Ronald Elliott Council, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Annapolis, MD with 66 reviews
Lawyer credibility
rating system
LCRS
info
Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
Average 31,32
Is this your profile? Claim it for free in just a few minutes!

Ronald Elliott Council

125 West St, Annapolis, MD

star star star star star
4.7 / 5
Google Maps
4.7
info
Google reviews rating
66 Reviews
Data reflects the status as of the latest update. Updates are typically done monthly.

License

License ID number: -

Licensed in: -

Year admitted: -

Last reviews

See All Reviews
Overall rating
star
star star star star star
4.7 66 reviews
Google Maps 4.7

Florence eddins

star star star star star
05 Nov, 2024
Nicole Livingston provided us with fine and patient direction as we finalized our estate planning. Glad to have worked with her and the staff of Council, Baradel, Kosmerl and Nolan!
Read more Google Maps

Captain sinbad

star star star star star
08 Oct, 2024
Professional in every aspect and tremendously friendly, kind and down to earth! Great communications! I highly recommend! AAA+
Read more Google Maps

Roy cranford

star star star star star
05 Oct, 2024
We are very pleased to have engaged Nicole Livingston and Council Baradel to complete our estate planning. Nicole and her team helped us through the process efficiently and caringly. All our concerns were answered, and they ensured all areas were covered, several of which we would not have otherwise known to address. We have since recommended Nicole to friends, who have told us how pleased they also were with the services provided. We would strongly recommend anyone in need of estate planning services to contact Nicole.
Read more Google Maps

Top review highlights

Pros
1
Excellent communication and professionalism from the legal team
“Professional in every aspect and tremendously friendly, kind and down to earth! Great communications! I highly recommend! AAA+”
2
Compassionate and thorough estate planning process
“More importantly , the whole process was compassionate and thought provoking. There are a lot of " what if's" that are part of the estate planning process and Maria and her team covered them all.”
3
Responsive and efficient handling of legal matters
“Nicole Livingston and her team prepared comprehensive estate documents that will give me, and my family, peace of mind. The process was seamless and accomplished efficiently.”
4
Knowledgeable and experienced attorneys
“Maria is fantastic! Super patient with all of our questions and took the extra time to ensure we understood every step of the process.”
5
Caring and personalized service
“Nicole Livingston is highly recommended to everyone. She takes time to explain everything. If you want an answer she will have it and if it's not the field she specializes in she will get answers within her firm. Very caring of others needs.”
Cons
1
Unsatisfactory experience with certain attorneys
“Had a very off-putting experience as a witness. I was called the day before the trial was supposed to begin for my boyfriend's divorce. He ended up firing the backup attorney Elizabeth after receiving an email stating that he would be paying "This is going to sound harsh but you're paying the firm for my/our experience".”
2
Concerns about billing practices
“Worthless in helping anyone especially during a pandemic. All about their client which is most likely from India and not legit. No help whatsoever in coming to an agreement. All about themselves and money. Greed gets you nowhere.”

Best lawyers in Annapolis, MD

See more
Craig Carlton Lebamoff, experienced Criminal Defense, Immigration attorney in Annapolis, MD with 78 reviews
Average
info
Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
39,08
star star star star star
5.0/5
Google Maps
5.0
78 Reviews
star star star star star
02 Aug, 2024 by Jay g.
Excellent lawyer. All charges dropped. Caroline got me in and out of court quickly. Caroline used to be a prosecutor and she talked to the prosecutor for my case and got the charges dismissed easily. Thank God.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
12 Jul, 2024 by Jemmie floyd
I hired Caroline when I was charged with offenses in Anne Arundel County. I was charged by an ex for things that I didn’t do. Caroline was excellent from the beginning. She stayed in contact with me promptly throughout the entire process. She told me exactly what I needed to do and represented me perfectly. All of my charges were dismissed by the prosecutor. Thank god I hired Caroline because I am out of all of the trouble and moving on with my life.
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
26 Jun, 2024 by G k
All charges gone in 10 minutes. Hire her
Read more Google Maps
See more
Sean Patrick Hatley, experienced Business, Litigation attorney in Annapolis, MD with 3 reviews
Average
info
Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
39,09
star star star star star
5.0/5
Avvo
5.0
3 Reviews
star star star star star
17 May, 2023 by Margaret/jim
My husband and I were both very pleased with Sean Hatley's work. He was fair, charged fair prices, and gave consistently good advice. I would trust his instincts as a litigant any day. He is pleasant but aggressive and hardworking. We had a good case, but he helped us bring it and the defendant settled over and above the amount we asked, right before the court date.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
29 Dec, 2022 by Donald
I hired Sean to assist me on my case. He and his team did a great job walking me through the entire process. The attention to detail and response time for all my questions were impeccable. Based on Sean's hard work, I won my case and got everything I was asking for. I highly recommend Sean to anyone looking for a great lawyer!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
19 Apr, 2019 by Aaron
I hired Mr. Hatley for a case that I honestly did not know if I could win. It was fairly complex dealing with a business agreement that went sour with an individual that resided out of state. Mr. Hatley quickly diagnosed the different aspects of my case and outlined what he believed to be the points leaning in our favor and potentially against us. With his recommendation we decided to move forward in pursuing legal action against the other party and I am certainly glad that we did. We ended up getting a settlement agreed upon without even needing to go to court! This I believe was because of the excellent legwork and points Mr. Hatley made in talking with opposing council. He was always extremely responsive and gave me his honest opinion on all aspects of the case. I can’t thank Mr. Hatley enough for his advice and consultation all the way through the process, especially since this was my first time ever pursuing anything like this. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone that needs a great business attorney!
Read more Avvo
See more
Mark Wayne Howes, experienced Criminal Defense, Litigation attorney in Annapolis, MD with 20 reviews
Average
info
Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
39,62
star star star star star
5.0/5
Avvo
5.0
20 Reviews
star star star star star
25 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Mark is an awesome attorney at law. He is diligent in serving his clients in legal matters. Very knowledgeable, dedicated, and dependable.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
18 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Mr. Howes is very professional, knowledgeable, and assertive. Kept me informed every step of the process. I highly recommend Mr. Howes.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
27 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
We contacted Mark after my son received his first, and hopefully last, speeding ticket. Mark was very knowledgeable about the law, process and was very reassuring and honest with us. We could not have asked for a better outcome. Mark was amazing and we are very grateful for his services.
Read more Avvo
See 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:

  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?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  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?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  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 Annapolis, Maryland?

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.
Scroll to top