Joan-Marie Kettell Dean

I hired Joan-Marie over 10 years ago to represent me in a custody dispute. The suit was filed unexpectedly and I was living out of the area at the time. I hired another male lawyer here in Huntsville first. He totally bungled my case, failing to object to irrelevant testimony, hearsay, etc. As a resu...lt of his ineptitude I ended up losing custody at my pendente lite hearing. Devastated, I began lawyer shopping. Joan-Marie was recommended to me by another attorney in town who did not have time to take my case at that point. I met with her and liked her immediately. She went right to work ordering transcripts and researching to prepare for the court date which was only 4 months away. I was most impressed with the way she put her heart into our case. It was abundantly clear that she had a personal interest in us not just as clients but as people. Her representation of us in court was head and shoulders above our first attorney and I have no complaints whatsoever about the way she handled our case. Unfortunately, the judge did not rule in my favor, leading us to file an appeal first to the civil appeals court and then to the Alabama Supreme Court. Joan-Marie really shines in written appeals. As mentioned by another reviewer, she is the editor of Alabama Law Weekly and is intimately familiar with decisions that are being written by all levels of the judiciary in this state. Her appeals arguments are extremely well written and the facts well documented. I have been in and out of court several times on this custody situation and have been forced to file multiple appeals, but it is in no way a reflection of poor representation on Joan-Marie’s part. I have recommended her to others and will continue to do so. I cannot imagine ever finding a lawyer who will put so much of her personal energy into a case. Her billing has been reasonable as well.

I first hired Ms. Dean 10 years ago, on two separate recommendations from friends who both happen to be judges. One of them spoke very highly of her knowledge of the law and said she would give me trustworthy advice in my (unexpected) divorce. The other gave me Ms. Dean's and another attorney's names..., but said Ms. Dean would do a better job for me in court than anyone else. I chose to hire her then and have not regretted it. Through no fault of hers, we have been back to court every few years and every single time she has won my cases. While we all like to believe the law is on the right side (ours), it is not alway easy to prove and I have been very grateful for her representation. I have had easier, and more difficult, attorneys to contact, but I'm not looking for a BFF. Her office staff is highly competent and courteous and she's got a lot of work; one should expect that. If you are looking for someone to stay on the phone and hold your hand, go somewhere else. If you want a bulldog in the courtroom, it is well worth the price of admission to see her in action. I would certainly not like to be on the other side.

Affiliation I am a current client of Ms. Joan-Marie Sullivan (Dean). I am also a "repeat customer" of Ms. Sullivan having had a successful outcome in a prior legal action (divorce amend). Client Assessment of Ms. Joan-Marie Sullivan (Dean) My rationale for retaining Ms. Sullivan's services ...was driven by a number of considerations, outlined below… a) Expert and Efficient Guidance: I have experienced very efficient and at times even firm guidance on issues that tend to be easily confusing due to intense emotional involvement… it is clear when working with Ms. Sullivan she is sensitive to issues like these with clients and can readily make course corrections and with clear explanation when needed. She knows clearly what goals can be achieved and how and what matters are of lesser importance. b) Efficient Communication: Ms. Sullivan has been efficient in communicating only as required to properly handle matters. This reduces the number of charges required to the client. Typically as an important milestone or deadline for a matter in a case approaches, Ms. Sullivan will respond professionally and capitalize on each communication and/or schedule consultation as needed. c) Exceptional Current Knowledge of the Law: Ms. Sullivan is the editor of the Alabama Law Weekly. This voluntary position requires Ms. Sullivan to review all current Alabama case matters, outcomes and resultant precedents on a weekly basis. This by nature keeps Ms. Sullivan's knowledge of Alabama law continuously updated. d) A Leader in Alabama State Law: Ms. Sullivan has actively engaged in challenging and updating Alabama law. Recent changes regarding forced payment of college for children in divorce settlements is one example of unjust law Ms. Sullivan has successfully challenged. It is clear she has a modern understanding of society and law and strives to bring Alabama code up to date with such. This greater understanding of society and law is a tremendous and highly unique asset she offers to her clients. e) Full Understanding and Expert Application of the Law: Ms. Sullivan not only has knowledge of the current law, she is an expert in its application (a function of not just hard work but in my opinion of exceptional ability). I have witnessed first-hand working with Ms. Sullivan her ability to in minutes capture a vast amount of information, process it with the client through careful questioning and real-time produce a legal product of high quality properly addressing and capturing all concerns of the client. This ability goes far beyond just hard work and knowledge but is an indicator of Ms. Sullivan's exceptional natural abilities and intellect. f) Experience and Motivation: Ms. Sullivan now has roughly 25 years of experience in the practice of law. What is surprising is her intensity, energy level and genuine enthusiasm for not just practicing but improving the law itself in the state of Alabama is very high and evident in her every word and action. This energy coupled with years of experience is one of the most impressive qualities of Ms. Sullivan and offers to her clients a very rare combination of knowledge, skills and abilities indeed! Conclusion I have and continue to be a client of Ms. Joan-Marie Sullivan (Dean). I have and will again recommend Ms. Joan-Marie Sullivan (Dean) to friends and colleagues who have expressed interest in finding expert legal representation. I believe Ms. Sullivan represents each of her clients in an efficient and highly intelligent fashion, making the fullest use of exceptional ability, knowledge, experience and motivation.

I have been in the court system in Alabama, Huntsville in a total of over 5 years. I have hired 3 attorney's in this length of time. I ended the hiring process with Joan Marie Dean. As previously stated by another client Joan Marie is sometimes unable to attend a hearing due to another client, she... should not be held accountable for scheduling conflicts due to the Judges itinerary's. At no time do I feel disconnected from her office. If she is unable to speak with me her legal assistant is always available, and passes along any messages or concerns that I may have. Joan- Marie has almost fixed all the blunders that the previous lawyers messed up, as well achieved extra money that was left on the table by them.. I have a deadbeat ex husband, who ignores his kids and tried to make bastards of them.. My children are special needs and Joan Marie is making sure that we/they get what they deserve!!! Everyone feels that there case is more important then the next, but Joan- Marie trys and achieves to make everyone equal!!! She is a busy lawyer who is trying to fit everyone in and her schedule has conflicts just like everyone else. The court system in Alabama is way to busy and not enough judges!!!! 30.00 and hour is not much for the level of care Joan Marie gives her clients...I spent 60-150 an hour for other lawyers who essentially screwed up!!!! My opinion is Joan Marie is excellent at her job....as a client you need to have patients!!! Perfection takes time!!!!! P.S. She was able to get a judge overturned in an appeal that doesn't normally ever get over turned!!!! Truly amazing!!!!!!! Sincerely Daisey

I hired Mrs. Joan Marie Dean to represent me in my divorce case, was impressed with her at our initial meeting and felt confident in her ability. Problems occurred during the first week when she was suppose to be in court representing me before the judge; Mrs. Dean stated she had a conflict and coul...dn't appear so she had another lawyer attend for her. The stand in attorney did a really good job and all Mrs. Dean had to do was to appear in front of the judge two days later (court date was on a Friday, she was to see the Judge on the following Monday). She didn't bother to show up and represent me, and I was out of my home for an additional 80 days. I tried repeatedly to get in touch with her by calling and sending emails to her of which she didn't bother replying to. I was finally forced to hire another attorney to represent me. When I emailed Mrs. Dean the information that I had obtained other legal counsel, she immediately called me while attending court in another county, wanting to know why I had acquired other counsel and was obviously upset. Mrs. Dean then actually had the audacity to show up at the court hearing my new counsel had scheduled in less than two days from being hired. Knowing she could no longer conjure up charges for services not provided, she billed me for every penny of the large retainer I had paid upfront and then added an additional 1/3 in fraudulent charges. Be forewarned that Mrs. Dean does not reply or respond to emails or phone messages and bills $30.00 (10% of a $300 an hour fee) to her clients for her assistant to receive any type of these communications. Bottom line is - do yourself a favor and look around before securing legal services in Huntsville, I am now having to go through the headache of trying to recoup some of my money from a lawyer that adamantly refused to represent me in a time of dire need.