FORMER TEXAS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY. Among Other Accolades, Ward Maedgen Has Been Named In D Magazine’s – The Best Lawyers In Dallas multiple years.
Lawyer – Traffic collision, Nearby – Roanoke
Why you should hire an experienced attorney in auto accidents
As they build the strongest claim possible, our legal team will review every component of the incident. You have the greatest chance for getting justice, whether it is through a settlement or jury award. An experienced vehicle accident lawyer will help you determine if your injuries are covered by no-fault insurance. This could include financial recompense, lost wages, or other high-spending expenses. Call our Dallas-based law office immediately to discuss your options and receive a complimentary initial case consultation. Ward Maedgen Accident Attorneys are dedicated to making your case as successful as possible.
Claim adjusters and managers can use tactics and other methods to minimize the payout or get it denied. If a case proceeds to litigation, the legal team at the insurance carrier will step in. These professional teams have one goal: to lower the insurance carrier’s annual costs. They are, of course, skilled in what they do.
This means, that regardless of how the outcome turns out, once you start talking to the other driver’s insurer, you will know you are working with people whose sole purpose is to reduce or keep claims to a minimum. Unarmed and without a lawyer is a terrible idea.
Sometimes clients learn this through hard work. We have seen people come to us after giving a recorded statement and trying to work directly with the insurance company. They make big mistakes that can be used to their advantage and reduce or eliminate their chances of winning a claim. It’s often too late by this point to assist.
It is important that potential clients do away with insurance companies. Because they are seeking information that is potentially harmful to the client but advantageous to the defendant and insurance company, this is why. This is especially true in light of contributory negligence. There are many misunderstandings that can result from interacting with insurance providers. They don’t look out for you, but they play a game to try and get out of paying what your claim is worth.
Common Case Types: Texas Traffic Collision
Rear-end Collisions
While the Texas Department of Transportation doesn’t have data on rear-end accidents in traffic collisions, it does know that about 28% and 29% of all traffic collisions are these. This type of accident is the most common across the nation and Texas is no different.
Texas is a modified comparative fault state, which means that rear-end accidents in Texas are not solely attributed to the person who caused them. Consider the possible mitigating factors. Did you have your brake lights on at all? Did you slow down traffic? Was your use of turn signals evident? In these cases, there must be a finding that the defendant was behind you. Since your testimony is susceptible to being refuted, other evidence must be presented to support the claim that defendant followed you too closely.
Rear-end collisions may occur for a couple of reasons. Sometimes, there are unforeseeable circumstances or conditions that can cause rear-end collisions. A road object might cause the defendant’s vehicle to suddenly stop, causing it to collide with you. In some cases, a defendant may be following too closely and ran up on your bumper before slamming into you.
In court, both sides of an aisle will ask questions. For example, what about weather conditions? Did they contribute to cause this collision? Was speeding a factor? It’s possible to argue whether or not your taillights worked. Then there is the issue of contributory negligence. Some might argue that you contributed to the collision if you didn’t stop for traffic ahead.
As you can see, a rear-end does not guarantee a win for the claimant. These issues can be complicated and a skilled auto accident lawyer is your best friend.
Head-on Collisions
While head-on accidents are less common than rear end accidents, they are statistically much more dangerous. The Texas Department of Transportation recorded 538 fatalities from head-on collisions in 2020. These fatalities accounted for almost 14% in Texas’s traffic deaths.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Nowadays, distractions from personal phones are more than just texting. Texting while driving is illegal in Texas, but it is still allowed to use a handheld phone for other purposes such as GPS or music. The fact that someone was distracted driving at the time of an accident does not excuse them. A Class A misdemeanor can result in a sentence of up to one year in jail and as much as $4,000 in fines.
Out of state laws, each city in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area has its own ordinances. Some may be more strict than those created by the state.
Distracted driving was responsible for 368 fatal traffic accidents in 2020, regardless of the laws. Many more people were involved in or contributed towards non-fatal accidents.
“ROR” crashes
Texas saw 1,354 car-related deaths in 2020. The NHTSA refers to these as “ROR” or Run-Off-Road crashes.
ROR accidents involve just one person in an accident. These factors include alcohol use, poor driving conditions, distraction driving, poor visibility and other road conditions that can cause the driver to lose control. Because these types of accidents usually occur without fault, they are not often handled by personal injury law firms.
However, some ROR crashes are caused due to another driver forcing you to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Texas’ 2020 fatalities were 51% in “rural” areas. These areas commonly have two lane highways with opposing traffic and the potential for drivers to drift into an oncoming lane. Another reason a driver might be trying to pass dangerously is that he or she may not know how to do so.
If you were run off the road by another driver such as someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs or someone who fell asleep at the while, you’ll likely need to show proof that the other driver caused this. A car accident claim that was not in direct contact with another vehicle will be reviewed by an insurance company. They will look into the circumstances and determine if there were any other factors. Eyewitnesses might be able to give testimony if another driver fled the scene. It’s more common than ever that more drivers equip their cars with dash cameras.
You should consult an experienced personal injury attorney if your Run-off road accident was caused by negligence.
Side Impact Collision and Intersection Collision
Similar to head-on collisions cases, fatalities from side impact and intersection accidents are a significant contributor to serious injury in Texas. In 2020, there were 865 fatalities that could be attributed to intersection accidents or related to intersections accidents.
Side-impact collisions can result in serious injury. There is less impact protection on the side than there is on the front. This type of accident is very dangerous in Texas, despite the fact that modern cars come with side impact airbags, impact pillars, and curtains.
As with other accident types in Texas, due to modified contributory negligence laws, even a broad-side accident can’t be automatically considered a clear cut case. There’s a chance that the negligence of another driver may not be sufficient for their car policy to pay. As mentioned previously, having experience and competence on your side in the form of a Texas accident attorney is critical.
Common Mistakes in a Traffic Collision
Many times, the parties involved in an accident will not take photos of the scene or have police present. This is a mistake because it makes photographic evidence less reliable and leaves the possibility for police to observe the vehicles after they have settled from the collision.
Another common mistake is to call the at-fault insurer and make a recorded confession. Many people believe they’re being cooperative. They aren’t being looked out for by their insurance company. They are seeking information to assist their insured. There is no obligation for the insured to speak to the insurance company.
People also sometimes make the mistake of waiting to seek treatment until they feel they can manage it. They don’t have documentation from a professional to support their claims. As time goes by, it becomes more difficult to get treatment. The insurance company can then claim that you have not been injured if you don’t seek medical attention immediately or if the wait goes on too long. An insurance carrier can also use a gap in treatment as a defense.
There are many common mistakes that people make. These include failing to get treatment right away, not getting immediate treatment, not talking to the insurance company at fault, making a claim, recording a declaration, and trying to resolve the claim yourself.
Combating Insurance Companies
In order to decrease their payouts, insurance companies may wrongly accuse injured persons of causing a wreck. The police report may be incorrect, and victim-blaming might follow. You may find yourself in a dispute with the negligent motorist. A professional can help you gather the evidence necessary to win your case.
We carefully examine the circumstances surrounding clients’ claims by reading police reports and gathering testimony.
Insurance for personal injury protection
Personal injury protection (PIP), is a type coverage that is included in many personal auto policies. PIP can be removed in certain situations, like if you are eligible for Medicare. However, most drivers must have it.
This form of personal auto insurance protection is in place to cover medical expenses after an accident and it is a form of “no-fault” coverage. This means that you and your passengers can receive medical costs regardless of whether the case involves the liability of another driver. PIP can also provide coverage for lost wages.
That said, the minimum required policy limit for PIP in Texas is only $2,500 – not a whole lot. If you had a good insurance agent who went over the coverages with you, there’s a good chance that you may have opted for a higher amount. This will allow you to pay for short-term medical expenses while the case progresses.
The moment an Accident Case is taken to Court
A majority of insurance claim cases are settled before a lawsuit can be filed.
However, not every vehicle accident can be fixed. It is possible that the parties cannot resolve all issues. Perhaps the plaintiffs or defendants couldn’t agree upon how much compensation should go because they couldn’t resolve their differences.
In a trial, witnesses and expert witnesses may be called, responding law enforcement officers, and possibly others for testimony in front of a jury. The jury will decide on the defendant’s extent of liability. Although a trial case takes much more time and expense than a claim settled out of court, a jury can potentially award a plaintiff more than any settlement offered. Sometimes, your lawyer may be able argue for punitive damages. This is something that cannot be offered in a settlement.
Depositions
The defense side will request a deposition after you have filed a lawsuit. This is a formal conversation, in which both the plaintiff and defense side will participate. A court reporter will also be present. Each side will ask you questions about the accident and who was responsible, as well as your injuries and damages. Our attorney will also depose any other drivers to get their side of the story, get insight into what they may say in their testimony at the trial, learn more about the finances and insurance coverage of the defendant, get a feel for the defense strategy of the defendant, and more.
Your attorney will assist you in answering any questions you may have. You may be asked questions by your attorney that will shed light on your case. You don’t need to feel intimidated by this process. You won’t feel intimidated by the Texas deposition rules. Your accident lawyer will also ensure this.
Texas Motor Vehicle Trial Cases Expert Witnesses
An expert witness can present their opinion to a jury in a court matter. Using their expertise, the witness can help those hearing the case draw a conclusion based on available information.
In motor vehicle accidents, medical experts are the most common expert witness. These medical experts and doctors can give an opinion on the likelihood of recovery, treatment needs, or prognosis for an injured party.
Expert witnesses are able to help claimants build a stronger case but it is not always so. Further, expert witnesses are not always called and typically only participate in a case when required by the court. This is when an experienced motor vehicle business will have the resources to locate the right expert witness.
What length of time does it take for a court case regarding an auto accident to be resolved?
How long it takes to get through a trial isn’t the only factor. There are many things to be done before you even step foot into the courtroom. The lawsuit will need to be served on defendant. The parties then exchange evidence and take deposition witnesses. This process can take upto a year depending upon the complexity of each case and how many people are involved.
As you can see from the overview, it is not recommended to try and handle all motor vehicle accident cases alone. To learn more about your legal options, call us for a free consultation. Ward Maedgen Accident Attorneys have been helping many people recover from crashes over many years.
76262
- Addison
- Allen
- Altoga
- Anna
- Argyle
- Aubrey
- Balch Springs
- Bartonville
- Beverly Hill
- Blackland
- Blue Ridge
- Bobwyn
- Bolivar
- Camp Dallas
- Carrollton
- Carter
- Cedar Hill
- Celina
- Chambersville
- Chambliss
- Climax
- Cockrell Hill
- Cooper Creek
- Copeville
- Coppell
- Copper Canyon
- Corinth
- Corral City
- Cross Roads
- Culleoka
- Dallas
- Deep Water Point Estates
- Denton
- Desert
- DeSoto
- DISH
- Double Oak
- Drop
- Duncanville
- Fairview
- Farmers Branch
- Farmersville
- Fate
- Fayburg
- Flower Mound
- Frisco
- Frognot
- Fruitdale
- Garland
- Glenn Heights
- Grand Prairie
- Green Valley
- Hackberry
- Heath
- Hebron
- Hickory Creek
- Highland Park
- Highland Village
- Hutchins
- Irving
- Josephine
- Justin
- Kelly
- Krugerville
- Krum
- Lake Dallas
- Lakewood Village
- Lancaster
- Lantana
- Lavon
- Lavon Beach Estates
- Lavon Shores Estates
- Ledbetter Hills
- Lewisville
- Liberty Grove
- Little Elm
- Lowry Crossing
- Lucas
- Marilee
- McKinney
- McLendon-Chisholm
- Meaders
- Melissa
- Mesquite
- Millwood
- Mobile City
- Munson
- Murphy
- Navo
- Nevada
- New Hope
- Northlake
- Oak Point
- Paloma Creek
- Paloma Creek South
- Parker
- Parvin
- Patrick
- Pike
- Pilot Point
- Plano
- Ponder
- Princeton
- Prosper
- Providence Village
- Rawlins
- Richardson
- Roanoke
- Rockwall
- Rowlett
- Royse City
- Sachse
- Sanger
- Savannah
- Seagoville
- Shady Shores
- St. Paul
- Stony
- Sunnyvale
- The Colony
- Trinity Park
- Trophy Club
- University Park
- Valdasta
- Verona
- Westminster
- Weston
- Wilmer
- Wylie
- Yucote Acres
{“@context” : “http://schema.org”,”@type” : “LocalBusiness”,”name” : “Independence Title – Schultz & Kellar – Roanoke”,”image” : “https://maedgenaccidentattorneys.com/wp-content/uploads/independencetitleschultz-kellarroanoke.jpg”,”telephone” : “(682) 237-2275″,”address” : {“@type” : “PostalAddress”,”streetAddress” : “310 S Oak St Ste 200, Roanoke, TX 76262, USA”},”url” : “http://www.independencetitle.com/”,”aggregateRating” : {“@type” : “AggregateRating”,”ratingValue” : “4.4”,”bestRating” : “5”,”ratingCount” : “10”},”review” : [ {“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “b “bs25942” a”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “Stephanie and Kayla were very responsive to me, my agent, and my mortgage broker. They were never the bottleneck and I was able to close almost a week early. Moving the closing date up was no issue for them.
A mobile notary isn’t included in the settlement charge so I had to show up to sign, but was out in 20 minutes. I don’t like paper copies so they emailed a scanned pdf of the closing docs a few minutes after leaving. Something as simple as this can be like pulling teeth from old school title companies. Can gladly say this location is modern and professional.
Would work with them again!”},{“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Jacqueline Heaney”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “First time working with Kristi. The process went very smoothly and they closed my clients on time. The location of the office is great, lots of shops around perfect for lunch. The male receptionist was very kind and helpful as soon as we arrived. He also took pictures of my clients. Oh and the decor is adorable throughout the office! Cutest office I’ve closed at so far!”},{“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Max Franks”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “We had the sincere pleasure of working with Stephanie and her Team on a VA refinance loan recently. She and her Team took the absolute best care of our borrower and treated her like family. Thank you Stephanie and Independence Title for providing 5 Star Customer Care!! We here at Debt Does Deals, LLC, with Chris Griffith and #TeamMax really appreciate y’all!!”}]}
Photo Courtesy of: ShineWithVal Criner
Independence Title – Schultz & Kellar – Roanoke
Address: 310 S Oak St Ste 200, Roanoke, TX 76262, USA
Main Phone: (682) 237-2275
Visit the Independence Title – Schultz & Kellar – Roanoke Website
View Independence Title – Schultz & Kellar – Roanoke on Google
Latitude: 32.9962539
Longitude: -97.2303161
Did you know that Independence Title – Schultz & Kellar – Roanoke rates 4.4/5 based on 10 total ratings?
Reviews for Independence Title – Schultz & Kellar – Roanoke
b “bs25942” a
5/5
4 months ago
Stephanie and Kayla were very responsive to me, my agent, and my mortgage broker. They were never the bottleneck and I was able to close almost a week early. Moving the closing date up was no issue for them.
A mobile notary isn’t included in the settlement charge so I had to show up to sign, but was out in 20 minutes. I don’t like paper copies so they emailed a scanned pdf of the closing docs a few minutes after leaving. Something as simple as this can be like pulling teeth from old school title companies. Can gladly say this location is modern and professional.
Would work with them again!
Jacqueline Heaney
5/5
3 years ago
First time working with Kristi. The process went very smoothly and they closed my clients on time. The location of the office is great, lots of shops around perfect for lunch. The male receptionist was very kind and helpful as soon as we arrived. He also took pictures of my clients. Oh and the decor is adorable throughout the office! Cutest office I’ve closed at so far!
Max Franks
5/5
a year ago
We had the sincere pleasure of working with Stephanie and her Team on a VA refinance loan recently. She and her Team took the absolute best care of our borrower and treated her like family. Thank you Stephanie and Independence Title for providing 5 Star Customer Care!! We here at Debt Does Deals, LLC, with Chris Griffith and #TeamMax really appreciate y’all!!
{“@context” : “http://schema.org”,”@type” : “LocalBusiness”,”name” : “​Jeff Brown Law”,”image” : “https://maedgenaccidentattorneys.com/wp-content/uploads/-jeffbrownlaw.jpg”,”telephone” : “(817) 770-0798″,”address” : {“@type” : “PostalAddress”,”streetAddress” : “504 N Oak St #6, Roanoke, TX 76262, USA”},”url” : “http://www.jeffbrownlawtx.com/”,”aggregateRating” : {“@type” : “AggregateRating”,”ratingValue” : “5”,”bestRating” : “5”,”ratingCount” : “47”},”review” : [ {“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Don Swisher”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “I hired Jeff to take care of a ticket and he was able to get the ticket dismissed. Jeff was professional, quick, and responded to my questions. He even took care of things up front so I could focus on working and taking care of other business. I would recommend him to anyone and will recommend him to all my friends.””},{“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Clark Harp”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “I hired Jeff to deal with a traffic ticket I got out of Fort Worth. COVID delayed things a lot, but Jeff didn’t forget about me. He worked hard and stayed on the court and made sure I got a deal to keep my ticket off my record and eventually get it dismissed. Jeff even went out of his way to make sure that the ticket got taken care of after working out the deal. I appreciate his efforts and will recommend him to all my friends and family.”},{“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Luis Dominguez”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “Would really reccomend. Very professional, friendly, understanding and informative. It was and is a pleasure to work with. I thought the his prices are very reasonable and at no point did I feel taken advantage of. Would definitely be my go to lawyer in case I get another ticket in the future.”}]}
Photo Courtesy of: Garrett Cook
​Jeff Brown Law
Address: 504 N Oak St #6, Roanoke, TX 76262, USA
Main Phone: (817) 770-0798
Visit the ​Jeff Brown Law Website
View ​Jeff Brown Law on Google
Latitude: 33.0026524
Longitude: -97.2268168
Did you know that ​Jeff Brown Law rates 5/5 based on 47 total ratings?
Reviews for ​Jeff Brown Law
Don Swisher
5/5
a month ago
I hired Jeff to take care of a ticket and he was able to get the ticket dismissed. Jeff was professional, quick, and responded to my questions. He even took care of things up front so I could focus on working and taking care of other business. I would recommend him to anyone and will recommend him to all my friends.”
Clark Harp
5/5
4 weeks ago
I hired Jeff to deal with a traffic ticket I got out of Fort Worth. COVID delayed things a lot, but Jeff didn’t forget about me. He worked hard and stayed on the court and made sure I got a deal to keep my ticket off my record and eventually get it dismissed. Jeff even went out of his way to make sure that the ticket got taken care of after working out the deal. I appreciate his efforts and will recommend him to all my friends and family.
Luis Dominguez
5/5
4 months ago
Would really reccomend. Very professional, friendly, understanding and informative. It was and is a pleasure to work with. I thought the his prices are very reasonable and at no point did I feel taken advantage of. Would definitely be my go to lawyer in case I get another ticket in the future.
{“@context” : “http://schema.org”,”@type” : “LocalBusiness”,”name” : “The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben”,”image” : “https://maedgenaccidentattorneys.com/wp-content/uploads/thelawofficesofericg-ransleben.jpg”,”telephone” : “(817) 491-8687″,”address” : {“@type” : “PostalAddress”,”streetAddress” : “301 N Pine St, Roanoke, TX 76262, USA”},”url” : “http://theeducationlawyer.com/”,”aggregateRating” : {“@type” : “AggregateRating”,”ratingValue” : “4.5”,”bestRating” : “5”,”ratingCount” : “2”},”review” : [ {“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Scott Bueschel”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “4”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “Very informative”},{“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “David Pelletier”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “He was very knowledgable and truly cares for his clients. He made sure my son received, through his 504 meeting, what would help him succeed not just through school but help him gain confidence in himself and build character. He facilitated a very emotional time for me and dealt with unwilling and difficult administrators with ease and took charge of a seemingly impossible task for me. He changed mine and my sons outcome in his school and earned me some respect. His assistant Tara is compassionate and very polite, always made me feel like i was not just another client but a person going through emotional turmoil due to my sons predicament. I will be calling Eric again for any education issues for my son.”}]}
Photo Courtesy of: The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben
The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben
Address: 301 N Pine St, Roanoke, TX 76262, USA
Main Phone: (817) 491-8687
Visit the The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben Website
View The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben on Google
Latitude: 33.0003596
Longitude: -97.2271018
Did you know that The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben rates 4.5/5 based on 2 total ratings?
Reviews for The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben
David Pelletier
5/5
5 years ago
He was very knowledgable and truly cares for his clients. He made sure my son received, through his 504 meeting, what would help him succeed not just through school but help him gain confidence in himself and build character. He facilitated a very emotional time for me and dealt with unwilling and difficult administrators with ease and took charge of a seemingly impossible task for me. He changed mine and my sons outcome in his school and earned me some respect. His assistant Tara is compassionate and very polite, always made me feel like i was not just another client but a person going through emotional turmoil due to my sons predicament. I will be calling Eric again for any education issues for my son.
{“@context” : “http://schema.org”,”@type” : “LocalBusiness”,”name” : “The Messerli Law Firm”,”image” : “https://maedgenaccidentattorneys.com/wp-content/uploads/themesserlilawfirm.jpg”,”telephone” : “(972) 850-2033″,”address” : {“@type” : “PostalAddress”,”streetAddress” : “99 Trophy Club Dr, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA”},”url” : “https://www.themesserlilawfirm.com/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=trophyclub”,”aggregateRating” : {“@type” : “AggregateRating”,”ratingValue” : “5”,”bestRating” : “5”,”ratingCount” : “2”},”review” : [ {“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Amy Sadeghian”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “The Messerli Law Firm has represented our company for several years and has done a great job. One quality that has been demonstrated several times is that Mr. Messerli has my company’s back
and is looking out for our best interest.
I would highly recommend him if you are searching for a honest, knowledgeable, and reputable attorney.”},{“@type” : “Review”,”author” : {“@type” : “Person”,”name” : “Zachary Sadeghian”},”reviewRating” : {“@type” : “Rating”,”ratingValue” : “5”, “bestRating” : “5”},”reviewBody” : “Very great attorney!”}]}
Photo Courtesy of: The Messerli Law Firm
The Messerli Law Firm
Address: 99 Trophy Club Dr, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Main Phone: (972) 850-2033
Visit the The Messerli Law Firm Website
View The Messerli Law Firm on Google
Latitude: 32.9947833
Longitude: -97.1912401
Did you know that The Messerli Law Firm rates 5/5 based on 2 total ratings?
Reviews for The Messerli Law Firm
Amy Sadeghian
5/5
a month ago
The Messerli Law Firm has represented our company for several years and has done a great job. One quality that has been demonstrated several times is that Mr. Messerli has my company’s back
and is looking out for our best interest.
I would highly recommend him if you are searching for a honest, knowledgeable, and reputable attorney.