John Michael Totten

PRO

John Michael Totten

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 26 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Athens, AL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury ... +2 more

105 South Marion St., Athens, AL

About John

Biography

Recognized as a premier attorney by the National Trial Lawyers.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 35%

Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Modification of Divorce,

35%
Criminal Defense 25%

DUI, drug cases, murder, all felony and misdemeanor case

25%
Personal Injury 20%

Auto/Truck/Motorcycle/Boat Accidents, On-the-Job Accidents, Slip and Fall All personal injury work is done on contingency basis, meaning that we do not charge anything until we win money for our clients.

20%
Domestic Violence 10%

10%
Family 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2024 2023 2019
...
+ 3
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Alabama for 26 years

State: Alabama

Acquired: 1999

Occupational License - Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

John M. Totten, PC

105 South Marion St., Athens, AL, 35611-2552

johntottenlaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find John online.

John Michael Totten's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

72 Client Reviews

Showing 56 - 60 of 72 reviews

Posted by Belinda | February 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best attorney ever!!!

I've been trying for 6 years to get a divorce an all it took was the right attorney an 2 months I am so thankful at how they treated me an took care of me there are no words !!! THANK YOU!!!

Posted by Jesse | October 07, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Extremely High Recomendation

John Totten pursued.my case in a very thorough manner. I was the defendant in an unusual civil case that was supported by almost no directly applicable precedent. My losing the lawsuit was a distinct possibility, with losing having a downside in the $100,000 range before litigation costs. John dev...eloped a defense that was thorough, creative, well reasoned and ultimately successful. I found the emotional cost of my case to be higher than the potential financial loss. John kept my emotional burden as low as he possibly could. More importantly, he kept me focused on the legal aspects of my situation. Fair and legal are unfortunately not always synonymous. I believe John achieved an outcome that was correct from both a legal and just standpoint. I am not familiar with costs associated with litigation. I did, however, find his fees to be very reasonable, and that view would be unchanged had the outcome been different. I recommend John Tottenham very highly and without reservation. I find him to be a highly competent attorney and a fine person as well.

Posted by anonymous | September 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Consoled on the weekend. Quick respsonce on the weekend with legal problem.

I received a legal letter Friday and was extremely angry. On Saturday I called attorney Totten and did not expect a response till business day Monday much to my surprise Attorney Totten responded within 30 minutes of my call on the weekend! I was calmed down by attorney Totten who said he would res...olve the issue Monday. Much to my surprise on Monday Attorney Totten left 4 messages on my work phone by 900am stating the problem had been resolved. I would recommend John Totten to anyone that has legal issues. John Totten delivers!!!

Posted by anonymous | May 13, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Compassionate and Professional

John represented me completely! He listened and was very understanding, which put me at ease and let me know that he cared. On a professional level, John was very analytical, making sure to review my case from the defendant's position, the judge's position, and, of course, mine. It was a relief to kn...ow that John was prepared for anything the opposing party or the judge may have asked. John reviewed the case with me in detail beforehand, and answered any questions that I had afterward as well. Needless to say, I prevailed in court. I will definitely hire John for future endeavors, should the need arise.

Posted by Jennifer | May 08, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

The number 1 lawyer

John Totten is the best lawyer ever. He help me with my husband and made my life so much better . He can always be trusted. He gave me his word he would help me and he was successful all 3 times. He is a great friend to me and the city of athens . He wins most cases than any lawyer I know. He alway...s calls me and stays on contact when I need him. He is smart and cares about his people. I love to watch law and order and he is just like them battling for the people !! Great job john

See All Client Reviews

John Michael Totten's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Homer Perry Jordan IV headshot
Homer Jordan

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Elliott Albert Wilcox headshot
Elliott Wilcox

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I'm proud to endorse John M. Totten as a lawyer who is serious about DUI defense. As a member of The National College for DUI Defense, John is committed to DUI defense, and will work hard to help you through this stressful situation. If you've been charged with a Athens DUI, call John and ask for help."

Susan C. Conlon headshot
Susan Conlon

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. John is always a worthy opponent as he is prepared, professional, courteous and well-versed in the law. He has a well-earned reputation as an excellent lawyer."

Thomas John Jarvinen headshot
Thomas Jarvinen

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. John is a very knowledgeable attorney who always works hard to get the best results for his clients."

Rebeca Ellen Salmon headshot
Rebeca Salmon

Family lawyer | Feb 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mr. Totten is a wonderful person and a great lawyer to have on your side. He is not afraid to learn new areas of the law in an effort to represent vulnerable children. He's got a great heart and I endorse this lawyer."

James Leighton Nation headshot
James Nation

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 31

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"John is a talented lawyer. I have seen John in action and know that he will work hard to get the best outcome for his clients. I endorse John Totten."

View All Endorsements
Susan C. Conlon headshot
Susan Conlon

Divorce and separation lawyer

Thomas John Jarvinen headshot
Thomas Jarvinen

Criminal defense lawyer

James Leighton Nation headshot
James Nation

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Rebeca Ellen Salmon headshot
Rebeca Salmon

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Client's Choice, Avvo

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers Association

2017

Client's Choice, Avvo

2016

Top 100 Litigation Lawyer, The American Society of Legal Advocates

2015

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2015

Top 100 Litigation Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2015

Client's Choice, Avvo

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2014

AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Attorney, John M. Totten, P.C.

2002 - 2005

Attorney, Burgess & Hale, LLC

1999 - 2002

Attorney, Luker, Cole and Associates

Associations

2015 - Present

American Society of Legal Advocates

Member

2015 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

General Member

2014 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2014 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2012 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2007 - Present

Boys & Girls Club of Athens

Board Member

2005 - Present

Limestone County Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

Alabama State Bar

Member

2005 - 2010

Athens Rotary Club

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Smoak v. State of Alabama

Conviction overturned

Blasdale v Blasdale, 65 So3d 428, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals

Appeal victory as Wife was awarded a significant monetary award in the business held by the parties during the marriage. This case is landmark in valuing a corporate asset held during a divorce action.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

Birmingham School of Law (Birmingham, AL)

JD - Juris Doctor, with Honors

1996

University of North Alabama

BS - Bachelor of Science

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