William R. Lester

PRO

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

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

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.

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

galegal.com

William R. Lester's Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Staff & Support

Posted by Carolyn | May 20, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Complex child custody case

Bill and his team were able to navigate a complex child custody case that resulted in an agreeable settlement. Bill’s expertise in GA law, his leadership through out the case, and his ability to reach a reasonable solution met my expectations .

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 Shane | July 13, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best Lawyer Hands Down

I’ve had other attorneys working on different aspects of my original divorce and subsequent modification who were considered “Best in the County,” and hands down Bill Lester runs circles around them. Bill is not only a highly capable and effective attorney, but is as a very thoughtful and courteou...s of his clients billable hours and often saved us from ourselves incurring extra fees for fighting fights that weren’t productive to our end goal. He kept us focused, offered creative solutions in our settlement negotiations and pushed back on us and the other party when necessary. He’s very level headed and objective — thankfully, we didn’t have to go to trial, but I know he would have been a killer in the court room. I highly recommend Bill and his expert staff.

Posted by Joseph | September 09, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best in the Business

From the dirst consultation with Bill I knew he was the right lawyer for me. Nobody plans on divorce and it is not an easy or fun thing to go through. Bill always took time to speak with me. Even when I was at my lowest Bill was able to talk me through situations like a therapist. Bill always made hi...mself available when needed and made tough decisions easy by explaining everything, going over all the options and what the outcomes will be. Bill's entire team made the experience go smooth and most important is I was thrilled with the settlement Bill got me. We got everything we wanted and it was a very fair outcome. I would recommend Bill and his team 100 times out of 100 and have indeed referred a friend to him already. Thanks you Bill!

Posted by Tom | October 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Highly recommend!!

I research several attorneys in the Atlanta area during my divorce and was referred to William Lester. I can't tell you enough about the way he handled my case in the positive outcome it had through all the ups and downs from the opposing counsel. I was glad I had someone on my side he went to work f...or me and my boys. If you're looking for an average attorney you can call anyone but if you want the best Call Bill. His entire staff was very helpful!! I would recommend him to anyone who would ask!! In my opinion he is a velvet hammer, hits you hard, with a soft touch!!

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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.

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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

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