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24 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
To Anyone Seeking An Attorney:
This letter is a testimonial for attorney Ken Chyten from two very grateful clients. We would like to say at the start that we consider ourselves fortunate to have had Ken Chyten as our advocate. He is an exemplary attorney, and we give him our highest and most unqualified recommendation.
We are a married couple who were involved in very complex and highly contentious business litigation. From the outset, and during the entire course of the lawsuit, Ken showed a keen grasp of the legal issues. He kept us informed of everything as it transpired, and was accessible whenever we needed him, including evenings and weekends. Ken demonstrated an incomparable work ethic, and a phenomenal commitment to thorough preparation.
Ken was opposed in our case by a very large and prominent law firm. Ken responded with tenacity and brilliance, while always being composed, adroit, and confident. Ken’s litigation strategy was ingenious, and his implementation of that strategy was unparalleled. If Ken Chyten is your attorney, you can rest assured that if your case goes to trial, you will be going to trial with a thoroughly prepared advocate who will have thought through every aspect of the case, and who will have covered every last detail.
Ken’s billing is transparent and fair. Indeed, he has been generous and considerate in the extreme. He is a man of honor and integrity; a true man of his word. We have come through the crucible of litigation considering Ken to be not only a supremely competent, razor-sharp attorney, but a good friend as well.
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10 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
Ken Chyten recently handled a breach of contract law suit for me. Unlike most other firms, Ken does not have big overhead costs that you get billed for. He handles the cases from start to finish with no duplicate charges for a paralegal, admin assistant, associate attorney etc. In my case, I was able to work in collaboration with Ken. He listened to and reviewed my concerns, my arguments and evidence and then negotiated with the counter-party to achieve a favorable outcome after a long and protracted battle by the counter-party. I was very pleased with the outcome and am confident that a similar result would have cost me much more at most other large or small law firms. Ken knows his stuff and is diligent and hard working for his clients. I highly recommend him in the areas he practices.
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02 Oct, 2013 by Paul
When my litigation law firm in Sydney needed to recover a large sum in California, we did our research and Ken came highly recommended. We were not disappointed. Ken undertook our matter with zeal and thoroughness. He saw off a number of large law firms who represented our opponents and easily outperformed all of the other lawyers involved. Ken’s tactics were brilliant, and he was aggressive and tenacious. We achieved a spectacular result that surpassed our expectations and was much quicker than we had hoped. Without doubt Ken is one of the finest lawyers I have ever met. I only wish he was in Australia and I could retain him more often.
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28 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
Greg May reviewed my case dismissed on summary judgment, gave me an honest assessment of its merits, the risks, and proceeded to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. His research was thorough but efficient; the resulting briefs read like a conversation between legal scholars, and the quality of his work was even commented on by the Court. The result was a stunning reversal. On any level of what a client expects in professional representation I could not make a higher recommendation.
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14 Aug, 2018 by Jackie
Greg has helped me with 5 cases in the past couple years and I have hit home runs each time.
The first of these was a business/employment dispute which I was successful in trial. The defendants appealed, and we in turn also appealed the attorneys fees portion of the case. Greg wrote our appeal and the opposition to their appeal. He is meticulous, well reasoned, and for me 100% successful. He argued our case on appeal. We won on our opposition and we won on our attorneys fees appeal which was remanded to trial court and the fees multiplied as a result.
Greg helped us on two Employment MSJ oppositions, both of which were successful...One in federal court, and one in state court. Both cases were later settled in large part due to the quality of Greg's arguments.
The fourth case in which I received Greg's assistance was an appeal on a trial in which we were successful against one Defendant and unsuccessful against a second - premises liability case. After Greg's thorough briefing on appeal, the respondents called us to settle and gave us everything we requested on appeal plus interest and appellate costs.
Finally, we have one more case pending in appellate court. In this employment case, our case was dismissed out of state court. We appealed using Greg as our appellate counsel. The opposition was so weak that we didn't bother to reply and are currently awaiting argument to be set.
I cannot recommend Greg enough. He is amazing. Smart. Thorough. My not so secret weapon to success in difficult situations!
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13 Oct, 2015 by Jeff
Greg is experienced, knowledgeable, works hard for his clients and he is reasonable in his fees. I have referred to him and used his services and will in the future.
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25 May, 2018 by Charlene
I live in Alabama. My daughter in law lives in Germany. My son was killed in motorcycle accident in Ventura. A woman claimed to be his wife with fraudulent divorce papers and a marriage license had taken everything. I had very little money and not much help from anyone. I was given Attorney Simpkins name. She told me she would do what she could. The case kept getting more and more difficult. Other attorneys told her she could not win. My friends who practice law said it could not be won. On May 23, we went before the judge. She won everything we asked. I cannot give enough praise for what she has done for me and my family. She would say " I just want to win this." She has been a God sent Angel.
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26 May, 2016 by Anonymous
She really cares about her clients and the children involved, and wants what is fair and right for everyone. She did a great job winning my case she is very involved in her cases. Would completely recommend her
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25 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Myself and my family are very thankful for Mrs. Harveen Simpkins. She helped me gain full custody of my son. She went above and beyond the call of her duty and through her dedication and perseverance, she helped me achieve victory. She was always right along side of me through the most difficult time of my life, and for that she will always be an important part of my life. God bless her and her family.
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23 Sep, 2024 by Holly barrow
Aweful experience. I was handed a folder full of "how much money and how many magazines I've been in". Then they declined our case even though a ventura doctor was the main cause of my father's sudden passing because it wouldn't make the law office millions and he told us Ventura county is allowed to hire D- doctors. Now we lost our dad, the doctor kept practicing and my mom struggled for years because my dad was the bread winner.
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15 Sep, 2024 by Nataliee bonilla
Honestly the best service i could have asked for any questions or concerns i had were addressed and handles. Highly recommend Karen.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Karie ragan
The thought of filing for bankruptcy was terrifying, feeling scared and not knowing what to do was awful. I was referred to Karen by a friend, I called and she was able to schedule a consult right away. She made me feel so comfortable and explained the whole process step by step. She made me feel like I was doing the right thing and that everything was going to be okay. She was there every step of the way and answered all of my questions. She made the process easy and painless. Her office was great and reminding me of what what documents were needed and when. She followed up after everything was done and was there if I had any questions or concerns. I would definitely recommend her.
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29 Aug, 2024 by John garcia
I Juan Garcia the Shermer firm highly recommended in auto accidents.they sent me to the medical doctors for my injuries.the attorney and assistances were very helpful on the case I was very pleased on the outcome thank you 😊
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22 Aug, 2024 by Nazario dorado silva
Excellent service very professional and made this whole process stress free I highly recommend the Schurmer firm.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Robert coronado
Amazing communication throughout the entire process the entire process! Met with Attorney Schurmer twice, which is something that I have never experienced, usually they are to busy. Again amazing experience
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24 Jul, 2024 by A r
We hired Kendall VanConas and this firm to update our estate - they initially said they'd print our documents and give return them to us in a day or two - instead they took weeks just to print copies of our estate documents and only gave them back weeks later after we had to prompt them and ask for them.
After that, we had to continually call and send emails to repeatedly ask when we were going to ever hear from them about our estate planning after our initial meeting in May, we were told their assistant went on vacation so they were behind and would try to catch up soon (but still never heard anything from them after that), weeks went by and again we reached out to ask when things would move forward and were told Kendall had surgery and had "gotten behind" on things in her recovery (We were never told she was out for a medical leave prior to that). We had to contact them again on July 1st only to be told they were all out of the office until after July 8th - this firm doesn't do work, they do billing and make excuses, that's about it.
They also refused to give us notes from the one meeting we had with them - for which we were billed $750 and told, the notes from that meeting were "privy for them" not for us so our request for a recap of our own estate planning meeting was refused.
Do not waste your time with this firm, they have NO incentive to move forward with your project or estate planning, they will take you as a client then sit on your estate planning and DO NOTHING, but bill you for any meetings, then drop the ball, and you will never hear from them again, very unprofessional and our experience with them was completely frustrating and a total waste of our time, as well as costly - as we got nothing from our $750 meeting with them, not even an outline or meeting recap of the notes they took from our estate planning meeting.
They also don't communicate at all, and never told us about the lead attorney's surgery or time out from the office for her recovery - and apparently, no one else in the firm does anything. (They take a full week off for July 4th - the entire firm apparently, as no one responded to our July 1 email as they were all "out of the office until after July 8th). After July 8th we still heard NOTHING. Kendall told us she would follow up with a timeline of our estate planning status the following week, but she never did, and that never happened.
When they had an assistant out of the office that also apparently makes all their work come to a screeching halt - all of this is inexcusable, unprofessional and is a poor representation of a firm that is supposed to be on their game helping people update their estate planning.
You will likely pass away before they ever get to updating your estate - we moved on and found a much better firm that actually does work, and would strongly recommend people stay away from this firm if they need something done in a reasonable time and feel communication is important at all, as this firm doesn't communicate, they make excuses when you reach out because if you hire them, you will be the one doing all the planning and reaching out, they do not do anything at all but sit on your estate planning and watch time go by!
From the first meeting in May until we fired them in July for a span of almost 2 months, we had one meeting, they copied our files and then absolutely nothing else ever happened in moving forward with our estate planning - they never gave us a timeline for getting it done, which we asked about for 3 weeks, but they never provided a timeline because they had no plan to do the work or had decided for some reason due to their incompetence and lack of continuity in their own office and within their staff's capability to take years to do an update on our estate planning.
This firm is not doing anything but taking business then sitting on it, doing meetings with clients and refusing to give the clients any notes or minutes from meetings clients are being billed for! There are firms that do effective estate planning, but sadly, this isn't one of them.
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02 Jul, 2024 by A g
Poor representation.
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27 May, 2024 by India smith
Great service highly recommended
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24 Jul, 2024 by A r
We hired Kendall VanConas and this firm to update our estate - they initially said they'd print our documents and give return them to us in a day or two - instead they took weeks just to print copies of our estate documents and only gave them back weeks later after we had to prompt them and ask for them.
After that, we had to continually call and send emails to repeatedly ask when we were going to ever hear from them about our estate planning after our initial meeting in May, we were told their assistant went on vacation so they were behind and would try to catch up soon (but still never heard anything from them after that), weeks went by and again we reached out to ask when things would move forward and were told Kendall had surgery and had "gotten behind" on things in her recovery (We were never told she was out for a medical leave prior to that). We had to contact them again on July 1st only to be told they were all out of the office until after July 8th - this firm doesn't do work, they do billing and make excuses, that's about it.
They also refused to give us notes from the one meeting we had with them - for which we were billed $750 and told, the notes from that meeting were "privy for them" not for us so our request for a recap of our own estate planning meeting was refused.
Do not waste your time with this firm, they have NO incentive to move forward with your project or estate planning, they will take you as a client then sit on your estate planning and DO NOTHING, but bill you for any meetings, then drop the ball, and you will never hear from them again, very unprofessional and our experience with them was completely frustrating and a total waste of our time, as well as costly - as we got nothing from our $750 meeting with them, not even an outline or meeting recap of the notes they took from our estate planning meeting.
They also don't communicate at all, and never told us about the lead attorney's surgery or time out from the office for her recovery - and apparently, no one else in the firm does anything. (They take a full week off for July 4th - the entire firm apparently, as no one responded to our July 1 email as they were all "out of the office until after July 8th). After July 8th we still heard NOTHING. Kendall told us she would follow up with a timeline of our estate planning status the following week, but she never did, and that never happened.
When they had an assistant out of the office that also apparently makes all their work come to a screeching halt - all of this is inexcusable, unprofessional and is a poor representation of a firm that is supposed to be on their game helping people update their estate planning.
You will likely pass away before they ever get to updating your estate - we moved on and found a much better firm that actually does work, and would strongly recommend people stay away from this firm if they need something done in a reasonable time and feel communication is important at all, as this firm doesn't communicate, they make excuses when you reach out because if you hire them, you will be the one doing all the planning and reaching out, they do not do anything at all but sit on your estate planning and watch time go by!
From the first meeting in May until we fired them in July for a span of almost 2 months, we had one meeting, they copied our files and then absolutely nothing else ever happened in moving forward with our estate planning - they never gave us a timeline for getting it done, which we asked about for 3 weeks, but they never provided a timeline because they had no plan to do the work or had decided for some reason due to their incompetence and lack of continuity in their own office and within their staff's capability to take years to do an update on our estate planning.
This firm is not doing anything but taking business then sitting on it, doing meetings with clients and refusing to give the clients any notes or minutes from meetings clients are being billed for! There are firms that do effective estate planning, but sadly, this isn't one of them.
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02 Jul, 2024 by A g
Poor representation.
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27 May, 2024 by India smith
Great service highly recommended
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21 Aug, 2024 by Deana castaneda
Mr. Herman is a fantastic lawyer! From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could understand. I was impressed by his expertise and professionalism and the outstanding outcome of my case. I highly recommend The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman!
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16 Aug, 2024 by David arroyo jr
Mr. Herman is amazing and one of the most consistent, reliable, and caring individuals you can work with. His communication through the whole process is top-notch. He gives you proper expectations through the whole process.
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14 Aug, 2024 by Carlos aguilar
I want to personally thank Jeff for the amazing job he did with mine and my girlfriends auto accident case. Thank you Jeff for going above and beyond mine and my girlfriends expectations when we contacted you. You are one knowledgeable, attentive, emphatic, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, caring, and approachble lawyer. Thank you for everything you did sir! I truly from the bottom of my heart appreciate what you did for me and helping us resolve our auto accident claim in a timely manner. You are one heck of an attorney!! I will always talk greatly about you and send you referrals! Thank you!!!
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Deana castaneda
Mr. Herman is a fantastic lawyer! From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could understand. I was impressed by his expertise and professionalism and the outstanding outcome of my case. I highly recommend The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman!
Read more
16 Aug, 2024 by David arroyo jr
Mr. Herman is amazing and one of the most consistent, reliable, and caring individuals you can work with. His communication through the whole process is top-notch. He gives you proper expectations through the whole process.
Read more
14 Aug, 2024 by Carlos aguilar
I want to personally thank Jeff for the amazing job he did with mine and my girlfriends auto accident case. Thank you Jeff for going above and beyond mine and my girlfriends expectations when we contacted you. You are one knowledgeable, attentive, emphatic, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, caring, and approachble lawyer. Thank you for everything you did sir! I truly from the bottom of my heart appreciate what you did for me and helping us resolve our auto accident claim in a timely manner. You are one heck of an attorney!! I will always talk greatly about you and send you referrals! Thank you!!!
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Deana castaneda
Mr. Herman is a fantastic lawyer! From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could understand. I was impressed by his expertise and professionalism and the outstanding outcome of my case. I highly recommend The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman!
Read more
16 Aug, 2024 by David arroyo jr
Mr. Herman is amazing and one of the most consistent, reliable, and caring individuals you can work with. His communication through the whole process is top-notch. He gives you proper expectations through the whole process.
Read more
14 Aug, 2024 by Carlos aguilar
I want to personally thank Jeff for the amazing job he did with mine and my girlfriends auto accident case. Thank you Jeff for going above and beyond mine and my girlfriends expectations when we contacted you. You are one knowledgeable, attentive, emphatic, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, caring, and approachble lawyer. Thank you for everything you did sir! I truly from the bottom of my heart appreciate what you did for me and helping us resolve our auto accident claim in a timely manner. You are one heck of an attorney!! I will always talk greatly about you and send you referrals! Thank you!!!
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Deana castaneda
Mr. Herman is a fantastic lawyer! From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could understand. I was impressed by his expertise and professionalism and the outstanding outcome of my case. I highly recommend The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman!
Read more
16 Aug, 2024 by David arroyo jr
Mr. Herman is amazing and one of the most consistent, reliable, and caring individuals you can work with. His communication through the whole process is top-notch. He gives you proper expectations through the whole process.
Read more
14 Aug, 2024 by Carlos aguilar
I want to personally thank Jeff for the amazing job he did with mine and my girlfriends auto accident case. Thank you Jeff for going above and beyond mine and my girlfriends expectations when we contacted you. You are one knowledgeable, attentive, emphatic, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, caring, and approachble lawyer. Thank you for everything you did sir! I truly from the bottom of my heart appreciate what you did for me and helping us resolve our auto accident claim in a timely manner. You are one heck of an attorney!! I will always talk greatly about you and send you referrals! Thank you!!!
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Deana castaneda
Mr. Herman is a fantastic lawyer! From our first meeting, he explained everything to me in terms I could understand. I was impressed by his expertise and professionalism and the outstanding outcome of my case. I highly recommend The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman!
Read more
16 Aug, 2024 by David arroyo jr
Mr. Herman is amazing and one of the most consistent, reliable, and caring individuals you can work with. His communication through the whole process is top-notch. He gives you proper expectations through the whole process.
Read more
14 Aug, 2024 by Carlos aguilar
I want to personally thank Jeff for the amazing job he did with mine and my girlfriends auto accident case. Thank you Jeff for going above and beyond mine and my girlfriends expectations when we contacted you. You are one knowledgeable, attentive, emphatic, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, caring, and approachble lawyer. Thank you for everything you did sir! I truly from the bottom of my heart appreciate what you did for me and helping us resolve our auto accident claim in a timely manner. You are one heck of an attorney!! I will always talk greatly about you and send you referrals! Thank you!!!
Read more
29 Aug, 2024 by John garcia
I Juan Garcia the Shermer firm highly recommended in auto accidents.they sent me to the medical doctors for my injuries.the attorney and assistances were very helpful on the case I was very pleased on the outcome thank you 😊
Read more
22 Aug, 2024 by Nazario dorado silva
Excellent service very professional and made this whole process stress free I highly recommend the Schurmer firm.
Read more
22 Aug, 2024 by Robert coronado
Amazing communication throughout the entire process the entire process! Met with Attorney Schurmer twice, which is something that I have never experienced, usually they are to busy. Again amazing experience
Read more
24 Jul, 2024 by A r
We hired Kendall VanConas and this firm to update our estate - they initially said they'd print our documents and give return them to us in a day or two - instead they took weeks just to print copies of our estate documents and only gave them back weeks later after we had to prompt them and ask for them.
After that, we had to continually call and send emails to repeatedly ask when we were going to ever hear from them about our estate planning after our initial meeting in May, we were told their assistant went on vacation so they were behind and would try to catch up soon (but still never heard anything from them after that), weeks went by and again we reached out to ask when things would move forward and were told Kendall had surgery and had "gotten behind" on things in her recovery (We were never told she was out for a medical leave prior to that). We had to contact them again on July 1st only to be told they were all out of the office until after July 8th - this firm doesn't do work, they do billing and make excuses, that's about it.
They also refused to give us notes from the one meeting we had with them - for which we were billed $750 and told, the notes from that meeting were "privy for them" not for us so our request for a recap of our own estate planning meeting was refused.
Do not waste your time with this firm, they have NO incentive to move forward with your project or estate planning, they will take you as a client then sit on your estate planning and DO NOTHING, but bill you for any meetings, then drop the ball, and you will never hear from them again, very unprofessional and our experience with them was completely frustrating and a total waste of our time, as well as costly - as we got nothing from our $750 meeting with them, not even an outline or meeting recap of the notes they took from our estate planning meeting.
They also don't communicate at all, and never told us about the lead attorney's surgery or time out from the office for her recovery - and apparently, no one else in the firm does anything. (They take a full week off for July 4th - the entire firm apparently, as no one responded to our July 1 email as they were all "out of the office until after July 8th). After July 8th we still heard NOTHING. Kendall told us she would follow up with a timeline of our estate planning status the following week, but she never did, and that never happened.
When they had an assistant out of the office that also apparently makes all their work come to a screeching halt - all of this is inexcusable, unprofessional and is a poor representation of a firm that is supposed to be on their game helping people update their estate planning.
You will likely pass away before they ever get to updating your estate - we moved on and found a much better firm that actually does work, and would strongly recommend people stay away from this firm if they need something done in a reasonable time and feel communication is important at all, as this firm doesn't communicate, they make excuses when you reach out because if you hire them, you will be the one doing all the planning and reaching out, they do not do anything at all but sit on your estate planning and watch time go by!
From the first meeting in May until we fired them in July for a span of almost 2 months, we had one meeting, they copied our files and then absolutely nothing else ever happened in moving forward with our estate planning - they never gave us a timeline for getting it done, which we asked about for 3 weeks, but they never provided a timeline because they had no plan to do the work or had decided for some reason due to their incompetence and lack of continuity in their own office and within their staff's capability to take years to do an update on our estate planning.
This firm is not doing anything but taking business then sitting on it, doing meetings with clients and refusing to give the clients any notes or minutes from meetings clients are being billed for! There are firms that do effective estate planning, but sadly, this isn't one of them.
Read more
02 Jul, 2024 by A g
Poor representation.
Read more
27 May, 2024 by India smith
Great service highly recommended
Read more
23 Sep, 2024 by Holly barrow
Aweful experience. I was handed a folder full of "how much money and how many magazines I've been in". Then they declined our case even though a ventura doctor was the main cause of my father's sudden passing because it wouldn't make the law office millions and he told us Ventura county is allowed to hire D- doctors. Now we lost our dad, the doctor kept practicing and my mom struggled for years because my dad was the bread winner.
Read more
15 Sep, 2024 by Nataliee bonilla
Honestly the best service i could have asked for any questions or concerns i had were addressed and handles. Highly recommend Karen.
Read more
05 Sep, 2024 by Karie ragan
The thought of filing for bankruptcy was terrifying, feeling scared and not knowing what to do was awful. I was referred to Karen by a friend, I called and she was able to schedule a consult right away. She made me feel so comfortable and explained the whole process step by step. She made me feel like I was doing the right thing and that everything was going to be okay. She was there every step of the way and answered all of my questions. She made the process easy and painless. Her office was great and reminding me of what what documents were needed and when. She followed up after everything was done and was there if I had any questions or concerns. I would definitely recommend her.
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07 May, 2024 by Moises cruz
Professional and helpful
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02 May, 2024 by Viridiana vega
Muy buena comunicación lo recomiendo
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26 Apr, 2024 by George avalos
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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.
