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29 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Attorney Cohen in my opinion is an excellent attorney. He uses his experience and extensive knowledge to get you through the legalities of the justice system . He is also very personable and down to earth professional. He puts you at ease every step of the way as he is always there to answer your calls and questions you might have pertaining to your case. And ultimately helps get you the outcome you deserve. This was my experience with attorney Phillip Cohen. I would highly recommend him.
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17 Mar, 2019 by Rebecca
I hired Mr. Cohen for a few cases and he did not disappoint. He is very professional, courteous and kind. I only recommend him whenever anyone asks if I know a great attorney.
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27 Jan, 2016 by Mitch
I've used Mr.Cohen on many occasions to negotiate contracts. He's very personable. As some issues were in my eyes, getting more difficult, he walked me through them, and put me at ease. I never expected using a lawyer to be so painless.
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14 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
Mr. Bokma is an attorney that listened and understood my situation. His experience and prompt actions helped me get the outcome that I seeked.
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28 Aug, 2015 by Matt
I hired Raymond Staub after interviewing and considering several attorneys in Mercer County. I have worked with many attorneys in various business and legal matters over many years, and in my opinion, Raymond Staub is the best of the best!!! He is thorough, responsive and professional. If you are looking for a terrific attorney for either simple or complex matter, in my opinion there is no one better than Raymond Staub. Mr. Staub worked diligently with me on my legal matter for nearly a year and he was thorough, professional and diligent at every point along the way. He was also always reachable and approachable, which was refreshing to see from a busy attorney. Mr. Staub always returned calls within a day, even if he was busy working on other cases and trials. I recommend Mr. Staub extremely highly! You cannot do better than Raymond Staub if you are looking for the best attorney in Mercer County. I am grateful to Mr. Staub for his advice and guidance throughout my legal matter.
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02 Feb, 2011 by Ed
Used several times for variety of matters. Couldn't be more pleased.
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30 May, 2022 by Dyenita davis
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30 Nov, 2019 by Rita jo scarcella
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12 Aug, 2024 by Sylvia bingham
Kristy Bruce was recommended to me by a trusted friend who had successful dealings with her. I contracted with Mrs. Bruce during an extremely traumatic time, just after a car accident. She provided excellent advice and support from the first contact and throughout the case. From referrals to doctors, therapist, and support sources; to allowing me to supply information in a way that was comfortable because I am not computer proficient; she provided solutions in every situation. She went beyond being highly professional by adding a personal connective aspect. I felt totally confident, encouraged and reassured that she was the only and best person to represent me. If I or anyone ever needs representation in any matter, Mrs. Bruce will be the only one I will recommend.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Beth
Kristy was a pleasure to work with. She was kind and acted quickly to help me with my traffic violation. I highly recommend her. She is also very thorough in her follow up process
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22 May, 2024 by Manish bhagat
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01 Jan, 2018 by Nil
We hired him back in December 2016 when my last lawyer refused to get us access to the evidence or to take the case to trial after wasting 3 years. Ballarotto promised to take the case to trial and took an $80,000 dollar deposit for trial. After taking the money he refused to take the case to trial and continuously cursed at me, my mother, and my father. After a few months of this, he told us that the prosecutor would drop the charges to a single 3rd degree charge which could be expunged and that I would be put into an "Intensive Supervision Program" in which I would be released from jail in 2 months. He said that he would return the $80,000 he took for trial and that the prosecutor would return property taken from my house. We had ran out of money after our expert had taken over $30,000 and still not examined the evidence. In order for me to go back to work and for the $80,000 Ballarotto had taken, we relented to taking the plea deal so as to not lose our home which had been heavily mortgaged to pay for my defense. After the plea hearing, he went on a one month vacation to Florida and refused to meet with us before sentencing. At sentencing, the judge completely disregarded the plea deal and I was then convicted of a 2nd and 4th degree crime and sentenced to 4 years in prison, even though I had not pled guilty nor had a trial to those charges. In addition, the Judge then imposed $3000 dollars in fines which we could not afford. I was not permitted to speak at sentencing, nor were my parents who were present. Ballarotto refused to show dozens of letters from the community in my support, kept hidden my charity work, and then made up a story that I was seeing counseling. He lied to misrepresent my college and post highschool education. He helped the prosecutor to paint a false image of me. The court would not allow me to speak or take back the plea, despite the fact the judge had rejected the terms of the plea deal. When I was in prison, I tried to appeal my case, but he would not visit me for over 2 months while the prison system kept moving me from prison to prison. They did not even provide me with a change of clothing for the first 2 months I was kept captive. I had no access to legal materials, phone calls, nor email during this time. I had sporadic access to mail. When my parents were finally able to contact me over 2 months later, they revealed that Ballarotto refused to return the money he stole, and that they had been continually told that I would be released after 2 months in prison. Through correspondence, I had told them that the ISP program hadn't contacted me at all contrary to their regular practice with other prisoners, yet Ballarotto told them that he was actively working with ISP to make sure I would get it. When I first spoke to my parents after over 2 months in prison, I told them about the rejection letter from ISP. At that point I was able to yell at them for what the court had done to me. My parents still hadn't realized that I was sentenced to 4 years in prison, nor aware of the fines that were imposed. Ballartto had been lying to them during this time and misleading them. When my parents confronted him with the rejection letter, he then lied and said "well, he'll be out in 9 months with parole." My parents, then aware of his lies then confronted him with the fact that I had actually been sentenced to 4 years and the earliest possible parole was a year. He still had not returned the money he had taken for trial. I am currently suing him for the money he stole as well as damages. After a several months in prison, I learned about a pre-sentence report which we were never given. It was different than the plea I had agreed to, though it was lesser than the sentence I received. I also received the plea papers which showed the original plea being crossed out and alternate charges and sentences being blatantly written in with a different pen than which was used to originally fill it out and sign.
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14 Sep, 2012 by Nick
I have been represented by Mr. Ballarotto and was most satisfied with the outcome of my case. Previous to meeting with Mr. Ballarotto , I had met with several other attorneys who did not give me much confidence in their ability to vindicate me of the charges against me. After reading the police report and other charges , Mr.Ballarotto said , " I see this as a simple case of self defense and not to worry " He got all the charges against me dropped ! I have since sent four friends of mine separately to Mr. Ballarotto . All were cleared of the charges and most pleased with the results he acheived for them. I highly recommend him without any reservation.
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Questions? We have answers

What a Litigation Lawyer Can Do for You

A litigation lawyer specializes in representing individuals, businesses, or organizations involved in legal disputes. Whether you're the one filing a lawsuit or you're being sued, a litigation attorney will advocate on your behalf throughout the entire legal process. Their goal is to resolve disputes, either through negotiation, settlement, or trial. Litigation lawyers can help with a wide range of disputes, including contract disagreements, real estate issues, employment disputes, personal injury claims, and more.

Litigation lawyers provide strategic legal advice and manage all aspects of your case, from filing motions to representing you in court, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome.

When Should I Hire a Litigation Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a litigation lawyer if you're involved in a legal dispute that you cannot resolve on your own. Common situations include:

  • Breach of contract disputes: If a party to a contract fails to fulfill their obligations, a litigation lawyer can help you seek damages or enforce the agreement.
  • Business disputes: Litigation lawyers can represent you in cases of partnership disagreements, intellectual property disputes, or business fraud.
  • Employment disputes: If you're facing issues like wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or wage disputes, a litigation lawyer can help resolve these matters through negotiation or court action.
  • Personal injury claims: If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence and are seeking compensation, a litigation attorney can help you pursue your case.
  • Real estate or property disputes: When there are conflicts over property ownership, boundary issues, or lease agreements, a litigation lawyer can assist in resolving the dispute.

Hiring a lawyer early in the process is beneficial, especially if a lawsuit seems imminent or you have already been served with legal documents.

What Does a Litigation Lawyer Do?

A litigation lawyer handles all aspects of your case, from the initial investigation to the trial and even the appeals process, if necessary. Their role includes:

  • Case assessment and investigation: Analyzing the facts of your case and advising whether it’s worth pursuing or defending.
  • Pleadings and motions: Drafting and filing documents to initiate or respond to a lawsuit, including complaints, motions to dismiss, and answers.
  • Discovery: Gathering evidence, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests, to build your case.
  • Negotiations and settlement discussions: Attempting to resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration, or settlement talks before going to trial.
  • Trial representation: Presenting your case in court, examining witnesses, introducing evidence, and making legal arguments before a judge or jury.
  • Appeals: If necessary, filing appeals to challenge or defend the outcome of the trial.

Litigation lawyers are also skilled negotiators and often work to resolve disputes outside of court to save time, money, and stress for their clients.

How Are Litigation Lawyers Paid?

Litigation lawyers typically use a variety of fee structures depending on the type of case, the complexity of the legal matter, and the financial circumstances of the client. Common payment arrangements include:

  • Hourly rates: Many litigation attorneys charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and geographic location.
  • Flat fees: For specific, predictable legal tasks (such as filing a motion), lawyers may offer a flat fee.
  • Contingency fees: In personal injury or other cases where you seek damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of the settlement or award if you win.
  • Retainer: Some clients pay a retainer fee upfront to secure ongoing legal services. The lawyer then bills against this retainer as work is done.

The exact structure should be discussed in the initial consultation to ensure you understand how and when you'll be charged.

How Much Does a Litigation Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a litigation lawyer varies significantly depending on the nature of the dispute and the lawyer’s experience. Factors affecting the cost include:

  • The complexity of the case: More complex litigation involving extensive discovery, expert witnesses, or multi-party suits typically costs more.
  • Time spent: Litigation cases can be time-consuming, especially if they go to trial. The longer the case, the higher the legal fees.
  • Type of fee arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $200 to over $1,000 per hour, depending on the lawyer’s reputation and location. Contingency fees generally range from 25% to 40% of the settlement or award.
  • Stage of litigation: Cases that settle early in the process are often less expensive than those that proceed to trial or appeal.

It’s crucial to ask about cost estimates during your initial consultation to avoid surprises.

Top Questions to Ask a Litigation Lawyer

Before hiring a litigation lawyer, it's essential to ask key questions to ensure you're choosing the right representation:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Ensure that the lawyer has experience handling your specific type of dispute, whether it's a contract issue, personal injury, or business matter.
  2. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case's strengths, weaknesses, and the likelihood of success.
  3. What is your fee structure?
    Clarify how you'll be charged, whether by the hour, a flat fee, or on a contingency basis.
  4. How long do you expect my case to take?
    While it's hard to predict, an experienced lawyer can give you a rough estimate based on similar cases.
  5. How often do you settle cases versus going to trial?
    Some lawyers are more inclined to settle, while others may be more experienced in the courtroom. It’s important to understand their strategy.
  6. What is your approach to resolving disputes?
    Some lawyers prefer aggressive litigation, while others focus on settlement or mediation. Choose one whose approach aligns with your goals.

How to Check the Credibility of a Litigation Lawyer

To verify a litigation lawyer’s credibility, consider the following steps:

  • Check bar association records: Ensure the lawyer is in good standing with the state bar and has no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and track record.
  • Look for litigation experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they have handled cases like yours and have a record of success.
  • Request references: Ask the lawyer to provide references from past clients who can speak to their effectiveness and approach.
  • Research their trial experience: If your case is likely to go to trial, ensure the lawyer has a history of courtroom success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make your first consultation with a litigation lawyer productive, you should prepare the following:

  • A clear outline of the dispute: Provide a timeline and key details about the legal issue you're facing.
  • Any relevant documents: Bring contracts, emails, letters, or any other documentation that pertains to the case.
  • A list of key players: Provide the names of individuals or companies involved in the dispute.
  • Questions about fees and the litigation process: Make sure you understand how the lawyer plans to approach your case and how you will be charged.
  • Your goals and expectations: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, whether it's a settlement, compensation, or another resolution.

By coming prepared, you can ensure that your initial meeting with the lawyer is both efficient and insightful, giving you a better sense of how to proceed with your case.

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