred it to Carl and never heard any more about it. If you want an absolutely hassle-free, hands-off transaction (and who doesn't), and you want to sleep at night knowing that somebody who knows the score is watching your back, thus is your guy.
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09 Aug, 2019 by Thomas
Mr John Ianelli was extremely helpful in a very personal matter with my family. His retainer was EXTREMELY reasonable!! And to be honest,once the case was over! I expected to recieve a final bill. Which I didn't the retainer covered everything! I highly recommend Mr John Ianelli.
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05 May, 2019 by Anonymous
John Ianelli of Fishkill, New York, had me pay thousands of dollars in retainer fees, but then when I brought my case to him, he did not appear to have any knowledge on steps to be taken for my case. He seemed like he did at first, and I had to continue paying him for his time. I finally felt a gut feeling to switch attorneys and the other attorney, upon viewing the paperwork, saw very obvious mistakes that Ianelli made. I felt that I had been "had." I did not wish to pursue legal action against Ianelli because I had already plopped down so much money and felt emotionally spent from the situation. I just don't want others to fall down this same rabbit hole.
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18 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Did Not return calls or finish in a reasonable timely manner. Created additional time consuming totally unnecessary work and unnecessary expenses.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case's strengths, weaknesses, and the likelihood of success.
  3. What is your fee structure?
    Clarify how you'll be charged, whether by the hour, a flat fee, or on a contingency basis.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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