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26 Aug, 2024 by Rick segall
To say that Jay exceeded our expectations would be a profound understatement. He literally transformed our experience from a nightmare to a dream come true. Every single step of the way, he was deeply informative, constantly communicative, kind, thorough, and always available for us. We will not only be forever thankful for his extraordinary assistance unto the successful acquisition of my wife’s green card but we will refer anyone and everyone who needs similar assistance to him. You truly can not find anyone better.
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25 Aug, 2024 by Mark montenegro
Great service, knowledge and awesome follow up. Extremely satisfied!
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23 Aug, 2024 by Denise flores
My mom and I are so grateful that we found Jay to help us with her green card process. He answered all of our questions and made the process incredibly stress-free. We can't recommend him enough and can't wait to work with him again for her naturalization process.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Rick segall
To say that Jay exceeded our expectations would be a profound understatement. He literally transformed our experience from a nightmare to a dream come true. Every single step of the way, he was deeply informative, constantly communicative, kind, thorough, and always available for us. We will not only be forever thankful for his extraordinary assistance unto the successful acquisition of my wife’s green card but we will refer anyone and everyone who needs similar assistance to him. You truly can not find anyone better.
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25 Aug, 2024 by Mark montenegro
Great service, knowledge and awesome follow up. Extremely satisfied!
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23 Aug, 2024 by Denise flores
My mom and I are so grateful that we found Jay to help us with her green card process. He answered all of our questions and made the process incredibly stress-free. We can't recommend him enough and can't wait to work with him again for her naturalization process.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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01 Sep, 2020 by Thomas
Richard - Helped me with a terrible auto incident. I was hit from behind while at a stop on freeway by a younger driver. Richard directed me on medical worries and helped me through the insurance process. Since, dealing with both at same time, while recovering is overwhelming at the least.
Richard was direct and educated me on what I could do and what would be expected from the law. I would and have recommended Richard to friends and associates - Everyone of them were extremely satisfied and comfortable with their results. Thank you Richard - Honest & Trusting
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07 Jul, 2020 by Jamie
Richard Becker is a terrific attorney. He helped us so much when we needed him and he is a gem to work with no matter what the occasion. Give him a call and see for yourself.
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02 Jul, 2020 by Johanna
Mr. Richard Becker has been my attorney in a few of my cases. I have consulted with him for over 15 years and kept his number always handy. I have dealt with attorneys who simply didn’t care after I paid them, but with Mr. Becker there was always trust. He explains your options and just doesn’t lie as to what your outcome will be just to persuade you to hire him. I respect that from him. Aside from that, he is always responding to your calls, ready to answer any questions and most importantly keeps frequent updates on your case. He’s many years experience and loyalty to his clients is a big plus. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a really great lawyer.
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10 Jul, 2015 by Elena
I am a law school graduate that passed the bar but I don't actually practice. I am smart enough to see a valid claim but have had a difficult time explaining the facts of my case to most attorneyS and have been instantly dismissed. The few attorneys that have listened to all my facts have confirmed I have a valid claim but stated the facts are too difficult to prove, which is why I decided to litigate my claim on my own. I came across Lee Previant and called him to consult about my case. Lee took over an hour of his time to not only listen to my claim, but also discussed all options I should take. All other attorneys will only talk to me to assess my case and then dismiss me without ever telling me why they believe my case is too difficult to litigate. From the beginning of our conversation, it was clear that Lee does not practice the particular area of law I was looking for, but he still listened to my entire claim and spoke with me. This has been the toughest experience of my life, which is why I want to pursue litigation. But finding that attorneys are unresponsive has made it even more difficult, procedurally and emotionally. Lees guidance was an a huge value and honestly, I needed the emotional support.
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03 May, 2016 by Jeri
While going through the extremely difficult process of moving my father into a Memory Care facility, I had some issues with the leasing agent and the property he had been renting. Taylor was able to negotiate a very fair resolution between the property owner and myself. Taylor is extremely knowledgeable regarding real estate matters, and was able to handle my case efficiently, and effectively. I would absolutely use Taylor again, as well as refer to anyone in need of an excellent Attorney.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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02 Jun, 2022 by Greg venter
Jeff has been very thorough punctual and helpful, he definitely has compassion for his clients
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22 Jun, 2020 by Wendy gonzalez
01 Sep, 2019 by Craig dillin
Jeff is a great attorney, very straight forward and honest. Would highly recommend him.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
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13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
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23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
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13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
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23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
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13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
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23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
Read more
13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
Read more
23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Alexander hafizi
Law Offices of C. Ray Carlson: Known for professionalism and expertise in personal injury law, providing dedicated and personalized services. Ray Carlson, an exceptional attorney at the firm, is praised for his thoroughness, empathy, and strategic thinking, consistently achieving excellent results for clients.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Sydney levine
I can't say enough good things about this attorney group. They helped me out immensely with my personal injury case and made the whole process super easy. From start to finish, they were professional, supportive, and always available to answer any questions I had.
Special thanks to the paralegal, Robin, who was incredibly thorough and always kept me updated. And of course, attorney Chad, who provided expert legal advice and ensured that I received the best possible outcome. Their combined efforts made a stressful situation much more manageable.
I highly recommend the office of C. Ray Carlson to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney. They truly go above and beyond for their clients.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Daniel gamboa
Robin was great in helping me with my accident. The whole process from beginning to end was as smooth and saved me time and headache!
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm.
Luisa
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02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
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02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency.
I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call.
2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant.
To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again.
I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm.
Luisa
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02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
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02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency.
I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call.
2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant.
To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again.
I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm.
Luisa
Read more
02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
Read more
02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency.
I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call.
2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant.
To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again.
I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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02 Jun, 2024 by Jeanie lee
Mr. diDonato is an experienced, knowledgeable attorney, who has been practicing law for over 45 years. Being very analytical and detail-oriented, he provides much personalized attention to each and every client’s case. He works diligently to make sure that there will be a successful outcome for the client. Mr. diDonato possesses an excellent work ethic and provides outstanding representation. I highly recommend him for your legal needs.
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04 Feb, 2019 by Kel stagg
Excellent attorney that I can not recommend highly enough with a friendly, professional and efficient staff. We are beyond happy with the settlement he was able to get for us and have had referred our closest friends who had great results as well. Mr. diDonato made a bleak, messy situation bearable and took a huge load off our shoulders. We were certainly lucky to have found him.
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24 Oct, 2016 by Richard
Stay away from Peter diDonato! He is the worst attorney of all time. Didn't help me, help the other side.
I had 3 surgeries because I was attacked by a dog at a customer's house. The Dog bite me in The Groin area twice.
[Redacted] here is my surgery on YouTube.
The jury awarded me $20,000 for pain and suffering and another $20,000 for future pain and suffering claim medical bills totaled $50,000. Do the math. In addition of that he told me he collected his attorney's fees. Our contract States that I get 66% yeah I got nothing except the pain and suffering. I believe this is corruption at the deepest core.
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12 May, 2024 by Christopher wright
I recently had the unfortunate experience of working with Michael Finley on a legal matter regarding visitation rights and child support with my daughter. Initially, I was hopeful as he appeared attentive during our initial interview. However, once he received the retainer fee, the level of service plummeted drastically.
Communication was virtually nonexistent after the initial meeting. I found myself unable to reach him when I had questions or concerns about my case. This lack of responsiveness resulted in a missed court date, which had serious consequences for my case.
Furthermore, Michael Finley failed to advise me adequately about potential legal ramifications, such as the possibility of being held responsible for the opposing party's attorney fees. I was blindsided by unexpected fees and expenses that were not disclosed upfront.
What's most egregious is that Michael Finley violated our agreement regarding the retainer fee. We had agreed that he would notify me if the retainer was about to run out, so I could make an informed decision about continuing his services. However, I was shocked to receive a bill for $25,000, far exceeding what we had initially discussed. The agreement that he had written had been worded to favor his interest. He took advantage of my lack of legalese.
Overall, my experience with Michael Finley was extremely disappointing and frustrating. I felt misled, ignored, and taken advantage of. I would strongly advise anyone considering his services to proceed with caution and ensure that all agreements are documented in writing.
While I cannot recommend Michael Finley based on my experience, I must emphasize that my intention is not to threaten or defame him in any way. Rather, I hope that my feedback serves as a cautionary tale for others and encourages Michael Finley to reconsider his practices and prioritize the needs of his clients in the future.
Sincerely,
Christopher Wright
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21 Dec, 2023 by Tina
This attorney is the most unprofessional attorney we have ever encountered. He yells and belittles his clients, not to mention he hangs up on you as a client if he feels you challenge him. We have been working with him for 6 months with no resolution to our case at all. He is non responsive and does not follow up. We have had to track him down to find out the status of our case. His behavior is very unprofessional and we have encountered this multiple times since we hired him.
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09 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I met with him for a free consultation as I was desperate, destitute and in great need of legal advice. He was so clear and neat on his advice and explanations but most of all it his generosity what amazed me the most as he spent all the necessary time to make sure I was clear about my situation. He spent over an hour of his time at no charge. There are no many attorneys left like him.
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31 Mar, 2016 by B
Seemed scared, unable to communicate clearly...would have thought it was his first courtroom appearance. Wouldn't recommend John at all..should have looked up his law school before i hired him. Low level law school and it shows. Cheap prices cheap attorney. Got what i paid for..
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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.
