Michael E Spinato

Michael E Spinato

4.5
Rating: 8.9

Licensed for 46 years

Family Lawyer at Hackensack, NJ
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +2 more

130 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 20%

47 years

20%
Child Support 20%

47 years

20%
Family 20%

47 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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 46 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1979

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Harwood Lloyd, LLC

130 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ, 07601

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Michael E Spinato's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

15 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (15) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 11 - 15 of 15 reviews

Posted by Clayton | March 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent

I hired Mike for my divorce he follow through completely his expertise and knowledge was very helpful. I recommended Mike to two friends and they were very happy. When you talk to Mike tell him the truth and he will work very hard for you.

Posted by Bill | March 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Fantastic!

I'm quite frankly shocked to read any negative reviews on Mr. Spinato and have had nothing but fantastic experience with him and his services. I hired Mr. Spinato to handle my divorce after another attorney was making a mess of my case. Mr. Spinato stepped in and he was always available for advice ...and consultation. His greatest contribution was that he was totally interested in settling my case in a fair and objective manner, rather than fighting with his adversary just to run up fees. My case was settled fairly and in a timely manner. Subsequent to my divorce, and after seeing how Mr. Spinato handled my case, my ex-mother in law hired Mr. Spinato to handle her divorce. If that doesn't speak volumes about him and his professionalism and care for his clients I can't imagine what would!

Posted by Chuck | March 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Chuck

After I came to terms with the fact that this was really happening, that I was getting divorced, I consulted with several affluent friends and clients of mine who had been down this road with a favorable result. The same name kept coming up, Michael E. Spinato, so I booked a consultation. Mik...e and one of his associates sat with me and heard my story from the beginning before agreeing to take the case. My ex-wife was an attorney; we owned a business together & she did my bookkeeping. Mike quoted me a retainer, which was not only affordable, but he agreed to work with me on any payments going forward should I exceed the retainer. We were able to resolve a very difficult case and Mike guided me through the process with true professionalism and with expertise that is only seen on TV. I now understand the importance of hiring somebody who specializes in divorce and family law. And unfortunately for my ex so does she. if you want to climb a Mountain, higher and learn from somebody who has already been to the top. Mike guided me through this process with this sort of expertise and professionalism you only see on TV. In the end, the settlement she received was minuscule, like a game show contestant leaving with a few parting gifts and I actually even got to keep the house. I cannot say enough good things about Mike. He was always there for me, even after hours, in an emergency. I cannot count the number of times I have sent close friends and family to see Mike and his team and everyone thanks me for doing so. After our years of experience together, I not only consider Michael Spinato a great lawyer but I would consider him a friend. If you are going to hire a divorce attorney, and you want to be professionally and expertly represented, hire Michael E. Spinato.

Posted by anonymous | February 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney

Horrible.

I agree with the other review. This lawyer is horrible. When I started to feel I wasnt getting answers, and reached out to another attorney for a consult, the attorney asked me why Spinato hadn't taken an "immediate cause of action" on a pertinent issue. When I inquired back to his "junior" lawyer at... the time, she was ironically gone from the firm within a week! (I was told she went on to pursue another career....enough said.)

Posted by anonymous | October 29, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Be VERY WEARY

I'd give less than 1 star, except that is not possible. Had a VERY BAD experience with him. He only cares about taking your money. After giving a $4,000 retainer, I never dealt with Michael himself, only his paralegal. However, I was continually charged at HIS rate of $425.00 per hour as opposed ...to the paralegals of $295.00 per hour. Once he had found out just how much equity I had built up in my home, everything became about money and never focused on my divorce. He never settle anything for me. The mediator did more than he, within 3 hours. Received another bill for another $3800, basically for doing nothing. My ex wife had a very large firm, and was more costly... But actually fought on her behalf. He doesn't care about your situation, as he portrays himself to, but rather.. YOUR MONEY, And.. Your money only.

See All Client Reviews

Michael E Spinato's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't received any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Gregory J Irwin headshot
Gregory Irwin

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.9 (Excellent)

Honors

2017

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Partner, Harwood Lloyd, LLC

Associations

1979 - Present

New Jersey State Bar Association

Member

1979 - Present

Bergen County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

1979 - Present

New Jersey State Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

1979 - Present

Bergen County Bar Association

Member

District IIA, Fee Arbitration Committee

Past Chair

2002 - 2005

American Inns of Court

Member

2000 - 2017

Bergen County Bar Association, MESP Bergen County Panel

Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Italiano v. Rudkin

Successful appeal

See More Legal Cases

Education

1979

Seton Hall University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1976

Fordham University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

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