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 6 - 8 of 8 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | April 02, 2018 | Landlord & Tenant

Very helpful!

I called Paula regarding a leasing dispute and she provided professional advice and I never felt rushed on the phone with her. I’d most definitely be using her services if this dispute escalated. Thanks again!

Posted by Marcus | February 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Landlord & Tenant

Knowledgeable, but unresponsive.

I hired Ms. McGill for a landlord-tenant issue ( I was the tenant). I was very pleased with her overall knowledge and plan of action. She also offered free advice over the phone and subsequently offered a free consultation. She was respectful and did not rush conversation, in order to get all pertine...nt details. However, after after paying my retainer, no action was taken for nearly one month (this was for an attorney letter and negotiations with a management company). Initially I was told that the letter would be completed in 48 hours (I did not request this timeframe). I heard nothing for a week and a half later. I contacted her again, and she stated that she completes her letters over the weekends and that she would send me a letter to review after the next weekend. Two weekends passed and I heard nothing. I contacted her again and stated that I would like a refund of my retainer, which she agreed to do. When I picked up my retainer, she stated that some people want things done faster than she is able to do them and offered no apology. I would not recommend against her services, but if choosing her I would recommend setting a firm timeframe or deadline which fits both attorney and client schedules. It is important to let a client know what to expect in a truthful manner. Whatever situation they come to you for is causing them discomfort as well; enough for them to pay for your services. Also if you fail to comply with the timeframe agreed upon, then an apology or explanation would be nice.

Paula McGill

Replied last February 15, 2017

I cannot respond specifically to this particular case. However, in most of my contracts I have a paragraph that talks about priority of cases, and how deadlines can change. I expect all my clients to read their contracts regarding this priority. In landlord-tenant cases, these rescheduled events are common. In my contracts, I also include a provision that states if you are in a rush, my solo practice may not be for the client. In fact in most of my contracts, I recommend larger firms for those with short deadlines or impatient personalities. The benefit for hiring me is I do all my work. So, a client has the benefit of an attorney with more than 20+ years. I also state that it means one case may take me away from their cases, which may create delays. Of course, trials and hearings come before depositions, and trial, hearings, and depositions come before simple letters. Letters come before certain meetings. Emergency hearings, which include dispossessory responses and hearings, take priority because of the 7 day deadlines and short trial scheduling. Apparently, based on the above statement, the client did not understand this. So, from now on the above will be placed in bold so a future client can understand the pluses and minuses of hiring a solo practitioner who handles all her work. I refuse to have an assembly line practice, but I will bring this concern to a prospective client's attention. Most of my clients love the personal service and call for repeat business and/or refer family and friends. A person just has to decide what type of firm fits their needs. I have provided detail of my "other provision" terms on my blog, which can be clicked through the AVVO website.

Posted by anonymous | January 19, 2015

Very Unprofessional

Ms. McGill is such an unprofessional Attorney and I would never recommend anyone to use her. I fired her from representing me because what you discuss when you meet is not what she does when she's on her own. She's only professional when it's time to get paid and after that you will have to chase her... to get feedback regarding your case.

Paula McGill

Replied last January 19, 2015

She provides no specifics because, the truth is something different. As an attorney, I cannot go into detail about what happened here. However, if you are thinking about hiring me, understand this: I have several clients and most are happy with my responsiveness and knowledge. In fact, she states no facts on what legal theory or facts I gave here that were erroneous. What does she mean by unprofessional? Again, no specifics. She also doesn't state, what the circumstances were about being kept informed. Did she request an update two weeks ago and never received a response? Does she require a solo practitioner to drop her other clients to talk with her? When you call mjy office for an update or question, you will get the answer from me, not an associate or paralegal. Her review was written on November 30 (Thanksgivng Sunday). Even attorneys deserve time off with their families. I give my clients my cell phone number and office number. Most times, i respond within 24 hours. However, courts, depositions, meetings, holidays (even Thanksgiving), will extend that time. I try not to bother clients with useless updates if they are at work, while they are with their children, are in the hospital, or on family emergencies. To do otherwise would be unprofessional, rude and disrespetful. I get repeat business and referrals because of my professionalism, and If you as a potential clilent understand the following, we will have a great attorney client relationship: (1) I work with all budgets. However, once you sign a contact that has a payment plan, you must make payments as indicated. (2) if you are reminded of your payment obligations under the contact, don't get angry. (3) I am very mindful of attorney charges and time. I won't call or contact you with useless information. However, you can always contact me by e-mail and leave a message. The same 1-2 business day turn around applies, except for holidays, vacations, court time, etc. (4) I am available by e-mail, phone (office and cell), and text during reasonable business hours. There is one to two business day turn around. (5) Although I have weekend and after hour meeting times for clients, I deserve time off during off weekends, holidays, and vacations to unwind and be with family and friends. (6) I am a solo practitioner who provides personal service to clients. If you need constant updates and reassurances even if nothing is going on in your case, you may need an attorney who can assign a partner, an associate, a paralegal, and secretary.

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

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
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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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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  • 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