Lawyers map
S. Lynn Peach
Data reflects the status as of the most recent database update. We generally conduct data reviews and updates on a
monthly schedule.
1.0
Avvo rating
2 Reviews
All reviews
16 May, 2020 by Julie
Firstly, let me acknowledge that family law is an inherently negative process and, while I recognize that, Lynn and her team made it exponentially more stressful than it should have been.
My case wasn't big; I didn't put down tens of thousands of dollars for a retainer. Which is why, I believe, I was treated like a second class client. When I would ask for an update, I was told that Lynn was in court or had a deadline coming up so I'd have to wait. I was very patient for 6+ months...I understood that the holidays caused delays, I empathized when their whole office got sick in January, I accepted further setbacks when I was told opposing counsel was on vacation, I tolerated Lynn's various discovery deadlines and court dates (unrelated to my case). But eventually, my patience waned.
Trying to touch base on my case, I asked for a phone call. I was brushed off due to her other work demands or flat out ignored. After 3 failed attempts for a phone call meeting, I gave up and resorted to emails only...which lead to a host of other problems including miscommunication, further delays, and (of course) a large bill.
9 out of 10 documents I received were sloppily done with very little attention to detail. I had to point out common grammar mistakes and, more often than not, there were important parts of the motions/orders written incorrectly or simply did not reflect what we had discussed. (E.g. One of the first order versions sent to me, the terms "respondent" and "petitioner" were mixed up thereby identifying each party incorrectly. Another where the county was incorrect. Another where the motion was for a divorce (I've never been married). And, sadly, I have more examples but won't list them here.
PRO TIP- When you receive documents to review, the files must be downloaded to your device or the formatting will be off (previewing alone will mess with the formatting). I learned this at the very end of my case. Had I been told this prior, it would've saved me time, money and frustration.
Their billing practices are another problem. I once sent an email very clearly asking 4 questions; I labeled then 1., 2., 3., & 4.
Their reply?
One sentence telling me they haven't worked on my case and, later that day, I received an invoice for $15.
While I will gladly pay for services rendered, $15 just to tell me no work had been done does not sit right with me.
Additionally, some invoices are nondescript. I've received invoices for "Staffing" or "Correspondence" or "Email".
Which left me with questions such as: What correspondence? To whom was the email? And what exactly does "Staffing" even mean? Sometimes I'd ask for an explanation, one time I even received one! But, for the most part, my inquiries would be left unanswered or I was too afraid to ask for fear of being billed for the billing details (which should've been included in the first place).
If you hired this firm and are in a similar situation, I'm sorry. If you want to get your case worked on, you have to beg and plead and keep on top of them constantly, all of which is going to cost you money. In the end, it took 8 months, thousands of dollars, countless emails and a global pandemic (when their office was slow because courts were closed) to finally reach a resolution in my case. Had my persistence and the COVID-19 quarantine not occurred, I truly believe I'd still be in the midst of this nonsense.
So my advice is this: Unless you have unlimited resources and time, find another attorney that actually cares and has time for you. And if you're dealing with custody issues, do NOT pay attorneys to negotiate on your behalf. Submit discovery then go to court and/or mediation - it'll save you time, money, and sanity in the long run.
19 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
I had a pretty airtight custody case where my ex kidnapped/withheld my child. Lynn did next to nothing to help resolve my issue. I could have done the same if I had represented myself. She never fought for me in court, never brought up all the terrible things my ex was doing to my child or expressed the terrible living conditions. I had several terms I wanted put in my court order and Lynn ignored my requestes to do so. Fast forward several years and those failed requests are costing me tens of thousands of dollars.
She is very nice, easy to talk to and in your initial visit will make you feel like she is a tough lawyer that will win your case. In reality, once hired, she’s very tough to get ahold of. Often had to call her more than 20 times over a month before she would call back. Would only get texts saying “in court. Call you later.”
She had another profile on Avvo that had several negative reviews but that profile is no longer on here
You’ve been warned
Best lawyers in San Marcos, TX
18 Jan, 2018 by Steven
Amanda Erwin,
On Feb 4 2015 in Gonzales County I Steven was sentenced two 60 years sentence's ran concurrent, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (weapon being my hands) and Assault Family Violence both Felonies. I have had
Prior convictions in Gonzales County. I am writing this to thank Amanda Erwin at the Erwin Law firm in San Marcos Texas for taking my case. What words can I possibly use to say what is in my heart right now. Many thanks for all of your love, effort, kindness and knowledge of the law and of people's feelings and needs. You are a gift! Thank you for your help in this difficult transition - I appreciate your expertise, poise and patience. Thank you for saving my life if it wasn't for you I would have been spending the rest of my life in prison.You are a awesome lawyer. I know for a fact if you can help me get through this you can help a lot if people around the world.
Sincerely,
Steven.D
Read more
17 Jul, 2017 by Kathy
As a teenager, our daughter, as do many children of that age, made some poor choices. She was hanging with the wrong crowd and ended up drinking which lead to the involvement of law enforcement. We contacted Amanda Erwin and discussed the case. We immediately felt that she showed true compassion and understanding for our daughter's situation. We were very confident that her advice was in the best interest of our daughter. We scheduled an appointment to meet with Amanda and her husband, Josh. They were both wonderful! The sincerity they showed assured us that we were in the right place. Amanda and Josh took on this case as if it was their own child. They did what they said they would do. They fought for our daughter and had the felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor. Amanda advised us to have the charges expunged so that they would no longer appear on our daughter's record. So when it was time we hired Amanda to handle the expunction. Once again, we were extremely impressed with the way she handled the case. Amanda was adamant that this mistake should not follow our daughter around the rest of her life. She exceed our expectations threefold and we could not be more pleased with the outcome of the situation.
Read more
09 Aug, 2018 by Mike faulk
We hired Charles for my Dad's Estate. He was very precise and to the point. He helped us so much to understand the basics of of a will. I would hire him again, because he is very caring & understands his clients feelings in the matter. He gets the case handled properly & doesn't charge you outrageous prices.
Read more
13 Feb, 2017 by Trish
Charles represented a family member who was unjustly pulled over by a police officer. He went above and beyond to prove his innocence. He truly cares for his clients. He counseled my son and warned him about following the law. He is an exNavy officer and previously worked in law enforcement. So he knows all sides of the law and he is the most just man I have ever met. His courtroom savvy is incredible to watch. Mostly, it is his character, he is an honorable man who truly cares. He has years of experience and knows how to defend. There are other lawyers out there that might have great ratings cause they are young and work the social media but this is the lawyer you should hire. He has experience, commitment and justice on his side!
Read more
30 Sep, 2015 by Dan misiaszek
Helped me with a criminal case after my first lawyer seriously messed it up. Highly trained support staff and excellent resources at his disposal. End result was positive and in my favor.
Read more
17 May, 2019 by Anonymous
Ray and his staff were kind and understanding for the duration of my case. He was considerate of my situation and gave me the time I needed to prepare for my case in the best possible way. During that time he gave me several options making it very clear the pros & cons of each. When the time came he went line-by-line explaining the conditions of my case and the best way to proceed. He made me feel cared for and that he truly only wanted the best outcome for me. Highly recommended for all.
Read more
16 May, 2017 by Suzanne
Ray Green was hired 14 yrs ago to handle my case. He is very sharp, very honest . He puts everything out on the table and made us feel like family. He genuinely cares and prepares for the best possible outcome no matter what the case. Ray has represented myself, both of my sons for all our legal needs!!! highly recommend
Read more
05 Apr, 2017 by Sherrie bagley
Mr & Mrs Took such great care of my husbands case! He is very kind and took time to explain everything! This man saved my husband from up to 99 years of prison on a warrant that was almost 10 years old that we had no knowledge of. If you want the best contact Mr Green!!!
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 San Marcos, 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.
