Find a Lawyer Georgia Atlanta Divorce
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

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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 14 reviews | Character & Conduct

Posted by anonymous | May 16, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Sincere thank you and endorsement

I was faced with a post divorce matter that came out of no where and caught me by surprise. As a professional who at times worries about my own clients, customer service and communication are at the top of my list. In addition to the excellent legal advice I received I never felt like I was forgott...en and received regular and timely updates. Mr. Lester and his entire team are top professionals and more importantly kind and compassionate people.

Posted by Chris | March 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

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 Pat | February 21, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

My Divorce

I hired William Lester to counsel me through my divorce. He was very efficient in obtaining all information needed for my case. All aspects of communication dealing with the opposing attorney were always in a very timely manner. Mr. Lester not only excelled in arbitration in the court room but made ...sure everything was good on a personal level. He always gave me sound advice, and always looked out for my best interest.

Posted by David | October 21, 2014 | Mediation

Returning Client

I went through my first divorce 20 years ago. Bill was recommended to me by a neighbor. Bill gave me the strength and guidance to get me through this difficult time. He drafted a final decree dotting every i and crossing every t that helped me when dealing with a difficult ex-wife involving our da...ughter. I recently had to go through another divorce and without hesitation called Bill. Once again Bill got me through a difficult time helping me to a position of strength. Before talking to Bill I had just wanted to get it over with and felt like giving my ex-wife just about anything. Bill would not allow me to do that and only give her what she deserved. During mediation Bill gave me some advice that a good mediation is one when both parties go away mad. This means that they both did not get everything they wanted and both sides gave a little to reach an agreement. I have referred to him by his first name, which is because conferring with Bill puts you at ease allowing you to feel like you are talking to a friend and not an attorney. He genially cares about you trying to get you the best deal and saving you money. I highly recommend Bill Lester if you are going through a divorce and need an attorney. In closing I once had an attorney tell me she had seen Bill make an opposing client cry. I’ve always wondered if it was her client.

Posted by Michael | August 28, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

The wrongly accused parent. (You're not alone)

Coming home from a long stressful Monday at work, all I wanted to do was enjoy my kids and catch up on some needed sleep. My Eastern European ex-wife started an argument, picking not only on me but on my older child (her step-child). Instinctively protecting him from being flung behind the door, she ...called the police and fabricated a story that I was the aggressor. She convinced the police that I tried to kill her, and had me arrested. While I was still trying to figure out what happened, she filed a TPO and divorce. My first attorney had a great reputation, but was scheduled to be out of town during my temp hearing. Having restless nights about having younger stand-in attorneys attend the temporary hearing – I hired Bill at the last minute. We literally had 1.5 days to prepare for the hearing; and my custody of my toddler twins were at stake. It turned out that my ex was planning the divorce soon after the marriage certificate ink dried. She set up a string of alliances to paint me as an absent father, violently abusive, and recklessly dangerous to the welfare of my kids. But the most abhorrent was that she tried to paint her step-child (my son) with behavior that I still cannot repeat because it makes me sick; all to gain a custody advantage separating my son and I from my beloved younger twins. She literally tried to take away everything that was important to me. My case had insurmountable odds – because my ex had 2 years to craft dirty divorce and custody strategies. I had 1 hour in the busy courts to convince the judge that my ex lied about everything, and that I was a loving father who deserved to have equal time with my kids. It was impossible, especially given that my newly hired attorney Bill had insufficient time to prepare. But that’s where this story really begins. Bill sat down for 8 hours with me taking notes during our first meeting, asking probing questions, and revealing things that I didn’t realize. He walked into court having met me days earlier. He was prepared for every lie (lets be real: that’s what it is, the overused term misstatement is just being politically correct). As it turned out, Bill used several lies against her. Every cross examination question had my ex flustered; she couldn’t make 2 statements 1 minute apart that were consistent. Guardian ad litem and a court appointed psychologist were ordered, and I was able to see my kids immediately after the temporary hearing. Of course, the discovery dragged on needlessly as she tried to dig into every asset. Bill directed me patiently, and expertly through the whole process. He communicated effectively, professionally, and in a timely manner – not only to me, but to all the parties in the custody evaluation. He worked sensitively with the criminal attorney who helped dismiss the criminal case; both being careful not to jeopardize the others’ case. It is obvious that he not only knows his way around a court-room, but also through the confusing process of a heavily contested custody case. In the end, my ex’s lies ironically caused her own demise. I received the result I was seeking: joint legal custody and most importantly 50% of the precious physical time enjoying my kids growing up. She received a lot of money in the settlement, but that won't last. I don’t think she envisioned this result when she schemed her vicious plan with her Baltic friends. A few learning points for those unlucky enough to go through an ugly divorce: 1) Be truthful. If you’re a good parent, an expert lawyer should be able to help you. 2) Be nice to your step-children (I was nice to hers). 3) Don't play the liars game, take the high road. 4) The temporary hearing is a very important hearing. Bill is like a trusted friend, who is always there to guide the wronged parent through this ugly process called custody battle. We are all too busy to write reviews. But Bill deserves recognition for being a champion to silent and decent parents.

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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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