Where do I start? Stressed out and barreling down the Jersey Turnpike en route to something akin to a family emergency, I forgot myself and started driving like a lunatic. When the state trooper rightfully pulled me over, he cited me for everything in the book: Speeding (102 mph), reckless driving,... failure to signal, et al. Hadn't had a ticket in years and now I received 3 in one shot! I was staring at 10 points on my license, and close to a grand in penalty fees for those violations - plus a NJ state surcharge of $250, every year, for all the points I'd received. Naturally, I'd be looking at a hugely hiked insurance rate too, certainly hundreds more a year, if the insurance company would even agree to keep me. Lastly, I learned that the speeding violation alone might get my license suspended...
I felt sick to my stomach, utterly disgusted with myself and petrified at how badly this was going to affect my family. I realized I should probably get a lawyer, if only because I was officially in over my head and God knows how bad it could get from here. I went on AVVO... and finally my luck turned completely around. Why? Because I found Sean.
I call him Sean because once you talk with him or meet him, you feel like you've known him forever. He's one of the most personable people I've ever met, and that is truly something rare and reassuring to find in a lawyer. From the moment I first contacted him, he made me feel at ease and was genuinely sympathetic to what I was going through. I don't know how to put it, but he makes you really feel like he is in your corner, not simply because he's your lawyer but because he's just a truly decent guy. He explained everything to me very clearly, from what I was potentially facing (including possible license suspension) to what he felt he could achieve for me in court. But even in the midst of being utterly straight with me, he put my mind at ease. It felt like I had a good friend who happened to be a great lawyer and he wanted to reassure me that he had my back.
But let me be clear: He's a great lawyer. When all was said and done, he not only saved my license from being suspended but got my near grand in penalties knocked down to several hundred dollars and my points reduced from a whopping 10 to just 2! As far as I'm concerned Sean is a veritable miracle worker and his extremely reasonable fee was more than worth every penny for what he spared me from. But beyond that, he is a great person. He showed up himself rather than sending someone from his office. He drove halfway across Jersey to be there for this early morning court appointment, and he'd already talked to the prosecuting attorney about my case, laying the groundwork for my salvation. But lastly, I have to share this final moment to capture what Sean is like. My wife and I and Sean were waiting for the judge to appear and we were chatting and laughing about our families and experiences - like old friends. In the midst of this, the enormity of what I was facing finally hit me and I had a panic attack, right there in the courtroom. I quietly stood up, told my wife and Sean, "think I'm having a panic attack" and walked outside for some air. Got a drink at the water fountain - trying to calm down - and when I looked up, Sean was standing there, asking if I was okay. He waited there with me while I got myself together and then we walked back in together too. Seeing how calm and sympathetic he was actually calmed me down enough to get me back in the room. And I remembered thinking, wow, this guy is much more than just a great lawyer. He's a truly good person.
As others have stated on this site, I would never think of going with another lawyer again now that I've met and been rescued by Sean. And as others have said, you hire Sean Spinello as your attorney and wind up thinking of him as Sean, your friend who happens to be a great lawyer. In every sense of the word, he is the best.