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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

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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 6 reviews | Child Support

Posted by anonymous | September 09, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

He can "out-lawyer" the best of them!

I was referred to Bill Lester from a friend who had Mr Lester represent someone against my friend in a divorce trial. When I asked "why would you recommend an attorney that represented someone against you??" He said "Bill is THAT good!" I'm a professional individual who wanted to do nothing but pr...ovide the best for my family and took the old-school approach by being the sole provider across the board. When times got rough, as they will in a marriage, my ex-wife determined that the situation required her to "put forth some effort;" this wasn't what she thought it would be and apparently, not what she signed up for. She wanted out and she wanted to take the two individuals that meant the most to me in this world out of state: my two sons. I went to court against a woman that held three advanced degrees (more than Bill and I combined,) emotional issues, aspirations of stardom and the primary care-giver for our children. I went from being served the Petition for Divorce, losing a business, undergoing two bankruptcies and being ejected from the home after being served a restraining order under false pretenses to being awarded Primary Physical Custody of my sons, awarded Child Support, the major decision maker in all of their affairs and to maintaining the ability for them to live and grow in their community without interruption or disharmony, all thanks to Bill. I was impressed by Bill and his team's professionalism throughout the process. He's an excellent judge of character and knows the law. Once he got the facts about the case, met my ex-wife and realized first-hand how truthful I was, he went to work. I appreciated the strategy meetings and was able to contribute positively. When I displayed naivete' and was being reactionary when my ex-wife attempted to throw the kitchen sink into her efforts, Bill was able to navigate through the mire to a finite finish. He was a hard-charger for me in the courtroom and I can't begin to repay him for what he did for me. I can sleep better knowing that my sons aren't in harm's way and that they will have a fighting chance to build a relationship that they deserve with their father. I interviewed several attorneys prior to hiring Bill. I also went in realizing, that as a man, hiring a divorce attorney would be an investment. If given a chance, would I do it all over again differently? Absolutely not. Was it cheap? Absolutely not. Did I get the specific result that I was seeking? Yes and more, without hesitation or resolution. He can "out-lawyer" the best of them!

Posted by Clare | March 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

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 Christina | January 14, 2015 | Child Support

Third Time Client

Mr. Lester was my counsel through a long divorce battle which ended with having me protected for things I did not imagine would come. I recently retained Mr. Lester's services again for a child support modification against me and a custody battle for my two sons. It was a very long and stressful proc...ess. Mr. Lester has always been very responsive when I needed him or had questions and concerns. He prepared me for what tough questions were going to be asked by other counsel so I was never left to feel anxious in an already stressful situation. I always felt like he cared about me and my family wholeheartedly in trying to get me the best results possible. And he did! In being a third time client and battling with my ex-husband for a third time I really realized how many things Bill put in place through my divorce process that were critical for me to prevail in court as I currently did this year. I would highly recommend Bill Lester.

Posted by Gloria | September 20, 2012 | Child Support

Highly recommend for chiild support contempt cases!!

I decided to change attorneys 5 days before my child support trial as I was unhappy with the attorney I had retained. A friend recommended Mr. Lester and I am so thankful that I made that decision. He took on a very complicated case and handled it with expertise and knowledge. I learned more from... him in the first 15 minutes than I had in the previous two years with my prior attorney! Needless to say, we won the case hands down due to his excellent cross examinations and making sure I had the proper evidence to present to the judge.

Posted by Christina | July 25, 2011 | Child Support

Highly Recommend Mr. Lester

I worked with Bill through a very hostile divorce, a child support modification, and an issue that required child protective services to investigate my ex-husband. He was very thorough, always easy to contact and responded quickly, and most importantly I always felt he was truly concerned with helpin...g my children and I. Bill Lester is very knowledgeable in the law and can apply that knowledge as it pertains to each case and each person to obtain the best result. He has never made false promises and has been honest with what outcomes may occur as it pertained to each legal situation. I would highly recommend Bill for legal services and I personally will not use any other attorney except Bill in the future. Their has been more than one occassion in which I was so thankful Bill thought of every detail that is in my settlement agreement for my divorce. These issues would have cost me a lot of time and money fighting with my ex if he didn't have the forethought to make them part of the original agreement. Highly satisfied with Bill Lesters legal services.

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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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