Donato Joseph Rinaldi

Donato Joseph Rinaldi

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 16 years

Consumer protection Lawyer at Jacksonville, FL
Practice Areas: Consumer Protection, Litigation, Employment & Labor ... +2 more

9310 Old Kings Rd S Ste 302, Jacksonville, FL

About Donato

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Litigation 30%

16 years

30%
Foreclosure 5%

16 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 250-450 per hour

Contingency

25%-40%

Pro bono

5 %

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Connecticut for 15 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 2010

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 16 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2009

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Rinaldi Law, P.A.

9310 Old Kings Rd S Ste 302, Jacksonville, FL, 32257-6155

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Donato Joseph Rinaldi's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

15 Client Reviews

5 star (15)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | July 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Mr. Donato Rinaldi

Mr Rinaldi is an excellent Attorney. I highly recommend him. He is a great listener & always kept me up to date on the progress of my case in a timely fashion. He was very involved & I felt like he cared about me. I am so happy I hired him.

Posted by Steve | March 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Very Knowledgeable-Landlord/Tenant

I had the pleasure of getting to know Mr. Rinaldi through his work with my daughter in her dispute with her landlord over unjustified retention of a security deposit and their failure to uphold their end of the lease. Mr. Rinaldi was very knowledgeable of the law that supported our position. He ult...imately had to file a lawsuit in which my daughter prevailed. I was glad he was on her side!

Posted by anonymous | November 28, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

He kept us warm and dry during our battle with BOA for over 6 long years..

Mr. Rinaldi kept me and my 100 year old DAV father of WWII (Marine Corp) warm and dry in my home for over 6 years while defending my case every step of the way and he did an "OUTSTANDING" job all the way to the very END! He even negotiated a large sum of money for me to turn my house over for "CASH ...FOR KEYS". With that money I was able to bury my father with RESPECT, move out, and start a new life somewhere else. If you don't have him in your corner, you won't stand a chance in hell. ALL thanks to Mr. Rinaldi.

Posted by Henry | February 22, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Professional, Knowledgeable, Honest, Advocate!

During my initial consultation Mr. Rinaldi was very straightforward. He explained every possible outcome in layman's terms, concerning my debt collection matter. Within days of being retained, he filed documents on my behalf with the court and initiated communication with the Plaintiff's attorney. ... I expected my case to be open for 9-12 months. However, because of Mr. Rinaldi's experience in debt collection matters he was able to get the Plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss the case with prejudice. What I expected to take up to a year, Mr. Rinaldi got resolved within 30 days of being retained. I couldn't have asked for a better result.

Posted by Olivia | February 21, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Genuine, Helpful and Understanding!

I was referred to Mr. Renaldi for a landlord/tenant issue I was having. He took the time to listen to the situation and helped with an affordable resolution in order to get the matter resolved. Before I had a chance to call back the next day for a follow up, he had already spoke with the landlord’s a...ttorney and worked out a solution to the issue at hand. This was a very time sensitive situation and his promptness and professionalism has saved me through one of the most difficult situations I’ve been faced with. Thank you so much Mr. Renaldi and I will always recommend to anyone in the future.

See All Client Reviews

Donato Joseph Rinaldi's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Donato
Leonard Roy Boyer headshot
Leonard Boyer

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Aug 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rinaldi is a highly knowledgeable and effective attorney."

Paula Colette Coffman headshot
Paula Coffman

Unknown lawyer | Jul 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Although I have never met Mr. Rinaldi in person, I have had the pleasure of answering many of the same questions on this website. He clearly tells it like he sees it, as is the responsibility of any lawyer who is truly looking out for the best interests of a client. Mr. Rinaldi has provided a much needed service through his generous pro bono contributions to this forum. I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Thomas Paes headshot
Michael Paes

Consumer protection lawyer | Jul 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Rinaldi offers wise counsel on many matters."

H. Scott Aalsberg headshot
H. Aalsberg

Consumer protection lawyer | Jun 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Donato J. Rinaldi is one of America's smartest and wisest attorneys. If you need a lawyer on your side don't wait call him now. I endorse him!"

Anthony Armando Nozzolillo headshot
Anthony Nozzolillo

Unknown lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. His responses in the AVVO Forum are insightful and accurate. A true asset to the legal community."

Michael Charles Doland headshot
Michael Doland

Litigation lawyer | May 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"The answers of Mr. Rinaldi are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are precisely the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."

Gregory L Bianco headshot
Gregory Bianco

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Amy Kathryn Pietrowski headshot
Amy Pietrowski

Litigation lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Adam C Thoresen headshot
Adam Thoresen

Consumer protection lawyer | Apr 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Donato is an extremely capable and dedicated attorney. I have worked with him on numerous matters and he will go the extra mile to obtain positive results for his clients."

Leif Hamman headshot
Leif Hamman

Contracts and agreements lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Rinaldi is a very accomplished advocate whose accurate and helpful legal analyses are tempered by a healthy dose of refreshing humor. This is nice to see, and makes me proud to endorse this lawyer."

Dana Karni-Ilouz headshot
Dana Karni-Ilouz

Consumer protection lawyer | Apr 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Rinaldi is a terrific consumer rights attorney. He is very passionate about his clients and their cases."

Brendan Lee McAvoy headshot
Brendan McAvoy

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

David D Naples Jr. headshot
David Naples

Unknown lawyer | Feb 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Renee Hykel Cuddy headshot
Renee Hykel Cuddy

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Rinaldi is a highly respected attorney in the community. As a retired firefighter and member of the US Navy, Mr. Rinaldi knows what it means to go above and beyond to help people. I highly recommend him."

Noah K. Peterson headshot
Noah Peterson

Consumer protection lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Rinaldi provides excellent contributions to the avvo community. I endorse this lawyer."

Craig Z Sherar headshot
Craig Sherar

Consumer protection lawyer | Feb 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Donato has great drive and passion for representing consumers that have wronged by institutions. This is coupled with a success rate in court that would hard for any other attorney to meet."

Beau Bowin headshot
Beau Bowin

Foreclosure lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Rinaldi is a superb attorney. I've witnessed him in trial and spoke with him about many legal issues and the constantly evolving state of foreclosure law. I highly recommend him."

Lynn Drysdale headshot
Lynn Drysdale

Consumer protection lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer because he is a real lawyer's lawyer. He is compassionate, knowledgeable, thorough and compassionate. I would trust him with any legal matter."

Nicholas Attilio Vidoni headshot
Nicholas Vidoni

Foreclosure lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have seen Donato in foreclosure court many times fearlessly pursuing his clients' rights. He is a smart and capable advocate."

John Joseph Spence headshot
John Spence

Consumer protection lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Paula Colette Coffman headshot
Paula Coffman

Unknown lawyer

Giselle Marie Torres headshot
Giselle Torres

Litigation lawyer

Jennifer K Ngoie headshot
Jennifer Ngoie

Litigation lawyer

Jay S. Grife headshot
Jay Grife

General practice lawyer

Adam C Thoresen headshot
Adam Thoresen

Consumer protection lawyer

Amanda Leigh Edwards headshot
Amanda Edwards

General practice lawyer

Thomas R Pycraft Jr. headshot
Thomas Pycraft

Consumer protection lawyer

Michael Joseph Pelkowski headshot
Michael Pelkowski

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Pro Bono Award - Seventh Judicial Circuit, Florida Supreme Court

2023

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2022

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2021

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2020

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2019

Pro bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2018

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2017

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2017

Equal Justice Award, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

2016

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2015

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2014

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2013

Pro Bono Award, St. Johns County Bar Association

2010

Pro Bono Award, Brevard County Bar Association

Work Experience

2009 - Present

Managing Partner, Rinaldi Law, P.A.

2016 - 2024

Network Attorney, Hyatt Legal Plans

2015 - 2024

Network Attorney, ARAG

2015 - 2024

Network Attorney, U.S. Legal

Associations

2017 - Present

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Accredited Attorney Representative

2015 - Present

National Italian-American Bar Association

Member

2015 - Present

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Member

2014 - Present

Putnam County Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

St. Johns County Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Florida Bar

Member

2009 - Present

Connecticut Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Brevard County Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section

Member

2005 - Present

Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Member

2001 - Present

American Legion

Member for Life

1996 - Present

American Civil Liberties Union

Member

1991 - Present

VFW

Life Member

2015 - 2018

National Consumer Law Center

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Graham v. Pender 16-2020-AP-000023

Prevail at Trial; Affirmed on Appeal

DeLong v. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC 222 So. 3d 662

Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed trial court judgment for lender and remanded with instructions to involuntarily dismiss plaintiff's action.

CitiMortgage v. Caulkett 224 So. 3d 241

Judgment for Defendant at trial. Bank appealed. Affirmed - Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal.

JP Morgan Chase Bank v. Kaufman 2016 Fla. Cir. LEXIS 21527

Final Judgment for Defendant plus recovery of attorney's fees. This decision resulted in a free house for the homeowner.

Nationstar Mortgage, LLC v. Clemens 2015 Fla. Cir. LEXIS 45120

Final Judgment for Defendant at Trial and recovery of attorney's fees.

Household Finance Corp. v. Biele

Final Judgment for Defendants at Trial plus recovery of attorney's fees.

BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. v. Tonjia R. Mitchell 05-2010-CA-026103

Involuntary Dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Wells Fargo Bank v. Romanelli 05-2011-CA-039721

Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice.

Bella Toscana Homeowners Association v. Roxanne E. Eadie 53-2011-CC-001237

Voluntary dismissal.

U.S. Bank NA v. Senteio

Involuntary Dismissal at trial plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Bank of America v. Mills 2015 Fla. Cir. LEXIS 42849

Final Judgment for Defendant at trial plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Capital One Bank v. Jonathan J. Powell 05-2011-SC-008374

Involuntary Dismissal.

Wells Fargo Bank v. Goembel

Voluntary Dismissal at trial.

FNMA v. Steven T. Oki 05-2013-CA-039410

Voluntary Dismissal.

CACH, LLC v. Taylor 48-2014-SC-002805-O

Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice.

Colonial National Mortgage v. Fechas 2015 Fla. Cir. LEXIS 42861

Final Judgment for the Defendants plus an award of attorney's fees.

JPMorgan Chase Bank v. Steven Moore 49-2014-CA-000641-MF

Voluntary Dismissal.

Community Credit Union v. Coles

Voluntary Dismissal

Chase Home Finance v. Daisy Raymond 05-2009-CA-013428

Summary Judgment for Defendants plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Midland Funding, LLC v. Alonzi 05-2012-CC-048109

Involuntary Dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Green Tree Servicing v. Guardia

Voluntary Dismissal

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Romanelli 05-2009-CA-044674

Involuntary Dismissal plus order granting entitlement to attorney's fees.

Midland Funding v. Trkulja 05-2011-CC-039811

Dissolution of Garnishment plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Westchester Homeowners Association of Lake County v. Juana Jimenez 35-2010-CC-001743

Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Midland Funding v. Stover 05-2013-CC-025098

Voluntary dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Wells Fargo Bank v. Anthony M. Lambert 05-2012-CA-024695

Voluntary Dismissal.

Embrace Home Loans v. Pelletier

Voluntary Dismissal

BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. v. Chadwick Hargis 05-2009-CA-044426

Involuntary Dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Stephen D. Poindexter 05-2011-CA-042247

Voluntary Dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees..

Citibank, N.A. v. Azore 53-2010-CA-005721-0000-WH

Involuntary Dismissal.

Wells Fargo Bank . Nadia Israel 05-2013-CA-033274

Voluntary Dismissal.

Cavalry Portfolio Services LLC v. John Kerr 49-2011-CC-002792-OT

Involuntary Dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Wells Fargo Bank v. Buxeda

Voluntary Dismissal

Bank of New York Mellon v. Webb 05-2010-CA-007267

Voluntary Dismissal.

CitiMortgage v. Rutter 05-2009-CA-011696

Consent Judgment with waiver of substantial deficiency.

Bank of America v. Girgis Israel 05-2011-CA-044483

Voluntary Dismissal.

TD Bank v. Chancery

Voluntary Dismissal

Wells Fargo Bank v. Garcia

Voluntary Dismissal

Bank of New York Mellon v. Chris Georgeff 05-2010-CA-010594

Voluntary dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Space Coast Credit Union v. Robinson 05-2011-CA-054178

Voluntary Dismissal.

U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Dennis Marsico 53-2012-CA-005366-0000-LK

Voluntary Dismissal.

U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Dennis Marsico 53-2012-CA-005366-0000-LK

Voluntary Dismissal.

Citibank, N.A. v. Stafford 35-2012-CC-001815

Voluntary Dismissal.

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. v. Devillo

Voluntary Dismissal

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Emerterio Hernandez 05-2012-CA-037590

Voluntary Dismissal.

U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Norman M. McPherson 05-2009-CA-034650

Involuntary Dismissal.

Chase Bank USA, N.A. v. Abreu 05-2010-CC-048869

Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice.

FIA Card Services v. Salas 05-2010-CC-032765

Voluntary Dismissal.

CitiMortgage v. Sullivan 05-2011-CA-052425

Voluntary Dismissal.

Chase Bank USA, N.A. v. Anufrom 05-2010-CC-049984

Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice.

Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. v. Atarodian 49-2009-CC-00386-CL

Involuntary Dismissal.

U.S. Bank NA v. Hernandez

Voluntary Dismissal

SunTrust Mortgage v. Ewing

Voluntary Dismissal

FIA Card Services v. Crawford

Voluntary Dismissal WITH Prejudice

Asset Acceptance, LLC v. Tuttle 05-2011-CA-044565

Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice.

Wells Fargo Bank v. Manuel A. Ramirez 35-2010-CA-002999

Voluntary Dismissal.

GMAC Mortgage v. Collins

Voluntary Dismissal at Trial

Chase Home Finance v. Kaufman

Involuntary Dismissal plus recovery of attorney's fees.

Bank of New York Mellon v. Ceglio

Involuntary Dismissal

See More Legal Cases

Education

2019

Student Loan Law Workshop

Graduate

2019

Veterans Advocates Group of America

Graduate

2018

NACA Automobile Fraud Conference

Attendee

2017

FDCPA Bootcamp

Graduate

2016

Max Gardner's Consumer Defense Academy and Bankruptcy Bootcamp

Graduate

2016

NACA Automobile Fraud Conference

Attendee

2008

Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor

2007

Southeastern Trust School - Campbell University

MA - Masters

Speaking Engagements

2015

Consumer Protection for the Elderly

Consumer Protection for the Elderly

Publications

2016

AVVO Legal Guides How to Deal with a Debt Collector Suing You in Small Claims Court in Florida

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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