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 13 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes

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 | January 11, 2021 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Appreciation

Ms. Mcgill won a complicated court case . I hired her for that case . After that I have consulted her twice & she was willing & able .

Posted by Anji | May 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Not as good as . . . Better!

Paula McGill won a settlement for me from a landlord who was suing me for $25,000 and the landlord got NOTHING!! She was very thorough and gave my case her undivided attention. She walked me through every step and let me know exactly what to expect, as well as the appropriate way to handle the situ...ation. She was very personable, available when I had questions or concerns and affordable, which was a big plus. I do not want to date myself; however, Paula McGill is "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" and "Smart As A Whip". She definitely knows her stuff. She called it and gave that landlord the BUSINESS!!

Paula McGill

Replied last May 29, 2019

Thank you so much for your review. It was great working with you and your witnesses. My job was made so much easier because you understood my busy schedule, had your documents and evidence prepared, and knew we had to work together to get a successful outcome. It was a good victory to have the court rule in your favor against the landlord's $25,000 claim. If you or someone you know needs legal assistance in the future, please contact me. Thanks again.

Posted by anonymous | March 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Refund Requested- Poor Service

The overall result of Attorney McGill's services resulted in wrongful credit charges from landlord to be reflected on my credit history. For six months, this issue was left in limbo with little to no communication regarding updates or even legal counsel. I contacted McGill's offices too many times to... count and it felt like she was screening her calls. I emailed her and to no avail could she respond until I mentioned Grievance with State Bar. She was not effective in assisting me with my civil issue. I would've preferred if she communicated that she couldn't proceed with case and maybe provided other recommendations for other attorney to settle, but she didn't. The time, money, and effort vested into her was a huge waste. The litigation never even took place and for this I would never recommend her to anyone seeking a legal representative.

Paula McGill

Replied last March 16, 2019

A significant amount of what was posted is false. However, I try to explain the process as much as possible to clients and my policies. The Bars prevent attorneys from stating the specifics about their clients' cases and communications. As a result, attorneys are hamstrung when reviews like this are posted. However, below are the basics of my representation. Because 90% of my clients have never been through litigation, I have a blog that sets out the basics as much as possible. It lays out the policies of the Firm. mcgillaw.blogspot.com That blog link is also attached to my e-mails. Despite this information, this client, and apparently others, refused to read the postings. Also, when there are two clients (husband and wife), second hand information may not be relayed. That has happened before. Trying to ruin an attorney's reputation with a logically inconsistent review makes the client look bad. I didn't know that this was on the board because I still have received my normal volume of calls, emails and texts since it's been posted. I was updating my information when I saw it. So, obviously, many tenants, small landlords, and other potential clients have read this review and have chosen to ignore it. If you want a tenant attorney who has the experience to handle your matter, do the following: (1) go to my website - demandingjustice.com (2) talk to other attorneys; (3) ask attorneys outside of this specific practice area who they would want to represent them in a tenant action; (4) read my blog that highlights my policies and procedures; and (5) pick 3-4 firms to screen I am quite sure 9 times out of 10, I will be on your list of 3-4 to call. I give quality information and aggressively fight for my clients. I can send you public information of cases that worked out great for my clients. That is the type of information you look at when you look for an attorney, not a logically inconsistent review.

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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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