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26 Jan, 2021 by Michael
I have had the pleasure of having cases on opposite sides of Paula. While she is a formidable opponent, she is always collegial, courteous, and pleasant. A joy to have a case against her!
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30 Dec, 2020 by Jay
I contacted Paula based purely on the empathetic prose on her website - it was clear (and became even clearer later) that she understood the emotional dimensions of divorce as well as the hard legal and financial aspects. She is a lovely person as a human being, and as a lawyer is a no-nonsense, hard-hitting professional with the skills to bring together Massachusetts marital law with the psychological aspects of divorce. Due to the previous circumstances of my marriage, I was facing a twelve-year alimony liability that would have been financially disastrous for me, and would have prevented me from making a new start. Paula weaved together an astonishingly favorable settlement agreement that saved me tens of thousands of dollars, through courteous and efficient negotiations with the other side, even factoring in overseas jurisdictions, due to some of my assets being in Europe. She drafted depositions and related court documents that helped my case enormously, and represented my interests in the courtroom with aplomb; the courts were at the time Zoom-only due to COVID. Paula is always focused on outcomes, and can move between the big picture and the minutiae effortlessly and quickly. She will tell you the truth even if it’s bad news; I learned very quickly to trust her advice, because every time I did it resulted in another step towards a favorable outcome. Paula’s fees paid for themselves many times over, because of the remarkable settlement terms she brokered. I offer you my highest possible recommendation.
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02 Dec, 2020 by John
I found myself in need of a divorce lawyer. A friend recommended me their attorney. My divorce was not going to be typical. I had two boys that were 6 and 3 and their mom was not in a grounded place. I needed to have custody. I had to hold things together. It was not promising. Dads did not fair well in 1999 regarding custody. After a number of meetings it was clear that there was going to be trial. My attorney had a vacation planned and she had to bring in a partner. Enter Paula Berg. In under an hour Paula told me a few basic things that I could rely on when testifying at trial. She was honest, and that does not always mean what I want to hear. She told me that I had the right lawyer and that I had to do exactly what I was told, because we were a team. She explained that dads do not typically get custody, and she followed that up with "so what, I do not have a problem going against the odds". She is a kind, warm person, but that is not how I would describe her professionally. Paula is very no nonsense, direct, and she knows the law. She knows what judges need to do their job. That is worth reading twice. I have referred Paula to a few friends, which also resulted in success. Again, pick the right lawyer and do exactly what she says. She is the right lawyer.
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14 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous
My ex-husband and I engaged Paula as a mediator during our divorce. We wanted to avoid lengthy litigation and resolve our issues quickly and efficiently. Our situation was complicated and involved splitting assets and child custody. Paula lead the process of our mediation with grace and fairness. She was direct and effective and explained the consequences of every decision. Within only two meetings of 2-3 hours each we reached an agreement despite great animosity between us. She also helped us with filing our petition with the court and taking care of all the paperwork. Less than 3 months from our first meeting with Paula our divorce was approved by the court. I would HIGHLY recommend Paula (and I do) to anyone I know who is going through a divorce. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, kind and fair mediator who will bring your case to a swift and reasonable conclusion you should contact Paula.
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09 Jun, 2012 by Guy
Several years ago, I made the acquaintance of a very professional and vivacious attorney named Paula Berg. I was immediately struck by how dedicated, helpful and selfless she is in both her professional and personal level of conduct with people in general; especially her clients. I observed this for myself (as a future client) as well as her interaction with people she greeted at her office for their appointments as I was leaving mine. I could go on with other examples, but suffice it to say that she is truly an amazing person. Paula helped me with an urgen child custody situation involving an emergency petition to the court. From that point forward, my life—and more importantly—my son’s life changed forever. After hearing my case involving evidence faxed from Arizona (his mother's drug test results) and speaking via private conference call with a judge in AZ, a Mass judge granted me an emergency temporary custody order (under provisions of UCCJA which I learned of from Paula through a free phone consultation while representing myself in court) that would eventually roll into a permanent one granted by the AZ court (after I made future subsequent appearances in AZ while the mother had failed to appear.) All of this happened during 2001 through 2002. My son graduated from high school last year and entered the Army. He is now proudly serving as a combat medic with the 1-66th Armor Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. I couldn’t be a more proud father of a truly amazing son; a son who was once a vulnerable little boy with a sweet spirit who might have gone through a series of bad childhood experiences if it weren’t for the selfless giving of Paula Berg at that pivotal moment in time. I want everyone to know, that Paula is more than just a great attorney. She is an awesome human being. She had never even met me or spoken to me, but took time out of her day without a penny earned to give me invaluable legal instructions that I truly believe may have ultimately saved my son’s life, if not his overall quality of life. I had subsequent consultations with her a few years later involving another unrelated legal matter that I paid her for (which was at a very reasonable hourly rate and retainer fee.) The other party involved agreed to come to the table to meet with her and me, while later commenting on what an amazing person she is. I’d also like to comment that I work as a federal law enforcement officer, but without stating who I work for (due to potential conflict of interest as a representative/public endorsement) I’m trying to make clear that I truly know what I’m talking about when I say honesty and integrity are not only key functions and expectations of the legal system, but are also often failures of it as well. If you have ever been disillusioned by any facet of the American legal system (criminal court, civil court or family court) and the performance of any attorney; I truly believe you will feel very grateful for at least consulting with Paula. I believe you will then be greatly rewarded by having her in your life—perhaps even to the extent that she has enriched mine through her cheerful, confident, assuring demeanor (and beautiful smile!) along with her expertise and ability to perform under pressure. Please ignore those anonymous cowards who would detract from her reputation by insinuating untruthful ideas about her on this (or any other) service review website. We all know there are lots of internet trolls out there, but I’m disappointed (and sad for her) to see that someone would attack her reputation like this. If you are a good person, have realistic expectations of the legal system and reasonable goals for yourself or a loved one, then you should not hesitate to consult with Paula. Given the chance, I hope she can be one of your guardian angels... like she is for me.

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08 Aug, 2017 by Frederick kam
It was supposed to be an amicable divorce initiated by my ex-wife. It became clear that she wanted to set the financial terms based on what she thought was right. David was always calm and took some of the emotional elements out of the mix and focused me on the real terms. He was nonetheless a good listener and showed empathy while guiding me through the legal process. He shared with me some of facts he would have presented to a judge had the amicable process gone awry. But all in all David worked hard at moving a difficult process through to its conclusion with minimal acrimony. If you are looking to grind an axe I don't think he is the guy for you! Otherwise I would highly recommend him to anyone going through the inherently difficult and emotional challenging process of ending a union while minimizing the collateral damages. He will make the tough journey that much easier. He is really a good guy and a good attorney!
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21 Mar, 2016 by Heidi davis
David helped make our mediation process as efficient and painless as possible and crafted a divorce settlement agreement fair to both parties and acceptable to the court.
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16 Mar, 2016 by Mark partridge
David is well-spoken and has a very strong presence in the courtroom. His preparation is outstanding and I would recommend him to anyone looking for legal representation due to his intelligence, experience, and knowledge of the court system.
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16 Aug, 2011 by John
I've used Bert on a number of occasions now for employment and contractual matters, and have always found him to be extremely reliable as well as insightful on the key issues. I like that he provides not just the official legal opinion on things, but the real world reality check as well. Guess that comes from experience. I have complete trust in him and make my recommendation without hesitation.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Greg g.
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16 Jun, 2017 by Vyacheslav kraplin
Incredibly attentive and knowledgeable about estate planning, wills, and tax law.
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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.
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  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

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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.
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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
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  • Written Summary:
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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.