Paula Jeanette McGill

Paula Jeanette McGill

also known as Paula J. McGill

4.0
Rating: 8.6

Licensed for 31 years

Landlord or tenant Lawyer at Marietta, GA
Practice Areas: Landlord & Tenant, Business, Employment & Labor ... +4 more

4901 Olde Towne Pkwy, Suite 100, Marietta, GA

About Paula

Biography

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Landlord or Tenant 60%

I represent residential and corporate landlords and tenants in disputes regarding breaches of contracts, evictions, wrongful eviction claims, and housing discrimination. The Firm also drafts and reviews leases.

32 years | 1,200 cases

60%
Business 10%

My practice includes business formation, dissolution, internal disputes, and agreements.

31 years | 120 cases

10%
Employment and Labor 10%

My practice includes employee/employer relations, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, breach of contract, and wage violations. In addition, I advise employers and employees on separation and settlement agreements and noncompete agreements. My discrimination and retaliation practices are limited to Georgia and Maryland where I am admitted to practice to practice in the federal courts.

31 years | 100 cases

10%
Contracts and Agreements 5%

The Firm handles all contract disputes, including litigation.

31 years | 70 cases

5%
Debt Collection 5%

I represent litigation collectors who have won their cases, but have yet to collect on the judgment. The judgment must be at least $25,000. I also represent victims of wrongful repossessions and other debt collection disputes.

22 years | 10 cases

5%
Family 5%

My family law practice is limited to contempt and modifications.

31 years | 90 cases

5%
Real Estate 5%

Other than landlord-tenant issues, I also handle homeowner association disputes. This can be particularly contentious, especially when the HOA threatens lawsuits or has unreasonable boards.

22 years | 10 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 200-500 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 24 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 2001

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Maryland for 31 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in District of Columbia for 25 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 2000

Resigned

No misconduct found

Licensed in New York for 27 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1998

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

The McGill Law Firm, LLC

4901 Olde Towne Pkwy, Suite 100, Marietta, GA, 30068

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Paula Jeanette McGill's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

30 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 30 reviews

Posted by L Glover | December 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

A rental home

When I first gave my case to Ms McGill I was confident that she was gone help me get my money back and it was gone be over. Me and my kids move to Atlanta in a 4 bed room house and as a single parent and moving from Ms with no money and I was able to get on my feet I was proud of myself. But that hou...se turn out to be the worst decision I could ever make. It was so hurtful having to love. So I hired Ms Mc Gill in 2019 and it’s 2024 and she still have not settled the case. I haven’t heard from hear in over a year. I just gave up. S stop calling. I’m not post this the make her look bad but everybody experience is different. But she has not settled my case or even contacted to to tell me she couldn’t do it or nothing. God bless you and I pray you stop accepting so many people at one time and help people the right way.

Paula McGill

Replied last December 26, 2024

I have no control over the court's docket. However, yes, I try to help as many people as possible because there are so few tenant lawyers. I believe if you take out Legal Aid, you have about 7 lawyers who represent tenants on a regular basis. I have not heard of those other lawyers who purposely represent those who could not otherwise afford a lawyer. As a Black lawyer, I have tried to give back, but I put in my time and will stop it in 2024. In 2025, I intend to take only hourly rate cases, except for magistrate court cases. So, people will have to pay my normally hourly rate of about $350/hour+ . That will prevent me from taking on people who cannot pay a $7,000 plus initial retainers. Because State and Superior Court cases involve hours that are a minimum consumer 40 hours, I will no longer be available for single mothers who are struggling. However, my caseload will be smaller. It won't make the case go faster, but those new clients will understand the operation of the court and its delays.

Posted by anonymous | September 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Unresponsive

We began the process of a lawsuit with Paula against our previous landlord, and she was attentive at first. But now that we've reached the time to actually pay a retainer and start the lawsuit in court, she has been completely MIA. We've been calling and emailing her for weeks trying to get the ball ...rolling on our lawsuit, and she's completely ignoring us at this point. Total waste of time and money - do not use her services unless you want to just sit around with no information forever.

Paula McGill

Replied last September 19, 2024

You never hired me, but talked to me about doing so. So, your toggle about hiring me is false. I cannot send contracts to everyone who wants to employ me. I'm a small firm with one lawyer. I also understand that there are very few tenant lawyers in the Atlanta area, and it can be frustrating trying to seek help. That is function of the low pay tenant receive and the time it takes to prepare the case. Landlord lawyers make up the low pay by representing landlords with large eviction numbers. In any event, I don't send contracts to POTENTIAL CLIENTS, like yourself, unless I can start on their case in a reasonable time. That makes it fair to my current clients and the new ones coming in.

Posted by anonymous | August 25, 2024 | Landlord & Tenant

Excellent lawyer

I was not able to give my case to Paula as my problem was related to a roach issue but she was able to provide amazing consultation for me to communicate my problem to my landlords. This luxury apartment was able to cancel my buyout lease thanks to Paula's legal advice! Please give Paula a call if yo...u need help, she is quick to answer and very informative. Thank you so much Paula!

Paula McGill

Replied last September 19, 2024

Thank you for your review. I try to give great consultation advice in the short time allotted for initial calls. I am glad I was able to help.

Posted by Clarence | May 10, 2024 | Landlord & Tenant

Renegger Paula McGill

Please read between the lines of the title and that's what this Attorney McGill is! When my wife and I spoke with her a few months ago about representing us in our case against RENU Property Management, Inc., Ms. McGill stated that she would once we received the court date. We received the court dat...e of Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 1:00 pm and notified her as per her instructions. However, after "ghosting" us for several days, she finally sent my wife an email stating that she would not represent my wife and me without any explanation. When we contacted Ms. McGill in the beginning she gave us instructions on filing a response along with a countersuit against RENU.  According to her, we were to pay a retainer's fee for her assistance. Please understand that we had a week before the court date and now no representing attorney because she reneged on her word to us. We put our trust in Attorney McGill to represent us in the court of law as per her words. We were ready to pay the retainer fee months ago, but she told us to wait for the court date. Attorney McGill did stand by her words to assist us with our case, and this is why I classify her as a "RENEGGER!" I am a firm believer that a person's word is their bond! My wife and I took her bonding word to help us against an unscrupulous leasing company, but who's the worst, Attorney McGill or RENU? If I could have given her a ¼ star or less, I would have!

Paula McGill

Replied last December 26, 2024

Yes, you were eager to hire me. However, I cannot take all people who want to retain me. If you do not produce the requested documents, receive a contract, sign the contract, and pay a retainer in full, you have not hired me to represent you. It is sad that there aren't more attorneys who want to represent tenants. However, I cannot take the burden of a large metropolitan area, especially when there are only about 7 lawyers who represent tenants as a significant part of their practice. Even with legal aid, often in a hearing of about 40 tenants, only one or two have lawyers. I wish I could represent those other 38, but it's only me at my Firm. Starting in 2025, my practice time representing tenants will further decline as my initial retainer for Magistrate Court will go up to $3,000 based on a $350-$500 hourly rate. The last three of four commenters have pushed me to stop even talking to potential clients like you under an initial consultation meeting or representation.

Posted by Mica | May 07, 2024

Helpful and knowledgeable

Ms McGill was prompt to respond and took time out of her busy schedule to consult with me. She offered good options for me to move forward and she was super helpful.

See All Client Reviews

Paula Jeanette McGill's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Paula
Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Business lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A top-notch litigation attorney who is dedicated to client success."

John Greel Ralls Jr. headshot
John Ralls

Personal injury lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Business lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ronald Lee Burdge headshot
Ronald Burdge

Contracts and agreements lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I gladly endorse this lawyer. Her clients like her, lawyers respect her, she has years of solid experience, and her several thousand answers to questions that have been published at Avvo should make it clear that she knows the law and likes to make sure her clients know and understand it too. I highly recommend her."

David Raymond Mahood headshot
David Mahood

Family lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have reviewed Attorney Mcgill's profile, answers, experience, and work history and I am impressed with her dedication to her clients and her work. She has broad experience in various areas of law, and this is very good for her clients because she brings a breadth and wealth of knowledge to bear on her legal work for those she helps."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Oct 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Paula. She is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Wesley Kent Hill headshot
Wesley Hill

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Mcgill is an outstanding attorney, a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I strongly endorse her."

View All Endorsements

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  8.6 (Excellent)

Work Experience

2002 - Present

Solo Practitioner, Paula J. McGill, Attorney at Law

2001 - 2002

Associate, Lord Bissell & Brook

1998 - 2001

Associate, Wallace King Marraro & Branson

1994 - 1998

Associate, Piper Marbury

Sample of Legal Cases

Peamon v. A and R Development Corporation

The Court Dismissed Peamon's Appeal

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

University of Pennsylvania

JD - Juris Doctor

1991

Kennesaw State University

MBA

1988

Emory University School of Business

BBA

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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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