Lawyers map
Randi L. Karmel
780 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Practices
4.8
Avvo rating
21 Reviews
Data reflects the status as of the latest update. Updates are typically done monthly.
License
License ID number: -
Licensed in: -
Year admitted: -
Education
1991
American University, Washington College of Law, JD - Juris Doctor
1987
University of Maryland, BA - Bachelor of Arts
Last reviews
Overall rating
4.8
21 reviews
4.8
Scott
19 Aug, 2024
After a consultation with Ms. Karmel, I was put at ease. She listened to my concerns and explained what might occur. We began mediation and when things went sideways, she stepped up. She was exceptionally professional and made a tough time easy to understand and get through. Her associates were as professional as she was. My divorce occurred during Covid and when in person was never going to happen it felt like we were sitting in her office one on one. I would highly recommend Ms. Karmel and her team. They will make the worst case acceptable.
Read more
Treiki212
01 Mar, 2024
Randi Karmel is a great lawyer. She is beyond wonderful, as far as lawyers go. She came into a messy situation, where my ex and I had been fighting post settlement now for 6 years. After brutalizing me financially, my ex had started with DV. I finally stood up to him when he went after our 9 year old. Ex is a big law name partner, previous 5 lawyers were afraid of him, and his counsel. Randi was never intimidated by them. She is thorough and decisive. Within 15 minutes of meeting me she grasped the intricate details of years of fighting, and zeroed in on key points to start with. Randi gives you her full attention. I had heard she likes children, this is so true. When I needed to meet with her and didnt have child care, Randi saw my child in the waiting lounge and made my child feel comfortablet. She developed a rapport in no time, and gave my child time, respect and consideration. I respect her, when caught up in the fight she recenters me to focus on our daughter, and her best interests. Randi has a fun personality and knows many people, an added bonus (i.e., mediators, court therapists etc). My ex, who delights in breaching our stipulations, tries to take all things away from our kid. Randi is always there, fielding calls about refusals to pay for x-rays, camp, school activities, tuition etc. Randi is fiesty, she is willing to use her passion to go to the mat for her clients. Once waiting in the hallway while all the lawyers were in the back with the Judge, I could hear Randi's voice roaring to match the Judge. When we had applied for a new private school last spring, Randi called me no less than 10 times the day (not billable and only out of concern) we were to hear from the admissions office, she really cared about whether our kid was admitted. I like that Randi has an unusual trait for NYC lawyers, she is honest. She always tells me her opinion of when I don't have a chance, she does not blow smoke. Over a year ago I was facing eviction ( pulled all my rent money to pay to pursue a TOP, then defend an OSC and TRO to quash my TOP). I had paid a previous attorney an extraordinary amount of money. I was lucky enough to hire Randi. After knowing me only 3 months, she gave me a post dated check back so I could use it to pay back rent; my ex had offered me a "loan"with terms I couldn't possibly repay. Randi saved my daughter and me from being homeless, deferring her payment unprompted. Shhhhh, Randi Karmel is not only a fighter, but she is kind and caring. You want this woman to represent you, trust me. She is a hidden gem in a nasty field of greed and cottage corruption aka nyc matrimony and divorce law. We always have ongoing conflicts, so this will always say I hired her under one month ago. We are going on two years, only 12 more until my daughter is 21! PS - how I got Randi's name. When I was forced to file for my TOP, I called my ex's old law partner from his firm. I had dealt with that woman when my ex's attorney was on vacation maybe 4 years ago (pro se at the time). I requested attorney names, the woman was very kind and almost apologetic for my ex's actions. Her secretary called with a list of names. I wrote them down, and as an after thought, added "Please tell her this isn't [ex's name] economically screwing me per usual, he went after our kid, this is for DV and a TOP." The partner's secretary called back in 5 minutes and said " call these names, in this order..." Randi was the top name. Unfortunately she was on trial, but I was lucky enough to retain her a couple months later.
Read more
B.
18 Aug, 2023
After enduring years of misguided counsel from other firms, I finally connected with Randi a year ago. The moment I officially brought her on board, every legal hurdle was swiftly cleared within a mere two months. The dedication Randi and her associate, Tara, displayed was truly exceptional. Burning the midnight oil for two consecutive nights, they meticulously drafted my settlement agreement, coordinating revisions with the opposing party to ensure timely submission to the judge before the court hearing.
Randi's approach is marked by a profound human touch. She empowers you to confront the toughest choices, shifting the focus from personal emotions toward the bigger picture. If budget allows, look no further. Randi offers not only wise counsel but also unwavering advocacy, safeguarding your parental rights and prioritizing decisions that foster the well-being of your children.
My deepest appreciation once again to Randi and Tara for their outstanding work!
Read more
Top review highlights
Pros
1
Highly knowledgeable and experienced in divorce and custody cases
“Her command of the law is exceptional, and if she doesn't know something or isn't 100% comfortable with it, she will confer with an acknowledged expert.”
2
Provides personalized and attentive service
“She always gives 110% for me in court and responded quickly to my messages and emails.”
3
Aggressive and effective in advocating for clients
“She is relentless and aggressive when she needs to be. You will be glad she is in your corner, and trust me, you don't want to be on the other side of her when the going gets rough.”
4
Ethical and transparent in her billing practices
“Months after a bill was submitted incorrectly, she alerted me and gave me a refund even though the contract stated that if I didn't dispute any fees within 30 days, the amount on the invoice would be permanent.”
5
Cares about the wellbeing of her clients and their children
“Randi always takes the time to thoroughly explain legal realities and practical options. Importantly, and without my having to emphasize it, Randi is always sensitive as to the time required and the cost-effectiveness of everything she does.”
Cons
1
Potential for poor settlement recommendations
“Randi urged me to agree to the very first settlement offer from my ex's attorney, an offer that would have stripped me of all my assets including my home. Randi made no effort to negotiate a better deal.”
2
Concerns about billing practices and transparency
“Randi still charged me for every dime of the retainer and more" after the client fired her”
Publications
2013:
New York Law Journal, Reported Case: Jin C., Plaintiff v. Juliana L., Defendant
2012:
New York Law Journal, Mother Is Barred From Citing Destroyed Diary in Custody Case
2009:
New York Law Journal, Reported Case: LR v. AZ
2008:
Brooklyn Barrister, Keeping Privileged Medical Records Confidential
Best lawyers in New York, NY
13 Oct, 2020 by Tetiana
Highly satisfied with my experience. Judith Weil is thorough professional, accessible, diligent and easy to talk to which is also very important. Consultation I got was prompt and very informative. She educated me on what to expect and what likely outcome would be and thus I was able to make an informed decision.
I would definitely recommend Judith Weil and Epstein & Weil LLC
Read more
19 Jun, 2020 by An
I highly recommend Epstein & Weil Law firm to anyone who are looking for legal help! I was successfully represented by this firm for the different matters of the years. They worked hard for me and achieved good results. I always experienced individual approach to my case, understanding and support. I will always appreciate them for saving my life.
Read more
12 May, 2020 by Brooke
Judith is my company's business attorney and is very well versed in what she does. Plus, she is understanding and thoughtful in her solutions to anything that could arise. She recently assisted us with a client issue that came up unexpectedly and it was resolved successfully. I doubt that we would have been able to resolve the issue without her assistance.
Read more
15 Jan, 2016 by Peter
David consulted with us on a recent Breach of Contract case. He was professional and insightful and took the time to really understand the situation and the outcome we were looking for. It was very clear that he had our best interests in mind, not just some sort of settlement/resolution that would be easier or convenient for him. A true professional and look forward to working with him again.
Read more
12 Jun, 2020 by David
I was a former MD in finance, & after 30+ years of marriage, at just under 60 yrs. old, I retained Donald early 2015. My court approved final consensual settlement was processed in December 2019. (Timing was my ex's fault, she explored 3 attorneys in sequence.) I got to know Don fairly well over that time. He prefers a consensual agreement between parties, NOT court battles. - i suspect that his style minimizes the parties' angst, and doesn't maximize his billable hours per case. Speaking of which, he bills in 1/10 hour increments... and I found his bills always accurate and fair. (I've worked with lots of law firms professionally).
Donald was always calm and cool even when I found retracing repeat issues with my ex supremely frustrating. He never fanned the flames.
Importantly, because of some odd investments I had, Don was quick and effective at reaching tax, finance and accounting specialists whose input we needed to factor into our settlement.
Weird bottom line, If I ever had to get divorced again, [which I will never never] I'd retain Donald.
Read more
04 May, 2016 by Steven
I highly recommend Don as a divorce attorney. From the beginning he showed himself to be a man of integrity and knowledge. Unlike other attorneys, Don was not out to try to run up a bill that was not necessary. He advised me to try to work out as much as possible with my ex-spouse before getting him involved.
He is somebody who I was always able to count on and I always knew that my interests were primary in his negotiations.
Read more
04 May, 2016 by Gloria
I did not know of Don at the time of my divorce; however, when my attorney was retiring, he referred me to Don.
I had numerous issues with my ex-husband an Don took the control and stress from me. He quickly diffused the situation and was instrumental in ensuring my children's welfare.
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 New York, New York?
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.
