When a person is served with a summons and complaint, in most instances, the response filing deadline is 20-30 days (depending on the court). One exception to this rule is a dispossessory action. In Georgia, the response time for dispossessories is seven days. As a result you have to act quickly to protect your rights.
Nevertheless, if you have a 20-30 day response time from the date of service, you have time to call around to find an attorney who suits your budget and time constraints. If you're served on Monday, take 3-5 days to consult with several lawyers. Find out their theories of your case. 7-10 days after service, make your decision.
There is no rational reason to receive service of process on Monday and retain an attorney within 24-48 hours of service. I find it amazing that in many cases, people spend more time researching a $500 television or phone than they do researching an attorney that costs much more than those electronic devices. Indeed, depending on the case, the television or phone may malfunction before your case comes to judgment or settlement.
Suggestions
(1) Talk to 3-5 attorneys by phone (not their legal assistants or paralegals).
(2) Visit your top 1 -3 choices.
(3) Take all proposed contracts home to read and compare. Some provisions can be negotiated.
(4) Make your selection after full contemplation.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Monday, April 11, 2016
New Office - Stone Mountain, Georgia
The McGill Law Firm has added an office in Dekalb County.
The office is located in Stone Mountain, GA
925 Main Street
Suite 300-36
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Office hours at this location are Mon. - Fri. (11:00am - 3:00pm)
Extended hours are available at the firm's Roswell and Norcross locations.
All appointments can be made at the firm's main number - (678)-353-3217
The office is located in Stone Mountain, GA
925 Main Street
Suite 300-36
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Office hours at this location are Mon. - Fri. (11:00am - 3:00pm)
Extended hours are available at the firm's Roswell and Norcross locations.
All appointments can be made at the firm's main number - (678)-353-3217
Too Many Attorneys on One Case is a Warning Sign Most Attorneys Cannot Ignore
When searching for an attorney, take your time selecting counsel. Make sure your attorney is right for your temperment, time requirements, and budget. Also, pay attention to criticisms others make about you and your case.
Once you select counsel, be mindful of warnings she gives about withdrawing from the case if (1) payments aren't made; (2) unnecessary and frequent calls don't cease; (3) disruptive behavior doesn't stop; or (4) required documents and other information aren't produced. Keep a good attorney rather than running him off. Indeed, when a potential client discloses he has gone through several attorneys through dismissals or withdrawals, red flags pop up. Many lawyers won't touch the case because it's a sign of trouble. In those instances, it is irrelevant how much money the case is worth.
After several years, I have joined the majority of my fellow attorney in heeding these red flags. As a result, effective April 1, 2016, if a person has already had an attorney on a matter, the potential client must sign a waiver to allow me to discuss the matter with former counsel. The waiver will notify counsel (s)he is permitted to speak fully and honestly with the firm. If the potential client had legitimate reasons for dismissing the first, second, or third counsel, there should be no hesitation to sign the waiver and pay for counsel's time.
Once you select counsel, be mindful of warnings she gives about withdrawing from the case if (1) payments aren't made; (2) unnecessary and frequent calls don't cease; (3) disruptive behavior doesn't stop; or (4) required documents and other information aren't produced. Keep a good attorney rather than running him off. Indeed, when a potential client discloses he has gone through several attorneys through dismissals or withdrawals, red flags pop up. Many lawyers won't touch the case because it's a sign of trouble. In those instances, it is irrelevant how much money the case is worth.
After several years, I have joined the majority of my fellow attorney in heeding these red flags. As a result, effective April 1, 2016, if a person has already had an attorney on a matter, the potential client must sign a waiver to allow me to discuss the matter with former counsel. The waiver will notify counsel (s)he is permitted to speak fully and honestly with the firm. If the potential client had legitimate reasons for dismissing the first, second, or third counsel, there should be no hesitation to sign the waiver and pay for counsel's time.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Rental Car Disclosures and Coverage
This Thanksgiving, many will rent cars to travel to their destinations. Seasoned car renters know and understand the coverage options and their limits. For those who rarely rent, call your insurance company first to see the type of coverage you may have under your policy. Also check to see what drivers are covered under that policy. If you decide to use the rental company's insurance, don't put that coverage at risk by failing to make key disclosures.
1. If asked, disclose what states you intend to travel. This is especially true if you intend to drive the car to or through New York. Some rental locations specifically prohibit renters from driving in New York.
2. On the rental form, disclose the identity of all drivers you intend to grant permission to operate the vehicle. More importantly, don't deviate from that list throughout your visit. If an unauthorized driver is involved in an accident, you and the driver may be left with no coverage and be held liable for the car and any injuries that resulted from the accident.
So, throwing the car keys at your nephew to go shopping on Thanksgiving or Black Friday is nice when you have your own car, but it's a liability risk when you have a rental. Just explain this to those who want to use the car and move on to something else like how horrible the Cowboys are this season or what you intend to buy on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
1. If asked, disclose what states you intend to travel. This is especially true if you intend to drive the car to or through New York. Some rental locations specifically prohibit renters from driving in New York.
2. On the rental form, disclose the identity of all drivers you intend to grant permission to operate the vehicle. More importantly, don't deviate from that list throughout your visit. If an unauthorized driver is involved in an accident, you and the driver may be left with no coverage and be held liable for the car and any injuries that resulted from the accident.
So, throwing the car keys at your nephew to go shopping on Thanksgiving or Black Friday is nice when you have your own car, but it's a liability risk when you have a rental. Just explain this to those who want to use the car and move on to something else like how horrible the Cowboys are this season or what you intend to buy on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Reviewers and Readers Should Be Careful
Woman Ordered To Pay After Mr. Sandless Owner Sues Over Yelp Reviews « CBS New York
More and more, reviews on Yelp and other websites are not worth believing. If you want to take the time to review a business, stick to the facts. The woman should have discussed what the company had promised, what it delivered, and what problems she had with the final product.
For my own person use, I believe those people who provide factual details, not opinions. There are times those "disgrunted" customers simply didn't read the contract, didn't listen to the salesperson, didn't follow instructions, or just don't want to pay the contracted price, among other things.
When looking at a company, I usually disregard the 1 stars and 5 stars and pay attention to those details reviews in the 2-4 star arena. I also look to see how many reviews this person has given to other businesses. A serial reviewer who gives a wide range of reviews is more reliable than someone who signed up to give a hatchet job to one person or someone who always gives 1 star or 5 stars.
More and more, reviews on Yelp and other websites are not worth believing. If you want to take the time to review a business, stick to the facts. The woman should have discussed what the company had promised, what it delivered, and what problems she had with the final product.
For my own person use, I believe those people who provide factual details, not opinions. There are times those "disgrunted" customers simply didn't read the contract, didn't listen to the salesperson, didn't follow instructions, or just don't want to pay the contracted price, among other things.
When looking at a company, I usually disregard the 1 stars and 5 stars and pay attention to those details reviews in the 2-4 star arena. I also look to see how many reviews this person has given to other businesses. A serial reviewer who gives a wide range of reviews is more reliable than someone who signed up to give a hatchet job to one person or someone who always gives 1 star or 5 stars.
Friday, August 21, 2015
New Virtual Offices for Meetings and Mail
GEORGIA
This month, The McGill Law Firm, LLC has opened up a new virtual office for meetings, deliveries, and mail receipt in Conyers, GA.
This new location is for clients who live or work in Rockdale, Newton, or Dekalb (Lithonia area) Counties.
Meetings are by appointment only (770)367-1234
2385 Wall Street
Suite 100
Conyers, GA 30013
(Approximately 1 mile off of Exit 84 on I-20)
MARYLAND
Also, Attorney McGill has opened up a new Maryland virtual office in Gaithersburg, MD for meetings, deliveries, and mail receipt. This location is for clients who live or work in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
Meetings are by appointment only.
WASHINGTONIAN CENTER
9841 Washingtonian Blvd.
Suite 200
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
NEW YORK
Also, Attorney McGill has moved her Long Island Office to
405 RXR Plaza
Uniondale, NY 11556
New York litigation matters are limited to Georgia residents who have family law matters in New York
or
New York residents who have litigation matters in the Atlanta Metro area.
This month, The McGill Law Firm, LLC has opened up a new virtual office for meetings, deliveries, and mail receipt in Conyers, GA.
This new location is for clients who live or work in Rockdale, Newton, or Dekalb (Lithonia area) Counties.
Meetings are by appointment only (770)367-1234
2385 Wall Street
Suite 100
Conyers, GA 30013
(Approximately 1 mile off of Exit 84 on I-20)
MARYLAND
Also, Attorney McGill has opened up a new Maryland virtual office in Gaithersburg, MD for meetings, deliveries, and mail receipt. This location is for clients who live or work in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
Meetings are by appointment only.
WASHINGTONIAN CENTER
9841 Washingtonian Blvd.
Suite 200
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
NEW YORK
Also, Attorney McGill has moved her Long Island Office to
405 RXR Plaza
Uniondale, NY 11556
New York litigation matters are limited to Georgia residents who have family law matters in New York
or
New York residents who have litigation matters in the Atlanta Metro area.
Friday, August 14, 2015
EEOC’s “Reverse” National Origin Discrimination Suit Survives Motion to Dismiss: Labor and Employment Law, School Law, Lawyers, Attorneys, Franczek Radelet
EEOC’s “Reverse” National Origin Discrimination Suit Survives Motion to Dismiss: Labor and Employment Law, School Law, Lawyers, Attorneys, Franczek Radelet
It's about time a case came to court to challenge the unfair hiring practice that discriminate against US workers. More of these cases need to be filed.
It's about time a case came to court to challenge the unfair hiring practice that discriminate against US workers. More of these cases need to be filed.
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