Lawyers map
Jay Allan Frank
Data reflects the status as of the most recent database update. We generally conduct data reviews and updates on a
monthly schedule.
4.5
Avvo rating
8 Reviews
Top review highlights
AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Highly knowledgeable and ethical attorney
“Jay and his team were very successful in attaining a desirable outcome to me in the estate division and in my alimony.”
2
Provides thoughtful guidance and care during the divorce process
“He never minimized the personal and emotional nature of my divorce and provided sound legal advice, so I could make informed decisions.”
3
Efficient and effective at resolving complex divorce cases
“Jay did just that. He worked diligently and thoughtfully to get the outcome we were looking for, as cost effectively and quickly as possible.”
4
Respected by other legal professionals
“To my fortune, my Valuation and Forensic advisor highly recommended Mr. Jay Frank, as she had seen his professional and ethical manner as well his great knowledge of the law many times in the courtroom.”
Cons
As a result of the analysis of reviews about this lawyer, no significant cons were found.
All reviews
30 Oct, 2022 by Loretta
I was referred to Jay Frank by a dear high school girlfriend who had been through an excruciating, complex, divorce involving a spouse who was hiding his money from his businesses to evade paying my friend what was owed to her. Jay Frank was one of the last attorneys hired by my friend, and in the final hour, he actually was able to turn the tables for his client, my friend, and ended up getting my friend money that she never expected to get in her final settlement.
My divorce was much less complex but nonetheless excruciating for me, as this was a divorce that I did not want nor foresee at the age of 61, facing two total hip arthroplasty surgeries, and the last chapter of my life, alone. My ex-spouse also left behind his two stepsons, and although they were young men in their twenties, they felt abandoned, disappointed and angry. This was the second divorce they had been through, the first divorce from their father when they were only ages three and six. Their father had been abusive with me so with a subsequent Order of Protection against him, and counseling that was not effective for our marriage, I felt compelled to be the one to file for divorce for the sake of my mental health and that of my sons.
Jay Frank was the second attorney I hired as the first attorney seemingly went through my retainer fee of $5K in a few months with very little legal work executed. When Jay consulted with me for the first time, he did not charge me, and actually took the time to help me sift through the final bill of my first attorney to help me discern which charges were unnecessary. Despite the fact that my divorce was, more or less, a straightforward divorce with no complex business issues or custody issues, this divorce took about four years to be finalized. One of the reasons for this delay is that I did not want to deal with this divorce while having my two aforementioned surgeries and throughout the process of the selling of our marital house. Another reason was the global pandemic. The world was suspended with fear, anxiety and uncertainty, and my ex-spouse and I, like most of the world, were caught up in this energy. The third reason for the delay was procrastination, mainly on my part. I did not want to let go. Jay Frank and his colleague, Staci Balbirer, showed immense empathy and unending patience with this delay. And last but not least, Jay Frank was able to steer me in the direction to peacefully settle my case with a final agreement very much in my favor.
Thank you Jay Frank for all that you have done for me. Greatly appreciated!
15 Sep, 2022 by Yassmine abdo
Am very grateful for the help i always receive from lawyer jay frank as his service exceeds my expectations.at any time i need him he is always available to help quickly and high level of professionalism
15 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I had Mr. Jay Frank for my divorce, besides getting things done well he also help me to find the way solving the issue with the car’s title cause there were things went up and down during the process. I would like to say big thanks for his help and highly recommended Mr. Jay Frank
12 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
I used Mr. Frank during my initial divorce proceedings 12 years ago. I had no doubt about re-engaging him when post decree issues landed me back in court. He had the knowledge from my original case that helped provide the framework for resolution. He worked tirelessly to negotiate and resolve the issues at hand. If you find yourself in this unfortunate and difficult situation, I highly recommend Mr. Frank for his attention to detail and care that he provides to you as his client to make sure your concerns are being heard and addressed.
27 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Mr. Jay Frank and his team did an outstanding job on my difficult divorce. He was my third attorney ( the first two did set the ground work, but it became obvious the first 2 had ulterior motives ).
To my fortune, my Valuation and Forensic advisor highly recommended Mr. Jay Frank, as she had seen his professional and ethical manner as well his great knowledge of the law many times in the courtroom . As she said " he will get the job done RIGHT!"
Jay and his team were very successful in attaining a desirable outcome to me in the estate division and in my alimony.
I would and I have highly recommended Mr. Jay Frank !!!
See more
Best lawyers in Chicago, IL
04 May, 2010 by Michael
I have had real bad experience with attorneys before meeting ms. lane. I had a dui probation violation and the attorney I paid good money sold me out and I end up in prison for probation violation, which was not a violation in my view. Ms. Lane was appointed to handle charges against me - it was criminal felony charges that could keep me in prison for 7 plus years. I knew I didn't commit that crime, but because I was already in prison I told Ms. Lane that I don't mind pleading guilty for something so I can get it over and done with!
Prosecutors were telling her that I was guilty and I should plead 5 year and they will forgive the rest of the years. I was going to plead, but Ms Lane said I don't let you go before the judge and lie. The prosecutor was scaring both that if we go trial I would get the longest charge 7 plus years. Ms. Lane said we will take a chance with the jury. after 2 months back and forth, the prosecutor told her I should accept a misdemeanor for 1 year and I was going to take it but she said you are not guilty we will take a chance with the jury. then we had to go before the judge. Prosecutor said to judge taht my attorney is not allowing to plead becasue Iwas willing to take the plea deal. The judge looked at me and said Sir do you want to plead guilty to this charge and I said yes. Judge said let's hear your story. Ms lane said judge my client is not guilty but he wants to plead guilty because he is scared of sitting longer if convicted of something he ididnt' do. I will not let him stand before you and lie. I have informed him of his right and he is going against my advices. she stepped aside. Judge started asking me about the specifics of the crime and I didn't know the answers and looked at my attorney and boy did she tell me! she said you are on your won Michael. Well the judge told me "enough" I heard enough set it for trial. One month later the day of the trial, the prosecutor still scaring my attorney to accept plea just fine not time, my attorney told me she would accept it if she were me. She said you are innocent let's take our change with jury. Well that was the day of my life, prosector went before the judge and said we are dismissing the case because we can proof our burden beyond reasonable doubt. Case dismissed the day of the trial after three or so months after the charge. Ms Lane I wished I had known you before. YOu are the best nobody ever fought for me as hard as you did.
Read more
06 Jan, 2010 by Aric
Ms. Lane was handeling my brother's DUI when I heard of her. Soon afterwards, the police was on my door for back child support pretending to be mail delivery and that is how all began. They came to my house to arrest me and as I was emptying my pocket out and giving it all to my girlfriend they grabbed it from her and going thru my wallet, IDs and lighter. They claim my lighter was stiletto and I was charged with carring a switchblade criminal misdemeanor. Before you know I was arrested had to pay bond to get out. This is when I hired Ms. Lane. I told her that I had bought that lighter for $5 at a gas station and it had a knife inside like a box cutter. Long story short, I was not going to plead for having a knife/box cuter - specially at my home when I live out in the county. Prosecutor was "dick" and wanted me to plead guilty or else... my attorney was the best thing that ever happened to me. She said my client wants a jury trial. After a long all day trial and the judge, prosecutor and the two cops giving her hell. Will all respect she contiued with inforing the jury about the 2 Amendment, that this was not a switchblade and did not appear to be ... she bpulled out a pen out of her pocket that had a knief inside .. scaring the cop that he was so dumb. I can tell how hard they made it to her and she never quit fighting for me. The Jury was out only 10 minutes - the verdict was sweet - NOT GUILTY... thanks to her I ahve no criminal record. The cops look dumb! best day of my life .. I called everybody saying how great my attorney was.... Thank you Ms.Lane!
Read more
22 Dec, 2009 by Anonymous
Ms. Lane was appointed to my case and after she took over the case I have seen her fighting for me like no other. There was a mandatory 6 months jail time which she was able to reduce to 30 days and with credit served I was released immediately. Thank you Ms. Lane.
Read more
25 May, 2010 by Judy and john
Attorney Levitt is an outstanding attorney. He handled a large class action case for us in regards to an educational loan company. From the moment we met Adam, we knew we made the right choice. He is very personable and continually kept us up to date during the entire process. We recently found out we won our case. Adam did a fabulous job representing us and the entire group involved in the suit.. Not once did we doubt his experience. We enjoyed getting to know Adam and highly recommend him to anyone. It was a pleasure to do business with him. We had the greatest faith in Adam and will reach out to his services again, if needed. We cannot say enough great things about Attorney Levitt! He is the best.
Read more
15 May, 2010 by Barry
Adam is assisting me with a consumer problem relating to one of the nation's largest banks. After reviewing my issues with the bank, he filed a class action on my behalf. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills, knowledge and expertise. When he makes a commitment or tells me that he is going to do something, he does so in a timely and professional manner. He keeps his word. Adam lets me know what is happening, makes certain that I am informed as to the status of the case and each new development. He explains the issues, process, strategy and next steps. He has a strong commitment to providing quality work, a true professional. And perhaps most important, Adam displays a genuine interest in helping me. Adam is an attorney who obviously cares about his clients. I would strongly recommend him to anyone that needs his type of expertise and services.
Read more
19 Dec, 2014 by Ronald
As my attorney in a copyright infringement case for over one year, I found Vivek to live up to his billing as one of the rising stars in this area of law in the Chicago area. I found him to be 100% honest extremely intelligent, and also someone who is willing to work tirelessly on behalf of his clients. In a world where lawyers often are viewed in so negatively, I found Vivek to be a breath of fresh air. In my opinion , he stands out as not only a brilliant attorney but one of impeccable integrity. I would reccommend him to anyone.
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 Chicago, Illinois?
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.
