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17 Nov, 2023 by P&l
It took us years to finish writing our trust and will. Marilee was the most patient person ever in holding our hand, understanding how emotionally draining this can be, and allowed us to take the time needed to complete this arduous process. She asked pertinent questions, gave us answers to our questions and walked us through the process. We would recommend her to anyone!
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08 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
My experience with Marilee Miller Clarke, Attorney, outside of the church context I knew her in, was not what I expected. I found her approach litigious rather than mediating. What I thought was a firm quote based on an email, turned out not to be. She reduced her bill to $2,005 instead of the $800 quoted me in an email. When I questioned her fee, I received no apology, but self-justification. Mistakes I pointed out involved omissions on her part, tone, typos from her and her staff, introducing an error, and unnecessary complexities. She charged me for her time involving those changes even though I pointed out that they were her or her staff’s mistakes. She drew a legal document to correct the work of another attorney. I can only hope that it will serve its purpose if and when needed.
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04 Oct, 2016 by Concerned grandmother
I recommend Marilee Miller Clarke without reservation.
Her knowledge of the law, and years of experience Practicing law in Arizona were a clear advantage to us in the legal action she helped us with. In the beginning, she explained many aspects of the legal proceedings that were not clear to us, and help us come to a strategy for proceeding. She is patient and thorough, but she will not run up the bill by speaking at length with you if she has what she needs to do the work. She answers all communications promptly, and you should be prepared to do the same for her as she has a very strong work ethic and you do not want to slow her down.
She is a strong strategic thinker, and helped us achieve our goals. In a dissolution case with contested child custody, she was able to achieve a win, in spite of many obstacles and prejudices which do not favor a win for the father. She is an excellent communicator, both written and spoken. For written court documents, she leaves no detail unattended. Her Courtroom demeanor is thorough, respectful and effective. She has an amazing ability to think quickly on her feet and adjust strategy quickly when required.
We are so grateful to her and her very professional staff, for all they have done to help our family. We hope we are done with legal stuff for now, but if not, we would rely on her in the future.
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03 May, 2024 by Kathy
Greg McGill has done an excellent job representing us. He is very knowledgeable in the law, patient, kind and puts up with a lot of unnecessary emails from me. Would use his firm again.
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11 Sep, 2023 by Ccsconnor
Helped my good friend Jorge de Guzmán.
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19 Jul, 2023 by Lorie close
Gregory, did get back with me but, was hoping for a free consultation . His fees were a little bit more than I could handle at this time . Also Looking for some information on this law firm. Last post was 3 years ago. Couldn't find any recent activity.
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03 May, 2024 by Kathy
Greg McGill has done an excellent job representing us. He is very knowledgeable in the law, patient, kind and puts up with a lot of unnecessary emails from me. Would use his firm again.
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11 Sep, 2023 by Ccsconnor
Helped my good friend Jorge de Guzmán.
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19 Jul, 2023 by Lorie close
Gregory, did get back with me but, was hoping for a free consultation . His fees were a little bit more than I could handle at this time . Also Looking for some information on this law firm. Last post was 3 years ago. Couldn't find any recent activity.
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18 Jul, 2023 by Jasmine sarceeman
Quick to bill you but doesn’t provide proper solutions nor does she fight for your rights. The communication is nonexistent until the day of court and doesn’t give any legal advice before hand. A very sloppy and inconsistent lawyer.
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30 May, 2022 by Al moreno
30 Mar, 2022 by Alex yu
Mrs. Hope is a very clam and professional attorney. I trusted her.
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12 May, 2024 by Diane
After successfully litigating an issue for us, we recommended Robert to our daughter and son-in-law. His malfeasance has cost them their home and their retirement. He should be disbarred.
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28 Sep, 2013 by Janis
Robert was very professional, genuine, and sympathetic toward my situation. His ability to communicate effectively, handle all aspects of my case in a timely manner, and competent demeanor made me feel confident and secure that I was in good hands. I would highly recommend him as a credible, capable attorney.
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25 Jul, 2013 by Tim
We were able to sleep comfortably knowing Robert was handling our case. Robert consistently kept us informed with the progress of our case. Additionally, he was able to communicate legal terminology in a form that we could fully comprehend.
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13 Jun, 2024 by Russ patzer
George has been my contract and trademark lawyer for years. He is a true professional that has helped my write contracts, review contracts, and litigate contracts when needed. I can't speak highly enough of George and you defiantly want George as your legal representative.
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10 May, 2024 by Daniel anderson
George is great, we use him for contract review and negotiation and he is prompt and thorough. Having a fair contract in place before a project starts is what we strive to do and George helps us thing through cluases and discusses why things should be striken and what we can live with. I'd recommend George to anyone looking for a great construction attorney.
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02 Sep, 2018 by Tessa raguz
07 Jun, 2023 by Johnna dion
Matt H. Helped us in a criminal case. Thank you !
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13 Mar, 2023 by Robert peer
Very pleasant experience. They had a great perspective with our situation as a landlord with a less than honest management company. We would recommend this group to family/friends.
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22 Feb, 2023 by Heidi hilo
Sends post cards blatantly advertising a felony charge. Extremely unprofessional and a pathetic attempt to draw in business. Would rate a 0 if possible.
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11 May, 2024 by Eli
Ben is so empathetic and helpful. He works with his clients to get the best results, including me. He brings a sense of calm in chaotic situations. The only people that don’t like him are usually his adversaries. They like to leave nasty reviews.
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11 May, 2024 by Vivian
Ben is a decent lawyer for simple disputes. For complex cases I would highly recommend finding an experienced attorney who is more qualified. Ben’s wife is a local dentist. He likes to call and intimidate patients that do not have a good experience at her office.
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09 Jun, 2018 by Joe
Ben helped me personally prevail in a confounding two-year dispute against an intractable organization. His legal acumen, patience, thoughtfulness, strategy, and guidance were without question instrumental in the successful outcome. I would recommend him without hesitation, and refer him out at every opportunity.
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09 Aug, 2024 by Lm
Yvette Ansel is beyond incompetent. Men, go elsewhere. Yvette wrecked my case in favor of the ex-wife. She was either incompetent or colluding with opposing counsel. I wouldn't recommend her to fix a speeding ticket yet any case of importance. I have talked to six other attorneys informing me how ineffective and that she could have easily won but ignored motive and factual evidence.
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06 Sep, 2021 by Michelle
Just ending a nearly 2 year custody and child support hearing that included one special action appeal. I hired Yvette as an appeals attorney. I knew I needed a female, and I knew I needed someone strong. I watched her youtube litigation at least 5 times before calling her (it is on her website). Although Yvette came late to the game, she was very quick to learn the details of my case. Yvette didn't let me get bullied by my exes attorney the way my 1st attorney would. After A LOT of thought, (it's hard to start over with a new attorney, but can also be detrimental if you don't) I decided to let my 1st attorney go and continue to use Yvette for the Superior court custody case as well. My first attorney rarely answered calls and when he did, we had to talk over a screaming baby/toddler. He would only answer emails after 11 pm (true story) and to be honest, he just wasn't that good.
The reason I am writing this review is bc Yvette ALWAYS made herself available. ALWAYS. I needed assistance twice after hours. Once involved speaking with the police at 10 pm and Yvette responded right away. The other thing I love about Yvette is spending time to "prep" me before court. She would go over her questions and potential questions from the other side.
She also knew when I'd come close to the breaking point and say something as simple as "it's ok. take a rest, call me tomorrow"
You're going to spend a lot of money on an attorney. Make sure to obtain one that is there when you need them...
I would one million percent recommend Yvette as a family or appellate attorney.
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30 Mar, 2017 by Russ
Yvett and her firm are amazing! First of all they care about their clients, truly care and it's shows in how they handled my family needs. They are on top of things in every aspect of detail such to extent of pointing out things that the opposing side does incorrectly hence putting us in a better position with the court. She is commanding in court with a respectful demeanor that gets results desired. Strong negotiator, thorough with detail and support backup needed to get the job done. Takes no nonsense from opposing side and holds them accoutable. Definitely want her on your side. Highly Recomend.
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24 Sep, 2024 by Keegan
After years of working with different attorneys for my company, I found Brian Weinberger to be the most experienced, hard working, and professional in the Phoenix area. In addition, Brian is by far the best litigator I’ve seen.
Brian represented my company in a partnership dispute with an aggressive, proactive strategy and was prepared for anything that was thrown our way. After 2+ years, the case ended in a favorable result for me and my company.
When it comes to contract disputes, commercial litigation, and corporate law, I can’t recommend Brian Weinberger enough. Hire Brian and trust him to do what he does best.
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21 Mar, 2022 by Russell
HES THE WORST LAWYER EVER ,DON'T USE HIM BECAUSE HE WILL USE AS ATM MACHINE AND HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE LAW.
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25 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I got deceived by Brian's overwhelming positive google reviews. I wish I did more research before hiring him such as looking him up at the Arizona Bar Association. He has a history of being in trouble with the bar association and was put on probation.
Source: https://azbar.legalserviceslink.com/ and search for his name.
I paid a huge flat fee to Brian to take care of everything. Filing ligation and get the money if won. Once I paid him everything he barely responded to any of my emails or calls. It took him on average from 2 weeks to months (with constant calling and emailing) to respond. When he does respond, he would only answer the question he wants and avoiding most of the questions I asked. For instance, I would ask him 5 questions and he'll answer 1 or 2 questions and ignore the rest; even when I resend those questions again he continued to choose not to answer.
It took him nearly a year to file a simple ligation.
Fortunately, we won the ligation by default because the other party didn't respond.
When its time to collect money; he showed me no attempt at collecting money. I even had to request him to place liens on the properties of the people I sue before they filed bankruptcy and to secure the money I won from judgment. I even had to do my own research (which should be his job) and tract down all the properties (which he does not know how to do) so that he can put liens on. I emailed him all the properties to put liens on. It's been around 6-8 months now and he still has NOT filed the lien for me; therefore jeopardizing my chance of ever going to be able to collect money.
It has been two years of constant frustration with Brian, therefore I highly do NOT recommend him. Please save yourself from frustration. If you do hire him, please do not pay everything outright since based on my experience, he neglected me once he took all my money.
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23 Jan, 2024 by Cristine currie
Professional, prompt, clear and supportive legal advice. Highly recommend and would not hesitate to use in the future if ever needed.
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20 Dec, 2023 by Caroline carlson
Michelle Matheson took the time to thoroughly go through documents prepared by my employer and explain options and opportunities. I appreciate her level headed guidance and highly recommend her services.
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10 Nov, 2023 by Julie engel
Michelle guided me through a very unexpected and traumatic situation, and brought it to successful close. She was able to look after my best interests and the situation was brought to a close efficiently and quickly. I highly recommend her for work related issues. She is incredibly knowledgeable.
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23 Apr, 2024 by Tremier
I have hired Mr. Dergo on multiple occasions to provide and review documents for my business. As an entrepreneur one needs to have sound legal documents for protection and to conduct business. Further, when entering into contracts, you definitely need a lawyer looking out for one's interests. Michael Dergo has provided me with excellent products and reviews for many years. He's a trusted partner I can always count on to protect my business interests. He's highly knowledgeable, ethical and his fees were refreshingly reasonable (as lawyer prices go)!
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17 Apr, 2024 by Matt
Mr. Dergo has represented my family and business for more than a decade with the utmost professionalism and ethics and has won hundreds of trials on behalf of us and our clients.
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30 Mar, 2024 by Allan
This attorney has NO ethics. During his felony/misdemeanor probation he egregiously violated attorney/client privilege and misrepresented facts in his testimony against a client. He boosts of his law offices and most are offices of his clients including a collections agency in Illinois. Coincidence ????? Within 30 days of his deceitful testimony against a client he petitioned the Court to terminate or modify his probation. Reward???? In my limited research of this guy, all he does in loose.
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09 Dec, 2022 by Galleryandrea scottsdale
If you are looking for an amazing attorney look not further. Bill Black is a very experienced attorney with winning results. He is great to work with and will make you feel confident and at ease during the process. He has a great personality and might make you laugh too.
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21 Sep, 2021 by Estefania munoz
My boyfriend had a pretty difficult custody case in which he was incorrectly served and had little to no custody of our son. We worked with Kirk and he gave us everything we hoped for and more. He was professional , personable , and persistent. Easy to get a hold of. I cannot recommend Stratton Law enough. I am forever thankful.
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23 Jun, 2021 by Courtney griffith
Called and made an appointment in the office. So I drove 20 minutes to the office. Once I got to the office, the front desk lady asked me who I was here to see and no name was given to me so I called them to let them know I was here (and on time). They told me they’d send someone to come get me. I sat and waited over 20 minutes. So I called them again and it went to voicemail. Waited 10 more minutes and nothing. I feel it is very unprofessional especially when there is an appointment scheduled. I had other things to do and went out of my way to get a babysitter and drive all the way down to the office. Very disappointing.
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13 Jul, 2020 by Janice
Stanley Murray was a God-sent for my post-divorce care. When my ex appealed the divorce Ruling, Stan Murray was efficient, effective, calming and compassionate. He was quick to respond to my questions, calls and emails. He always explained issues in terms that I could understand. I was so impressed with his abilities for the appeal that I hired him for the remainder of the post-divorce details, which were extensive. At times, I was emotional and scared. He has talked me off the ledge on several occasions, in a compassionate manner. In the end, he was an effective diplomat during the crisis management of helping me and my ex to negotiate the best possible deal for each of us. I recommend Stan to anyone needing a strong and steady hand through the ordeal of a difficult divorce.
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07 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Failed to carefully review critical documents
Failed to identify errors
Failed to prepare for hearings.
Failed to file documents on time
Filed decree of dissolution without client review
Filed decree of dissolution with errors
Prepared common document incorrectly
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10 Oct, 2021 by James
Unfortunately, I ultimately ended up hiring Daniel and closing the case but I only went to him because the firm he worked at "looked" like a reputable firm. Forget about his work; its his attitude that has made me upset. He has admitted over email for his misbehavior and how he could have controlled his temper better. At first, he is nice to you but as soon as you sign the contract, he treats you like a dog. Hates explaining concepts and law and immediately tries to shut you down when you offer something else. Daniel has not studied proper law and this is confirmed when you check his education history. He is classified as a "mule". A mule is someone that sends out generic emails to lawyers of the manufacture hoping to get an email reply within a couple OF MONTHS. He is not good at reaching back and lacks the key characteristics of a great lawyer.
CAR IS ABOUT YOUR SAFETY AND INVESTMENT. DO NOT LOSE IT BECAUSE OF HIM
I had no choice. and I deeply regret it.
For people having trouble with lemon law, if you do need help or have questions, feel free to reach me. I will send all the help you need.
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01 Mar, 2021 by Janet
Thank you Daniel N. at Amar Law Group for helping me with my Lemon. Your patience and guidance was so appreciated. Your team there at Amar Law Group was so attentive and helpful, no matter who I talked to. During these difficult times you always made me feel like my concerns were also your concerns. I highly recommend you and your team to take care of any defective vehicle needs. JD
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29 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney in 2013 to help with my bankruptcy case. At the time I was going through a lot of difficult and stressful matters. I had told her that I only has my personal home left and that I wanted to know if it was protected by this bankruptcy. She said yes and not to worry. Now today is 2022, 9 yrs later I found out that one of the creditor had placed a lien on my home prior to the bankruptcy. So she did not do her due diligence on my property back then. When I called to help to get this lien off my properties, now I owned two homes. She told me that she is unable to help because she claimed that it is a new matter. She asked me to obtain another bankruptcy attorney. When I went to meet with another attorney he said that she should have taken it and reopen the case and then file a complaint and request it to be removed. As an attorney she need and should have stood by her work instead she turned away from the problem that she should have avoided in 2013. I do not recommend this attorney to anyone because she has no integrity and accountability for her workmanship.
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07 May, 2021 by Marc
Carolyn represented me as well as my parents! We all had the same experience! 100% professional! 100% knowledgeable 100% the right attorney. I can’t say anything negative if I tried. The best experience I’ve ever had with someone representing me!
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18 Feb, 2023 by Christopher ingle
I was opposing counsel on a civil matter. These guys were a pleasure to work with.
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19 Aug, 2022 by Ashley ryan
I couldn't be more impressed with Jay from the Hall Underwood Law Firm. My husband had asked a question on AVVO regarding a situation we were dealing with with and Jay responded very quickly and offered a consultation. We knew immediately after speaking with Jay that we would hire him to help us with our legal situation. Jay always had our best interest in mind and was also very upfront to set expectations through our legal battle which was much appreciated. He was always incredibly quick to respond to our emails which made communication a breeze. It is so hard to find and attorney you can trust that actually cares for you. We can't thank you enough Jay for everything you did for our us. If you're looking for a family law attorney please contact the Hall Underwood Law Firm.
The Cole's
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22 Jun, 2022 by Erica jordan
Attorney Jay Hall took my call as an unscheduled appointment and talked with me about my case, helped me navigate a few potential obstacles and I feel much more prepared to make sure I get my rights heard as well. Thank you Jay, I will recommend you to others.
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31 May, 2018 by Anonymous
We hired Howard Gaines to draw up our family trust, etc. He tacked on charges every chance he could. He even tried to get us not to have our parking lot pass validated because it would cost him money, we just spent a couple thousand dollars on this paperwork...cheap, cheap, cheap!!! Let's face it, we all work for the paycheck, but this shyster is a joke. Maybe he has to nickel and dime because he's not that good, I'm not sure. I would NEVER recommend him, EVER!!
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19 Jan, 2018 by Michael
I hired him to do a set aside and he cancelled meetings and then said I didn’t show up, then basically said he was done with me and I had to file a case against him with the AZ Bar to even get my documents back. He’s a loser, spend your money elsewhere.
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22 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Howard to defend a criminal traffic ticket. Initially, he was rapid to respond and seemed interested in taking on my case. After he was hired and paid, it became extremely clear that he was only interested in taking my money. I had to initiate every call with him. Even after sending all relevant documents and speaking multiple times, he still did not know the facts of my case. It was clear that he was completely uninterested in defending me and my rights. In addition, he spoke to me completely condescendingly and refused to defend me on a charge related to the traffic ticket. I lost both because I did not have adequate representation. I am so disappointed I did not read his reviews prior to hiring him. Do not make the mistake I did. There are plenty of good attorneys out there and this is not one of them.
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21 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
David is hands down the worst human being I’ve ever met. He’s lied, scammed, gave me the wrong court date and had me falsely evicted just to make money during super bowl, Phoenix open, & the Super Bowl! He’s a coward and verbally abusive and no one should ever work with him, hire him, or rent from him.
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08 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Called about a false claim and he started yelling and became very unprofessional. He purposely sent a process server to the wrong address and proceeded with the case I was unaware of and didn't file a claim with my insurance. My insurance said he has the wrong person and now I can't get my license back till I pay him. No one should ever have h represent their company
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16 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Did business with this lawyer on an apartment rental. Was super upset that I asked his son to take the "Trump for President" signs down after the election. So as pay back, he left me a negative review with no basis of fact. I since have texted and emailed and got no response. Don't do business with a dishonest person. The election is over and you need to get over it -- Biden is the new president!
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15 Aug, 2023 by Gisela
I called today to assist one of our patients with forms he received from your office, Mr. Reynoso answered the call and was extremely rude and unprofessional. He was abrupt on the phone, he refuse to allow me to explain the reason for my call. Our office goes far and beyond to help our patients, I can clearly see this is not Mr. Reynoso's case. very unfortunate to face people like him who are clearly not happy with their job or the title has gone to their head. Feel free to call me to discuss further
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18 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
HIS GATEKEPER THAT ANSWERS THE PHONE IS RUDE AND WILL NOT SCHEDULE A FREE INITIAL CONSULT WITH CRAIGG VOIGHTMANN. I COULDN'T PAY FOR AN APPT TIME FOR LEGAL ADVISE HE CLAIMS IS HIS SPECIALTY. HE WAS RECOMMENDED BY SEVERAL OTHER ATTORNEY'S BUT WAS JUST ONE HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. IF YOUR LAWSUIT DOESN'T BRING IN LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY, HE WON'T GIVE YOU THE TIME OF DAY. FALSE ADVERTISING.
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18 May, 2015 by Barbara
My husband's conservator, the firm of Fiduciary Solutions, is awful. She represents them and both my husband and I live in the State of Georgia. She in Arizona constantly files bogus court documents, has spread vicious rumors about me the wife, and has never responded to any calls or e-mails, She does talk to my husband's ex-wife and totally believes the ex who has no contact with us in years. She is young and not very savvy. Horrible service to the "ward" who is ill and doesn't even live in Arizona.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Ryan
Christina has a poor understanding of even the law she specializes in. If she billed at $25.00 an hour we would not recommend.
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06 Feb, 2014 by Lynn
As for Medical Malpractice Dominique Barrett is a sorry excuse of an Attorney, she gives the opposing side confidential information and does not work for the client, she is a suck up to the state. I got the maximum sanction because she sat there an did nothing, she is ignorant when it comes to nursing or medicine. I highly recommend staying away from her.
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13 Oct, 2024 by Donna
He's a good lawyer intell it comes time for the person that hired him to collect the money that the court awards them, then he turns into a lying, greedy, thieving, crook, that gets payed his money, then steals half of everyone else's money too. He's a heartless thief that has no conscience!!!
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Discover the ideal lawyer
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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.
