Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Excellent legal expertise and ability to achieve positive outcomes
“Kimberly gets things done quickly and professionally. On numerous occasions she has gone above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied and achieved the results we were wanting.”
2
Strong communication and client-focused approach
“Kimberly communicates effectively and has an insight I have found in no other lawyer for presenting all options with honesty and integrity.”
3
Dedication and tenacity in handling cases
“Kimberly's devotion towards getting the best results for me was very obvious- but she remained honest and practical with me.”
Cons
1
Occasionally does not fully address all client questions
“My only issue I had is that she sometimes would skip out answers to a list of questions I asked.”
2
Waits until later stages to point out potential issues in the case
“My only complaint is that she waited until we were in the mediation to settle to start picking holes in the case.”

All reviews

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25 Jun, 2015 by Bryan
I had a car accident about 3 years ago, it was the other Drivers fault. I tried handling it myself with the help of my family as we have some knowledge of the process of filing suite against the Insurance company. I filed the Civil Lawsuit a few days before the 2 year statute of limitations. We thought we would hear back from their attorneys but Allstate tried to have the suit thrown out 4 months later for not moving forward with the process. Long story short, I retained Kimberly Fitzpatrick to represent me on the matter when it seemed that the case was about to be thrown out for the above reason. She was able to pull the lawsuit out of the gutter and not only get me the $7500 I paid in Medical Expenses, but also got my lost wages while working as a Server (I was in College at the time of the Accident) when the Restaurant was not willing to give the proper documentation to press the issue of the wages in Trial. Kimberly got both amounts of money out of the Insurance Company plus $2000 over through a Settlement when it seemed like the Judge could've thrown the case out for it being too old. What she accomplished with what she had to work with was nothing short of Magic. I highly recommend her for Civil Suit because I could tell from her tenacity and work ethic, She would have been the Defense Attorney's worst nightmare in trial. My only complaint is that she waited until we were in the mediation to settle to start picking holes in the case. I will say, they were issues that I could see hampering the case at trial. Mostly, the lack of documentation for my lost wages would have taken $4000 off of the final amount. Most likely, pain and suffering would not have covered that amount. Ultimately, a Settlement was the best course of action that led to the largest amount of money I would have received. You WILL NOT regret hiring Kimberly Fitzgerald.
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21 Oct, 2014 by Chase
I was injured in a auto accident in 2012 and retained Kimberly as my legal counsel. The firm also handled my divorce the prior year. For 2 years Ms. Fitzpatrick held my hand through multiple surgeries and pain management. Despite her busy schedule, she always returned my calls and frequently checked in on my well being. A genuine human being who really cares. My case was settled in less than 2 months and thanks to Kimberly's expertise, I walked away better than I could have imagined.. If you have been injured in an auto accident, I highly recommend the Harris-Cook law firm. Thank you for everything Kimberly!
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19 Mar, 2014 by Nick
First of all I wanted to say that with the help of Kimberly Fitzpatrick, my case got dismissed. Disclaimer: do not take my word for legal advice. In short- I was arrested for scavenging an abandoned (bait) car. This was early November. This was my first offense. At the time of arrest I was working self-employed less than 15 hours a week for my father, mother, and mother’s friend. I was also a househusband. I feared that the lack of employment, community participation, and education (I am a non-graduated junior student at the college level), and my age (23) would negatively impact the outcomes of this charge. The first court date was December 3rd. That day I did not successfully get a lawyer so the court date was postponed to the 13th in order to give me time to get a lawyer. I had emailed Anna O’Day because she was one of the several lawyers who sent me mail. She sent me a detailed report on how she would handle the case. (Deferred Adjunction & said that I was not qualified for Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP)). After reading her email I was impressed and told her she was hired. For three days I did not hear back from her. She was consistently stuck in court each time I called her secretary. It was December 12th. I got desperate and discussed with my girlfriend to see if she was willing to look for the best lawyer, so I checked avoo.com and saw an AD for Fitzpatrick. I did not screen out lawyers based on practice. If I recall correctly, Fitzpatrick’s cases only consisted 10% in criminal defense. She is more experienced & specializes in a different type of law. Anyway, I called her that day and immediately had an appointment at 2. I had withdrawn 625 and kept it in my wallet for O’Day- her price for “three court appearances”. I was unsure what exactly three court appearances meant. But after three days of unavailability, I got scared and went to Fitzpatrick instead. She offered to stay with me through the case for 1,500. That seemed more of a solid contract than “three appearances”. What if I needed 4? So, right then that day, the very day before my second court date I hired her and within 15 minutes she got my first court attendance dismissed. She works extremely fast, is very knowledgeable and pushes the limit. O’Day said that I was not qualified for DPP since I was above 21. But Fitzpatrick said she would shoot for that and she attempted to request an exception since I was barely above the age limit. Fitzpatrick’s devotion towards getting the best results for me was very obvious- but she remained honest and practical with me. My only issue I had is that she sometimes would skip out answers to a list of questions I asked. But she is very busy and works fast, so I can’t really blame her. I just ask again and she will answer it on the second time. She is very tech-savvy. She answers via text or email. She suggests that I get a job, get in school, get character letters, and do community service before my case was even heard. I had success getting in school and I got plenty of character letters from various influential people. I did not have success in finding a job, and I was not motivated enough to do 40 hours of community service hours. The court hearing- Fitzpatrick talked with the DA and I could see that she had excellent people skills- It seems to me that her actions and attitude helped a lot to making the DA decide that I was eligible for dismissal! I had to take Theft Intervention counseling and perform 24 hours of community service where I completed at Mission Arlington (THEY ROCK.) So today I got the dismissal documentation in email. Fitzpatrick had far exceeded my expectation of a “best case scenario”. I will go straight to her again if I need an attorney again in the future.
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27 Feb, 2013 by Chris
Provided great service and took care of all our issues.
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20 Feb, 2013 by James
Kimberly gets things done quickly and professionally. On numerous occasions she has gone above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied and achieved the results we were wanting. I strongly recommend Kimberly for any business matter that needs to be handled the right way.
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13 Jun, 2024 by Landon
My family ran into some issues with the CPS system, and Dorthea stepped in, took our case right away, we were stressed out because we knew we were innocent, but Dorthea kept her professional demeanor and listened to our story! She dealt with CPS on our behalf, walked with us through the process, and stopped the unwarranted harassments. Dorothea knows what she’s doing!!!
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10 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
I've been working with Dorothea for about a year on an appeal of a complex child custody case. First of all, Dorothea is not a "Yes-Man". She will tell you bluntly if she believes your case has slim or no odds of succeeding. And better to hear that at an initial consultation with her than after you've invested thousands of dollars just to be told 'no' by someone else. Dorothea told me the odds of success in my case were not great. It's the nature of appeals. I felt so strongly that a wrong had been done to me that I decided to proceed anyway, even with her telling me at our initial consultation that the odds were against me. As my appeal nears its conclusion, she's produced a brief for me that I'm very proud of that I feel presents the issues as succinctly as she could in only 15,000 words. After retaining her services, Dorothea put in countless hours reviewing court transcripts, thousands of pages of medical records, and interviewing witnesses. Five years had passed in between the time this case was opened and the time it went to trial. There was a lot for Dorothea to catch up on and not much time for her to get up to speed. To further complicate matters, my trial attorney had a family emergency that prevented him from being much help in the transition to Dorothea as my appellate attorney. Despite all of the obstacles and difficulties, she was able to get a grasp on what had happened. She was able to see from a legal perspective how my rights had been violated at trial whereas I had only my belief that this was not how "justice" was supposed to work. I wasn't able to see the forest for the trees until Dorothea made me step back and showed it to me. Because of her patience, her diligence, her enthusiasm for the law and for issues of social justice, I have hope where before I only had a prayer. Dorothea's mental agility and tenacity are the things I appreciate most about her in the courtroom. At every court appearance, she has always had a Plan A, a Plan B and a Plan C. I suspect if we ever need a Plan D, she would probably pull one of those out of her hat, too. For example, when Dorothea had critical evidence she wanted to get into the record on my behalf, she had that evidence ready to present in multiple different formats to ensure it got into the record. She didn't just give up the first time she was told 'no', as has been my experience with other attorneys, but fluidly shifted to her backup strategies to get that evidence into the record. I intend to continue working with Dorothea even after our business with the appeal is concluded and can't recommend her highly enough.
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19 Dec, 2022 by Linda
She is extremely professional, knowledgeable, focused and detailed orientated. She was also accessible with "no nonsense" persona. She creates a sense of strength and confidence.
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04 Apr, 2014 by Charles
About 2 months ago Mr. Hafer took over my case, from another law firm..My case is still Pending..I get regular updates..Calls are regularly taken..No problems during the time we have done business..
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19 Apr, 2023 by Helen bennett
"Donna J. assisted me in drafted some much needed paper work. She took the time explaining the entire process to me, answered all my questions, and provided many examples in plain language. She was quick to respond via email and by phone when needed. She was also very reasonable in price. I recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable lawyer that gives her clients the time and attention they deserve!"
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15 Dec, 2022 by Zach
Donna was amazing to work with out of all the attorneys I've met she's by far my favorite! Thank you donna to you and your hard working team for everything!
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19 Jul, 2022 by Teri
Donna Smiedt was recommended to me by a dentist friend of mine. He himself had been through a few divorces and knew who was good and who was not. Not only is Donna incredibly proficient at what she does professionally, She is a very compassionate caring and helpful person as well! She knew how to communicate well with both myself & my now ex-husband. I got an incredible settlement -fair & generous. Partly because she was able to speak in a non-confrontational tone with my ex and convince him that it was best to be fair. I’m quite sure no other lawyer could have attained those results due to his type “A” personality. There are so many examples I have of how compassionate and how she helped me mentally through what was the worst time in my life but we don’t have enough room here. Let me just leave it to say don’t regret this huge decision in your life… Make sure you choose the right lawyer.
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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?
    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 Arlington, Texas?

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.
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