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Donato Joseph Rinaldi

Consumer protection Attorney at Jacksonville, FL

5.0   13 reviews
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  • State Years
    Connecticut - CT 13 years
    Florida - FL 14 years
  • Licensed for 13 years
    State CT
    Acquired 2010
    Status
    Active No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 14 years
    State FL
    Acquired 2009
    Status
    Member in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

He kept us warm and dry during our battle with BOA for over 6 long years..
anonymous
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Professional, Knowledgeable, Honest, Advocate!
Henry
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
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About Donato

Learn Donato’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  • Retired Firefighter
  • U.S. Navy Veteran
  • Deployment to Persian Gulf during the Gulf War
  • NACA Member

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Photos and videos

Contact Donato

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Rinaldi Law, P.A.
9310 Old Kings Rd S Ste 302
Jacksonville, FL, 32257-6155
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  13 customer reviews
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Posted by anonymous | November 28, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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.
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Posted by Henry | February 22, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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.
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Posted by Olivia | February 21, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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 attorney 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.
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Posted by Samantha | January 10, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Defender of the People
This review is long overdue. In early 2017, a third-party, junk debt buyer submitted a lawsuit against me for a very old debt. I was shocked and terrified. I researched debt attorneys in Florida and how to respond in situations, such as mine at the time. I am grateful that, in that search, I found Mr. Donato Rinaldi. He is professional, direct, informative, and calming in a no-nonsense manner. He is incredibly diligent in his follow-up and follow through. Words cannot express how grateful I am to him for all of his work on my case. He was able to get the Third-Party Debt Buyer to rescind the lawsuit, and remove mention of the debt from my credit report. Had a judgement been issued against me, the debt would have been crippling. Thank you Mr. Rinaldi, for being a defender of people against these unethical collection companies, thank you for being a wonderful human being and an incredible attorney.
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Posted by Kobe | May 3, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
He represents tenants and he ROCKS!
I was renting a townhouse with the St, John's River as my backyard with was destroyed by Hurricane Irma. My landlord (who is a Clay County Lawyer) refused to repair the home, wouldn't renegotiate the rent (per the lease agreement) and wouldn't give me a release for FEMA to help me move from the unit. He pretty much demanded that I remain in the property and pay the rent in full or he would hire a lawyer to sue me in court. He did just that. He tried to put an eviction on my record, sue me for back rent, legal fees (he hired an atty, court reporter and leasing agent to run up the legal fees for something he was quite capable of doing himself) and alleged damages. He is a slumlord and a money hungry crook who was praying on my pain and fatigue from the hurricane and my lack of legal knowledge.... UNTIL ATTY DONATO RINALDI ENTERED THE SCENE. Donato forged an abrupt halt to my nightmare with just one sentence! His one sentence afforded me a "W" just when I needed one. Thank you so very much for showing up and showing out!!!! I would definitely recommend him to anyone with a Landlord vs. Tenant dispute. Now, if only I could convince him to practice Family Law. There are so many people who could benefit from his dogmatic personality, high moral compass, plethora of legal knowledge, fortitude and performance skills. IJS
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Posted by Bill | April 23, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank you so much!
Mr. Rinaldi kept me from being homeless. I was in foreclosure and my house was about to be sold at auction. I was at the end of my rope when someone told me about Mr. Rinaldi. He agreed to represent me free of charge and stopped the sale. He then got the judgement overturned and I was able to have a new trial. He won the trial and I got to stay in my house. On top of that, he was able to convince the bank to give me a loan modification that I could afford. I even got a principal reduction of $70,000. I do not have the words to say how grateful I am. I would have been living in a tent in the woods if he didn't help me.
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Posted by Cathia | January 10, 2017
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Thanks for your feedback.
I went to pick up the car to bring to another shop for them to check what is wrong with it on Saturday. The car won't start. They said they will call me in two hours to let me know what is going on. I m still waiting for a phone call. I called them twice on Saturday and four times today no answer.
Posted by Micah | September 6, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Most helpful
This attorney is the one you want. Great professional consultation. I was very impressed with the care and attentiveness while hearing my potential case. If I need to hire a lawyer it will be him.
Posted by Corwin Berry | June 10, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
He helped me when my mind was confused with worry.
There are very few people who take their time to try and work with someone who is confused and frightened. No only did Mr. Rinaldi help me with my question. He helped me with my question when I couldn't form thoughts properly. He took the time to figure out my problem even though he didn't have to. He could of simply ignored me after the confusing parts piled on. Thank you sir. Thank you for your advice.
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Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Very Impressed with Mr. Rinaldi
Promptly responded to my questions and afforded me the time I needed to (finally) understand the answer. Patient and professional all the way.
Posted by Donna | April 16, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
So helpful and Quick to answer
I thank Mr. Rinaldi for his prompt and clear answers I would highly recommend him for questions and recommend hiring him if your situation warrants. I liked the fact that he didn't try to "sell" his services when they were not necessary and was helpful despite was a zero cost to me :)
Posted by anonymous | February 20, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent attorney who actually cares
Mr. Rinaldi helped me so much during a very (and still) tough patch of my life. I came into his office a nervous wreck. He answered all of my questions and literally took over the case for me and let me get back to rebuilding my life. He was absolutely brilliant in handling my case, professional, and caring. I just want to say thank you so much for making this case one less thing for me to worry about by addressing my concerns, handling it, and getting my case dismissed with prejudice. It was more than I could have ever expected. Mr. Rinaldi is an A+ attorney.
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Posted by Courtney | February 14, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
I high recommend...
I do not have the words to say how much I recommend Mr. Rinaldi as an attorney. I have been foreclosed upon twice. The first time, back in 2010, not only did Mr. Rinaldi win the lawsuit and save my house, but he was able to get the bank to pay my attorney’s fees. He recovered a total of $11,000. Then the bank tried to foreclose again in 2013. We won again and Mr. Rinaldi recovered more than $35,000 in fees. And now, almost a year later, the bank sent a satisfaction of mortgage along with a letter telling me that my loan was paid off. I owed the bank about $280,000 and now I don’t anymore all thanks to Mr. Rinaldi.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
  • Hourly Rates $ 250-450 per hour
  • Contingency 25%-40%
  • Pro bono 5 %
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Managing Partner
  • Rinaldi Law, P.A.
  • 2009 - Present
  • Network Attorney
  • Hyatt Legal Plans
  • 2016 - 2019
  • Network Attorney
  • ARAG
  • 2015 - 2019
  • Network Attorney
  • U.S. Legal
  • 2015 - 2019
View all work experience

Education

  • Student Loan Law Workshop
  • Graduate
  • 2019
  • Veterans Advocates Group of America
  • Graduate
  • 2019
  • NACA Automobile Fraud Conference
  • Attendee
  • 2018
  • FDCPA Bootcamp
  • Graduate
  • 2017
  • Max Gardner's Consumer Defense Academy and Bankruptcy Bootcamp
  • Graduate
  • 2016
  • NACA Automobile Fraud Conference
  • Attendee
  • 2016
  • Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
  • Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor
  • 2008
  • Southeastern Trust School - Campbell University
  • MA - Masters
  • 2007
View all education

Legal Cases

  • 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.
View all legal cases

Associations

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Accredited Attorney Representative
  • 2017 - Present
  • National Italian-American Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2015 - Present
  • National Association of Consumer Advocates
  • Member
  • 2015 - Present
  • Putnam County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • St. Johns County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • Florida Bar
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Connecticut Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2009 - Present
  • Brevard County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2009 - Present
  • American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
  • Member
  • 2009 - Present
  • Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity
  • Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • American Legion
  • Member for Life
  • 2001 - Present
  • American Civil Liberties Union
  • Member
  • 1996 - Present
  • VFW
  • Life Member
  • 1991 - Present
  • National Consumer Law Center
  • Member
  • 2015 - 2018
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono Award
  • St. Johns County Bar Association
  • 2018
  • Pro Bono Award
  • St. Johns County Bar Association
  • 2017
  • Pro Bono Award
  • Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
  • 2017
  • Pro Bono Award
  • St. Johns County Bar Association
  • 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
  • Brevard County Bar Association
  • 2010
View all awards

Publications

  • AVVO Legal Guides
  • How to Deal with a Debt Collector Suing You in Small Claims Court in Florida
  • 2016

Speaking Engagements

  • Consumer Protection for the Elderly
  • Consumer Protection for the Elderly
  • 2015

Attorney endorsements

Received (26)
Given (8)
Endorse Donato
Leonard Roy Boyer headshot
Leonard Boyer
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | Jul 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Attorney Rinaldi offers wise counsel on many matters."
H. Scott Aalsberg headshot
H. Aalsberg
Consumer protection Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | May 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Amy Kathryn Pietrowski headshot
Amy Pietrowski
Litigation Attorney | May 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Adam C Thoresen headshot
Adam Thoresen
Consumer protection Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | Mar 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
David D Naples Jr. headshot
David Naples
Unknown Attorney | Feb 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Renee Hykel Cuddy headshot
Renee Hykel Cuddy
Personal injury Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | 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 Attorney | Feb 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
View more endorsements
Paula Colette Coffman headshot
Paula Coffman
Unknown
Giselle Marie Torres headshot
Giselle Torres
Litigation
Jennifer K Ngoie headshot
Jennifer Ngoie
Litigation
Jay S. Grife headshot
Jay Grife
General practice
Adam C Thoresen headshot
Adam Thoresen
Consumer protection
Amanda Leigh Edwards headshot
Amanda Edwards
General practice
Thomas R Pycraft Jr. headshot
Thomas Pycraft
Consumer protection
Michael Joseph Pelkowski headshot
Michael Pelkowski
Bankruptcy and debt
Jacksonville Consumer protection Lawyer Donato Joseph Rinaldi
Donato Joseph Rinaldi
Consumer protection Attorney
Jacksonville, FL
Licensed for 14 years
Free Consultation
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