Melissa J Totaro

Melissa J Totaro

5.0
Rating: 7.3

Licensed for 32 years

Consumer protection Lawyer at Fairfield, NJ
Practice Areas: Consumer Protection

277 Fairfield Rd Suite 200, Fairfield, NJ

About Melissa

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Consumer Protection 100%

We represent clients who have been subjected to fraudulent, unfair, unconscionable or otherwise illegal practices by automobile dealers, mortgage lenders and servicers, service contract companies, insurers, debt collectors and all other types of businesses.

32 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in New Jersey for 32 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1993

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Houston & Totaro

277 Fairfield Rd Suite 200, Fairfield, NJ, 07004

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Melissa J Totaro's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

2 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (2) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Character & Conduct

Posted by anonymous | December 09, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes

The best lawyer ever!!!

When I first got to Melissa's office and explained my situation to her the firs thing she said was "it sounds like you have a case" She wasted no time, she pulled out her pen and pad started asking me questions, writing notes and wanted any and all evidence that I had with me at the time. Not only di...d she believe in my case but she asked for no money upfront which was a blessing to me. Right then i knew she would fight tooth and nail for me. She explained how things would go and what to be prepared for. Throughout the next several months she called and emailed me every step of the way. Any questions she had, updates, or new news she always kept me in the loop. Melissa is very upfront, knowledgeable, and precise with everything. My lawyers fought to make sure everything turned out for the better. So if you are looking for a lawyer who will go above and beyond and will not take no for an answer than look no further You are most certainly in the right hands.

See All Client Reviews

Melissa J Totaro's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Rebecca Schore headshot
Rebecca Schore

Consumer protection lawyer | Dec 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Melissa Totaro is an exceptional attorney who is highly experienced in consumer-related matters. I endorse her wholeheartedly."

Patricia M Timlen headshot
Patricia Timlen

Consumer protection lawyer | Nov 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse these lawyers. Madeline and Melissa are outstanding attorneys committed to helping the consumers of New Jersey. They are experienced, knowledgeable, and ethical. I have worked with them on several cases and they always get the best possible results for their clients. You will not find better advocates. Patricia M. Timlen, Esq. Northeast New Jersey Legal Services"

Margaret Lambe Jurow headshot
Margaret Jurow

Consumer protection lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Melissa is a solid committed consumer attorney. Together with her partner, Melissa has litigated several important cases which resulted in reported decisions which have advanced the law for all consumers. Melissa is thorough and smart -- just what you want in a lawyer!"

View All Endorsements
Rebecca Schore headshot
Rebecca Schore

Appeals lawyer

Margaret Lambe Jurow headshot
Margaret Jurow

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.3 (Very Good)

Work Experience

1999 - Present

Partner, Houston & Totaro

1994 - 1998

Staff Attorney - Consumer Law Unit, Passaic County Legal Aid Society

1993 - 1994

Judicial Law Clerk, NJ Superior Court

Associations

2002 - Present

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Sandra Smith v. Hillside Village, 279 F. Supp. 3d 537 (D.N.J. 2017)

Plaintiff-tenant prevailed on motion

Anthony D’Agostino v. Ricardo Maldonado, 216 N.J. 168 (2013)

New Jersey Supreme Court held in accord with arguments in amicus brief

Laufer v. The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, 385 N.J. Super. 172 (App. Div. 2006)

Insured prevailed on appeal

Scott v. Mayflower Home Improvement; BankAtlantic, FSB, 363 N.J. Super. 145 (Law Div. 2001)

Homeowners and class prevailed on motion

Associates Home Equity Services v. Troup, 343 N.J. Super. 254 (App. Div. 2001)

Homeowners prevailed on appeal

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

Rutgers University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1988

Rutgers University, Newark

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution