Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
195 Client Reviews
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Philip L. Arnel
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About Philip
Biography
Well, there's really not much else to say that my website doesn't already speak of in volumes, so I'm not going to toot my own horn any more than need be or my big head might explode. Please visit and at least be certain to go to the TESTIMONIALS page (where only testimonials from folks willing to publicly display their first and last names are used) to see what real people are saying. Now I'm gonna put the shut to the up before I get myself into trouble. Enough said. Lol
RELENTLESS PERSEVERANCE
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
20%
34 years
Car Accident
15%
34 years
DUI and DWI
15%
34 years
Domestic Violence
15%
34 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Awards
2021 2020 2019
Licenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 31 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Philip L. Arnel
(781) 493-6998
Fax
355 Providence Hwy Ste 100, Westwood, MA, 02090-1909
arnellaw.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Philip online.
Philip L. Arnel's Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 16 - 20 of 20 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Mike | August 08, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Insurance Fraud
I am so glad that I hired Phil to represent me in a fraud case which I was falsely accused of. Upon talking to him he immediately went to action on reviewing the details of the reports and quickly ascertained that the charges were ridiculous and immediately went to work in my defense. It is very clea...
Posted by Marilyn | August 05, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Elder Law
Harassment Prevention
Very dependable, professional, and always reachable during the case. My 86-year-old mother was victimized through a false 258E harassment prevention order. It did not meet the criteria for the order and had three witnesses to verify that the incident did not happen, but was still granted. It was horr...
Posted by Adam | August 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
A True Champion
If you are struggling with some form of Legal craziness like I was and you've never been to court. I NEED YOU TO HEAR ME OUT. Don't go in alone. It's truly daunting and some things are decided based on so little evidence and the effects can be severely impactful to your future. Phil is just... amazin...
Posted by anonymous | July 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Engineer
Phil, Your representation on my behalf during today’s clerk-magistrate hearing was flawless. Right from the hearing opening you demonstrated a take charge approach. Your aggressiveness and years of experience were truly evident and a sight to be seen. It was clear to me you were fully prepared and ha...
Posted by Richard | January 18, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Expungement
Richard WHO
I hired Attorney Arnel to have my records in Massachusetts sealed and also to make sure my record with the FBI showed that I had no convictions and I paid him up front as requested . Well six months later when I called him to inform him that I was still having a problem He acted like he didn't even k...
Philip Arnel
Replied last January 18, 2020Hello Richard R. Despite that we never actually met in-person due to the 1,341 miles and 20 hours that separate us, and necessarily conducted all of our business together by phone and email, having spoken to you only a few days ago I know exactly WHO you are and am perplexed yet sorry that you feel this way. As you can see from all of my other preceding client reviews, I strive to maintain the utmost level of professionalism possible and, aside from you, proudly have always succeeded in this regard. That said, I clearly recall every facet of our recent telephone conversation and can certainly understand the frustration with your current situation, but hardly your misplaced blame and anger directed at me. As correctly noted, you paid me “up front” [for reasons now obvious] to perform two separate and distinct jobs, and I indisputably and successfully fully completed both of them. In fact, on 2/16/19, you emailed to thank me for a “well done job” in a “timely manner” with regard to the sealing of your CORI and again, on 6/28/19, to thank me for the “good job” of updating your FBI record. Your phone call of just the other day, on 1/15/20, was not to complain that I had not gotten your CORI sealed (it was on 1/18/19, as is indicated on the OCP sealing confirmation form that I emailed you on 1/30/19) or your FBI record updated (it also was, as is indicated on the R-84 Final Disposition Report that I emailed you on 2/15/19 and as was later verified on the actual updated FBI record that you emailed me on 6/28/19). In fact, your current issue and mounting frustration was that an [undisclosed] Florida law enforcement agency had recently denied you of certain firearms/ammunition purchases. Some 6 months had passed [as you correctly note in your unfairly scathing review] so, in order to refresh my memory, I put you on a very brief 90-second hold to retrieve your client file from the archived file room and we then thoroughly reviewed it together. I determined to your agreement that the Florida agency was viewing your updated FBI record (which is federal and could be neither sealed nor expunged in your case) and not your sealed state CORI. There is currently only one crime indicated on your updated FBI record and that is indisputably NOT a conviction having been dismissed. There are no other crimes indicated on your updated FBI record from any other jurisdiction. I succinctly explained to you that it is within the lawful discretion of a firearms licensing agency to disqualify applicants for whatever reason it deems just and fit and, further, that the work that I successfully performed for you had no relevance to this agency’s decision. More over, if you had indeed specifically asked me about this possibility at the time you hired me, I would have absolutely provided you with this very same explanation as I do with any and every client who so inquires, and especially if they indicate that future firearms licensing is the ONLY reason that they want to do the record work, which is more rare than common considering that there are so many other far more compelling reasons to either eliminate or clean up your record. Notwithstanding, I heard you out and, once we mutually pin-pointed your actual current issue and you expressed your clear understanding thereof, I then told you in a hardly dismissive manner that I am neither a firearms attorney nor licensed to practice law in Florida. I logically suggested that you contact a firearms attorney in Florida who could hopefully and capably assist you with challenging your firearms/ammunition denial. Again, your current situation has absolutely nothing to do with me so I’m completely baffled by your misunderstanding or confusion here. I can only wipe my hands clean in clear conscience at this point and again express that I am truly saddened to have a disgruntled former client in you. Best regards, Phil
Philip L. Arnel's Lawyer Endorsements
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Attorney Phil Arnel. Phil goes above and beyond for each of clients and gets great results. He is respected in every courtroom in Massachusetts."
"Simply said, Philip is an outstanding domestic violence attorney. Highly recommended!"
"I recently worked with Phil handling a Restraining Order and divorce while he handled connected potential criminal issues. He is highly informative, incredibly experienced, and excellent to work with. He also provided an excellent overview of expungement proceedings. I would highly recommend Phil for work in either area."
"I have known Phil to be a strong advocate and effective attorney for many years. I would strongly recommend Phil to individuals seeking representation in personal civil or criminal matters."
"Highly professional. Excellent attorney that achieves great results."
"I have worked with Attorney Arnel on numerous legal matters. He is passionate about his practice and zealously advocates for his clients. He is very experienced and has great knowledge in many areas of law."
"I have known Attorney Arnel for many years now and have always known him to be unfailingly honest, doggedly diligent and determined, and exceedingly competent in the representation of his clients. I highly endorse Attorney Arnel in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, sealing and expunging records, and restraining order related litigation and proceedings."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Philip is a seasoned attorney whose judgment I trust. I have consulted with him on various cases and his perspective and practical court experience is very helpful. I have referred clients to him and they have been very satisfied with his keen insight and professionalism."
"I endorse this lawyer. Phil is diligent and has high success rates. He is always prepared and learned and is dogged and persistent in presenting and arguing his cases."
"I have worked with Philip on several matters over the years and he is the consummate professional with unmatched zeal and class. His skill and acumen before the judiciary is proof of his expertise, ability to advocate and his knowledge of the law."
"I have known Phil for over 20 years and endorse him."
"Phil is an excellent Attorney who has been recognized for legal expertise in the area of sealing criminal records Phil can get your case settled for the most money possible."
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Experience
Honors
2020
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1991
New England Scholar Award, New England School of Law
Work Experience
1994 - Present
Owner, Law Office of Philip L. Arnel
Associations
2004 - Present
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2004 - Present
Bar Association of Norfolk CountyMember
1996 - Present
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.Sponsor Member
1994 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember
2002 - 2011
Massachusetts Academy of Trial AttorneysMember
Sample of Legal Cases
EXPUNGING THE PERMANENT RECORD OF A RESTRAINING ORDER
Won
Education
1994
New England School of Law
JD
1983
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Languages
English