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 16 - 20 of 28 reviews | Compassion
Posted by anonymous | June 06, 2016 | Debt Collection
Best Hard Working and Trustworthy Attorney
John helped when a loan company of which I had done business was intimidating me to pay more than I owed. Had it not been for John’s wise council, I would have been a victim of their intimidation. John is one of the most professional, caring, and trustworthy people I know. With his expertise, he help...
John Watts
Replied last June 06, 2016Thank you for leaving us feedback -- glad that we were able to help you. It is fairly common for companies to sue on debts they don't own or, even if they do own the debt, they sue for amounts we don't owe. Thank you again for your kind words and your recommendation. John Watts
Posted by Shannon | June 03, 2016 | Debt Collection
AMAZING!
We were scared, confused, angry, and feeling rather hopeless. Then we scheduled a consultation. John Watts stepped in and took charge of a case we could not begin to understand. He explained everything he was doing each step of the way. He represented us when we were being sued by Midland Funding. We...
John Watts
Replied last June 03, 2016Shannon -- thanks so much for taking the time to leave us a review. Being sued by Midland Funding is a scary thing to go through. We always have to look at any challenging situation and say, "Where's the good I can find here or how can I turn this negative situation into a positive one?" You did a great job of keeping your confidence up and taking action. Thank you for letting us help you and for your helpful feedback. John Watts
Posted by Elle | June 03, 2016 | Bankruptcy & Debt
Highly recommended
Without warning, I was faced with garnishment of wages for a car I turned in as a voluntary repo 9 years earlier and had thought the issue was in the past. Not knowing who to turn to, I met with two different legal firms that required I pay a consultation fee before any advice could be given out and...
John Watts
Replied last June 03, 2016Elle, Thank you for leaving us such a detailed review. You faced a very difficult situation and the tendency of most of us would be to ignore it and hope it goes away. You did not do that -- you were very patient to listen to all of your options and the good and bad of each option. While bankruptcy is not for everyone, when it is needed it is incredibly powerful. I'm glad we were able to help you (with some great help from bankruptcy guru Matt Dunaway!) to accomplish your goals. Thank you again for letting us help you and having the confidence in us to trust us with your situation. Wishing you the best! John Watts
Posted by JP JP | May 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Debt Collection
John is EXCELLENT, get your peace of mind back!!!
My review is lengthy but I want people to know if you find yourself in a situation like mine, there is help. I received a letter in the mail I was being sued by a debt collector. My heart just sank when I read what was happening. I went through many sleepless nights wondering what to do and how I ...
John Watts
Replied last May 16, 2016JP, Thank you for sharing your experience in your review. What you described about the fear and sleepless nights -- that's exactly what these debt buyers want you to experience so that you feel it is all hopeless and you give up. I'm so glad you did not do that but instead investigated your options. We never want someone to take anything on blind faith but instead to discovery your options by investigating and doing your due diligence. We do our best to update our clients frequently and it is nice to know that this was helpful to you. Thank you for your recommendation and your review and most importantly for trusting us to help you in this difficult situation. Thanks again! John Watts
Posted by Michelle | March 30, 2016 | Debt Collection
John Watts and his staff - Excellent!
I was scared to death when I received a summons on a Sunday afternoon that I was being sued by a debt collector - I had no idea where to start. I kept being drawn back to the Watts and Herring website during my exhaustive internet search. John Watts called me back very quickly after I reached out t...
John Watts
Replied last March 30, 2016Michelle, Thank you for leaving us some feedback -- we appreciate your kind words. It is scary when someone hands you legal papers and to have that on a Sunday is pretty crazy. Glad you found our information on our website helpful and we appreciate you reaching out to us. Happy to explain your options and while you did not have to, we are glad you hired us. Thanks for having the confidence to let us represent you and resolve this lawsuit for you. Best wishes and thanks again for taking the time to leave 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."
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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