Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Knowledgeable and experienced attorney with strong understanding of the law
“Knowledgeable guy, easy to talk to.”
2
Efficient and responsive in handling client cases
“Really pleased with their office. They were very easy to get ahold of and handled everything as fast and efficiently as possible.”
3
Compassionate and understanding approach during difficult times
“She was very understanding and compassionate during this difficult time.”
4
Excellent communication and keeping clients informed throughout the process
“Julia was always on top of what needed to get done and ready to answer any questions I may have had. Julia is very professional and is quick to respond.”
Cons
1
Lack of transparency and communication issues in some cases
“Anything she asked for I got to her within hours BUT when I had a question for her it was either unanswered or answered hours later in legal jargon that I had no idea what to make of it.”
2
Unethical behavior in withdrawing from cases without proper notice or refund
“After she cashed the check she withdrew from my case within 1 week! Her reasoning for withdrawing from my case was because what I was telling her did not coincide with what my soon to be ex was telling her lawyer....well, no kidding?!”
3
Perceived emphasis on financial gain over client's best interests
“I found Julia difficult to communicate with. I don't feel my interests were fought for or taken into account on any level. Once the money and potential for money were gone, so was she.”

All reviews

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08 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
I do not recommend working with the Pucci law team. I am extremely disturbed by how my case was handled and I would highly encourage you to look elsewhere if you want your case handled ethically and timely.
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07 Sep, 2022 by Sarah
Divorce is never easy but Julia and her team made things as simple as possible. She helped me navigate custody with a difficult ex and guided me through the entire process. Highly recommend.
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16 Jan, 2020 by Jon haas
Experienced attorney, standard pricing, nice guy.
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14 Jan, 2020 by Jennifer
I would not recommend Julia Pucci to represent you in your divorce unless you have an unlimited supply of money to pay her until the end. My first meeting with her I look back on now and feel she looked over all my financial information and the circumstances of my case to assess whether she would get paid. I don't feel my interests were fought for or taken into account on any level. Once the money and potential for money were gone, so was she. I sat across from her in her fancy new office as she made mention of her hair salon side hustle at our first meeting and told me to take a Xanax at our second and only other in person meeting. I don't know much about being a lawyer, but I am a human being. Someone going through the stress and pain of a divorce doesn't care about your extra side business, FYI. But thanks for giving me an idea of why things have dragged and why MY needs weren't being met. They are fee generators, plain and simple. My experience with my divorce has been one of the hardest I've ever been through and my choice of her as my lawyer contributed to that. At about the year and 3 month mark I recv’d an email on July 3rd at 4:38pm with her 'Motion to Withdraw" from my case.  She was uncertain of the risk vs. benefit reward of continuing to represent me stating a 'material breakdown of communication'. My balance was growing due to the outrageous length of time it was taking with no progress in getting me where I wanted to be. Divorced! By the time I recv’d this email it was well after they were gone to be with their families for the holiday weekend. I had no hope of discussing this with anyone until the following Monday, July 8th!!! It still shocks me anyone would do this to someone. Especially a law firm that claims to "treat each client as family'. No, that isn't how you treat family. I scraped together enough money to keep her on as my lawyer in July 2019 only to have the same thing happen 3 months later at the end of October 2019. I'm now STILL not divorced and sans lawyer as well. So please, you're going to come across their website & possibly get impressed with how it's presented. You're going to see pictures of a team of women who are posed to look confident and willing to fight for you. You're going to step foot in their office for the first time and notice the newness of everything, even the smell. (You'll be paying for it! Don't let if fool you!) You're going to sit across from them looking for help and answers. All they are going to do is look at you with dollar signs in their eyes while they pretend to care and 'treat you like family'. I needed compassion and understanding and I received none. I don't doubt they have many success stories, but they certainly failed me. I write this review to prevent what happened to me for over a year and half from happening to another person. I am now left to represent myself, get myself child support (after a year and half!), and finally get myself divorced. I walk away feeling used and taken advantage of. I've wasted time and thousands of dollars. It all comes down to money for this law firm. They quit on me when I needed them the most. Also, as a side note, if you've read other reviews as I have, you'll notice a constant reoccurring theme among Pucci and Pirtle's comments back to commenters. For example, "Family law proceedings are so emotionally charged and can be very stressful for all parties involved" and 'Family law proceedings can be highly emotionally charged and it is impossible to make everyone happy'. As well as on their website: The 'emotions' involved in divorce. The 'emotional toll' it takes. My reason for mentioning this is it's an easy way for them to put our dissatisfaction back on us for being emotional. Don't fall for that either! Of course we're emotional! My advice is to take a breath and try to clear your head. Research many lawyers. Seek out free legal advice wherever it's available. Ask friends. I chose wrong. Very wrong. Don't do the same.
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02 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
I did not feel comfortable working with this firm. I found Julia difficult to communicate with.
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18 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Phyllis is an excellent appellate attorney. I found her to be an expert on appellate procedure and strategy and very eloquent and concise in framing her legal arguments. In short, she handled my case brilliantly and succeed in getting a favorable opinion. She will give a straight forward outlook on the likelihood of success in a case and not give false hope or encourage an appeal to generate business. She is responsive and open to suggestions and input. In addition, she is very fair on billing. If you are looking to appeal a case, you can't go wrong by hiring Phyllis Perko.
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28 Jan, 2014 by Amy
Phyllis tells it like it is and doesn't sugarcoat anything or lead you in the wrong direction. She is very knowledgeable and firm. I felt like she did exactly what she said she would do. Her price is pretty much the same as all the other attorneys in the area but she is very flexible with payments. I would recommend her.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Judith welsh
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13 Sep, 2024 by Eva baker
A short time ago I made the decision to retain an attorney to file for back child support post divorce. When looking for an attorney I wanted to hire someone who was well respected within the McHenry County court system, someone who was experienced and exuded confidence. I reached out to several friends who have worked within the court system and the person they recommended was Angelo Mourelatos. I found Angelo to be a great communicator, compassionate and pragmatic. I also found him to be assertive and not aggressive. His strategy is well thought out and he definitely knows when the time is right to put on a little pressure. His office staff reflects the way he conducts business. They are kind, friendly, compassionate and always treat the client with the utmost care and sense of importance. I highly recommend retaining Angelo for your legal needs.
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03 Sep, 2024 by Jennifer riebock
Angelo has gone above and beyond to help me with my post decree divorce representation. He is the first attorney I have worked with that I TRULY felt not only listened to me but heard and understood what I was feeling. Many attorneys are cold and hard- not Angelo, his compassion is par to none. He never comes across as bossy or “do as I say” you are honestly a team when you work with him- and you really do work with him to accomplish your end goal. His communication is phenomenal along with his staff. Vicki and Julie were also just as amazing. In the almost 2 years I’ve worked with them they have always been positive and encouraging. I would HIGHLY recommend Angelo to everyone who is looking for an honest, caring attorney.
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12 Oct, 2016 by Ms. a
I was fortunate enough to hire Ms. Koch after consulting with 4 other attorneys. None of the others felt they could help me, but within days of our first consultation, Ms. Koch had me in court pursuing the Order that I so desperately needed. This was the beginning of a yearlong pursuit of a bitter divorce. Ms. Koch tenaciously defended my rights, and the rights of my children, and was extremely sensitive to the hurts and scars that each of us were feeling from the situation at home. Her kindness and compassion, coupled with excellent legal knowledge and advice were invaluable throughout the entire process of the divorce. Initially - I sought a strong and capable attorney to guide me through one of the worst periods of my life. With Koch and Associates, I was so fortunate to find a gifted attorney - and so much more! Compassion, a protective spirit, understanding, and tenacious dedication to obtaining what was right for me and my kids. Highly, highly, recommend Koch & Associates!
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23 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I sustained a shoulder injury at work . My shoulder continued to be a problem and the Dr that I was seeing ordered an MRI. The MRI showed a possible rotater cuff tear and the Dr felt I needed surgery. This is when work comp wanted a second opinion from a Dr of their choice, who said the MRI was inconclusive and thought I should get a cortisone shot and more therapy. After another month of therapy and the shot I was still having pain and they did not want to approve surgery. This was when I spoke with Patty and retained her. She was always available to answer my questions and was able to get them to approve the surgery and I did have a full tear of my rotator cuff. So then I'm looking at a long rehab and not sure if I can go back to my mechanics job or if it will even be there. Patty got my checks back on time when they started suddenly forgetting to mail them on time. She made sure I got all the therapy I needed to get strong enough to go back to my normal job when they tried to say I didn't need more therapy. I ended up being able to go back to my job and also got a very nice check at the end of it all. Patty was always there and had a positive attitude when I was really scared and frustrated with the whole situation. I would recommend her without hesitation.
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22 Aug, 2016 by Marsha
Patti is an attorney that goes above and beyond to help resolve your case. She is one of the most caring and passionate attorneys. Patti has been working with us to help resolve a custody case. She makes you feel likes she cares about you and the people involved. It is more than a job to her it is an avocation. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent family attorney.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
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  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
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  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
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  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. 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 West Dundee, 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.

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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:
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  • Disciplinary Record:
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  • Consultation Assessment:
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  • 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:
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  • Financial Information:
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  • Personal Identification:
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  • 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.
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