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20 Mar, 2019 by Timothy
He will get you what you want. Most determined lawyer and I had a nasty divorce. He was able to get me what I wanted. Very happy!
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22 May, 2014 by Jenifer
In July of 2013 my world was shattered when I learned that my husband was not only cheating on me, but had moved our family to his home state of Minnesota to alienate me from my family and friends and divorce me. With my family and friends 1400 miles away, I turned to the internet and found Richard Caldecott.
Richard was kind and empathetic. He also pointed out he had been practicing family law for more than 33 years. I told Rick that all I wanted was to go home to New Hampshire. We had barely lived in Minnesota a year. Rick told me interstate custody was tough, costly and there was no guarantee. He never promised me a win. He was highly efficient in keeping MY costs down. His letters to opposing council were clear and to the point: Our intention was to return to our home in New Hampshire. My ex threatened to fight me for full custody and told me I was going to get a war. Well, Rick was instrumental at letting them know, that I was not raising my children in Minnesota for the next 14 years unless a judge told me I had to. Not long after Mediation, where 2 experienced lawyers agreed, after hearing the facts of the case, that a judge would allow me to return to my home state. Soon after, my ex realized he would not win against Richard Caldecott.
As devastating and traumatized as I was through this whirlwind process, Rick and his staff, treated me with kindness, compassion and constantly reassured me that I would be OK. A mere 5 months after I walked into his office sobbing and heartbroken, I left Minnesota to return home to New Hampshire with my children. I was awarded sole physical custody, child support, and we were HOME for Christmas.
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21 Sep, 2012 by Anonymous
My case started off with a nuclear bomb being dropped on me so to say. My case was a very litigious court case for custody with all kinds of false allegations and OFPs continuously placed against me from my ex-wife. Richard Caldecott methodically tore the case down one piece at a time. I started with no custody rights due to my rights being stripped from me at the beginning. I even had to see my children in a closed environment with professionals standing over me. This was the most humiliating experience I have ever had to withstand since I have was always been in the public eye. The professionals in this environment had already prequalified me as guilty of allegations not even in the realm of reality; so you can only imagine their treatment towards me.
With all of the above said at the end; I was awarded full “SOLE LEGAL” custody; even being in Anoka County where the county custody intake women told me “men do not have custody”! Richard is a shining star amongst a bunch of big shot money sucking attorneys I had hired prior. His billing practice is more than fair and he is there for you when you need him the most. His ability to craft letters to explain what is really going on is beyond stellar. I would like to thank my luck stars that I found Richard Caldecott and the friend that referred me.
This short letter comes from a parent that now has an amazing relationship with his two children that will last a lifetime. This all because of Richard Caldecott and his talented abilities as a competent attorney.
Thank you Richard,
the underdog parent
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20 Jan, 2024 by Jason geschwind
Great staff and the Attornies are very knowledgeable.
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22 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
This attorney omitted labor market data that documents a racial gap in unemployment for monitories and furthermore, this attorney adds to racial injustice in our court system. I am encouraging all minorities to boycott this attorney.
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16 Dec, 2019 by Mary
My ex-husband wanted to take me to court to change a few items in our
divorce decree that I did not agree with. We were trying to reach a
compromise over email but that did not appear to be working. I called J.
Markiewicz Law Office to set up a consult.
The day before my consult with her, J. Markiewicz called me on the phone
and asked me to email documents to her so she could become better
familiar with my case. I emailed them to her. At the consult, we
discussed sending a letter to my ex’s lawyer with a potential
compromise. I hired her and placed a $2000 retainer. She wrote a letter
to my ex’s lawyer, but I didn’t want to send it because my ex and I were
still emailing about a compromise which we did within a week. During
that week, J. Markiewicz emailed and texted me to approve the letter
which I said I wasn’t ready to do just yet. After receiving a text that
she was uncomfortable with my waiting, and exasperated that I had to
defend working on a compromise, I told J. Markiewicz that I no longer
needed her services and asked for my un-used retainer back.
Despite the fact that we met for a “free” consultation, and the only
thing I authorized was the creation of a letter, J. Markiewicz only
returned a little over half of my retainer. She unethically charged me
$455 – over an hour of her time – for reading the documents that she
asked me to send to her before I had even met and hired her, and a
$117.50 charge just to “Open a new file.”
I asked J. Markiewicz to refund the charges since she was the one to ask
for the emailed documents before I had met her or hired her, and,
because she gave no upfront information about the “Open New File” costs.
She initially said she would be open to discussing this concern, but
then ignored my email communications until I filed this review. She has
since emailed and stated that she’d refund only $345 and that she’d
consider the case closed. She mailed a check for this amount which is
less than her unethical charges.
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14 Jul, 2017 by Ron
My fiance' and I recently engaged Ms. Markiewicz to help prepare a prenup agreement and had an absolutely horrific experience. It appeared that Ms. Markiewicz approached our prenup as a hostile divorce (rather than a loving marriage) pitting my future bride and I against each other, employing emotionally charged adversarial negotiation tactics and dragging out an expensive lawyer intensive process to...literally...the day before our wedding.
She dismissed the process I had proposed where my fiance' and I would work together (doing much of the work ourselves) to craft a fair and equitable agreement through an amicable collaborative process with guidance and feedback from our respective counsel. She also ignored my request to provide an overview of the process, key milestones and timeline that she would suggest as an alternative. Instead, she just moved forward in a manner that lead to a drawn out, time consuming, resource intensive (read "lots of billable hours") process that dramatically increased our legal fees; created intense stress, conflict and emotional trauma; and dragged the "negotiation" process out to...literally...the day before our wedding. And to top things off, she billed us double the hours that our other lawyer did...even though he crafted and authored the multiple drafts of the proposed prenup and the key legal documents.
This nightmare of a process resulted in prenup that neither one of us felt good about, legal fees that were 3-4 times what we had expected, a prenup that got signed the AFTERNOON before our wedding and an excruciatingly stressful...downright traumatic...process that led to my fiance' and I "breaking up" twice in the two weeks prior to our wedding (including 4 days before).
P.S. This review features no embellishment or exaggeration (and I have the email audit trail to back up every word). I had never met...or even heard of...Ms. Markiewicz prior to this prenup process, do not work in the legal profession nor have any other potential conflicts of interests. I invested the time to write this review solely in the interest of helping others avoid repeating what was one of the most traumatic professional experiences of my life. One that came very close to aborting my wedding and costing me the woman that I love, adore and cherish with all my heart.
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11 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Promised to contact me several times but never did. Can't leave message on cell phone as the mailbox is full. Never kept me updated during the two months it took to "review" my case. Time wasted.
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30 Nov, 2021 by Charles
A job well done, it took two years because the insurance company dragged it’s feet but Mark got the job done. Highly recommend Mark , thank you
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16 Jul, 2021 by Skyla
I worked with mark for 2 years , and I wouldn’t of asked for a better attorney to handle my case . He’s very understanding patient and will help you through the process without any hassles… I highly recommend anyone who’s been into an auto accident to reach out to him ….
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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.
