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15 May, 2024 by Vivian tran
I couldn't have asked for a more productive and enlightening session, which solidified my trust in Tamara as a legal advisor dedicated to my success.
Tamara Pow's MBA and real estate broker license instilled a sense of security in me as a business owner and investor during our consultation. Knowing that she possesses such diverse and comprehensive qualifications reassured me that I was in capable hands. It underscored her ability to provide not just legal counsel, but strategic insights that align with my business and investment goals. This unique blend of expertise further reinforced my confidence in Tamara's ability to safeguard my interests and propel my ventures forward.
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15 Apr, 2024 by Matthew phillips
I highly recommend Serge Filatov and Strategy Law as a legal partner. I’ve worked with Serge for a number of years now, and the combination of his legal expertise and make-sense approach to law make him a pleasure to work with. Very knowledgeable and professional team.
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16 Jan, 2024 by Kashmir greenan
I've been a client of theirs for several years and their service has been phenomenal. They combine legal expertise with genuine care, making complex legal matters more manageable. What really stands out is their integrity and transparency. They always kept me in the loop, offering clear, honest advice. Their team is not only incredibly skilled but also supportive and empathetic, understanding the stress of legal issues. I trust them completely and am grateful for their guidance and support. Highly recommend Strategy Law for anyone needing trustworthy and competent legal assistance.
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09 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Felicia brought the perfect combination of knowledge, intuition and integrity to my situation. She took the time to understand the complexity of my case and patiently guided me to a good outcome. She is trustworthy, fair, and knows the law. Felicia and staff are responsive, organized, and dependable. Most importantly, Felicia cares about the well-being of her clients, focusing on outcomes that allow you to move on in a productive way. I highly recommend Felicia - she is one in a million!
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31 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Felicia Lucero handled my Divorce impeccably. The whole experience from start to finish with Felicia's help and emphasis in a almost mediation or collaborative fashion between both parties made the case very smooth. Felicia clearly spelled out all the options, both pro and cons, to working it out amongst all of us in order to not go to trial. I recommend her as a great Divorce, Family Custody, and Integrity driven Attorney. Felicia is realistic, listened, and kept me focused on the goal. She helped work with what is supported by the LAW. With Felicia's help, I was able to preserve a co-parenting relationship, and compromises based on the Law. In final review of the whole experience, Felicia was an excellent choice !
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02 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Going through a divorce is difficult and challenging. Felicia is a very patient and straightforward person. She is very direct and does not beat around the bush. I highly would recommend (and have) her to anyone that needs a great lawyer that knows the law and fights for your rights.
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04 Jun, 2011 by Dr. stephanie
I am very impressed with the level of knowledge, detail and personal service I received from Marina Vinsky. She made the process painless and asked all of the questions that I did not even think of. She made great recommendations and really explained all of the options until I was comfortable and understood the result of my choices.
She also let me know when to contact her in the future and what else I needed to do so the trust would be complete.
I appreciate her knowledge of everything required in this area. She loves it and it shows.
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23 May, 2011 by Elaine
My partner and I found Marina through our employer's EAP program. Marina worked with us to produce a Living Trust, and she made the experience a very easy and enjoyable one. Most importantly, she was very sensitive to our needs and ended up serving as a true coach for me. She guided me through some of the difficult decisions that had to be made and did so with a high degree of empathy and professionalism. What began as the fulfillment of a goal to secure my financial matters has morphed into a solid and ongoing relationship. I now proudly say 'my attorney.' I have had others in the past, but Marina is now my 'go to' person. We will be working on a pre-adoption process next, and I have every confidence that Marina will provide the same level of excellent service.
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18 May, 2011 by Michelle
Whilst finalizing a divorce, I was referred to Marina Vinsky with regard to creating a Revocable Trust, Advance Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney and a Will. Marina is extremely knowledgeable in all of these areas and I would highly recommend her professional services to anyone in need of the above.
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29 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
I have worked with Derryl Molina with numerous clients. All of them are very happy with her knowledge, patience, compassion and responsiveness. I have always found her to really care for her clients and will go the extra mile to make sure they are taken care of.
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24 Oct, 2013 by Diane
Derryl is one of the most efficient and trustworthy lawyers out there. She asks great questions, is organized, is well-versed in her field, priced very reasonably, is thorough, is friendly and compassionate. If there is anything that Derryl was not sure of, she always researched it thoroughly instead of doing what other lawyers tended to do; "make up" the answer. I have worked with many lawyers over the years for various reasons and I have to say, honestly, she is one of the best! She handled my prenuptial agreement, my living trust, my health care directive, my power of attorney, my will etc. and I highly recommend her to people who need these type of services. I have had nothing but positive experiences with Derryl and I am grateful for her services and expertise.
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24 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Derryl Molina did a terrific job preparing a living trust for our family. She explained complicated concepts and answered our questions thoroughly in terms we could understand. Derryl is extremely knowledgeable and truly cares about her clients. She is very dedicated to doing the best for her clients and is willing to go the extra mile for them. Our Family highly recommends Derrly Molina to anyone seeking help with wills and trusts.
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02 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Tracie handled my divorce and custody issues. She is very knowledgeable and professional in the courtroom, being very prepared for any direction the situation might go. She was readily available to me for questions and never made me feel like they were insignificant. Tracie made me feel like my case really mattered to her and that it wasn't just her doing her job. She was empathetic and understanding, and also encouraging when I was feeling low. She would thoroughly explain to me all my options in every situation and then would respect whatever decision I chose to make, helping answer countless questions along the way. I always felt like she was trying to be fair and that she really cared about me and getting my case done. I would absolutely recommend her.
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16 Jun, 2014 by Paula
Tracie helped me through a really tough time in my life. Although she was professional and knowledgeable she also cared about what I was going through. She made sure I understood everything that was going on (paperwork, etc...) and she was always happy to answer my questions. Sometimes I asked the same question more than once. She was very patient! When I sent her an email, she was always very responsive. Thank you, Tracie!
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01 May, 2013 by Shawn
jimmy was recommended to me by my bail bondsman, and though i could not afford to hire a lawyer he contacted the court to help get some information i could not, and he gave me advice about showing up to my trial. thanks jimmy!
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25 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I went to Valerie for advice to be sure I was doing everything possible to protect my son's interests in the divorce and she gave me a clear list of documents I needed to get signed to be sure I had what I needed should there be a fight in the next 18 years. She knows what she's doing and her calm demeanor gave me confidence when officially filing my divorce. Highly, highly, highly recommend.
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18 Sep, 2024 by Alejandra
I cannot express how grateful I am to have found Charice. After years of searching for the right representation and spending thousands of dollars with no success, I finally met someone who truly believed in me and my situation.
I’ve consulted with numerous top-rated attorneys—many of whom came highly recommended—but none of them made me feel genuinely supported. I had retained a few lawyers before, but they never quite understood the complexity of my case. Initially, I thought I needed an aggressive approach to combat the opposing party's tactics. However, Charice quickly changed that perspective.
From our very first consultation, I felt a sense of relief. Charice didn't just see me as another client; she listened and recognized that my situation required special handling. She was the only one who strongly recommended co-parenting therapy as a starting point, which has been transformative for me.
It’s rare to find someone willing to step into a difficult, high-conflict situation, but Charice did just that. Her belief in me was not only empowering but also crucial in navigating the challenges I faced. Charice is witty, caring, intelligent, and incredibly passionate about her work. She’s more than just an attorney; she’s an amazing human being.
Looking back, my only regret is not finding her sooner, especially considering the impact this has had on my child. However, I am now confident that with her guidance and our co-parent therapist, we are making the best investment for the future.
If you’re looking for an attorney who will fiercely advocate for you, provide honest advice, and approach your case with grace and professionalism, I wholeheartedly recommend Charice. She truly is a gem in the legal field, and I can't rave enough about the difference she has made in my life.
Thank you, Charice!
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04 Sep, 2024 by Sharon garell
> GJEL was recommended by a longtime friend of the family. Jim Larsen and his team were such a pleasure to work with and achieved excellent results. Jim was very kind, thoughtful, a good listener and readily available to answer my numerous questions. I would be happy to refer him to a friend without hesitation.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Gpt vn 1
Stephanie Rickard is hands down the best DUl lawyer in the Bay Area.
From start to finish, she helped us every steps of the way. The office staff is equally impressive. They are professional, responsive, and have a strong work ethic. Every interaction was smooth and stress-free, which made much easier to navigate. Thank you for everything you do for us!
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24 Jul, 2024 by Luis martinez
Highly recommend going to Nick and Daniel they will take care of you and know what they are doing they are a master of their craft. They even went out of their way to take care of my issue that they normally don't deal with, it can be a hassle dealing with the court system but they took care of everything for me and I am very thankful! Once again thanks guys!
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21 Jul, 2024 by Randolph cross
08 Jul, 2024 by Navroop sandhu
Nick Cvietkovich is a great defend Lawyer. He handled our case very professionally. He is very precise in his work. Highly recommended.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Hoda tayebi
Look no further. Dmitry is the best!!!!!
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11 Oct, 2024 by Matthew hooman
Thank you so much Dmitry! I am so grateful and lucky to have worked with such a strong and talented lawyer!
He's everything I could have asked for and more. Many, many thanks to you I can finally find peace from such a nightmare.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Ladyanne schimmeyer
Stadlin Law Firm group fought tiressly for my domestic violence case. It was an emotionally exhausting case with too many complexities involved but their strategic thinking and bold advocacy helped me achieve a favorable outcome. Atty. Dmitry was courteous and prompt in their responses, which made the whole stressful process much more bearable. I am profoundly grateful for his service.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Claudia guerrero
27 Aug, 2024 by Britt wilson
28 May, 2024 by Antoinette gardner
You guys did a fantastic job!!!!
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19 Sep, 2024 by Ed pooner
Roeschke Law helped me to get approved for my disability case and I am very thankful for their assistance. Although their were some occasions where it was difficult to reach anyone at their office to answer my questions, those difficulties got ironed out, and in the end they accomplished what the end goal was. Thank you Roeschke Law for successfully helping me with my disability case and wishing your firm continued success. Cheers, Ed Pooner
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06 Sep, 2024 by Ronald minjarez
I have nothing but good to say on this Firm and w it the the highest of respect. We had an issue and they contacted me and right after delt with it. They were respectful and honest with me. In no way was I paid or promised for my words I speak. I would recommend them to anyone seeking proper representation in hearing matter. Thank You and have a blessed day.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Claudia guerrero
09 Sep, 2024 by Fan
We met Julia in 2017, and she has been helping us since our F1 student visa days all the way to obtaining our green card. Throughout the process, we faced many challenges, but Julia helped us overcome them one by one. She is incredibly responsible and diligent, always reminding us to submit the necessary documents promptly to ensure everything goes smoothly. We are truly grateful for her assistance, which has allowed us to stay in the U.S. without worrying about our immigration status.
We have also referred many friends to her, and they have all successfully achieved their immigration goals. Julia is not only a reliable attorney but also a vital partner in our journey. If we need legal assistance in the future, we will definitely turn to her again.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Ich cts
Agree with those individual who wrote 5 stars review here that immigration Attorney Lu is the most responsive and responds your questions promptly whenever she is available. She follows up the case and helps you to pinpoint what is the most important documents prepared and what areas you need to pay extremely attention during the immigration application process. She will do whatever she can to make your application process as smooth as possible. High quality service and highly recommend for anyone who needs immigration service.
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07 Aug, 2024 by R i
Highly recommend Julia Lu to be the first to call for anyone looking for an immigration lawyer. We contacted Julia for family-based immigration, and our experience could not have been better (on top of, of course, having a successful case). Julia was tech savvy, well-organized, attentive and forthright. Her pricing is very transparent, her intake/material collection was a breeze, and she was able to frequently answer our questions as need arises. We could not have had a better experience anywhere else! 她真是本地最好的移民律师了
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27 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
At first, before we hired Mr. Pastore, it seemed as if we had an ugly dispute that would never get resolved. Mr. Pastore's expertise, honesty, and intelligence lead to a settlement that neither party could turn down.
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08 Mar, 2017 by Bryan
Mr. Pastore provides ongoing professional legal services to our business. Most recently he helped settle a sensative matter that had been lingering over our company for nearly a year. We find him to be professional, knowledgable, responsive, results oriented; always putting his client's interests first.
We highly recommend Nick and Campbell Warburton for your legal matters.
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15 Sep, 2016 by Basil
Nick is a well experienced mediator. He is handling a difficult case for us for the past few weeks. It did not settle at the mediation, but Nick has never given up. He still calls, still follows up, and is still, weeks later, trying to put together a settlement for us.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Allah ditta badmahsh
01 Apr, 2024 by Jorge macias
Great representation and excellent service from the staff I recommend Bernardo for whatever immigration issue you might have.
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14 Dec, 2023 by Krista caya
28 Aug, 2024 by Allah ditta badmahsh
01 Apr, 2024 by Jorge macias
Great representation and excellent service from the staff I recommend Bernardo for whatever immigration issue you might have.
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14 Dec, 2023 by Krista caya
06 Sep, 2024 by Nicolas byers
The clarity and depth of their advice have been instrumental in shaping our company's strategic decisions and protecting our interests.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Melinda wright
A corporate legal maestro, providing tailored solutions that navigate the complexities of today's commercial landscape with ease.
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13 Jul, 2024 by James turner
Whether you're a startup seeking legal guidance or a seasoned corporation in need of representation, these attorneys have you covered.
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28 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Scheduling an appt. was very easy. Both Roxanne and Cristal we are very professional especially when I need to reschedule the appointment to another day and time. I needed to consult mr. Navarrete on insurance regarding my resignation, the type of references that I should expect my former employer is allowed to provide. He also helped clarify the documents that I received from my previous employer. He was also very patient in listening to all the concerns that I had leading up to my resignation. He addressed all my concerns and questions and help me put my mind at ease in finding my next role without any issues. I would highly recommend him to a professional who needs clarification and assistance in regards to employment law.
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21 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Attorney Arthur Navarette and his staff are true professionals who get the job done - the right way! I am a Silicon Valley executive who first consulted two other attorneys about a severance agreement but felt like they really were just going through the motions. In my gut I felt I was wronged by my former employer, so I decided to get a third opinion. This time I contacted The Navarette Law Firm. When I called their office, Mr. Navarette's assistant Roxanne was very professional and accommodating in setting an after hours appointment that fit my busy schedule, and more important one that was before my deadline to respond. When I arrived for my appointment with Mr. Navarette, his other assistant Cristal was also very professional, really nice and got me into my consultation appointment right away. In the consultation, Mr. Navarette was very thorough and asked several very pointed questions that neither of the two previous attorneys had even asked me. He pointed out to me that my employer technically had broken the law and explained exactly why, and in non-legalese. He was very up front with me and didn't sugar coat anything about the weaknesses in my case. He then asked me a question that neither of the two other attorneys even bothered to ask: he asked me "what is your goal?" I told him my goal was to get more money in severance pay, have a clean record, and move on with my career. I ended up hiring Mr. Navarette to re-negotiate my severance package. I was being offered 12 weeks of severance pay and he got me 52 (one year). He also ensured that future employers would know nothing about my termination, by making the severance agreement mutually confidential. Mr. Navarette kept me informed every step of the way and provided me with excellent legal advice and excellent legal services. I am thrilled with the result that Mr. Navarette achieved for me and highly recommend him to anyone looking for an attorney who really knows how to get the job done right!
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16 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Said he would take my case, then was unresponsive for a week, scheduled a meeting, and then said the day before the meeting that he couldn't take my case. Never called me at any point to discuss the potential case. Was a bad situation because things are often time-sensitive and he didn't respect that (up front) and made me waste several days chasing him.
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06 Apr, 2023 by Mike
She lied and manipulate the system with held evidence all female courtroom her and judge Emede lied by saying res judicata and collateral esotppel were not relevant in my case. My ex first DVRO was rejected in Nevada she went to California and file another. I argued ot could not be retried because of res judicata and i was the victim of DV. She is a piece of crap out for money only. She ruin my life an career
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13 Dec, 2019 by Monalisa
I met Natalie on the hallway of he courthouse at one of my lowest points. I had went from a six figure income, to nothing and my spouse of 15 years was trying to stick it to me. She not only took on my case but got me my fair share. Recently she took my case again as he tried to lie, and get out of paying the Alimony. I can’t say enough about Her and the caring profession that she is. I know it was a Devine blessing, and a gift from God that I ran into that day on the hallway crying? and not knowing what to do. Natalie will get the job done. Boots on the Ground. Thank you so much.
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23 Jun, 2016 by Anna michelle
I came into contact with Nathalie through her involvement in Step Forward Foundation, a non-profit legal organization serving low income clients with Domestic Violence (DV) issues. In the 22 years that I lived with DV, and for the additional 3 years my husband continued to perpetrate DV against me after our separation, I searched high and low for an agency to help me but was unable, because the form of DV my husband perpetrated against me involved restraining me, shaking me, throwing things at me, threatening me, spitting on me, withholding assets from me, and other actions that didn't involve hitting or leaving physical marks on me that would warrant assistance from police and courts. Finally, I began secretly making videos of his attacks on me and took one of these videos to the Step Forward Foundation, where my appointment was referred to Nathalie. What a God-send that appointment was! Nathalie took my case right away. She not only represented me in the courts, but she provided the validation and support that I needed to begin to re-learn that what I was suffering really was DV, and unacceptable treatment of me - because after 25 years of calling the police and petitioning the courts and getting no assistance, I had come to believe that "maybe it was just me" or "maybe this is just normal." Nathalie's commitment to my case made me feel important again, and I began to grow stronger in my resolve to finally stand up to him. Nathalie won for me a 5 year DV Restraining Order that protects not only me, but also it protects my son until after his 18th birthday. The terms of the Restraining Order require my ex/his dad to go through significant counseling, drug screening and rehabilitation, etc., before he can resume visitation again, and it requires to visitation be supervised. This is an almost unheard of ruling, as most restraining orders are only granted for 1 year and do not prohibit the relationship between parent and child as was needed to also protect my son. After my DVRO was awarded, Nathalie continued on with me and took me as a client in her private practice to ensure that my divorce (pending in the court system and held up by the manipulation and delay tactics of my ex) would be finalized. Prior to Nathalie, no lawyers would take my divorce case. My gross income was too high to receive pro-bono services from non-profit agencies on matters besides the DVRO, but the marriage nor myself personally had any assets or savings to pay the lawyer's retainers and fees. Nathalie demonstrated commitment to ending DV for me once and for all when she reduced her retainer fee and wrote a fee agreement contract with me that allows me to pay her for her services at whatever (reasonable) monthly payments I can afford. Other lawyers refused to represent me unless I could pay $5,000 - $15,000 up front. Nathalie is allowing me to go into debt with her, which I am so grateful for that I feel like I will be indebted to her for the rest of my life - not in a monetary sense, but in the sense that without her help, I may very well have been stuck in my marriage forever, subject to abuse and torment. Nathalie bills reasonably, and doesn't penny-pick every millisecond you are on the phone with her like other lawyers do. She understands financial constraints of her clients and uses her time wisely to avoid over billing them. My case is scheduled for trail in 30 days, and I am so excited about the new life that lies ahead of me. There are some people in your life who serve such a meaningful purpose in transitioning you from one state of being to another. Nathalie is that for me. I will always hold regard for her in my heart and her success, well being, and blessing will for the rest of my life always be a part of my prayers. I ABSOLUTELY recommend her.
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26 Apr, 2024 by Aaron g
I deeply regret my decision to hire this law firm to represent me in court, as they failed to fulfill their duties. Initially, they demanded a retainer fee of $5,000, which they quickly depleted within a month without any tangible progress. To make matters worse, they then requested additional funds. It took them two weeks after our initial meeting to even file the necessary documents stating that they were my attorneys, and even that was the extent of their efforts in court. If it were possible, I would rate this firm with negative scores. I strongly advise against wasting your time with them, as all the positive reviews are deceitful. This firm should be permanently closed down and prohibited from assisting anyone. I simply needed one task accomplished for my divorce, but instead, they consumed all the retainer fees by excessively communicating through emails and phone calls, which proved to be fruitless. I find myself in the exact same situation as when I first started, having wasted an entire month that I can never retrieve.
It is crucial to seek out genuine lawyers rather than unscrupulous individuals.
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29 Jan, 2024 by Gabby suthakar
27 Sep, 2023 by Erik mickelson
Friendly staff, hard-working and diligent attorneys
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30 May, 2024 by Brian cain
25 Jan, 2023 by Robert bush
My mother is terminally ill and I wanted to ask Rich some questions regarding her Living Trust and Will. Rich was very prompt, patient, and articulate during this process. If I had to hire him for future work as my representative, I wouldn't hesitate. Thank you Rich
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06 Oct, 2022 by Nik bhatt
We have been clients of Rich Dayton's for many years. He has a lot of great ideas, and has produced excellent estate plans for us. We happened to meet with another estate planning lawyer, and the experience made us appreciate Rich that much more! You won't regret working with him.
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28 Dec, 2023 by Amelia
My experience with their legal team during my custody and child support case was amazing. MTSA staff are very easy to work with. Gina is a compassionate lawyer who will go out of their way to explain options, ask questions and ultimately ease ones anxiety about the terrifying process which a child custody case can be.
Things can get pretty tense in a courtroom but the great on top of my attorney's evidently being knowledgeable not only reassured me I was in good hands time and time again, but it also helped keep me calm and collected.
MTSA worked closely with me and my ex husband's lawyer to come up with a settlement we could both agree on. I was very comfortable with the settlement and in which I didn't feel I sacrificed my beliefs as a caring mother.
This kept us from an extensive custody battle in court and in the end, I feel that attorney Gina and her team fought for my beliefs as a mother and pushed for what I wanted.
I am grateful for that and therefore definitely recommend MTSA family law firm.
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26 Dec, 2023 by Maryouma
I hired Attorney Gina for my child custody case, and she was very kind and helpful during a very stressful time.
Compassionate about the best for children and I would not hesitate to refer family law matters to her in San Jose.
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17 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
Gina Azzolino failed to respond to my case numerous times. She also failed to notify me of upcoming absences in writing. Her lack of response became a problem - after 2-3 times of needing answers and a complete lack of response, I changed lawyers. I like her, and believe she comprehends situations well, but her case load is large, so don't expect to hear from her much.
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20 May, 2016 by Nikita
This attorney was court appointed. He was honest when he said the court has not ever given parents their children back when there are allegations of DRUG use. He failed to file motions in a timely matter. He failed to make objections when they were obvious & appropriate to make during court hearings. He neglected to file evidence that I provided that would have proven the petitioners allegations false had he filed my evidence with the court. He waived defective notice without speaking with me. He made no objection to the findings that the ICWA did not apply, after I insisted that it did&had proof he did not think would have made a difference because it was not filed. He never contacted me and very rarely did he return phone calls. E-mail was the best way to get in contact with him. The best advice he gave to me was.... "that is not your fight. Getting your kids back is what you're fighting for. Just do what the social workers want you to do and that is DRUG test." His arguments where not mine. He said in his arguments things like "my client is trying to pull her family out of homelessness." & "I think the party's are starting to come up with a resolution, my client believes she can take care of her children. We just need more time to come up with the proper treatment rather than a cookie cutter type of program." His arguments were not even close to convincing. He did however get me an extra visit for two hours. Total of 2 days/week. 2hours/ea. He did request make up visits when I was in court the morning I had a visit because notice said 830 not 130.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Mediation Lawyer Can Do for You
A mediation lawyer specializes in resolving disputes outside of the courtroom through a process called mediation. Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who helps the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediation lawyers can represent clients in various matters, including divorce, business disputes, employment conflicts, contract issues, personal injury claims, and more.
Unlike litigation, mediation is a less adversarial and more cost-effective way to settle disputes, often leading to faster resolutions and preserving relationships between the parties involved.
When Should I Hire a Mediation Lawyer?
Consider hiring a mediation lawyer when you’re involved in a dispute and want to avoid the time, expense, and stress of going to court. Common reasons to hire a mediation lawyer include:
- Divorce or child custody disputes: A mediation lawyer can help you reach a fair settlement on issues like property division, alimony, and parenting arrangements without going to court.
- Business or contract disputes: For disagreements such as contract disputes, partnership conflicts, or intellectual property issues, a mediation lawyer can assist in resolving the matter through negotiation.
- Employment disputes: Issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage disputes can be addressed through mediation to find common ground and avoid lawsuits.
- Personal injury cases: Mediation can help both parties agree on compensation in cases like car accidents or slip-and-fall claims without a prolonged court battle.
- Property disputes: Disputes over property ownership, landlord-tenant issues, or boundary disagreements can be settled more amicably through mediation.
- Family or inheritance disputes: Mediation can help resolve conflicts over wills or trusts without further dividing the family.
What Does a Mediation Lawyer Do?
A mediation lawyer provides a range of services to help clients resolve disputes through negotiation and mutual agreement. Their responsibilities often include:
- Representing your interests: Acting as your advocate during mediation to ensure your rights are protected and you understand your legal options.
- Preparing for mediation: Reviewing the facts of the case, gathering necessary documents, and advising you on potential resolutions.
- Facilitating communication: Helping to facilitate open and constructive dialogue between parties to clarify points of contention.
- Negotiating settlements: Assisting in negotiating fair and balanced settlement terms that are in your best interest.
- Drafting mediation agreements: Preparing the official mediation agreement that outlines the terms of the settlement, which is often legally binding.
- Avoiding litigation: Aiming to reach a settlement that eliminates the need for a court trial, saving time and resources for both parties.
- Handling complex legal issues: Explaining the legal implications of various settlement terms in cases with complicated legal matters.
How Are Mediation Lawyers Paid?
Mediation lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the time involved. Common payment methods include:
- Hourly rate: Charging an hourly fee ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on experience and case complexity.
- Flat fee: For simpler mediations, some lawyers may offer a flat fee covering all legal work involved in the process.
- Retainer: In ongoing or complex cases, a retainer may be required as an upfront payment billed against as work progresses.
Discuss fees and payment structures with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the cost of mediation services.
How Much Does a Mediation Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a mediation lawyer depends on several factors, including the case's complexity, the lawyer’s experience, and the time required to resolve the dispute. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Typically between $150 and $500 per hour.
- Flat fees: For simple mediations, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Total mediation costs: Can vary widely, from $2,000 to $10,000 for straightforward cases, up to $10,000 to $50,000 or more for complex disputes.
Always request a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand total expenses.
Top Questions to Ask a Mediation Lawyer
Before hiring a mediation lawyer, consider asking the following questions:
-
What experience do you have with mediation cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in handling similar disputes. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate based on your specific case. -
What is the likelihood of resolving my case through mediation?
Seek an honest assessment of whether mediation is suitable for your situation. -
How long will the mediation process take?
Inquire about the expected timeline and number of sessions required. -
Will you personally handle my case?
Confirm who will manage your mediation and represent your interests. -
Can we pursue alternative dispute resolution (ADR) if necessary?
Ask about other forms of ADR, such as arbitration, if mediation doesn't resolve the conflict.
How to Check the Credibility of a Mediation Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable mediation lawyer, take the following steps:
- Verify their bar status: Confirm with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary history.
- Look for mediation experience: Review their website or professional profile for specialization in mediation and successful case histories.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Check platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google for client feedback.
- Ask for references: Request references from past clients familiar with their mediation skills.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications from organizations like the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To maximize the effectiveness of your initial meeting, bring the following:
- Relevant documents: Any materials related to the dispute, such as contracts, emails, financial records, or court filings.
- List of key issues: A detailed list of the main points of contention that need resolution.
- Timeline of events: A chronological account of events leading up to the dispute, including prior resolution attempts.
- Goals for the mediation: Be prepared to discuss your desired outcomes and areas where you're willing to compromise.
- Questions for the lawyer: Any queries about the mediation process, fees, or their approach to dispute resolution.
Being well-prepared will help the lawyer assess your case effectively and provide the best possible advice for resolving your dispute through mediation.
