John Griffin Watts
About John
Biography
There are many things about my work that I enjoy but the part that is most satisfying is taking a bad situation and turning it into a good situation.
I often have clients that come in very upset over a situation. Maybe they are facing foreclosure. Or dealing with an abusive debt collector. Or their credit reports are so incorrect that they are losing their security clearance or they are losing a mortgage over it. Other times clients are dealing with the constant pain of injuries from a car wreck.
They are frustrated and upset to have to deal with this problem. They don't have accurate information on their rights and options. This is exactly where the insurance companies, debt collectors, and mortgage companies want you to be.
Unsure of your rights and unsure of what action to take. You see they assume that you:
- Don't know your rights; and/or
- Even if you know your rights you won't take action.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
31 years | 400 cases
31 years | 300 cases
31 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
33%-50%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Alabama for 30 years
State: Alabama
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of John Griffin Watts
301 19th Street North, Birmingham, AL, 35203
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John Griffin Watts's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
201 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 50 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by DARRYL | July 17, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Credit Repair
John Watts and his staff will help you if you let them do it right. Keep in mind that they will advise based on law.
I want to write this review for John Watts and his staff. This is from my own direct contacts and John Watts and his staff handled my case. I had a problem with a credit reporting agency and how it was handling my records and account. Before I contacted John Watts I was feeling completely lost, ready...
John Watts
Replied last July 17, 2019Thank you Darryl for such detailed feedback. I know sometimes clients just want us to give them the answer without knowing the facts and we can't do that. So thank you for being so involved and engaged in helping us to understand all the facts around your situation so we could help you. Thank you again for taking the time to leave us a detailed review -- we appreciate it very much! John Watts
Posted by Marcus Coyle | July 10, 2019 | Lawsuits & Disputes
If you need Legal adviced Please call this Law Office
I was Looking for some advice on a lawsuit I came upon Mr Watts Video's on YouTube from the Moment I heard him speak I could Tell he was Very professional Attorney. I live in the state of Minnesota and I couldn't find not one consumer attorney that I could reach out to for advice. But after calling ...
John Watts
Replied last July 10, 2019Marcus, Thank you for leaving us feedback. We wish we could represent folks in different states but glad that some general advice we gave was helpful to you. Thank you again for your kind review and have a great week! John Watts
Posted by Daniel | May 22, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Foreclosure
We thought our home was gone forever!
I don’t usually write reviews but I have to in this case. I will start off with I did make mistakes (no doubt), but I also found out my mortgage company was making mistakes as well. Long story short, with out knowing it until the day before, our house was sold at auction! We contacted John and his em...
John Watts
Replied last May 22, 2018Daniel, Thank you for your review! I know this was a crazy time for you guys having your home sold at a foreclosure sale and we are so glad you got with us. Many people do nothing when facing foreclosure (or even after foreclosure) and that causes problems in that mortgage companies get away with stealing homes illegally. You guys did not allow that -- instead, you fought back. Not everyone has a legitimate case when facing foreclosure but you figured out your options and then had the guts to make the decision to fight so we congratulate you on that. It was our pleasure to play a role in helping you get your home back. Thank you for getting us involved and we truly enjoyed representing you. Best wishes and thanks for taking the time to leave us a review! John Watts
Posted by Mitch | March 09, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Consumer Protection
Dr. Mitch Robertson
John explained in clear and understandable language my rights as a consumer. John set up a clear plan for addressing each issues that I shared. He and his staff were prompt in returning calls and setting up appointments. I would highly recommend John Watts to any person needing consumer related lega...
John Watts
Replied last March 09, 2018Thank you so much for the feedback Dr. Robertson! It was a pleasure working with you and glad you were pleased with your experience. Thanks again! John Watts
Posted by anonymous | August 14, 2017 | Debt Collection
Being Sued my MCM holdings
I was being sued by MCM holding for a debt that had been sold twice. Not only had my debt been sold to other collection agencies before, it had exceeded the statue of limitaions. I began to research on the internet and ran into John Griffin Watts, their website was FILLED with valuable information....
John Watts
Replied last August 14, 2017So happy you won your case! These debt collectors are basing their actions on us NOT knowing our rights. Because if we don't know our rights, we can't take the right action. You did the hard work and won your case. Thanks for standing up and for leaving us feedback! John Watts
John Griffin Watts's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known John Watts for several years, and through that time, I have come to know John as an attorney of integrity who will fight for his client's rights. In light of the current economic crisis, John has studied issues related to wrongful foreclosures and other foreclosure issues, and as a result, he has been able to help his clients prevent abusive practices from financial institutions. In addition, John has helped clients recover compensation as a result of abusive debt collectors. If you need an attorney to protect your consumer rights, I highly recommend John."
"I have known John and he is very well respected and does top quality work in protecting and assisting consumers with financial and debt issues. In the past I have had issues with clients relating to credit card debt and John was the lawyer I turned to, to get advice and direction. He is truly the top in this field of law."
"John is one of the best consumer lawyers in Alabama."
"Though I don't know John personally, when I first stepped into private practice, I had hundreds of questions. I shot him an email, and this man took a good chunk of time out of one of his otherwise busy days to sit and chat with me, in detail about best practices in this field. I can count on one hand the folks who looked out for me when I started practicing, and of those, the majority were folks that I knew prior to practicing law. John helped me when he didn't even know me. He's a great benefit to our profession."
"I have known John for years. He is a fantastic advocate for the injured. He will take the time to explain all options to his clients without all the legalese that some lawyers throw around. John offers a lot of information on his website and you can learn a lot about your problem by watching his videos. Plus he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet."
"John is a very experienced and knowledgable lawyer who I have known for many years. Importantly, he'll tell you whether or not you really need an attorney and he'll explain things in a way that makes sense. John has a ton of great information at his website. I'd highly recommend that you reach out to him if you need a lawyer"
"Truly exceptional and professional attorney with an outstanding reputation in the legal field for providing high quality representation and results for his clients! I highly endorse John"
"John Watts is the attorney we send out any consumer protection cases to. Whether it creditors violating the law or mortgage companies that wrongfully foreclose on people's homes, John is the person you want on your side."
"I've known John for 20 years. Over the years, we've handled many cases together. He's one of the finest lawyers I've ever worked with. He is knowledgeable about the law, kind to his clients and gives great advice."
"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. It is clear by reading the answers in the AVVO community that this lawyer is a top notch attorney who is highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. John is one of the "go to" lawyers for consumers who are the victims of identity theft or abusive collection practices."
"Top-notch lawyer. Highly respected in the legal community."
"John Griffin Watts is the kind of lawyer we all aspire to be & I am honored to have the opportunity to offer him my endorsement"
"I endorse this lawyer. John is very knowledgeable and takes and puts his client's interests first."
"John Watts is a top notch lawyer. He is smart, compassionate, precise, and personable. He is able to very quickly decipher legal situations and boil them down to very basic elelments and find solutions. He takes great care of his clients and is universally well-liked and respected."
"I endorse this lawyer. John is a very knowledgeable attorney in the field of Consumer Protection and Fair Debt Collection. He does a fine job for his clients and obtains favorable results with the courts. I have referred many clients to him and would do so again in the future."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known John for quite some time now and have worked with him with mutual clients and on other joint projects. I've always found him to possess the perfect blend of legal talent, experience and creativity. His clients love him and trust his judgment. In fact, they're not just clients — they are raving fans. But that's to be expected when you have a lawyer like John on your side. John speaks to his clients in plain English. No legal jargon here. I've also been impressed with the respect he displays toward his clients, by keeping them regularly informed of the progress of their case, by returning their phone calls promptly, and by always dealing with them as true equals. The confidence he inspires in everyone who works with him makes John just the sort of lawyer you hope yours will be. They just don't come any better than John."
"Having represented several major credit card companies, I have mixed feelings about seeing Mr. Watts' name appear on the other side of one of my cases. On the one hand, I know I better have an airtight and thoroughly prepared case to have any chance of getting a verdict against his client. On the other, I know I'll be treated courteously and with the utmost respect."
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Car accident lawyer
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Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Debt collection lawyer
Car accident lawyer
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Personal injury lawyer
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Experience
Honors
2018
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1993
Law Review, Cumberland School of Law
1993
Moot Court Board, Cumberland School of Law
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Owner, Watts & Herring, LLC
2006 - 2011
Owner, Watts Law Group, PC
1995 - 2006
Attorney, Yearout & Traylor, PC
Associations
2006 - Present
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember
1995 - Present
Alabama State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Motion to dismiss was denied. 2012 WL 5379177
Attorney fees awarded at $375 per hour. 2012 WL 4329294
Education
1995
JD - Juris Doctor
1992
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
2013
2010
2010
2010
2009
Using Social Media In Marketing A Law Practice And In Litigation
2009
Preventing Identity Theft
2009
Understanding the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
2008
Credit Reporting By Debt Collectors and Defending Debt Collection Suits
2008
Credit Reporting By Debt Collectors
N/A
TCPA Class Actions: Phone, Text and Fax Solicitation Claims on the Rise
Publications
2006
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
How should i go about representing myself in a collections lawsuit ?
10 Apr 2024
How do I get a continuance if I still do not have a lawyer after contacting the bar associates? They said for me to ask
30 Apr 2023
During a loan modification, does the foreclosure sale date still appear in newspaper publications ?
09 Oct 2019
Legal Guides
What damages can I get if I sue under the FCRA for false credit reporting in Alabama?
18 Jul 2019
How will I know whether or not I've won my Alabama debt collection lawsuit?
18 Jul 2019
Can I use the TCPA to sue my credit card company for blowing up my cell phone?
18 Jul 2019