Stephen Edward Daray

Stephen Edward Daray

also known as Stephen ES Daray, Steve Daray

3.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 28 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Westlake, OH
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody

905 Canterbury Road, Suite E, Westlake, OH

About Stephen

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 85%

Practice is limited to family law. The most common cases are divorce, dissolution, post decree actions, mediation, collaboration, and guardian ad litem work. Trained to both litigate and resolve without litigation.

29 years | 1,000 cases

85%
Child Custody 15%

This is specifically retained for child custody case only (juvenile court or post decree action)

29 years | 300 cases

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-295 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Ohio for 28 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Daray Law, LLC

905 Canterbury Road, Suite E, Westlake, OH, 44145

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Stephen Edward Daray's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.9 /5.0

18 Client Reviews

5 star (13)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (5)

Posted by anonymous | October 20, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

He will lose and say sorry

He lost my case and now I can’t see my son regularly. I was at least told that the minimum would be that my son would stay in the same state as me. But race also matters. If you aren’t white then they automatically are against you. So they definitely wanted to and did screw me over. Both lawyers and ...the judge all get together, talk smack, and just pick whatever they want and they think is in the best interest of the child. How are random white dudes that have no morals or ethics decide what’s in the best interest of my child? At least he could have said hey you aren’t gonna win this so just don’t go trial. He made me go a week of trial and miss work so he can make extra 10-15k. The judge and two lawyers are all in on it they go talk in the back and laugh about this stuff because to them breaking up families is just a game.

Stephen Daray

Replied last October 23, 2023

I don't know who this is so I cannot comment regarding the same. I am a divorce lawyer so the comment about wanting to break up families makes no sense. People are coming to me because their families are already broken and are looking for my assistance navigating that difficult time. One of the most difficult things to do is to determine what to do with children. I would never take a case to trial simply for the sake of going to trial. When it comes to financial matters, I have never taken a case over $10,000 to trial if it was going to cost $10,000 to do the hearing. It's a bit more difficult when it comes to children because there's not an easy cost benefit analysis like there is on the financial issues.

Posted by Stephanie | April 7, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Lawyer and Staff

If you're looking for a skilled divorce attorney who is also fair and honest, contact Steve Daray. His staff was always very helpful and responded to all of my questions timely without hesitation.

Posted by anonymous | January 25, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Would not recommend to anyone

Would not recommend to anyone, Steve will ignore your best interest and will focus on whatever is more convenient for him. Steve refused to properly get discovery which allowed my ex to hide tens of thousands of dollars. Steve will litigate with opposing counsel and have nothing to show for it except... for a bill for you at the end of the month. Steve will also make decisions without your knowledge that will affect the outcome of your case and you will not find out about it until your new attorney brings it to your attention.

Posted by Easton | January 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

All Process No Results

I was a client of Steve's for more than 5 months and in his own words, "[He's] a process guy, not a results guy." That about sums it up. He'll run you though hours of processes to bill up attorney's fees but doesn't actually get anything done. After 5 months and more than $5K in attorney's fees, he w...asn't even able to get my ex wife to surrender my birth certificate from our marital safe. When I told him I was no longer paying for "process" that didn't accomplish "results"...he quit. When people wonder why divorce attorneys have reputations of being leeches, Steve Daray is a live exhibit of the species in the wild. Choose someone else and run screaming from this place.

Stephen Daray

Replied last January 28, 2021

Getting through a divorce is absolutely a process and if a client doesn't follow their attorney's very clear instructions time after time then the responsible thing to do is to withdraw. The hope is that they find an attorney they can better connect with and follow the advice. Either follow my advice or get someone who's advice you will follow. The choice of words employed in his review are a good example of when an attorney-client relationship should end. I truly do hope the best for Easton and him finding the right counsel for him.

Posted by Dan | May 9, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Experience matters

Divorced, finally, after a long journey. Mr.Daray was there for me throughout the entire ordeal. Unfortunately, my divorce was very contentious and we stayed the course, played fair, did the right thing at every turn and in the end Mr. Daray was the absolute best person to represent me and my child...ren’s best interests. I’m still stunned how well things worked out and I’m so glad I heeded his counsel.

See All Client Reviews

Stephen Edward Daray's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Stephen
Anthony Pecora headshot
Anthony Pecora

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"If I were to get a divorce and needed a relentless warrior, Steve would be the one to hire."

William Harry Hunt headshot
William Hunt

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Steve is an extremely competent and conscientious divorce lawyer. He is also very sensitive to the human aspects of the participants in a divorce case. He is a pleasure to work with on a case, even as an adversary."

James Lee Lane headshot
James Lane

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

William Joseph Balena headshot
William Balena

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I know Steve through the Lorain County Bar Association. Steve is on the cutting edge of technology which he uses to great advantage for his clients."

Rick Stahl headshot
Rick Stahl

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Steve is a great attorney, always putting his clients first. He is an exceptional knowledge of the law, and is very professional at all times. I highly recommend him for all areas of Family Law."

View All Endorsements
William Harry Hunt headshot
William Hunt

Family lawyer

Rick Stahl headshot
Rick Stahl

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers

2019

Best Attroney, Best Attroneys of America

2018

10 Best Attroneys, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2018

Top 10 Attorneys, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys

2017

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2011

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Attorney, Schoonover, Rosenthal, Thurman & Daray

1997 - 2011

Attorney, Law Offices of Stephen E.S. Daray

Associations

2005 - Present

Lorain County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

1998 - Present

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

1998 - 1998

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Family Law Section

President

Education

1997

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1994

Michigan State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2008

Cleveland Bar Association-Multiple Times

Various Divorce Topics

Publications

2008

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal The Use of Pretrial Statements in Litigation

2007

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal Shared Parenting & Caculation of Child Support

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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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