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William R. Lester

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William R. Lester

also known as Bill Lester

4.9
74 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 44 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Atlanta, GA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Child Custody ... +3 more

1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 410, Atlanta, GA

Virtual Consultation Available

Call for a consultation (770) 824-3584

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William R. Lester's Website
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Call for a consultation (770) 824-3584

About William

Biography

Finding an attorney to educate & assist you through the divorce process is the critical first step.

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 40%

Concentrating in complex, disputed divorce issues including asset tracing and hidden asset matters.

45 years | 1,500 cases

40%
Child Custody 15%

45 years | 390 cases

15%
Family 15%

Expert counseling and litigation in the entire arena of Family law including divorce, custody, modifications, enforcment, contempt and adoption.

45 years | 2,000 cases

15%
Alimony 10%

45 years | 350 cases

10%
Domestic Violence 10%

45 years | 175 cases

10%
Litigation 10%

Business litigation and arbitration of contract disputes, employment disputes and general litigation.

45 years | 2,100 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always

Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2016 2014 2010

Avvo Client's Choice Awards

Client's Choice

The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2016
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2014
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2010

Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 44 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1981

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Fryer, Shuster, Lester & Pollack P.C.

(770) 670-7764

Fax

1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 410, Atlanta, GA, 30338

galegal.com
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William R. Lester's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (52) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 49 4 stars 2
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 1
Practice Areas
Divorce & Separation (38) Child Custody (17) Family (9) Lawsuits & Disputes (9) Child Support (6) Business (5) Litigation (4) Mediation (3) Arbitration (2) Alimony (1) Contracts & Agreements (1) Corporate & Incorporation (1) Criminal Defense (1) Probate (1) Real Estate (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (35) Advocacy (34) Recommendation (27) Professionalism (26) Practice Area Knowledge (23) Communication Style (22) General Knowledge (19) Responsiveness (15) Character & Conduct (14) Compassion (14) Cost of Services (12) Trustworthiness (11) Staff & Support (8)

Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes

Posted by Casey | May 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Not a fun process but very thankful for this professional team!

Bill consulted my case for nearly two years, dealing with some fairly complicated and, at times, frustrating situations. At all times he set expectations at a level where they were within reason of what actually occurred when it came to the outcome. I would say my case was fairly complicated and Bi...ll, as well as Nancy and Helen, handled everything with extreme care and professionalism throughout the entire process. While the process itself is not fun and not something I would have wished to have gone through, the outcome is better than I could have expected and I'm very appreciative of everything this team did for me during my time working with them.

Posted by Paul | June 18, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Excellent Family lawyer and Team - Highly recommended

I have had the pleasure of working with Bill over the past year supporting my child custody dispute. Bill is a highly seasoned, professional and courteous attorney who approaches matters methodically and with a thorough knowledge of the law. Bill is highly regarded in the Atlanta area by the profess...ion. He is able to cut through the legal posturing which is very common in today’s litigious world and focus directly on the issues at hand and move matters forward. Bill is also a realist. He constantly plays “devils advocate” in order to protect his clients against mounting legal costs and the risks associated with litigation. I feel this is a particularly good quality as it allows you to re-evaluate your position as the case progresses. Bill and his team are extremely efficient. They keep their finger on the pulse as it relates to upcoming status reviews, deadlines, etc. Bill is thorough in his communication and always quick to respond to emails and phone calls. Bill has a good sense of humor too, which can be helpful during a stressful process. I would strongly recommend Bill and his Team.

Posted by Clare | March 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

His professionalism and integrity won my case

When my ex-husband filed for a modification in child custody and child support I was rattled, but a good friend referred me to Bill, being her former attorney, she had nothing but good things to say about him. He not only made me feel at ease through his competence and honesty but through his genuine... concern for me and most of all my children. I feel that he was always upfront and honest with me and always maintained professionalism. I never felt as though he was just telling me what I wanted to hear, he pointed out my faults where it was relevant to the best interests of my children. He was timely in all manners and kept me in the loop of everything pertinent. He was cognizant of the fact that I am a single mother, going back to school and having to borrow money from family to get through this. He gave me options, such as suggesting a guardian ad litem, but never forced me to do something I was uncomfortable with. Our case was taken to a final hearing and took 7 months, throughout those 7 months I never doubted Bill's competence. My ex-husband did not prevail against me in both the custody and child support, and Bill also fought for me to have all my attorney's fees paid by my ex and won. Bill knows how to read between the lines and as he likes to say "hold people's feet to the fire". He not only kept my ex-husband on his toes during cross-examination, he held his attorney to the utmost standards where her professionalism failed. I can't say enough about my wonderful experience with Bill through a very taxing time.

Posted by Chris | March 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Divorce

I had a personal friend of numerous years in Atlanta that is a real estate and closing attorney. When the time came for me to seek out counsel for a divorce attorney, I asked my friend whom he would recommend. He immediately gave me Bill's name and number. The filing had to happen in Atlanta, but ... I currently live in another state. Bill made this very easy by doing our consultation over the phone and through the use of email for documents and information. I only needed to appear in Atlanta for one hearing which I knew would be expected. Bill was very tenacious in making sure that all time spent in arbitration and the court proceedings was handled succinctly and with a concern for minimizing my time and fees associated with the proceedings. Arbitration turned out to be a train wreck from opposing counsel and the arbitrator and Bill recognized that very quickly and moved for pleading our case to the judge. Probably saved hours of needless back and forth and escalating fees. I really appreciated that. The final settlement covered all my desires and wishes and I actually got a settlement that was far better than I was originally expecting when I started the procedure. I would recommend Bill Lester to anyone seeking a divorce attorney in the metro Atlanta area.

Posted by Fran | July 28, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

A lawyer is not just a lawyer

I was facing a situation that was extremely hostile and needed an "excellent" lawyer who not only was excellent in his profession but also concerned for me as a person, not only as his client. Mr. Lester has the unique ability to be professional and caring but completely honest with what your option...s are as well as willing to give you objective advice. This quality is extremely important when you are facing not only the legal aspect of your case, but also when you have to deal with the emotional and extremely stressful aspects that are involved. Mr. Lester was professional, extremely experienced and knowledgeable and in essence "my protector". I know I would not have been able to come through this experience without him. It truly is hard enough to go through such a situation personally, but it is even worse if you cannot be sure that your lawyer is supporting you 100% and can trust him to look out for your best interest in every way possible. You expect your lawyer to know everything you need in an area that you know generally nothing about, as well as communicating everything to you in a way that you can understand. As a client I needed to feel safe with him and that he was protecting me from harm and that I could trust him. As a lawyer, I cannot express in words how excellent Mr. Lester truly is. He listens to you, and is adept at separating the subjective from the objective to you and at the same time understanding the stress and emotions that you must deal with at the same time. Through it all, I was consciously aware he had other clients, however, in all his dealings with me, he made me feel as if I was his "only" client at the time whom he was concerned for. I am truly grateful to Mr. Lester for all he did. He is a "lawyer" in the very best sense of the word.

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William R. Lester's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse William
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington headshot
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Timothy James Bilecki headshot
Timothy Bilecki

Litigation lawyer | Oct 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"William has an outstanding reputation for zealously advocating for his clients and obtaining great results."

Joseph Torri headshot
Joseph Torri

Unknown lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Patrick D Angel headshot
Patrick Angel

Litigation lawyer | Nov 29

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Justin R. Key headshot
Justin Key

Family lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Oct 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Thomas L. Holder headshot
Thomas Holder

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Friend

"It is my pleasure to endorse Bill Lester. I was a law school classmate of Bill's and we have been friends for over 30 years. Bill has built his practice around the outstanding service and intelligence that he brings to all of his cases. I have no hesitancey in referring potential clients to him for either divorces or business dissolutions."

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Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Military law lawyer

Thomas L. Holder headshot
Thomas Holder

Workers compensation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

2017

AV Rated, Martindale Hubbell

2016

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1991

State Bar Of Georgia Bar Association Newsletter Award, State Bar Of Georgia

1990

AV Peer Review Rating 25+ years, Martindale Hubbell

Work Experience

1997 - Present

Partner, Fryer, Shuster & Lester P.C.

1991 - 1997

Partner, Freed, Lester & Berman P.C.

1986 - 1991

Partner, Gershon, Olim, Katz, Loeb & Lester P.C.

1984 - 1986

General Counsel, Friends of Children, Inc

1981 - 1984

Associate, Zachary & Segraves

1980 - 1981

Intern, Honorable Joel J. Fryer, Superior Court of Fulton County

Associations

2013 - Present

Visions Anew

Speaker Qualifications Committee - Chair

Atlanta Bar Association

Member

Federal Bar Association

Member

State Bar of Georgia

Member

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association

Member

1990 - 1991

DeKalb Bar Association

President

1989 - 1990

DeKalb Bar Association

Vice President - President Elect

1988 - 1989

DeKalb Bar Association

Treasurer

Sample of Legal Cases

Perkins v. Haines, 661 F.3d 623, 2011

Trustee was denied.

Darroch v. Willis, 286 Ga. 566,690 S.E.2d 410, 2010

Case settled for client after appeal.

Alternative Health Care systems, Inc. v. McCown, 237 Ga.App. 355, 514 S.E.2d 691, 1999

Appeal denied

Lane v. Spragg, 244 Ga.App 606,481 S.E.2d 592, 1997

Atlantic Steel Credit Union v. Shephard 204 Ga. App 297, 419 S.E.2d 132, 1992

Appeal denied

Kelly Energy Systems, Inc. v. Board of Com'rs of Clarke County, 196 Ga.App. 519, 396 S.E.2d 498, 1990

Established case law in Georgia that a failure to include a claim of payment in a Pre-trial Order will allow the exclusion of evidence of payment at trial. Verdict upheld on appeal.

Privitera v. Addison, 190 Ga.App. 102, 378 S.E.2d 312, 1989

Sheftelman v. Jones, 667 F.Supp. 859, Fed. Sec. L. Rep. P 93,341, N.D.Ga.

Case settled after over 5 years of extensive litigation, including over 35 depositions and numerous motions and appeals.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1981

Emory University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1978

Tulane University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Visions Anew Institute Boot Camp

How To Start The Divorce Process

2015

Visions Anew Institute Divorce Workshop 101

What Happens If You Want To Divorce?

2014

Visions Anew Institute Conference

Get Out Of that Abusive Relationship Now!

1992

Child Custody Seminar for Family Law Attorneys

Child Custody and Visitation in Georgia

1989

Northern District of Georgia Bancruptcy Section

Family Law for the Bankruptcy Court

Publications

2015

Visions Anew Workshop What to Expect in Your Divorce.

Languages

English

Activity

3

Legal Answers

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