Law Offices of James M. Hallett
Nearby LawyersCaliforniaLos Angeles CountyManhattan Beach6th Street
Open Hours:
Monday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, Closed
Sunday, Closed
Law Offices of James M. Hallett Introduce
Welcome to the Law Offices of James M. Hallett, a legal practice situated at 1001 6th Street, Suite 120, in the coastal city of Manhattan Beach, California. As a listing in the 'Nearby Lawyers' platform category, the Law Offices of James M. Hallett aims to provide legal services to the local community and surrounding areas. Located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, Manhattan Beach is known for its affluent residential areas and beautiful beaches, and the Law Offices of James M. Hallett serves the legal needs of this community.
The office is located in a commercial building on 6th Street, a central thoroughfare in Manhattan Beach. Suite 120 likely offers a professional space for client meetings. While specific details about the office environment are best experienced during a consultation, one can generally expect a setting that allows for private and confidential discussions regarding legal matters. The location in Manhattan Beach provides accessibility for residents and businesses in the area seeking local legal counsel.
Based on the available information, James M. Hallett is reportedly board certified in both family law and criminal law. This indicates a level of specialized knowledge and expertise in these two distinct areas of legal practice. Therefore, the primary services offered by the Law Offices of James M. Hallett likely include:
- Family Law: Handling a range of domestic relations issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, property division, adoption, and domestic violence restraining orders. Board certification in family law suggests a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of these sensitive legal matters.
- Criminal Law: Providing legal defense to individuals accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses. This includes representation in areas such as DUI, drug offenses, theft, assault, white-collar crimes, and more. Board certification in criminal law signifies experience and expertise in navigating the criminal justice system.
One of the provided customer reviews offers a mixed perspective on the services received. While one part of the review describes James M. Hallett as a "well versed lawyer, very polite and conscientious" and recommends him to friends, another detailed account expresses significant dissatisfaction with two consultations in 2021. This detailed account raises concerns about the advice provided regarding a separate legal matter (legal malpractice arbitration) which was outside the scope of his board certifications, as well as the subsequent lack of response. It's important to consider both perspectives when evaluating the potential services of this law office.
The positive aspect of the review highlights politeness and conscientiousness as potential features of the Law Offices of James M. Hallett. The board certifications in family law and criminal law are significant features, indicating specialized knowledge in these areas. However, the negative review raises concerns about the scope of advice given outside of his certified expertise and the level of post-consultation support in that particular instance.
Given the conflicting information within the reviews, it is challenging to ascertain specific promotional information. The positive aspect suggests a focus on being a well-versed, polite, and conscientious legal resource. However, the negative experience detailed in the other review might temper any broad promotional claims. It is advisable for potential clients to directly inquire about the specific attorney handling their case, their qualifications in the relevant area of law, and the firm's consultation and communication policies.
For local users in Manhattan Beach seeking legal assistance, the Law Offices of James M. Hallett offers a conveniently located practice. The board certifications in family law and criminal law indicate a focus on these key areas. The positive aspect of the review suggests a potentially positive client experience in matters within his expertise. However, the detailed negative review serves as a cautionary note regarding seeking advice outside of his stated specializations and the importance of clear communication and understanding the scope of services offered.
Potential clients considering the Law Offices of James M. Hallett should inquire specifically about the attorney who will be handling their case and their qualifications in the relevant area of law. It would also be prudent to discuss consultation fees, the scope of the legal representation, and communication protocols upfront to ensure a clear understanding of the services provided. The fact that James M. Hallett is board certified in family law and criminal law could be a significant benefit for those with legal needs in these specific areas within the Manhattan Beach community.
In conclusion, the Law Offices of James M. Hallett, located in Manhattan Beach, CA, offers legal services with a reported specialization in family law and criminal law, as indicated by board certifications. While one review praises the lawyer's demeanor and recommends him, another details a negative experience involving advice outside of his certified expertise and subsequent communication issues. Local users in Manhattan Beach seeking legal assistance in family law or criminal law may find the Law Offices of James M. Hallett to be a nearby option, but it is crucial to conduct thorough due diligence and have clear discussions about the scope of services and the attorney's relevant expertise for their specific legal needs.
Location
Customer Reviews
(2 reviews)
Unfortunately I did not have a good experience with two consultations I had with Jim in 2021. The first consultation was $400 and reviewed a complicated legal case which involved two branches of law he supposedly is expert in. I had been speaking with another attorney and in discussions to hire them but something told me they were a bad fit so I reached out to Jim. When I spoke with Jim he questioned why I wouldn’t hire the first attorney and seemed annoyed I would say anything negative about them. When I brought this up to his assistant, she said “Jim hates it when anyone says anything bad about attorneys” which is absurd because there are many incompetent attorneys out there. As I felt desperate for help, I thanked Jim for the consult and hired this other attorney despite my gut saying they were corrupt and of course they did a terrible job on my case. Later that year I had a second consultation for $400 with Jim to discuss my case where we reviewed the work of the other attorney who had stolen my money without putting it into a trust and then substituted out of the case. As the other attorney did not do the work I paid them for, Jim advised me that I could open a case for arbitration by the LA County Bar Association and would likely get all of my money back, as this other attorney clearly violated ethics and “the Bar Association does a really great job of being fair and neutral in these cases”. WRONG! I did open a case in Dec of 2021 and had arbitration in March of 2022, the arbitrator was murderous and out to get me the entire time. She ended up ruling for the other attorney and I owed $7000. I was in shock. This was so clearly a slam-dunk to Jim, what happened? And because it was binding, I could not appeal it. When I reached out to Jim he did not respond to three emails and one phone call, then sent me a one-liner response that he suddenly lacks the “expertise or experience” to advise me in taking lawyers to the bar, despite doing so and being the past president of bar associations. Essentially, Jim took $800, gave me bad advice and has left me out to dry so I now owe $7000, so he has cost me $7800 and I still need to hire a third attorney to fix the work of the other attorney. So, Jim is board certified in family law and criminal law but not in legal malpractice and never should have advised me as to the actions of the other attorney. The worst part is that I tried to hire a legal malpractice attorney and they said that the way the other attorney lacks legal malpractice insurance and structured their contract it makes it impossible to sue them, which Jim missed, and now is costing me big time. I wish this story has a positive outcome but I lack the expertise and experience in hiring attorneys who advise me correctly and wish I never hired Jim. Just like all attorneys, all they stand to do is protect each other and line their pockets.
A well versed lawyer, very polite and conciencius...recomended to all my friends
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