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10 Oct, 2023 by Luke seaton
Mr.Martines is a wonderful man and a really great lawyer. He has worked 3 cases for me in the past and I will always choose his firm over anyone else he’s very good at what he does. If you need a good attorney to go to bat for you please trust Barry he will get you what you deserve.
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23 Jun, 2023 by Elias
Barry Martines, is a great attorney and he knows his profession like no other. Awesome man with the biggest heart.
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19 Feb, 2023 by Diana trevino
I have known Barry Martinez for many years he is very honest and very professional . I would recommend him to anybody he will fight for you for what you’re entitled to. He won my case I’ll give you five stars
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18 Jul, 2024 by Brittani williams
Tate law office has to be one of the best law offices there is. They’re so understanding and make you feel very comfortable. I love the fact that they get everything done in a timely fashion. If you ever get in a accident I highly recommend Tate Law office. Thanks again guys.
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22 May, 2024 by Bryan weir
We had an awesome experience with our case I was seriously injured as a passenger in a car wreck and they were great took excellent care of me and my family
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16 May, 2024 by Erin lawrence
Tate injury law made this experience so easy and answered every question I had promptly about what to expect. They also fought to get me a great settlement and not just go with the first offer. They definitely fought for me.
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18 Jul, 2024 by Brittani williams
Tate law office has to be one of the best law offices there is. They’re so understanding and make you feel very comfortable. I love the fact that they get everything done in a timely fashion. If you ever get in a accident I highly recommend Tate Law office. Thanks again guys.
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22 May, 2024 by Bryan weir
We had an awesome experience with our case I was seriously injured as a passenger in a car wreck and they were great took excellent care of me and my family
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16 May, 2024 by Erin lawrence
Tate injury law made this experience so easy and answered every question I had promptly about what to expect. They also fought to get me a great settlement and not just go with the first offer. They definitely fought for me.
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25 Oct, 2024 by Colby gallatin
Graham has been with me every step of the way through this process. My case was dismissed due to his hard work and skills. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
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21 Oct, 2024 by Luis granados
5 star lawyer , Highly recommended he’s always on time , Honest and professional , he Got me out of jail and still fought for my case in less then two months when I got out he got my case from 1st degree felony to a state jail felony , God bless this young man and keep doing what you’re doing 👍🏻
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21 Oct, 2024 by Ally turner
Graham Norris was the BEST thing to happen to me during a time of crisis. He was extremely knowledgeable, professional, understanding, and kind. Not once did he condescend or judge me for the situation I was in. I’ll never forget him or what he did to help me. THANK YOU GRAHAM!!!!
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07 Jul, 2024 by Reg914
My traffic offense was dismissed quickly. Attorney was very professional and listened to my case. I Highly recommend using their services to save time and money!
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02 Apr, 2024 by Thomas
I have a CDL and got a speeding ticket. He was able to get my Ticket dismissed and I was able to keep my job!!
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23 Aug, 2023 by Mireya
It’s always a great experience having them as lawyers never fails the best outcomes very grateful for Hawkins & Walker angels I tell you.
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28 Sep, 2023 by Christian
As a father of a 5-year-old boy, I honestly couldn't ask for better lawyers to represent me in court. Lisa and Kevin normally work with me and they are AMAZING! Extremely professional, punctual, and great at communicating with me both in and out of the courtroom. One of the district judges even said I have the best family lawyers in the county. I gotta say, I agree with him. I could go on and on about how great they are but I'd be here all day. If you have a family case hire them! Especially if you're a father!!
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21 Apr, 2022 by Sarai
I would definitely recommend the Law office of J. Kevin Clark, P.C. because I felt forgotten by my previous attorney.Even though my case was difficult, Lisa Peterchuck was able to make me feel heard and assured me that my rights were being defended. I’m so glad I went with this law office because thanks to them, I was able to move forward with my life. They were always there to hear my concerns and doubts. They were compassionate in these difficult times. They always took the time to explain things to me and Mary Garcia, the paralegal, was able to explain to me the legal terminology in my own language. They saved me money, time and stress by helping me settle my case in mediation. They pay attention to details.I will always be grateful to my lawyer Lisa Peterchuck and the Law Office of J. Kevin Clark, P.C.
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31 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
An absolutely outstanding law firm. They dealt with my divorce case. I had two attorneys prior that were getting bullied and dropping the ball on key items that ended up costing me time and excess money. Not all divorces are equal.
Some are extremely complex with assets and personalities. Lisa Peterchuck is an absolute tier 1 attorney and can handle complex cases both from a personality standpoint and asset standpoint.
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22 Jul, 2024 by Alex krus
The best around!
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14 Sep, 2023 by Lorna parrish
20 Nov, 2022 by Sam story
12 Oct, 2018 by Lisa
Kelly assisted with my divorce and she was amazing through the entire thing. She is knowledgeable and realistic. She won’t convince you to “over reach” and displays compassion and sympathy throughput the process. Furthermore, she got the judge to agree to my ex signing a voluntary parental relinquishment of my son, which I hear is actually pretty difficult. Her and her entire staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly throughout processes that are naturally difficult. I would definitely hire her again.
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17 Jan, 2017 by Teri
You know that slimy, slick feeling you may get when speaking to a lawyer? Not for a moment did I ever feel that way with Kelly. She was gracious enough to take my custody case when my previous lawyer failed and I thought I stood no chance at winning custody of my kids.
Kelly was kind, firm, and my voice of reason when I thought I was drowning. She left no stone unturned against my ex and destroyed any credibility he thought he had. Not to mention, she was incredibly polite, organized, and likeable in front of the judge.
I say with absolute honesty that I never would have won custody without Kelly. She knew exactly how to pick apart his lies and show the judge why he was unfit to have them.
Kelly is worth her weight in gold. I thank my lucky stars every night knowing that my kids are where they belong.
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12 Mar, 2016 by Laura
Kelly did an excellent job helping my husband and me get custody of our granddaughter. The judge had already made up her mind before hearing any of the litigants, but Kelly convinced the judge to listen to our side. Kelly used her skills to get the family court judge to do a complete 180 and find for us. Thank you, Kelly. We will be forever grateful to you for helping us rescue a little girl from a terrible situation.
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27 Dec, 2019 by Molly
Rod Tanner is who you'll want. He's served our local's needs for many years with sound and effective advice. When we have questions, he's a rapid and patient responder. No matter the issue, he keeps us informed and prepared for whatever may come our way. Greatly appreciated bonuses are his great sense of humor and an obvious love of his work. We can't imagine anyone better.
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27 Jul, 2015 by Walter
Rod reviewed the facts of my case and told me he felt I had a strong case for age discrimination. He clearly discussed the risks and the steps that would be taken during the entire process. He demonstrated excellent knowledge of EEOC procedures as well as the judicial processes. During the EEOC mediation hearing, he countered every point of law advanced by the company's lawyer and quickly noted errors in their documents. He was very knowledgable of all the judges in Collin county and always kept me informed of pluses and minuses in our case. He was never too optimistic or pessimistic about our case and always presented facts. A satisfactory settlement was reached before the case went to trial. I feel that Rod is the best employment attorney in North Texas!
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24 Jul, 2015 by Candice
Mr. Tanner is hands down the most Proactive yet compassionate lawyer I have ever seen... I am a Hairstylist so looking for a competent lawyer can be very intimidating.... So I was so relieved after meeting Mr. Tanner.. He went above and beyond for me.. I now know that nothing is impossible..
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13 Dec, 2023 by David m
01 Apr, 2022 by Joe box
29 May, 2021 by Hayden berryhill
21 Sep, 2018 by Bev
Bravo Marshall!
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your hard work and success with my case. I could not have done it without your help and expertise. You are the BEST!!
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06 Feb, 2017 by Takiyah
When you get dragged into a family law case, I promise you that it is going to be one of the most stressful and devastating times of your life. You will be emotionally drained, financially drained, and mentally drained the entire time you endure your case.
Coming from someone who was dragged into a custody battle, please heed the following advice:
FIND YOURSELF A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY WHO IS A STRONG LITIGATOR.
You may be tempted to hire your next attorney based off of their firm’s advertisements. I’m sure you have seen the firms that advertise they are the “the father’s rights firm,” or they “exclusively practice family law.” As reassuring as these marketing claims may sound, their extensive knowledge of the law should not be the selling point for you. It needs to be their extensive knowledge of the law AND LITIGATION that convinces you to pull out your wallet and retain them.
There are a lot of family law attorneys who know the law, but they are NOT strong litigators. Trust me because I had to pay for TWO lawyers who fell into this category and I was getting beat up without mercy in court. I literally had a meltdown because I was getting beat up in court so much with one of the other attorneys that I genuinely felt like I was going to lose my child.
I finally got wise, dumped my previous attorney, and hired my next lawyer from Justice Law Firm.
Anyone can know how the rules of a particular game work on paper, but that doesn’t mean that they know how to move and work their opponent on the court.
A LITIGATING attorney knows how the rules work on paper, but more importantly, they know how to move and work your opponent (opposing party) on the court.
You need a strong litigator because the family court is a place where lies abound. Expect everyone to lie about everything and if you have a strong, litigating attorney, he or she is going to easily expose just how much the opposing party is lying.
Had I not retained Justice Law Firm, a boutique family law firm with LITIGATING attorneys, most of the lies that the opposing party was trying to tell would have made into the court room and I could have potentially paid three times as much money fighting in court as I did.
My particular attorney, Marshall Jacobini, is a very strong litigator! In court, Marshall shut down the opposing party’s lies all throughout her testimony and during cross-examination.
His litigation style is structured, calm, collected, and focused, but irritatingly persistent. This litigation style made the opposing party reveal her aggressive, combative, and manipulative nature in front of the judge.
Marshall Jacobini is a very perceptive strategist. He is a lethal combination for the opposing party because of his legal knowledge, litigation style, and his candidness in telling you (his client) the truth about your shortcomings and strengths. He does a great job at communicating with you and framing your expectations in court so you can come out of this war with the least amount of damage and scarring as possible.
He knows how to read a court room and work his legal arguments accordingly to strategically give you the best possible outcome given your particular circumstance.
More impressively, he came in and cleaned up in 3 days what my former attorney from another prestigious law firm in the area had messed up for five months.
He caught a number of errors in my suit that my former attorney had overlooked. The result was that Marshall got my case dismissed.
Marshall Jacobini, Tracey Justice, and the rest of the staff at Justice Law Firm stopped the bleeding for me. They stopped the mental, emotional, and financial bleeding. For that, I will forever be their biggest advocates. You can and should trust this team with the future of your family because I assure you, they will fight for you like you are a part of theirs!
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29 Oct, 2016 by Jeff
I was in serious need of new counsel after my very unreliable lawyer withdrew from my case right before final trial. Mr. Jacobini took the time to guide me through the process to handle the situation as best I could literally days before my final custody hearing. I can't express how helpful he was in informing me of my options and steps required to take action and calm my fears, all this just during an extended consultation. In a sea of sharks here is a solid stand up reliable fella who will have your back and truly represent your best interests and if my motion for continuance goes through in court you can bet I'm going to try like hell to hire him.
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11 Feb, 2019 by Carlos
Great attorney, Mr.Shaw got the least probation time offered to me dropped even lower than the first offer. I honestly feel like i have another chance to do the right thing with my life thanks to Mr.Shaw for getting me the minimum time possible. He was a appointed to me by the court yet still treated me like a paying client and reached out to whoever he could to get me the opportunity to correct my life before it got alot worse. Would 10/10 recommend him to a friend or anyone for that matter. It’s obvious that he cares about all of his clients, appointed or hired.
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13 Jan, 2019 by Andrea
He got my charges completely dismissed, and thanks to his help, I can move on with my life. He was always there to answer any questions I had and is very knowledgeable. He represented me pro-bono and still treated me like any paying client, which says a lot about his passion for helping people. I 110% would recommend his services, he will go the distance!
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12 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Mr. Shaw actually was my boyfriends court appointed attorney. Typically you hear about the fears of having a court appointed attorney vs being able to hire an attorney. Mr. Shaw displayed compassion, and i could tell that he cares about each case reguardless if he is hired by a client or assigned as someones court appointed attorney. I believe he fights just as he would if he were being paid by someone who hired him to represent them or not. He was wonderful, and explained everything to us to make sure we understood, and the outcome was great! I would recomment him to anyone without a flinch!
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16 Nov, 2023 by Babyhighspeed
I did a consultation with Jason West and he was knowledgeable, kind and ready to go ASAP. However, with that simple consultation, it gave me the ammo I needed and caused the people trying to do me wrong to change their mind.
I am sorry but not sorry I didn't need y'all's services further, but I definitely know who I will call if I need a lawyer again.
Thanks Jason!
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08 Sep, 2023 by Yolica betancourt
Jason West is a very good attorney.
He helped me with some documents I needed to start my online travel agency.
He was very kind although, I went there with my baby who was watching some videos on my cellphone 😂
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07 Jul, 2023 by Mike copeland
I had a brief call with Jason West. He was polite, very knowledgeable and upfront with pricing. Would recommend!
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07 Jul, 2017 by Daniel
Scott represented on an eviction, which He won based on the notice was not received only the summons to appear from the constable. He had to do an Exparte for a Writ of ReEntry due to the person not adherring to the Dismal of the Eviction. Today we had the hearing on the Writ of ReEntry which Scott and his partner Bryce won. They are beyond excellent litigator. These two gentlemen are my attorneys for life. Highly Highly recommend Scott and Phillips PLLC.
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27 Jan, 2017 by Kelly
He gave me advice in 2014 I didn't take, in a divorce I should have gotten. Now its 2017 and here we go again. Scott has been very diligent in helping me this time around, and has done an excellent job with only 3 days notice getting everything filed, and keeping me calm while explaining everything in great detail. I'm currently in Pa. So its been very tricky. I have a lot of faith in Mr. Phillips he's always gone above and beyond, and his advice is golden. I definitely recommend him!!
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14 Dec, 2014 by Zakk
Scott Phillips is a dedicated attorney, he has worked with me on two separate but critical issues concerning my wife's affairs and both times found inventive creative solutions to our issues. I would recommend him for any and all legal needs.
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20 Dec, 2014 by Vince
When the roofs at my apartment property were damaged in a hail storm, my insurance company told me the repair costs were less than my deductible, and denied my claim. I called Victor Huhem to assist me. Within a few months, the insurance company paid me over $100,000 to fix the roofs. I'd recommend Victor to anyone in need of an attorney. He's professional, honest, and very good!
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09 Dec, 2014 by Carlos
Mr. Huhem is an excellent attorney. He was well prepared for our trial, and we got a result that was much better than expected. Well worth the price to retain him.
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08 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
When my apartment complex was plagued with numerous evictions I hired Victor to not only handle the evictions but to advise me on how to avoid future problems. He and his team worked with us from start to finish and got everything taken care of with minimal complications. I saved a lot of time, headaches, & money by working with Victor.
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27 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Ms. Kelly was professional, courteous, prompt, fair, and understood my needs, getting back to me fast with what I needed. I highly recommend Ms. Kelly for any of your employment needs. She is fast, thorough, and ensures you understand all of your options. I am sure I will use her services again in my future. Thank you Ms. Kelly.
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27 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Lynn was very helpful with providing advice on an employment law situation I was dealing with at my office. She is very knowledgeable and I would recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance in employment law matters.
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04 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Lynn Kelly was very knowledgable in employment matters as it relates to non compete agreements. I called her and left a message and she returned my call within an hour, which I was impressed because I had called other law firms and have yet to return a call to this day. She took the time to listen my situation and reassured me that she could handle our matter. She is extremely timely and easy to work with and handled our legal matter in 24 hours! What a great attorney to have. Thank you for all you do!
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24 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Great consultation. Even though he couldnt represent me he offered great advice.
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05 Apr, 2016 by Margaret
I e- mailed Jarrod King about a problem I was having with and ex-landlord who is threating to sue me to collect damages he said we cause by pet urine on floors. We never had a pet but still felt we needed someone to help us work with this. Mr King called me with in 5 minutes of receiving my e-mail to tell me he did not do this type of lawyer but referred me to someone who does. He went out of his way to help me and think he cares about people who need are in need of help. I would recommend him to anyone needing an attorney.
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24 Mar, 2011 by Todd miller, president worth benefits & consultants, inc.
Jared has been advising my firm since it opened it's doors nearly 2 years ago. I look to Jared for advice on better protecting my business and he never fails. I have also recommended many of my clients and colleagues to Jared and he has always gone abve and beyond for each and everyone of them.
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13 May, 2015 by Mandy
To be honest, I hated every step of my divorce but will never regret my decision to hire Leslie Burgoyne. My ex-husband and I were entering into a nasty child custody battle together and our situation was very complicated. Not only was Leslie upfront, honest, diligent, and thorough, she was extremely knowledgeable in our particular situation. That alone was invaluable. Divorces are difficult enough alone but with the added complications, Leslie represented my case quite well and helped me win. Leslie's rates are very affordable. A great affordable attorney is one of a kind. I would very much recommend her services to anyone.
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29 Apr, 2015 by Douglas
I hired Leslie Joyce Burgoyne for a criminal incident. She not only represented me to the fullest but also advised me on the upsides and downsides of the plea. She is very knowledgeable and eager.
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29 Apr, 2015 by Tiffany
I have used Leslie Burgoyne several times from cases ranging from divorce and custody to fighting a lawsuit. I will never use anyone else. She is a straight shooter and a hard worker!
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09 Jun, 2015 by Mike
Very professional and informative. Described the process and managed my expectations. Kept me informed. Made me comfortable with deposition. Negotiated professionally and at the same time kept me in the loop with regard to what to expect. Very happy with the results and would recommend her highly.
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15 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Melissa was great to work with, easy to talk to, quick with responses and flexible. She is professional and is great at what she does. Would hire again without hesitation.
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08 Jan, 2015 by Jessica
Melissa Kates is honest, smart and dedicated. She represented me in a case and her attention to detail and strong backgroud made my experience easy. I would recommend her to anyone I know. It was a rewarding experience because of Melissa Kates.
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01 Apr, 2019 by Samuel
Mr. Ridgeway was a very effective and helpful counsel in a number of cases in which he represented me. He was always effective in achieving the objectives. He is well versed and savvy in his areas of legal expertise. I would definitely retain him again as my legal counsel.
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05 May, 2016 by Mary
Mr Ridgeway has helped me several times, once in getting out of a bad contract. I have always been satisfied with his knowledge and determination.
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31 Mar, 2015 by Ken
Mr. Ridgeway was a very effective and helpful counsel in my recent defense against a suit brought on by the Arlington Independent School District. In fact, he was probably more accommodating to me than I was to him. He kept me informed as to when the case appeared on the docket and apprised me of the procedures involved. He is well versed and savvy in his areas of legal expertise. I would definitely retain him again as my legal counsel.
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02 Feb, 2015 by Jay
Sean has been instrumental over the years protecting our interests. As a specialty contractor, we deal with property owners, developers, general contractors, supplier and labor sub contractors. No matter what we bring to him, Sean has had several options and helped us decided the best course of action for both our immediate needs and long term goals.
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21 Jan, 2015 by Hap
My evil step-sister (the Trustee) was jerking around the other beneficiaries of my dad's will, and Sean helped us not only stop her from selling my dad's house out from under us, he kept on her lawyer to get him to step up and perform the necessary tasks in a timely manner. AND, all while maintaining his professionalism, humor, and manners. Quite the feat ! I recommend Sean Looney wholeheartedly without reservation for any estate matters.
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19 Jan, 2015 by Michael
Sean did a great job and was a tremendous help. I was buying into an existing partnership and he helped me with the related partnership agreement, purchase agreement, and provided very relevant business advice as I went through the transition.
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08 Jul, 2021 by Debbie
Kyle has help me with a couple of situations. He is extremely professional, attentive, and trustworthy. I would highly recommend. I would never use anyone else.
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12 Apr, 2016 by Robert
Kyle help me settle a difficult probate case. He was very professional and always stayed in contact about the case.
I would highly recommend Kyle to represent you.
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18 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Kyle did a great job on my case, getting me resolution even though my step-father keeps causing trouble! I would not recommend any other attorney!
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19 Aug, 2014 by James
Our company hired Jim Williams and his law firm to help us with our business formation, incorporation, start up and transactional issues. We continue to use the firm for ongoing legal needs, and are very grateful for the insightful advice and assistance that we have received. When it comes to serving the needs of a business like ours, we would look to no other group of attorneys. This is a superb group of Texas business attorneys, experienced, highly qualified and extremely knowledgeable. It is obvious that the number one goal is client satisfaction. They aim to please. I would easily rate them a 10 out of 10.
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30 Apr, 2013 by Robert
Our company has hired Jim on numerous occasions over the years and we've got nothing but great things to say about Jim and the firm. He will always take the fight to the other side and seems to always good fantastic outcomes, whether it be in trial or with a great settlement. I wish all lawyers were as dedicated as Jim, and for Texas litigation, you can't go wrong with these guys.
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05 Sep, 2010 by Debraca
After one of the most horrible years of my life, This gentleman showed me that there are honorable and caring lawyers who put themselves in their clients shoes. He is by far, one of the kindest and most honest individuals that I have ever dealt with professionally. His understanding and compassion for my situation was unsurpassed. Allmand and Lee is lucky to have him as a part of their legal team.
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11 Jul, 2008 by Anonymous
Mr. Barrett was the most caring and devoted Attorney I have ever had the pleasure of being involved with. He went above and beyond in the performance of my needs. I highly recommend Mr. Barrett to anyone in need of a competent, concerned and professional Attorney.
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08 Dec, 2016 by Julie
Mr. Staples's helped me when my dad passed away & my dad left us in a mess, Mr.staples helped us , so much & he went above & behond.I would highly recommend him to anyone.
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01 Dec, 2016 by David johnson
You would not normally think that I was talking about an attorney when I mention honesty and integrity. Since I have only known George for about 30 years, I can honestly say that he has saved my butt at least 3 times and maybe more. He provides legal advice combined with practical business knowledge, and then you add in some good old basic horse sense. If you want a good attorney, pick a name off of the internet. If you want a great attorney, then pick George.
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17 May, 2019 by Anonymous
We went in for advice on a property matter and he solved the issue and also other issues we did not even know we needed.
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04 Sep, 2015 by Laurel
Eric negotiated a Surface Use Agreement and Pipeline Right of Way for us with a large oil/gas company. His knowledge base was comprehensive for all the subtopics dealt with in these agreements. He was readily available and prompt in his interactions with us and the company's reps. He is also just a very nice person to work with. He will be our go to legal expert for any future legal oil/gas needs.
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23 Oct, 2017 by Glen
Worked very hard on my project and was able to get it thrown out of court on a business matter. Found a problem in the case that other attorneys missed.
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19 Jul, 2022 by Charlie lujan
I earlier today spoke to Brad Linder of the Sawaya law firm. I am not a client. I actually have an attorney from a different law firm. I only called Sawyer about some questions I had that I did not feel my attorney was answering correctly. Brad was very professional and extremely helpful. Gave me every piece of information that I needed. He actually even told me that it would be in my best interest to stay with the attorney I had, as I would make less money if I acquired another attorney. I could not have asked for more. I give this law firm five stars, I would give more if possible.
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23 Aug, 2019 by Paige payne
Awesome attorney!
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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:
-
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.
