Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
See more
Pros
1
Provides clear and realistic expectations of outcomes
“Katharine professionally set realistic expectations of all possible outcomes.”
2
Effective communication and responsiveness
“She had my back before, during and after the mediation process (which I strongly recommend)....all the way to the final decree. She and her support kept me in the loop every step of the way and responded to me in a timely manner.”
3
Expertise in family law and litigation
“I am very impressed by Attorney Phinney's legal expertise. She is an excellent writer and litigator, and I believe those skills were crucial to my case.”
4
Compassionate and supportive approach
“She was sympathetic to my questions, my concerns and my objectives - without judgement.”
5
Successful case outcomes
“By the time the smoke cleared, Katharine was able to keep us out of family court and no changes were made to the parenting plan, which was my primary goal in this specific situation.”
Cons
As a result of the analysis of reviews about this lawyer, no significant cons were found.

All reviews

star star star star star
30 May, 2024 by Nan s.
I cannot recommend Kat highly enough! From the moment I had the first conversation with her, I knew I was in capable hands. Going through a divorce with a narcissistic and difficult ex was one of the toughest challenges of my life, but having Kat and her team by my side made all the difference. She is not only incredibly fair and smart, but also fiercely dedicated to her clients. Kat navigated every twist and turn of my case with precision and expertise. Her strategic approach ensured that my interests were always protected, and she fought tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for me and my children. What impressed me the most was how quickly she was able to settle my divorce. Despite the complexities and tension, Kat remained steadfast and focused on reaching a resolution efficiently. Thanks to her sharp legal mind and unwavering determination, I was able to move forward with my life sooner than I ever imagined. If you're looking for a divorce lawyer who will go above and beyond for you, look no further. She is not only an exceptional legal professional but also a compassionate advocate who genuinely cares about her clients' well-being. Thank you, Kat, for helping me navigate through this challenging time with grace and strength. You are truly the best in the business!
star star star star star
01 Aug, 2023 by David
Divorce sucks big time. But within 15 minutes of interviewing Katharine I knew she would represent me in my sucky divorce. She's smart, straight-to-the point and was sympathetic to my questions, my concerns and my objectives - without judgement. She had my back before, during and after the mediation process (which I strongly recommend)....all the way to the final decree. She and her support kept me in tbe loop every step of the way and responded to me in a timely manner. I recommend her legal services most sincerely
star star star star star
05 Dec, 2021 by Carol
I hired Katherine for my divorce on a recommendation of a friend. Katherine is extremely easy to work with. She is very direct and honest in her approach which was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted someone to lay out the facts in front of me with no candy coating. She represented me expertly during the mediation and was successful in reaching a signed decree at the end of one day's mediation. She thought through every angle and helped me understand each obstacle we faced so I could make educated decisions. I highly recommend Katherine if you are looking for a smart, honest, detailed oriented lawyer. She is great at her job and gives you confidence in moving through the process!
star star star star star
09 Sep, 2021 by Andrew
Katharine was the perfect lawyer for my challenging divorce. In the beginning of the end, my former wife accused me of every and any horrible crime a husband can commit against a wife. With a steady hand on the tiller, Katharine prescribed patience until the time was right to propose our first deal after the former stumbled. To my elated surprise the deal was accepted and this set the stage for the remainder of the divorce. All aspects were then mediated outside of the court in a timely fashion. Katharine not only proficiently and professionally handled all dealings with the divorce, but she believed in me when I was at my lowest and did not believe in myself. This resulted in a fair divorce settlement and shared custody of my two boys. We are forever grateful to Katharine and the team at Russman Law…Thank You!
star star star star star
27 Jun, 2021 by Mg
It is my pleasure and honor to provide this review for Attorney Katharine Phinney. I had hired Katharine of Russman Law firm to provide me counseling and services to complete my legal separation. A little story, I originally had decided to file for my separation through mediation as my former spouse and I were pretty much in agreement with our assets division and parenting plan and all we needed was legal assistance. So we thought we could file for our separation through mediation and save us lot costs. So we went to an initial consult with another attorney from a completely different law firm who was supposed to be expert in mediation. I must tell you filing through mediation is not worth your time and money unless you have experience in the family law. My initial consult for mediation was three hours long costed me over $500, and after the consult both my ex and I felt filing it was a complete waste of time as we both came out of the meeting feeling lost and without any help. So then we decided that mediation is not really our cup of tea as the process of legal separation or divorce is complicated and requires specialized skills. We wanted to do it right hence we decided to hire our own lawyers. I researched and came across Katharine Phinney from Russman Law. I cannot stress how best was my decision to hire Katharine as my legal counsel and how satisfied with her services and assistance. Katharine worked with me through every step that was clear, and guided me through out the process and completed my legal separation within the estimate she had given me at an initial consultation with her. I am confident that my decision to hire Katharine was very much time and cost effective compared to doing it myself through mediation lawyer. I have not come across such as clear headed, honest, talented, punctual expert attorney like Katharine before. I would refer Katharine in a heartbeat to anyone who is seeking legal assistance in family law practice. Thank you! MG
See more

Best lawyers in Exeter, NH

See more
star star star star star
22 Mar, 2022 by Richard
One never expects to suddenly need a lawyer. When we did, we didn't know where to turn. We researched prayed and came across Jerome and thank God we did. He was with us through the entire process, answered questions and allayed our anxiety. That was key, putting things in perspective and providing a sense of normalcy while things went through the covid delayed system. We cannot be more thankful and grateful of the outcome. Thankyou Jerome
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
04 Nov, 2021 by Andrew
Was charged with a felony and a misdemeanor. I lost many rights that I once had prior to the charges. I emphasized the importance of getting all my property back and regaining my rights. He handled it as I asked and got me exactly what I wanted as an outcome. It was a long process but largely due to “Covid” and the courts shutting down. He was on top of every aspect. When I I had questions or concerns he answered back immediately. I would hire him in a second in the event I need to in the future ( I have no intention of needing to). Can’t say enough good things about him. I even got a refund check at the end for remaining funds not used!!! Thank you again Jerome!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
28 Sep, 2021 by Jeff
I highly appreciate Jerome's expertise and professionalism in helping me get a positive outcome from a case. I could not have done it without his help. It certainly was a trying time dealing with a family issue that resulted in this case occurring. I would definitely recommend his services to anyone in a situation involving a domestic dispute.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
02 Nov, 2020 by David
I was referred to Attorney Samdperil after my deferred sentence was in jeopardy due to two minor offenses that came up over the summer. Atty Samdperil quickly took action and represented me in the most recent case. One of the offenses were dropped, and he managed to get the second offense lowered as to not trigger the balance of the deferred sentence. From there, Attorney Samdperil represented me again when it was time to have my deferred case suspended, which also resulted in a favorable outcome. I highly recommend Attorney Samdperil. Has great work ethic, tells it like it is, but also had no doubt he had my best interests in mind at all times.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
16 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
A few months back I found myself in legal trouble for the very first time. I was confused, lost and scared. I immediately started doing research and after reading reviews (like on this site) I reached out to Richard. He called me back right away. I had spoken to a few other attorneys while doing my research but what struck me the most about Richard was his experience. He was so level headed and even-keeled during our conversation. Also during our first chat he took interest in me the person, I wasn’t just a case to him. Our conversation gave me something I was in dire need of, hope. Richard was also highly recommended to me by a friend who works in the industry but in another state. His firm knew of Richard and his reputation and that’s all I needed. Richard has a way to make even the scariest of legal terms easy to understand. He always made me feel like I was his top priority and would answer even the smallest question I had right away. His knowledge of the legal system is undeniable. He outlined every step of the process for me and gave me both sides so I knew exactly what to expect at every turn. Richard helped me get a better outcome than I could have imagined when I first got into my situation. There was never a moment of doubt with him. He has a calmness about him that is contagious and is very easy to open up to. Finally he is not only experienced but he handles every situation with respect and class. I felt extremely confident with him representing me in my situation and I could not have asked for me. Richard is a class act and we would all be very lucky to call him a friend.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
09 Jul, 2018 by Paul
It is a good thing that Daniel Webster is no longer with us, because it would be bad news for him to learn that Richard E. Samdperil has overtaken the throne of "New Hampshire's greatest lawyer". I've been working with Richard for over a year. His expertise spans multiple levels relevant to the legal profession, while his competitors often lack greatly in certain areas. That is to say, Richard is far more than a brilliant legal argumentator. Richard is far more than someone who can entertain anyone who watches the Supreme Court oral argument webcasts, when he makes an absolute fool out of state prosecutors on the other side who simple cannot muster the intellect to undermine Richard's powerfully simple, persuasive arguments. Far more than these tactical elements, Richard has a masterful handle on holistic legal strategy that many other attorneys lack. Richard's expert competency in legal strategics (as opposed to solely "tactics") is absolutely necessary for clients who find themselves in far-reaching legal entanglements spanning multiple cases as in my case, and very helpful for clients in simpler cases to ensure an optimal outcome big-picture. Richard is essentially a risk-minimizer and approaches his legal profession as an outlet of veritable therapeutic life coaching for his clients: i.e., an adherence to a general principle of minimizing harm, minimizing costs, and minimizing legal impacts, instead of more typical attorney behaviors of myopically focusing on specific case tactics and racking up a good bill while so doing, with little genuine concern for the client. Not Richard. Richard cares about his clients and is a honorable defender of the United States Constitution and the rights granted thereby to the citizens. By this service to the people, he compounds great honor to his name just as our Armed Forces defend our laws and rights in a very different fashion. Richard's practice however illuminates the oft-forgotten truth that quality, principled defense attorneys are nearly as crucial to defending our rights and liberties from domestic threats as are our good men and women in the military who defend the same from foreign threats to the same. It is therefore not excessively hyperbolic to call Richard a brilliant soldier of justice - indeed, he is just this, and much more. I would highly recommend Richard to anyone seeking legal help in his practice areas.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
10 May, 2022 by Michael
“Attorney Russman went above and beyond to help with my case. He is someone committed to public service and put my mind at ease with the whole situation. The outcome was better than I could have hoped for. He fought against any limitations on my driving privileges and was successful. He placed a priority on my career and that is something that was of the utmost importance and will never be taken for granted. If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation…you need to go to the guy who literally wrote the book on this. This attorney and this firm know what they are doing, they work with experience and confidence and you don’t need to look anywhere else.”
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
08 Jun, 2019 by M
Attorney Russman was able to negotiate that my charges are placed on file without a finding. Thank you Attorney Russman!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
19 May, 2019 by Anonymous
I was arrested for a DUI after going off the road in the snow. Because I am a licensed nurse, a conviction could have resulted in the loss of my nursing license. Attorney Russman ensured the outcome I wanted was achieved. I could not have been happier with the outcome. If you are a nurse, physician or allied health professional Attorney Russman is YOUR representation! He will work for you to keep the incident from effecting your ability to practice.
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 Exeter, New Hampshire?

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