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James Ostendorf

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Avvo Rating9.9
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About James

Attorney James Ostendorf, founding attorney of Ostendorf Law Group, PLLC, practices family law, business law, and military law in Mansfield and throughout Eastern Massachusetts. After earning his law degree from Vermont Law School in 2013, he has amassed significant legal experience in and out of the courtroom. He is one of the only attorneys in Massachusetts admitted to all military courts. This, combined with extensive experience in veterans’ cases, makes him extremely qualified to handle matters related to military family law. Attorney Ostendorf has an Avvo Rating of 9.3 Superb and has been selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ lists of 2016 and 2018. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.

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Practice areas

Military lawBusinessFamily
  1. Family: 80%

  2. Business: 10%

  3. Military law: 10%

Languages spoken

English, American Sign Language, Spanish

Photos and videos

4571180 1589231220

Contact

Ostendorf Law Group, PLLC

20 Cabot Blvd.
Suite 300
Mansfield, MA, 02048

Ostendorf Law Group, PLLC

-
Seekonk, MA, 02771

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
MAActive201303/09/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers1087
Legal guides3
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Rising StarSuperLawyers2020
Rising StarSuperLawyers2019
Rising StarSuperLawyers2018
Rising StarSuperLawyers2016
Joan Loring Wing FellowshipAmerican Inns of Court2012
Board FellowVermont Law School2012
Chancellor's Teaching FellowshipUniversity of Pittsburgh2008
MSI-REU Fellowship: University of PittsburghNational Science Foundation2008
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AttorneyThe Ostendorf Law Group, P.C.2018 - Present
Of CounselDane Shulman Associates, LLC2018 - Present
Public ArbitratorFinancial Industry Regulatory Authority2014 - Present
AttorneyMiller Law Group, P.C.2017 - 2018
Associate AttorneyWistow, Sheehan, & Loveley PC2016 - 2017
AttorneyJohn Postl, P.C.2015 - 2016
Volunteer AttorneySenior Partners For Justice2014 - 2014
Bar Clerkship (Judicial Extern)Vermont Supreme Court2013 - 2013
Managing PartnerNew England Law Group, P.C.2013 - 2015
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Providence Hebrew Free Loan AssociationMember Board of Directors2017 - Present
Boston American Inn of CourtAttorney Member2015 - Present
Vermont Bar FoundationMember2014 - Present
Senior Partners for JusticeAttorney Member2014 - Present
Boston Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyers ProjectAttorney Member2014 - Present
JustiservAdvisory Board2014 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember2013 - Present
Massachusetts Academy of Trial AttorneysMember2013 - Present
Jewish Communities of VermontBoard of Directors2013 - Present
Central Vermont American Inns of CourtBoard of Directors2012 - Present
Joan Loring Wing American Inn of CourtAttorney Member2011 - Present
Vermont Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
North Branch Nature CenterBoard of Directors2012 - 2014
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
B.Phil Dissertation DefenseEffects of Voter Identification and Provisional Balloting Laws on the American Electorate2009
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Vermont Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor2013
Vermont Law SchoolCertificate2013
University of PittsburghB.Phil with Honors2009
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Flying Solo: How To Start & Manage Your Own PracticeSolo Practice2015
Sports RoundtableStudent Athletes and Graduate School2013
Political RoundtableHelp American Vote Act of 20022009

Reviews

(11)
5 Star
91%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
9%
Review James Ostendorf

Outstanding professionalism

Posted by

James is an outstanding attorney. He really goes above and beyond for his clients. I hired James and have retained him since for many years. I've always been leary of attorneys, yet James will really go out of his way to find you justice. Mr. Ostendorf saved this veterans life!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Demand Letter/Financial Support

Posted by

Very professional and helpful. James was quickly attune to what service I needed. I left him in charge, and I was very pleased with the demand letter. He was sensitive, on target with the issue and very timely with the delivery.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Positively Assertive - Absolutely Outstanding!

Posted by

Mr. Ostendorf I must say is just the right amount of assertive. He does not give up a good fight and he is extremely fair and reviews each case as a winner! I have been inspired by him, to refer to people who are positive, fighters, assertive, fair and with tremendous justice, as Positively Assertive. Others would say aggressive, but Mr. Ostendorf is a straight shooter, and he obviously loves his work. He fights to win. He is firm, no nonsense, relentless, and he does great deal of research, far more I found out than the other team. I came out of my case, as the definite winner and Mr. Ostendorf was simply outstanding. He is very eager to win to the greatest benefit of his/her client. He leaves no stone unturned.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Criminal Defense advice session

Posted by

Avvo verified that the reviewer consulted with or engaged this lawyer
Verified review
Wonderful attorney. Helpful and reassuring!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Business advice session

Posted by

Avvo verified that the reviewer consulted with or engaged this lawyer
Verified review
excellent .. very informative.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great representation!

Posted by

I hired James Ostendorf to represent me for a possession charge in Ma. I was referred to him by the NRA. Attorney Ostendorf represented me with professionalism and a clear knowledge of the MA justice system. He was always responsive, clear and to the point. He was exactly the lawyer I needed. He also worked with me on payment and billing since I was also unemployed at the time as well. An awesome one of a kind attorney that cares for you from the heart. Even though I don't anticipate anymore issues, I am keeping him on retainer anyway.

Well versed in Employment Law

Posted by

James was clear and concise with his message and ensured my understanding of the process regarding my question. Offered contact information in case follow up is needed.

Very Responsive

Posted by

I retained Atty. Ostendorf to handle a license renewal application which stalled in a state office of license renewals. The matter was litigated on the district court level with a positive outcome.. Atty. Ostendorf worked tirelessly on my behalf with state and local officials, as well as with the court. I would recommend Atty. Ostendorf without reservation.

Excellent!

Posted by

James was up front and honest with my housing issue. He insisted on reviewing my case prior to arranging a consultation and payment of his services to see wether or not it would be worth spending money on lawyers fee's. He explained my situation to me clearly and promptly despite not having received any compensation. The fact that he wants to actually see if he can help before charging me speaks volumes about his personal integrity. A real gem amongst many who are just interested in collecting money from you rather than actually supporting their clients. James comes across as upfront, honest and seems genuinely concerned with actually helping his clients. Many other lawyers I tried to contact regarding my case were insistent on payment(often to the sum of 500) before even reviewing my case or options - and were even asking for payment of a retainer. What would be the point in hiring somebody who wants to charge you 500-1000USD for a disputed sum of 3700USD JUST to review your case and explain the legal dos/donts. Take this guy on if you need legal help! He is absolutely worth his weight in terms of what you pay. Honest, straightforward and approachable.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Professional

Posted by

Mr. Ostendorf is very knowledgeable in the field my organization needed help in. He continues to assist us and a responsive and timely manner. We struggled through many lost days to figure our course of action and Mr. Ostendorf was able to point us in the right direction and make things move quickly. What took us months to attempt to accomplish, Mr Ostendorf was able to do in a matter of days.
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Attorney endorsements

(15)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Meghan Howard, Family Attorney on Sep 18, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Attorney Ostendorf was a pleasure to deal with on a contested divorce. He was straight forward with me throughout the process and was easy to get in contact with when a problem arose. I would be happy to have him as opposing counsel in a future divorce, which I can't say about every attorney I've encountered.

Alexander English

I have worked with Attorney Ostendorf both in law school and in private practice. He is a superb litigator, and a driven advocate for his clients. He brings a boundless energy to everything he works on, and is constantly on the lookout for ways to better serve those he represents.

Robert Finlay, Litigation Attorney on Oct 20, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Judd Nemiro

I not only endorse this attorney, I give this attorney 5 stars! Well respected in the community and proven to be effective.

Souha Al-Samkari, Business Attorney on Oct 1, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I worked with James in federal court and have worked with him on several matters within the last year. Not only is James an ethical, diligent, and passionate advocate for his clients, but his business sense and top-notch negotiation skills make him a force to be reckoned with. I would recommend him without hesitation, whether you are a small business, non-profit, or a large corporation.

Sean Cleary, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community.

Jeffrey Stinson

I endorse this lawyer. Highly skilled and respected member of the legal community.

Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on Jun 15, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Gina Famularo, Business Attorney on Jun 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Misty Fields, Business Attorney on Jun 8, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. James is an outstanding attorney. He's knowledgeable and dedicated to the client.

John O'Brien, Business Attorney on Jun 3, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.

John Phillips

I endorse this lawyer. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos

Daniel Neal

I had the pleasure of working with and meeting James as an intern at the RI Attorney General's Office, and I have had the pleasure of consulting with Attorney Ostendorf on several matters since I became an attorney. His wealth of knowledge and simple approach to the discussion of the matters at hand places him ahead of many of his colleagues. I hope to continue my consulting work with him and would eventually consider a partnership or forming a firm with James as well.

Robert Fortgang

I endorse this lawyer. As evidenced by the number of questions Attorney Ostenorf has so generously answered, it’s clear that he has a superior understanding of his fields of practice, and is exceptionally well thought of in the legal community.

Christian Lassen

I endorse this lawyer.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$275-$350/hour
    OTHER BILLING TYPES
    • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.
      33%-40%
    • Pro-bono Many lawyers provide free legal help to low-income clients. The percent listed indicates how much of a lawyer's practice is pro bono work.
      10%
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card