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10 Sep, 2024 by Lisa k.
I called Conn Law, PC, and spoke to a "consultant" who assured me that an attorney would contact me. However, I never received a callback, and I was disappointed by the lack of communication and follow-through.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Teena s
One of the best law office. My asylum case is handled by the very efficient staff members here at Robert Jobe office. I was all the time guided by my paralegal team member Tatjana. She supported me through all the process and we are able to successfully filed our case and the process was made very easier by my legal team. Thank you Tatjana and team for all your support during this journey.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Prabhjeet singh
Law office of Mr. Robert B Jobe is the best place for immigrants to address their immigration problems. The staff is really helpful and friendly. Very knowledgeable and professional people. I strongly recommend my immigrant friends this office!! Mr. Jobe is the BEST immigration attorney in America and a great human being!! This office is like a heaven to save immigrants who have been persecuted in their own country.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Lisa k.
I called Conn Law, PC, and spoke to a "consultant" who assured me that an attorney would contact me. However, I never received a callback, and I was disappointed by the lack of communication and follow-through.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Teena s
One of the best law office. My asylum case is handled by the very efficient staff members here at Robert Jobe office. I was all the time guided by my paralegal team member Tatjana. She supported me through all the process and we are able to successfully filed our case and the process was made very easier by my legal team. Thank you Tatjana and team for all your support during this journey.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Prabhjeet singh
Law office of Mr. Robert B Jobe is the best place for immigrants to address their immigration problems. The staff is really helpful and friendly. Very knowledgeable and professional people. I strongly recommend my immigrant friends this office!! Mr. Jobe is the BEST immigration attorney in America and a great human being!! This office is like a heaven to save immigrants who have been persecuted in their own country.
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04 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Joe has exceptional knowledge and experience with landlord/tenant issues and handled my case exceptionally well. I felt very well taken care of in a legal realm that can leave you feeling very vulnerable and bullied by landlords and their lawyers. Joe assessed my situation quickly and thoughtfully, reassured me of my rights and worked with me to make sure my rights were protected. I prevailed and was not pushed around as I likely would have been without his representation.
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25 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I had won a small claims dispute and then the woman counter sued with some crazy made up claim because she was not happy she lost. It was a nightmare. I knew I needed an attorney at that point ... Knowing the woman was insane beyond belief. I needed a strong attorney. Thank God I found Joe. Joe was right there to help me every step of the way and kept his word about everything, I defeated her lawsuit, got my money. Joe took the reigns from the moment he became my attorney! I never had to check up on him. He just handed it! I am very pleased with his promptness and concern for me and would recommend him to anyone!
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22 Dec, 2014 by Linda
I first met Joe Bravo through my daughter, who had nothing but praise to share. He helped her in an emergency situation when her health was at stake. My situation was a personal injury which occurred in a "big box store." I had never needed an attorney before, much less work with a large corporation, with regard to taking responsibility for my serious injury. Joe was there from day one, keeping me updated, explaining my rights, helping me through mounds of legal terminology and personal statements, which I had to provide. He came to my home when I was unable to walk, and spent hours of his time ensuring I was keep informed. He is so responsive you would think you were his only client. This included me responding to his e-mails written at 1 am. He is tireless! He has amazing charisma and trustworthiness. I would definitely recommend Joe Bravo for any legal issues you may have.
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08 Mar, 2023 by Amelia bonilla
15 Jan, 2023 by Andrew semaan
06 Jul, 2022 by Derek ryan
20 Aug, 2024 by Teena s
One of the best law office. My asylum case is handled by the very efficient staff members here at Robert Jobe office. I was all the time guided by my paralegal team member Tatjana. She supported me through all the process and we are able to successfully filed our case and the process was made very easier by my legal team. Thank you Tatjana and team for all your support during this journey.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Prabhjeet singh
Law office of Mr. Robert B Jobe is the best place for immigrants to address their immigration problems. The staff is really helpful and friendly. Very knowledgeable and professional people. I strongly recommend my immigrant friends this office!! Mr. Jobe is the BEST immigration attorney in America and a great human being!! This office is like a heaven to save immigrants who have been persecuted in their own country.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Mandeep samra
Law office of Mr .robot b jobe is the best place for immigration to address their immigration problems.the staff is really helpful and friendly.very knowledgeable and professional people.I strongly recommend my immigrant friends this office .I really thanks to attorney Michael and jagdev Bullar .really helpful people.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Sheel mohnot
11 May, 2024 by Junyi shan
I contacted Dhillon Law Group about a defamation case that I would like to pursue in February 2024. Now three months have passed, and I never heard back from them.
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24 Mar, 2024 by Christopher bout
I would like to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the work of Jesse Franklin-Murdock and the Center for American Liberty's extraordinary support in my case. From the outset, when I had that initial call with Eric Sell, and with Josh Dixon – they immediately pulled in strong resources and subsequently Mr. Franklin-Murdock. All these actions and the associated conversations demonstrated dedication, professionalism, superior competency, knowledge, and application of relevant case law by everyone who touched my case but most of all you, Jesse, so thank you! You yourself Jesse, went well above expectation by fielding calls and executing on some key action items, even while on international vacation.
Jesse, to you and the entire Center for American Liberty and the entire Dhillon Law Group – THANK YOU for defending my rights with vigor, professionalism, superior application of law, a successful outcome, and for the intangibles like diligence, listening, empathy and that unique feeling that I, as a client, actually matter. Ten thousand kudos to you!
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17 Aug, 2024 by B r iana fortson
So after 4 months of thinking my case involving a infestation of mice & rats(caught 15)was being worked on, I found out that my case was terminated almost immediately after accepting my case because I answered no to one of the criminal background questions that mentioned having any recent criminal activities etc which is true, over 6 years plus is not recent so I guess they don’t trust to represent us because of that I feel it’s discrimination because what does having a criminal record have to do with us needing the help?! It shouldn’t have even taking me reaching out to find this out. Very unprofessional for a law firm & they don’t have your best interest obviously.. like how you can’t sympathize with a family that obviously needs representation & justice from & very inhabitable situation if that’s your job?!
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08 Aug, 2024 by Goodarz filsouf
I had a quick session with Julie Hartlé , first of all, she is an amazing person, very understanding, and also very professional and well-informed about the issues we were having. She has an extensive background with different housing departments and also knows disability law very well. She gave me sound advice and we set up a follow-up. I can say that I am very happy with the value they provided me in this session and highly recommend them.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Mharco juliano
11 Jul, 2015 by Deonne
I waited almost two years before realizing the insurance company for the party at fault would not appropriately compensate for my head injury. James quickly took care it. He is professional, responsive, and honest in his appraisal. I now have the means to address the injury and peace of mind. What a relief.
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19 Mar, 2015 by David
My girlfriend and I were cut off by a taxicab while riding our bicycles in San Francisco. We both were injured and damaged our bikes.. James worked with us and the taxi company to get a great result. He thoughtfully guided us through the whole process and stuck with it to the very end. Thank you James!
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14 Mar, 2015 by Sarah
I had fallen 16 ft from a deck that broke, I was injured and pain is a part of my life now. That said it was a difficult case in terms of liability issues that the insurance company was claiming. I had another attorney but the case wasn't going well due to some questionable attorney practice on both sides between my guy and the homeowner's insurance company, and they're attorney. Then my attorney past on and his firm was dissolving. James and I ran into eachother with impeccable timing after having met breifly a year prior. He helped me pick up the pieces, my case was a mess. He saved the situation by seeing to it that I was well represented, James was present at every meeting and phoned me whenever necessary to offer guidance. My experience of Mr. Choulos is that he is sincere, professional, and he genuinly cares about helping people up when they're down. I owe my good outcome to having him and his team in my corner. I'm truly grateful.
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30 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
This attorney's office is this only office of all my emails that actually called me back and set an appt time to speak with an attorney. One other attorney emailed me but that was all.
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21 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I made the mistake of hiring this lawyer, and I found three weeks after signing the contract that she started to treat me like a flunky employee. She started to get angry at me on a regular basis for (a) too many emails (b) not enough emails (c) asking for status updates (d) asking questions .... She negotiated a settlement about one-fifth of what she originally estimated she would get, and this settlement would have yielded me ~$500 profit after deducting her fees. She required me to make multiple concessions to the opposing party prior to negotiating on my behalf. The retainer contract didn't discuss administrative fees, but she charged me separately for copying, postage, billing. My billing rate for her secretary was $100 per hour, even though she likely paid her secretary ~$25 per hour. She padded her bill in multiple ways, so that after 10 hours of work, she had gotten nothing for me done. Her bill padding fictionalized phone calls and emails that never happened. Run for the hills away from this ill-tempered, unprofessional, inefficient lawyer.
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20 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Mary Pat and her partner, Gary Moss, are both very professional and personable. We just completed a case that took three years and they never gave up! I trust their collective judgement and their skills, we were quite happy with our outcome.
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20 Dec, 2018 by Salvador
First of all, from the very beginning when I met him I give my trust to him which I didn’t regretted, I saw that he work hard and honest and conservative and most of all experienced about maritime law. He did all preparations for my case. We have a respect it’s other, and the conclusion my case was successful.
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5.0
8 Reviews
3.7
38 Reviews
06 Aug, 2024 by Sheel mohnot
11 May, 2024 by Junyi shan
I contacted Dhillon Law Group about a defamation case that I would like to pursue in February 2024. Now three months have passed, and I never heard back from them.
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24 Mar, 2024 by Christopher bout
I would like to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the work of Jesse Franklin-Murdock and the Center for American Liberty's extraordinary support in my case. From the outset, when I had that initial call with Eric Sell, and with Josh Dixon – they immediately pulled in strong resources and subsequently Mr. Franklin-Murdock. All these actions and the associated conversations demonstrated dedication, professionalism, superior competency, knowledge, and application of relevant case law by everyone who touched my case but most of all you, Jesse, so thank you! You yourself Jesse, went well above expectation by fielding calls and executing on some key action items, even while on international vacation.
Jesse, to you and the entire Center for American Liberty and the entire Dhillon Law Group – THANK YOU for defending my rights with vigor, professionalism, superior application of law, a successful outcome, and for the intangibles like diligence, listening, empathy and that unique feeling that I, as a client, actually matter. Ten thousand kudos to you!
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11 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
I contacted Mr. Bracamontes about an issue with my landlord. I was immediately impressed with how professional and knowledgeable he was. He was responsive, his explanations were clear, and most importantly, I have confidence in his advice. I'd recommend him to anyone looking for a strong, strategic advocate.
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26 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Michael Bracamontes handled an employment issue for me that most lawyers would have turned away from. The employment issue was tough for both sides, but Michael never wavered even against a handful of City Attorney's with unlimited resources. I highly recommend consulting with Michael Bracamontes.
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09 Jun, 2015 by Javier
Mr. Bracamontes handled a tenant - landlord law suite on my behalf back in 2011. I knew what my landlord was doing was wrong; what I didn't know was whether he actions violated California law. Michael was very upfront with the retainer costs and made no promises regarding outcome. He did feel we had a good case. So we proceeded. The process took around 6 months. Michael and his team did a very good job in keeping me informed and making sure we did not miss any steps. Eventually, we made it to court and won a significant settlement. I will not hesitate to call on Mr. Bracamontes again.
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11 Feb, 2024 by Alex ferbrache
Victor helped my mom win a personal injury settlement against a major retail chain. I am incredibly grateful for his outstanding legal support and guidance throughout the process. His diligence and attention to detail in gathering information about the incident both from my mom and the relevant medical professionals and organizations was instrumental in the favorable settlement he achieved on her behalf. We'd highly recommend working with Victor.
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18 Dec, 2023 by Beverly li
Victor was a tremendous help. After my car accident, I initially felt overwhelmed and reluctant to deal with anything related to the incident, anticipating it to be a hassle. However, once I mustered up the confidence to reach out to Victor and put in some effort, it became evident that he would be able to assist me—and he truly did. Although the process was somewhat lengthy, Victor consistently excelled in providing timely updates throughout the case. I definitely would recommend Victor to anyone who needs him.
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19 Sep, 2023 by Alvin lee
I cannot express my gratitude enough to Victor and his team. They truly went above and beyond to help me with a case that was far from easy to prove. Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to my case were remarkable.
From the initial consultation, Victor and his team took the time to thoroughly understand the complexities of my situation. They provided me with clear guidance on the potential outcomes and a realistic assessment of my situation, which helped me make informed decisions throughout the process.
What impressed me the most was their tireless advocacy on my behalf. Victor and his team left no stone unturned, conducted meticulous research, and navigated through the legal intricacies with finesse. They handled everything with determination and professionalism, even when all seem hopeless.
I'm thrilled to say that their hard work paid off, and I received compensation that I never thought possible. This outcome was a testament to Victor and his team's expertise and their ability to handle challenging cases.
Moreover, the communication throughout the entire process was exceptional. They kept me informed at every step, promptly answered my questions, and eased my anxieties. I felt supported and empowered throughout the journey.
If you're in need of legal representation and are facing a complex or challenging situation, I wholeheartedly recommend Victor. They are a dedicated team of legal experts who will fight with passion, skill, and unwavering commitment.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Stanley Goff took the easy way out on my civil action and RICO case in 2019. Come October 2022. I pray that Stanley gets buried by Roger's and Hayward's. An earthquake, not a law firm.
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12 Aug, 2021 by Charles
He accepted our money, started our case, and apparently dropped the ball. Had a a hearing where he appeared on our behalf and haven't heard back from him since. Have been to both his Oakland office and his San Francisco office and left several written and verbal messages. To date we still haven't e not received a response from this attorney. He also accepted a retainer er from us to start on another matter and again we have received no response to date. This is not only rude, it is quite unprofessional for an attorney. This is not an acceptable way to treat paying clients.
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17 Nov, 2020 by Darcey
My lawyer always knows what he's doing at all times thank you Stanley Craig Goff he can turn around into her right thank you very much for the law office of Stanley Craig goff
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02 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
I would not recommend John Grele, his fees were substantially higher than others I consulted with and he had a dismissive attitude from the get-go.
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30 Aug, 2013 by Grail
He has helped me with a lot of dirretnt types of law from business to professional issues. He finishes the task quickly with always a win outside and inside the courtroom. He is my life time attorney. He rocks with speed and wins.
Grail
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27 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
Bryan is an interesting lawyer. He seems awesome then you see how he treats his clients. He will talk down to you, in fact, swear at you. He will blame you for not knowing things and get upset at the very end for major details that he and his partner should have resolved at the beginning; things that effect your ultimate settlement. Also pay very close attention between what he says is the rate and what you sign in your contingency agreement. He says one thing and then takes the bigger chunk at the end with no recourse available to the client. He generally settles or wins so that is the only reason I'll say I'd recommend him. Just be prepared to pay to be disrespected on multiple occasions, be prepared for him not to do his early homework-waiting till the end to realize that particularities needed to be handled when he first takes a case, and be prepared to hear their rate is 'x %' when in reality it is 'y %'. I had more stress from dealing with this attorney in some ways then the actual personal injury I sustained. Anyway, he's a pretty good lawyer with a very abrasive personality. If you can find another pretty good lawyer without these issues, then go for it! Good luck to you all!
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13 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
DO NOT HIRE MELISSA POLK! She is an extremely dishonest person who doesn't know how to do her job. She frequently makes mistakes and instead of accepting responsibility to fix them, blames everyone else except herself - the judge, her paralegal, and worst of all, her own clients. It's unbelievable she is still able to practice law. As is apparent in the reviews, she has harmed many people, ruined their cases, abandoned them at critical moments, and still refuses to admit any fault. My favorite is that she claims on some negative reviews that her clients "were happy with her work". So why would someone write a negative review who was happy with her work? Absolutely disgusting. She cares only about billing her clients high rates for terrible work, with zero empathy or consideration for the outcome.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Linda
Melissa Polk has handled my Restraining Order matter and the subsequent ongoing divorce case with all the professionalism, attention to detail and clearly defined goals necessary to handle two very contentious situations.
I have worked among many other attorneys for 14 years while managing my (ex) husband's law office: Ms. Polk is better than any other lawyer I know. Melissa far exceeds my expectations and she has the compassion and knowledge of the law that I needed when I became desperate and highly stressed.
I trusted her from the start; she came into the midst of me trying to represent myself and file my own court documents against the man I put through law school and had supported for 28+ years.
I can't give her more stars than Avvo allows; I would if I could.
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15 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Worst attorney ever! Melissa lied to my face. You cannot trust a word she says. She obviously doesn't know the law because I found out later that much of the "advice" she gave me was completely wrong! Why tell a client something as fact when you don't know what you are talking about??? She didn't help me with my case and in fact, made it far worse. Her bills contained many errors, including billing me for discussing the mistakes she made which she never fixed. Rude, unknowledgeable, and a complete waste of money. I wish I had never, ever hired her. Don't make the same mistake I did!
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11 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I do not know why his name is under Juvenile Law, Family, Personal Injury. We used him for Special Need Education Lawyer.
I got his name from PHP and attended one of his class held by PARCA. I liked him. When I was in need of a lawyer for due process, I talked with him beforehand and decided to hire him. He attained a lot of information for prior IEPs and CCS reports. He asked me what I wanted. I asked him the strategy how I proposed my requests as some parents were telling me to ask for more because district only gave a part what parents/lawyer proposed. He said if my requests were reasonable, he would get what I wanted. So I wrote my proposal and asked him if it's reasonable. He probably just copied and pasted. And then filed due process. He was contacted by the district lawyer. I forgot exactly how long, I think it was about one month after we filed due process. He asked me what to do about the case as it's law requirement we had to indicate what's our next step, drop the case or continue the case. I asked what is his suggestions. He said we could drop the case as the case has started. So I dropped case. Then the district gave me a counter offer which is about 60-70% what I want. He suggested me to accept the offer and see how it work. If it's not working, we would start another due process. He did not even counter offer once. I did not agree. He said he could not work for me if I do not accept his suggestion. So I fired him after that.
I agree with the previous reviewer said he retained his attorney fees on obtaining IEPs and other information. He asked me to get a Psychology report. I did and forwarded report to him. I was charged for all the time reviewing all the information. But when I had conversation with him, I am not sure how much he knew about the case. I have to repeat a few times where the law was broken in this case. I do not feel he knew much about the case nor he had much intention to fight for the case. He did not counter offer at all after the district's offer although I was charged a lot of money.
I would not get a lawyer if I was not frustrated enough by the school/disctrict. His act added salt to the injury. I felt so helpless and hopeless at the time.
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01 May, 2015 by James
Retained attorney for a due process hearing about our son's IEP. Had to pay the attorney an upfront retainer of about $3,400, I believe. Attorney gave the case to an associate who worked from home with a crying baby.
Attorney referred us to a specific pediatric development specialist for an evaluation (expert witness opinion). Had to get on a four-month waiting list for s for that. During the wait, attorney deducted $500 from the retainer each month for "reviewing the file."
We eventually get our son's evaluation. It did not support our case-- in fact, it supported the school district's position more than ours. Attorney was caught by surprise, case was dead. We spent $3,400 for about 1/2 hours of the attorney's time, and maybe 1.5 hours of the distracted associate attorney's time.
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24 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
I wanted an attorney to pursue claims against a criminal landlord who was acting in collusion with the local PD. This guy was very eager to get paid without providing any proper answers. I did not pay thinking this guy was not worth the money and I am proven right. I have filed the lawsuit without the help of a lawyer like this and have saved the money. Guys like this should be disbarred and not allowed to practice law in this great state.
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11 Aug, 2023 by Metro goldwyn mayer
Terrible! Do not I repeat do not use for any landlord/tenant matters. Hes too newly licensed to have any real knowledge to help you. Will babble hid way to billing you for useless conversations. Thinks he works big law and worthy of over 350+ /hr! He flips out if you question him about his experience. Bipolar! A huge mistake to hire for anything he thinks he graduated Harvard and you have no options. Find someone else. It’s not worth the fact that he has to learn everything on the fly on your dime. Needs to work in a law firm and gain more experience before he has the arrogant attitude he has! I truly believe he has a behavioral problem. Find someone else to represent you.
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27 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
I reached out to Nancy via email several times with very personal information. My emails were ignored, so I decided to give her a call thinking they might have gone to a spam folder. She acted bothered by my phone call and stated she would call back, but never did.
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26 Jun, 2022 by Kate
My experience working with Brian and his team was beyond terrible, I highly recommend you stay away from this lawyer. He barely worked my case and had a paralegal on it the whole time who did nothing but talk about herself and her past illnesses and accidents rather than listening to what I was experiencing and helping me get the care I needed. I was only able to get the care and help I needed once I found a new lawyer and fired their team. The list of issues I had with them is extensive....
Their team and their doctors had terrible communication and were sloppy. They barely listened to me and made extremely sexist remarks. I have listed issues I had with this team on Yelp and Google reviews, please read and save yourself the suffering.
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22 Aug, 2023 by Kreyer family trust
This man is a horrible lawyer, as far as I’m concerned he is a criminal, and a bully - he billed my family over $80,000 and didn’t fight to present crucial evidence when it came down to the wire..
He is a liar, a megalomaniac, a horrible person, and I would absolutely NOT recommend him unless your willing to waste tens of thousands of dollars to listen to him lecture and insult you while telling you crucial evidence is worthless. He abandoned me twice during hearings he promised to appear for, as he said he would not leave me out to dry - yet abandoned me day of the trials/hearings and I lost horribly due to his malpractice and misrepresentation of his skill set
I went in on my own for trial and was ten times more effective than he was in all three years of his representation combined!
I will gladly share more information with anyone considering hiring Wallace. Unlike him, I’m not scared to present it. He has threatened to sue me for defamation when he knows he’s failed me as an attorney - the only thing he did well was a deposition - which Yorker a ton of evidence he never presented.
This man is a joke and a hot head - do not waste your money or energy depending on him to do the honest Abe ethical thing.
Feel free to message me for further detail and evidence.
I’m reporting him to the bar and trying to recover the money wasted on this man’s ego.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Oliver smith
A lot of money lost paying for their inefficiency, I ruined my case when trying to defend myself only got stuck
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12 Aug, 2020 by Andrea wood
12 Aug, 2020 by Andrea wood
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
A personal injury lawyer specializes in helping individuals who have been physically or emotionally injured due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. Whether you've been hurt in a car accident, suffered a slip and fall, or experienced medical malpractice, a personal injury attorney works to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. They can help you recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.
Personal injury lawyers act as your advocate, navigating the legal system on your behalf and dealing with insurance companies to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. They understand how to handle complex legal matters and help you avoid common pitfalls.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial in many situations where you've been harmed due to another's negligence. Some key scenarios include:
- Severe injuries: If you've suffered significant or permanent injuries that result in substantial medical bills, a lawyer can help ensure you are fairly compensated.
- Long-term or permanent disability: Injuries that affect your ability to work or require ongoing medical treatment are complex, and a lawyer can help estimate long-term damages.
- Disputed liability: If the responsible party or their insurance company denies liability for your injury, a lawyer can gather evidence and advocate on your behalf.
- Insurance company lowball offers: Insurers often try to settle personal injury claims for as little as possible. A lawyer can negotiate to get you a fair settlement.
- Medical malpractice claims: Injuries caused by a doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider due to negligence require a personal injury lawyer experienced in medical malpractice law.
- Exposure to hazardous substances: If you've been injured due to exposure to toxins, chemicals, or dangerous substances, a lawyer can help pursue legal action.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process is crucial, especially if you're unsure of the full extent of your injuries or damages.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
A personal injury lawyer provides a wide range of services to guide you through the legal process and maximize your compensation. They can:
- Evaluate your case: A lawyer will assess the strength of your claim and determine whether you have a viable case.
- Investigate the incident: Gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert opinions is key to building a strong case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Lawyers handle communications with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement and aren't taken advantage of.
- File a lawsuit if necessary: If a fair settlement can't be reached, the lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
- Help calculate damages: This includes medical expenses, lost wages, future medical needs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
- Prepare and file legal documents: Lawyers handle all the paperwork and deadlines associated with your case, including filing motions and discovery requests.
- Represent you at trial: If your case goes to trial, the lawyer will argue your case before a judge and jury to obtain the compensation you deserve.
How Are Personal Injury Lawyers Paid?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they win your case, either through settlement or a court judgment. Here’s how it works:
- Contingency fee percentage: The lawyer will take a percentage of the settlement or award, typically between 25% and 40%, depending on the complexity of the case and the stage at which it's resolved.
- Costs and expenses: In addition to the contingency fee, the lawyer may deduct other costs associated with the case, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, and court costs. These expenses are often advanced by the lawyer and repaid out of the settlement.
- No upfront payment: Since the lawyer’s fee is contingent on winning, you usually don’t pay anything upfront.
Always discuss the lawyer’s fee structure during your consultation to avoid surprises.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer depends on the specifics of your case and the lawyer’s fee structure. However, since most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, the amount you pay will depend on the outcome of your case. Here are some general guidelines:
- Contingency fees: Typically range from 25% to 40% of the settlement or award. The percentage may increase if the case goes to trial or requires an appeal.
- Other costs: In addition to the lawyer's fee, you may be responsible for case-related expenses such as expert witness fees, medical record retrieval fees, and court costs. These are often deducted from your settlement, so you won't have to pay out of pocket.
While the cost may seem high, hiring an experienced lawyer can significantly increase the amount you recover, making it a worthwhile investment.
Top Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, it's essential to ask questions to ensure you’re choosing the right representation. Here are some important questions to ask:
-
What is your experience with personal injury cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has handled cases involving similar injuries or accidents. -
What is your fee structure?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a contingency fee and what percentage they will take from any settlement or award. -
How long will my case take?
While it's hard to predict, a lawyer can give you an estimate based on similar cases they’ve handled. -
How often do you take cases to trial?
Some lawyers prefer to settle quickly, while others are more comfortable going to court if necessary. -
Will you personally handle my case?
In larger firms, junior lawyers or paralegals may handle some aspects of your case, so it's important to know who will be managing your claim. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Speaking with past clients can provide valuable insight into the lawyer’s effectiveness and professionalism.
How to Check the Credibility of a Personal Injury Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a credible personal injury lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any history of disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Online platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Google reviews can provide insight into the lawyer's reputation and client satisfaction.
- Look at their track record: Review their experience with personal injury cases, particularly how many cases they’ve successfully resolved or taken to trial.
- Ask for references: Credible lawyers should be willing to provide references from past clients who can vouch for their work.
- Check professional memberships: Lawyers who are members of respected organizations, like the American Association for Justice (AAJ), often have a solid reputation in the field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer, prepare the following:
- Detailed account of the accident: Write down everything you remember about the incident, including dates, times, and locations. Include any witnesses or police reports if available.
- Medical records and bills: Bring any documentation of your injuries, treatments, and associated medical costs.
- Insurance information: Provide your insurance details and any communication you’ve had with the other party’s insurance company.
- Employment and income records: If your injury has impacted your ability to work, bring proof of lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
- Photos or videos: If you have photos of the accident scene, your injuries, or property damage, bring them to your consultation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions to ask, including how the lawyer will handle your case and what you can expect in terms of timeline and outcome.
By preparing thoroughly for your first consultation, you’ll help the lawyer understand your case more quickly and get a better sense of your legal options.
