Lawyers map
Douglas Lee Price
73 Church St, Winder, GA
Practices
3.8
Avvo rating
6 Reviews
Data reflects the status as of the latest update. Updates are typically done monthly.
License
License ID number: -
Licensed in: -
Year admitted: -
Education
N/A
John Marshall (Atlanta)
Last reviews
Overall rating
3.8
6 reviews
3.8
Anonymous
28 May, 2015
I met Dougy Fresh as a Public Defender for my juvenile dependency case. I have come to learn the difficult position Doug has been in, along with all the work he's been doing behind the scenes, such as collaborating with some key players in this Juvenile Dependency game. Basically, Doug and I both are being screwed over by the Athens-Clarke County Juvenile system which is strongly influenced by DFACS in the very same county. We just went to court on 05/22/2015 and DFCS has been pulling some illegal punches, have broken federal and state codes, and allowed my grandson's abuse to go unnoticed. Doug tried to address the safety issue by asking the questions I asked him to ask "me" on my behalf, but Angela Pope, DFCS attorney and the Judge, allowed the objection, stating that "were here to talk about if your grandson is unsafe with YOU, not DFCS." The judge made several sarcastic, judgmental remarks and basically showed no interest in addressing my grandson's safety, or WHY he shouldn't remain in foster care. I would advise anybody having to fight a Juvenile Dependency Case to find a Paid attorney, not a Public Defender because they're indirectly representing the state. You have attorney's like Doug, who want to do the right thing, but are backed into a corner, and not allowed to do so. My daughters attorney, DFCS and the judge joined together, submitting a 'stipulation' right as court started, when ANY documents are supposed to be submitted not less than 7 days prior to allow a fair defense to the opposing party, that being myself, which was not done. Not even my attorney knew they would do that. Every facet of this case which is SUPPOSED to protect my grandson from the unsafe actions of DFCS aren't as reliable as they should be. He was never assigned a CASA, and DFCS didn't report or investigate ANY of the abuse my grandson has experienced, which is illegal. My grandson's bond is with me, and they could careless. I did not abuse my grandson, nor did I violate the bootleg Georgia Safety Plan given by DFCS. Doug gave a good, honest fight under the circumstances.
Read more
Anonymous
04 May, 2015
Doug is a decent guy, just not decent for my case. His knowledge of Juvenile cases stem from past experience and current connections. A few months ago, I met Doug as a Public Defender attorney through the Athens-Clarke County court system, for a Juvenile case. Initially, he was very attentive, and played a key role in helping me get through the initial shock of what was taking place. He played the role, card for card as outlined on many of the Fight CPS websites to deter the client (myself) in a direction more suitable for DFCS's benefit. The first step is to get the client to waive the first hearing and not allow hearsay. I didn't fall for that. Then he allowed the DFCS attorney to change the next court date, and he also played a role in changing the most recent court date to coincide to his benefit and the other attorneys involved, which leaves my grandson in foster a whole 120 days or more before the case is heard for my defense. Regrettably, my grandson has experienced abuse while in the system and Doug hasn't tried to request a Review Hearing, and has been stringing me along that the Child Advocacy were involved and that he sent out subpoenas, only to find out differently today. He never calls me back or answers my emails, and calls me "emotionally charged". I wonder how he'd be or any of the attorneys if they were in my shoes.
He could care less what happens to my grandson or me. Every time he does answer his phone, he's on his way to a Real Estate Closing where he makes his big money. If your issues are related to Real Estate, maybe he's your guy. Anything outside of a Public Defender role, none of the attorneys could careless, as they all have side gigs, doing cases that pay the bigger bucks, and place very little priority on Juvenile cases. You'd think it would be the other way around since children are involved. We've had 3 or 4 hearing , and NOBODY has mentioned my grandson's safety issues. Since he's representing me, it is required for him or any of the other attorneys to mention safety issues. If none of them don't mention his safety, the judge won't ever know. At that point extended damage has continued.
During our last hearing he also refused to and/or evaded questioning key witnesses which would have proven beneficial for me. In Juvenile court everybody accept the judge marches to DFCS's beat, yet they deceive her as well, with the false information they submit to her. Things are so terrible now, that I'm going to have to represent myself Pro Se, and involve the Children's Advocacy and the Office of Regulatory Services to investigate DFCS' actions for NOT reporting any of the abuse my grandson has endured. Sorry for such a long post.
Read more
Ladonna
23 Jan, 2015
I met Doug as a Public Defender attorney here in Athens, GA. He went above and beyond during my custody proceeding, and kept me notified prior to, during, and after the hearing. He even picked me up for court and dropped me off. My custody battle continues, but I feel confident in knowing that Doug is advising me of every option available. He has shown himself to be very honest, rather than telling me what I want to hear, which is what I've experienced from other attorneys. Best of all, he wasn't afraid to take my case, and allow me the opportunity to be heard. Though 'winning' is the backbone for any attorneys success, the real winners are those who put the client first! ;-)
Read more
Top review highlights
Pros
1
Demonstrated strong advocacy and honesty, even when it may not align with the client's desired outcome
“Best of all, he wasn't afraid to take my case, and allow me the opportunity to be heard. Though 'winning' is the backbone for any attorneys success, the real winners are those who put the client first!”
2
Provided excellent customer service, including going above and beyond to accommodate the client's needs
“He went above and beyond during my custody proceeding, and kept me notified prior to, during, and after the hearing. He even picked me up for court and dropped me off.”
Cons
1
Struggled to effectively challenge the opposing party's tactics and evidence in a juvenile dependency case
“Doug tried to address the safety issue by asking the questions I asked him to ask "me" on my behalf, but Angela Pope, DFCS attorney and the Judge, allowed the objection, stating that "were here to talk about if your grandson is unsafe with YOU, not DFCS."”
2
Lack of responsiveness and communication with the client in a juvenile dependency case
“He never calls me back or answers my emails, and calls me "emotionally charged".”
3
Prioritized other types of legal work over the juvenile dependency case, which negatively impacted the client's case
“Every time he does answer his phone, he's on his way to a Real Estate Closing where he makes his big money. If your issues are related to Real Estate, maybe he's your guy. Anything outside of a Public Defender role, none of the attorneys could careless, as they all have side gigs, doing cases that pay the bigger bucks, and place very little priority on Juvenile cases.”
Best lawyers in Winder, GA
06 Mar, 2017 by John
He helped me adopt my daughter and he did an awesome job
Read more
09 Feb, 2017 by Sunnie
The name William means ardent protector or guardian. And that is what you will get in Bill Hicks, not just an attorney but a warrior in court. Just a little shy of two years ago I walked into Mr. Hicks's office with a newborn in tow having been cheated on and abandoned. And like his name implies, his protective side surged forward. Although one of several attorneys I had spoken with, he was the first one that gave me the an indication that he truly cared about what I was going through and wanted to see justice done for me and my little boy. Mr. Hicks has walked with me every step of this long and arduous journey. I also have to say that he and Mr. Kyle Sharry, who helped in my case, were easy to work with, and always answered any questions that I might have without reproach or irritation-- they guided me when I was making life decisions that could have had an affect on my case. I can't thank either of them enough in their council. If the TV show House, MD was about an attorney instead of a medical doctor, I'm convinced they would base the character on Mr. Hicks. I would suggest anyone to consider Mr. Hicks and his team when looking into hiring and attorney.
Read more
21 Nov, 2022 by Philip russell
I had a case years ago in which my prior lawyers, in my opinion, failed to present the case which would have proven I was not guilty for which I was charged. As a result, I took a plea bargain, but the prior lawyer failed to mention the “First Offender” law . After researching the law myself, I hired another attorney whom then passed the case to Mr Healan. I was advised to be patient and he would handle everything. Well, after about 18 months, Mr Healan not only got the case on the docket, the district attorney’s office even spoke on my behalf in a positive manner and the “Retro First Offender” order was granted! I have since asked a question via email, and much to my surprise, unlike prior lawyers, was answered within five MINUTES! air you need an professional attorney, I HIGHLY recommend Mr. Billy Healan!
Read more
03 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr Healan took a case that I would have sworn our loved one would have gotten (a lot) of prison time and turned it into a probation/counseling case. It was unbelievable!!!! I highly recommend Mr Healan.
Read more
13 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Sometimes cases get better with age... in mine it did and Mr. Healan was able to take care of my legal needs perfectly. I would highly recommend his firm.
Read more
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 Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?
Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:
-
What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
Who will be handling my case?
Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals. -
What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
What potential outcomes can I expect?
While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the expected timeline for my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What challenges do you foresee in my case?
Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.
Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Winder, Georgia?
Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:
-
Within the Same State:
Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state. -
Outside of Their Licensed State:
If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:- Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
- Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
-
International Representation:
For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.
It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer
Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:
-
Verify Their License:
Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose. -
Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records. -
Client Reviews and Testimonials:
Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences. -
Professional Memberships:
Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards. -
Awards and Recognitions:
Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community. -
Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:
-
Relevant Documents:
Bring all documents related to your case, such as:- Contracts or agreements
- Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
- Legal notices or court papers
- Financial records (if applicable)
- Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
-
Written Summary:
Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context. -
List of Questions:
Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, fees, or the lawyer's experience. -
Financial Information:
If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices. -
Contact Information:
Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case, including their names and contact information. -
Personal Identification:
Bring a valid photo ID for verification purposes. -
Pen and Notebook:
Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed. -
Budget Constraints:
Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options. -
Openness and Honesty:
Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
