Lawyers map
Is this your profile? Claim it for free in just a few minutes!
James Marshall Whorley
1912 West Avenue H, Temple, TX
Practices
3.4
Avvo rating
7 Reviews
Data reflects the status as of the latest update. Updates are typically done monthly.
License
License ID number: -
Licensed in: -
Year admitted: -
Education
1990:
University of Texas School of Law, JD - Juris Doctor
1987:
University of Texas System, Austin, M.B.A.,
1985:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (main), BS - Bachelor of Science
Last reviews
See All Reviews
Overall rating
3.4
7 reviews
3.4
Butch
06 Oct, 2024
Horrible attorney, lazy and a liar. I hired James M. Whorley for my daughter’s child custody case. Upon our first consultation I paid his consultation fee and my daughter and I provided all the facts pertaining to the case. He stated the only way to handle the case was with a jury trial and agreed he would represent my daughter for a flat fee of $30,000 dollars with $15,000 paid down and the remainder $15,000 paid before trial. I paid the initial $15,000 dollars. He failed to answer or return calls on numerous occasions, my daughter was often told they were busy with a new client intake and couldn’t come to the phone. He failed to properly represent her to the best of his ability and continuously was afraid to stand up to the court on clear violation by the court under Texas Family Law. He continuously violated client attorney privilege, failed to file motions and subpoenas, and was always late to court. He also confirmed deals without clients consent and knowledge. He Demanded additional fees (or early payment?) stating it was taking more time than he could spend without additional fees (or early payment?) and that he made $400.00 dollars per hour and would withdraw from the case if it wasn’t paid. An additional payment (or early payment?) was made by my daughter for $5,000 yet he filed a motion to withdraw telling my daughter he no longer had time to spend on her case due to his eyesight, secretary in hospital with cancer, yet Whorley continued to take on additional clients. He Stated we could file a complaint with the bar association for he had 40 (30??) years experience practicing law. He failed to return any monies paid to him. A certified letter return receipt was mailed to him with statement of facts and pending intent to file suit which he refused to accept and was returned to sender. He runs a one man office without the resources to properly handle a case and will not challenge the judge even knowing the judge violated Texas and Federal Law, he represents himself rather than his client and don’t expect to see him unless it is the day before court or the morning of court and expect him to be unprepared for hearings. Refused to file a Writ of Mandamus even though there were clear violations of law and stated he had to practice law here and was a friend of the judge.
Read more
Paul
28 Jul, 2022
-5 Stars. James Whorley was my Divorce Lawyer. When I first discussed the case with him he gave me me his cell phone number and I felt comfortable with him.Come to find out he would never answer any of my calls or voice mails emails or text. If I left a message on their office voice mail no response. But when they wanted money. They would call nonstop.My ex-wife did so much harm to me.So how did she end up with $65,000 worth of Amish furniture about $80,000 worth of art. And I was awarded some art how. How did Jim just get me three paintings hight one with $900.00and not the $20,000 one? And the money from the house we sold in Ca? How was she able to keep my $25,000 in tools my sons gifts he gave me over the last 12 years my bible collection worth $7,000. Anytime we had to appear in court Jim was always late. I would call his office and the office would say he's proberly talking-to other lawyers.Why is he talking to anybody and not discussing the case with me. Im the one paying him $400 an hour. During court the last of the divorce. Jim was contacted by her lawyer that they wanted 2 credit accounts but Jim never did tell me. So he begged The Judge to het us get them by 5pm that day. She said no because we had plenty of time to get them.He never did say we dropped the ball and I'm sorry. I am very disabled. When I was in the hospital a few times and I would call his office and tell then I was in the hospital and they said it was fishy. And wanted the hospital to send the a letter.Her lawyer in the closing said I should go a foodbank if I needed food and she should not have to give support. She lied big time and got a restaining order. I called the local police to help me get some clothes and my credit cards. She came out and had a fit. Well they arrested me. How I dont know.Jim told the Judge that he would have it dropped. Well that's not what he did and I did a year probation because getting it dropped would have not made him anymore more money. Of course he charged me $1,500.00 to take the plea deal deal. Total cost was about $10,000. I know Jim would say but you got the house. Yes but if she would have put in up for sale in the first 30 days I would have had to give to her because the equity was only about $20,000 and with closing cost and realtors fees I would have had to pay to sell the house. So we sued her to sell the house. Well, a month before that. She took me to court say I was driving around the house. Well, It was not my truck. Not the color not the model. Well Jim charged me $1,500.00 to defend me. How come he didn't ask the court to make her pay it since it was a lie? Well, when we sued her the Judge to sell the house the Judge and if we wanted jail time? Jim said no I talked to her and she is good. WHAT? That was not Jims call to make it was mine. She destroyed my life and Jim gives her a pass. I can't tell you how upset I was.Well my ex-wife wrote him an excellent review before the truck court case. when the house was finally sold I had to pay $3709.00 in taxes to the new buyer. Well she got a refund check and I was owed that money so I called Jim and his office for 7 months to get this taken care of. Jim finally responded to it at 7:30 am one morning and said he will send out a demand letter. Well I called his office for 5 weeks and the said the would talk to him 5 weeks??? Finally his office sent out the demand letter because ehe never did.Well no follow up at all. I finally had to contact her lawyer and get half.My ex wife wrote a review Jim and said he's an excellent lawyer and a kind man. What was he doing talking to her when Well he is either an horrible divorce lawyer or she flirted with him or she paid him because he was on her side the whole time.I founds still has my service dog that she said died. Did Jim confirm that? No he did not. I do no recommend Jim Whorley as a divorce lawyer. If you want to loose everything hire Jim.
Read more
Sherrie
24 Sep, 2019
Mr Whorley has represented me several times over the last 3 years. Each time he has been levelheaded and quick thinking. He has a brilliant mind and can think outside the box. In addition, I can see that he is well loved by the staff at the courthouse and respected by other attorneys, which speaks volumes about his character and reputation. I highly recommend Mr Whorley.
Read more
Top review highlights
Pros
1
Highly professional and courteous lawyer
“He is very professional and courteous. Couldn't have asked for anyone better to represent me.”
2
Effective in protecting client's rights and interests
“If you don't want to be walked all over in court and everything you worked for practically stolen from you and your father's rights ENFORCED hire this lawyer!”
3
Respected by court staff and other attorneys
“I can see that he is well loved by the staff at the courthouse and respected by other attorneys, which speaks volumes about his character and reputation.”
Cons
1
Poor communication and responsiveness
“Come to find out he would never answer any of my calls or voice mails emails or text. If I left a message on their office voice mail no response.”
2
Potential bias towards the opposing party
“He was on her side the whole time. I do not recommend Jim Whorley as a divorce lawyer. If you want to lose everything, hire Jim.”
3
Failure to properly defend the client's interests
“He could not properly defend me cause he was scared to stand up to the court and defend me as his client. He did nothing that was asked of him to do.”
Best lawyers in Temple, TX
29 Oct, 2018 by Jennifer
Melissa is amazing! Her experience in Bell County courts is outstanding and she is tough in the courtroom. I have won every motion, even those filed against me.
Melissa at Blanchard & Thomas knows the law inside and out and I couldn't feel more confident with my contested divorce case. With family and business at stake, hiring Melissa gave me a huge sense of relief and reduced my anxiety ten-fold.
Melissa made this a winning situation for my entire family!
Read more
30 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Melissa was referred to me by a family friend after I had contacted two others in the area. I sought a divorce attorney that was familiar with Military families and the different regulations that get mixed up with a civilian divorce. After our initial consultation, I knew I found the one that would be worth every stressful thought and pinched penny.
Melissa is very knowledgeable and patient when explaining "legal-ese" concerning the process and progress of the case. Despite knowing that all of her time spent on matters of my case is compensated, I never once felt that my case was only a source of income. She always went above and beyond to accommodate my concerns and questions. I never felt as if I was being an inconvenience and her quick responses via phone and email was a reassurance that my case was just as important for her as for me.
Melissa is genuine and addressed all I needed and things I did not know I needed. I am thankful for her and she will be highly recommended to all of those in my circle that are looking for an attorney.
Read more
26 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Melissa is amazing to work with. She is smart, dedicated, and compassionate toward her clients. She is always prompt with inquiries and proactive in making sure the client always knows what is happening, what is needed, and what to expect next.
Read more
20 Aug, 2021 by Melody
Brennan is a fantastic ...very determined and will have ur back to the fullest ... And will go the extra mile for you ... He tells it like it is and I recommend him to the fullest matter of fact need him lol check em out waco ... Don't judge by looks ... He's a unique and great lawyer
Read more
21 Oct, 2021 by Jacob ramos
Great staff, very helpful and friendly. Would recommend to anyone for help and professional service
Read more
21 Oct, 2021 by Roman solis
Best law firm out there highly recommend staff is very professional
Read more
21 Oct, 2021 by Markus escobar
The staff is very professional and attentive to the clients’ needs. Everyone really listens to the client and the issues. I would highly recommend this firm.
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 Temple, 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.
