Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
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Pros
1
Highly professional and focused on providing high-quality service with the client's best interests in mind
“She is singularly professional and focused not on squeezing every last dollar out of a client, but rather providing high-quality service with the client's best interests at heart.”
2
Provides sound, well-thought-out advice and counsel
“She provides sound, well-thought-out advice and counsel.”
3
Respected and held in high regard in the legal community
“Cassandra and her professional reputation is held in very high regard in the legal community and state in which she practices.”
4
Excellent communication and responsiveness
“Her communication with us was extraordinary. Her professionalism and personal demeanor helped put my mother at ease. She did everything in a timely fashion and never left us guessing what would happen next.”
5
Achieves favorable outcomes for clients
“Through their outstanding work, I was able to attain a settlement agreement far more favorable than I ever expected which also avoided the time and additional expense of a trial.”
Cons
1
Potential for delayed communication and lack of responsiveness
“Neither my spouse nor I received the initial letter Ms Chin stated she sent to both of us to the two separate addresses informing him that she was retained by me. When I emailed 4 weeks later to find out the status of my case, I was charged for the email response.”
2
Potential for unnecessary or unauthorized charges
“I was also charged a hefty sum to draft an additional financial document that was not needed, and without my consent. When I found out, because my spouse's lawyer retaliated with same, I told Ms Chin that I did not give her permission to do this and that I did not want it done. I was not reimbursed for this charge I did not authorize.”

All reviews

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02 Dec, 2022 by Rob
Nichols Zauzig, and in particular Cassandra Chin, has handled my family law situation for several complicated cases. Initially, I attended a seminar given by Mr. Nichols and he gave me confidence that the firm works hard for their clients. This proved to be especially true regarding Ms Chin. She is extremely well versed in Virginia family law, devotes the needed time and energy to the case, and far out classed the opposing counsel. She kept me well informed of the status of my case, presented options of how best to proceed, and every time we had a discussion I felt better about where I stood. I highly recommend Nichols Zauzig and specifically Ms Chin for any family law situation.
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22 Nov, 2022 by Kim
Cassandra Chin came highly recommended and I’m grateful for the recommendation. I retained her services for a post-divorce custody issue and both her and her whole team are smart, responsive, realistic, compassionate, and just so good at what they do. You're in excellent, highly capable hands from start to finish. Questions are always answered. I always knew exactly what was going on in our case. And you can tell just how respected she is in her field. Our case was resolved fairly and efficiently. It sounds odd to say when you are dealing with family law, but I enjoyed my time working with Cassandra and her team. While I hope to not have to retain her services again (knock on wood), I would 100% be a repeat client.
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18 May, 2021 by Tim
I was given Nichols Zauzig a few years ago as I contemplated a divorce. I’m thankful that I had their number because I suddenly needed them. My ex had her attorney send me an email telling me she wanted a divorce. Cassandra Chin urged me to try to work out a settlement agreement with my ex, but it is no surprise we couldn’t work anything out ourselves. Just before we went into a settlement meeting between the 2 attorneys and my ex, my ex pulled her original (untenable) offer and submitted an offer even worse. Cassandra called me before sending me the new offer and and told me not to worry because the new offer was against Virginia statute in several areas. She assured me that I would do better than the original offer my ex had just pulled. She was absolutely correct in her assessment. We got a much better deal and made a few nominal concessions early in the meeting that paid dividends later. Though I got divorced later in life and my ex had no savings or investments of her own, I will be able to retire thanks in no small part to Cassandra’s guidance. I thought we worked well together and I owe my future to her.
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07 May, 2021 by Vanessa
I hired Ms Chin back in February 2020 to represent me in my divorce (which does not involve children/custody) but had to terminate her services 1 year later without my divorce being over. Interestingly, I hired Ms Chin based on a positive online review among other reasons. Now here I am, posting a review of my own. To begin with, neither my spouse nor I received the initial letter Ms Chin stated she sent to both of us to the two separate addresses informing him that she was retained by me. When I emailed 4 weeks later to find out the status of my case, I was charged for the email response attaching a “courtesy copy” of the letter that neither my spouse nor I ever received. Ms Chin finally sent my spouse a follow-up to the letter 3 months later! Later, when I reached out to my spouse about financial support. His reply was, “You might want to follow up with your lawyers since they have not done anything since you and I gave them our information. I am sure they keep charging you...”. He was correct. I had informed Ms Chin of my disappointment and dissatisfaction with how my case was being handled even before his response. Not only did Ms Chin cost me considerable time and money scheduling/postponing/cancelling hearings, I was also bombarded with costly and redundant emails which I finally had to demand that she stop sending. I was also charged a hefty sum to draft an additional financial document that was not needed, and without my consent. When I found out, because my spouse’s lawyer retaliated with same, I told Ms Chin that I did not give her permission to do this and that I did not want it done. I was not reimbursed for this charge I did not authorize. Ms Chin also failed to include a pertinent requirement I wanted included in my Pendente Lite agreement, resulting in severe financial distress and anxiety. Ms Chin also failed to send me a revised document within the two weeks as promised. When I realized that over six weeks had gone by and Ms Chin still did not send the revised document, especially since I had nothing much to show for the $8,000 I had spent so far, I felt that it was not in my best interest to continue to retain Ms Chin. This, coupled with Ms Chin’s handling of my case from the onset, resulted in my decision to terminate her service. Also, I recently found out from my spouse’s attorney that he had discussed mediation with Ms Chin. However, Ms Chin did not to mention this to me, though I am/would have been receptive to mediation.
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01 Mar, 2021 by Valerie
I recently found myself in need of a divorce attorney. Someone who was familiar with the military and who could assist me even several states away. Cassandra Chin was very knowledgeable and professional, and was quick to respond to my questions. I expected this situation to be very stressful, however Cassandra Chin was there to reassure me, explain the processes, and to keep me informed as the situation unfolded. Her communication was always on point and timely. Thankfully, my children are grown, but I know Cassandra was prepared to find the most satisfactory solution for any and all parts of this process. I recommend Cassandra Chin and the Nichols Zauzig Firm wholeheartedly.
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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.
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  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
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  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
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  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?
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  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 Woodbridge, Virginia?

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.

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Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

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  • Consultation Assessment:
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  • Ask for References:
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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:
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  • Budget Constraints:
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  • Openness and Honesty:
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