Paula A. Aylward

Paula A. Aylward

also known as Allegiant Legal, PC

5.0
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 36 years

Appeals Lawyer at Marshall, MI
Practice Areas: Appeals, Family, Child Abuse, Adoption

P.O. Box 516, 124 W. Michigan Ave., 2d floor, Marshall, MI

About Paula

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Appeals 40%

Child welfare and family law appeals; Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect expunction appeals; foster care and day care licensing appeals; administrative agency appeals.

40%
Family 30%

Child custody, child support, spousal support, divorce appeals.

30%
Child Abuse 20%

Child welfare law representation in trial and appellate courts.

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 295-350 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 26 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2000

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Texas for 27 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1998

Inactive

No misconduct found

Licensed in New York for 36 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1990

Resigned

No misconduct found

Licensed in Massachusetts for 36 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1989

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Allegiant Legal PC

P.O. Box 516, 124 W. Michigan Ave., 2d floor, Marshall, MI, 49068

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Paula A. Aylward's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

28 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (28) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 10 of 28 reviews

Posted by Jennifer J | July 31, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Hiring Paula is the best decision I ever made!!!

My name had been put on the Central Registry for abuse and neglect basically over having a dirty house. The ramifications of this meant I couldn't work with kids, which is what my degree is in. I tried to have my name expunged, but the state people fed me some false information and my expungement was... dismissed. I contacted Paula and she was able to see that I clearly didn't belong on the list and she knew exactly what needed to be done to have my name removed. She was upfront with me about what could possibly happen, and also with what she thought most likely. She was available any time I had any concerns. The day she called to tell me my name was being expunged, without having to go back to court, I think she was almost as happy as I was! I highly recommend her and will definitely be calling her if I ever run into any issues that fall under her purview again.

Posted by anonymous | October 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney

"Simply the Best"

I was going through a very bad divorce and I was wrongly accused of some very serious accusations from my ex. I had lost my marriage, my home, my child and my job. You see, I am a teacher. And the parent of an amazing child! Paula was recommended to me and I consulted with her. She told me appro...ximately how long this would take, what she needed from me and what she would be able to do. It was a process and I had to be patient. I needed to have my case expunged from the central registry fairly quick so I could obtain employment as an educator. She knew what to do, who to contact and dug deep. She kept in regular contact via phone, email or both to update me on my case. She was able to prove my case in my favor, the accusations were unfounded. She let me know that I would be expunged from the central registry and I should be getting a copy for my records. I could not have been happier with the results and her ability to work in my favor. Her services don't come cheap, but you get what you pay for. She would found ways to cut expenses and was willing to work with my budget. I would recommend her without a doubt! I put all my faith into her and she did not disappoint.

Posted by Kristin | August 27, 2019 | Hired Attorney

She’s phenomenal!!!!

Paula is an amazing attorney! We received her name by chance from a friend. We met with her and gave her the details of our case. The rest of her work was done behind the scenes. She was in constant contact with with the prosecutor and our children’s attorney. She provided all of the legal info neces...sary to support our desired outcome. It was a long drawn out process and the end result was victory! I can’t say enough good things about Paula! We HIGHLY recommend her! She is worth every penny!!!

Posted by anonymous | August 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney

Adoption Lawyer

Paula was amazing as we were adopting two foster children, one of which had Indian heritage, so therefore ICWA was involved. Not only did Paula prove the children were best suited to stay in our home, but she provided much needed information to the assistant prosecuting attorney, the judge on the ca...se and others that were instrumental in the decision that the children could be adopted by us. She is an amazing lawyer that we would recommend to everyone!!!

Posted by anonymous | November 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney

Best Attorney For A Central Registry Removal Expungement

I will first start off saying my experience with attorneys has not been favorable. I’ve hired attorneys to handle issues within my business and I’ve had the worse possible outcomes and experiences. I was very leery to hire another although I knew I likely would not have received a favorable outcome w...ithout an attorney. When your middle class or poor your a victim of the system without the financial means to fight back. I hired Attorney Paula Aylward to contact DHHS for a phone conference meeting to request expungement from the Central Registry. Paula was very fair to work within my financial constraints. Paula was professional, polite, timely and excellent with details. She emailed me and responded immediately to my emails. She kept me updated on the status of my case and what she needed from me. She wholeheartedly believed I was unjustly put on registry and fought to get me off. Paula did an amazing job and the outcome on my expungement was granted. Paula even followed up with confirmation that I would get mailed an official copy that my name would be removed. She did excellent and I have absolutely no doubts she used all legal persuasion to relay the facts of my case to DHHS administrators to show why the current accusations were incorrect and why my name shouldn’t have been put on the registry to begin with. Paula is very well experienced and very knowledgeable. I am so happy I hired her and I received the outcome I had hoped for. I highly recommend her services especially If you have any type of family law, CPS, Central Registry, DHHS or similar legal issue. You can feel confident you are not just a file Paula will work hard to get you the best possible outcome and she will fully invest in your case. Thank you Job well done!

See All Client Reviews

Paula A. Aylward's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Paula
John Angus Campbell headshot
John Campbell

Family lawyer | Aug 26

Relationship: Other

"I heartily endorse Paula Aylward. I called Paula for a consult on a foster parent license-revocation hearing. Her expertise in the field was invaluable."

Tracy E. Green headshot
Tracy Green

Family lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Paula Aylward is an outstanding legal professional. She is a zealous advocate who is knowledgeable, conscientious, compassionate, and personable. Although she is well-regarded for her practice in a diversity of areas, I know Paula as an authoritative voice in the child welfare community. She has distinguished herself among her peers in this arena, generally, and she is highly sought for consultation in its specialty categories, such as Central Registry expunction. Paula is a reliable source of scholarly publications, as well. I would recommend Attorney Paula Aylward for consultation or hire --- to peers and prospective clients, alike --- without reservation."

Rhonda B. Ives headshot
Rhonda Ives

Appeals lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have first hand knowledge of Attorney Paula Aylward's amazing ability to identify the key winning issues on complex cases. I am also able to endorse Attorney Aylward's thoroughness in her document preparation and research. Not only is she well versed in legal issues at the trial Court level, her ability to navigate through complex Appelate issues far exceeds most. If you need an Attorney dedicated to the details or an Attorney to handle a complex legal issue, I recommend Attorney Paula Aylward."

Stuart R. Shafer headshot
Stuart Shafer

Appeals lawyer | Oct 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Paula is the best appellate lawyer I know. Her research is thorough, and her writing is persuasive. I trust her with my client's lives. She is the best."

Jeffrey Z. Dworin headshot
Jeffrey Dworin

General practice lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Paula is an excellent, experienced, intelligent and dedicated attorney. She follows through on matters with intensity and diligence and leaves no stone unturned."

Jeanne M. Hannah headshot
Jeanne Hannah

Family lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Paula actively pursues answers to difficult questions and networks with fellow family lawyers in both the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and the American Bar Association Family Law Section to remain fully informed about new developments in family law. Jeanne M. Hannah, family lawyer in Traverse City, Michigan"

View All Endorsements
Stuart R. Shafer headshot
Stuart Shafer

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jeffrey Z. Dworin headshot
Jeffrey Dworin

Business lawyer

Jeanne M. Hannah headshot
Jeanne Hannah

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2014

Parent Attorney of the Year, Foster Care Review Board

2014

Women in the Law awardee, Michigan Lawyer's Weekly

2013

A Lawyer Helps award, State Bar of Michigan

1995

Community Service Award, Young Israel of Queens Valley

N/A

Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure, American Jurisprudence

Work Experience

2006 - Present

President/Owner, Allegiant Legal, PC

2000 - 2006

Attorney, Levine & Levine

1997 - 2000

Attorney, McLanahan & Clearman

1995 - 1996

Attorney, Fay, Flynn & Fay

1989 - 1995

Assistant District Attorney, Brooklyn/Queens, New York District Attorneys Offices

Associations

2018 - Present

National Association of Counsel for Children

Member

2015 - Present

Family Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

Member

2015 - Present

Appellate Practice Section, State Bar of Michigan

Member

2014 - Present

Children's Law Section

Member and Amicus Committee member

2000 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

1998 - Present

State Bar of Texas

1989 - Present

State Bar of Massachusetts

2021 - 2023

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Structured Decision Making Risk/Safety Assessments workgroup

2020 - 2023

Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect

Task Force member

2017 - 2024

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

Associate Member

2017 - 2018

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, CPS Program Office

Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect workgroup

Sample of Legal Cases

Ayotte v Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 326 Mich App 483 (2018)

Prevailed on Appeal to the Michigan Court of Appeals

See More Legal Cases

Education

2012

Western Michigan University

MA - Masters

1989

Suffolk University Law School

Juris Doctor

1985

Boston College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2019

Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals annual conference

Title IV-E federal foster care funding appeals

2018

Michigan Probate Judges Association, annual meeting

Title IV-E federal foster care funding appeals

2018

Childrens' Protective Services Advisory Committee

Preponderance of the evidence standard in CPS investigations

1994

Queens County Criminal Bar Association seminar

Vulnerable Child Witnesses

Publications

2020

Inter-Com (Michigan Probate Judges Association) Title IV-E Updates

2019

State Bar of Michigan Bar Journal Temporal Limitations of the Relative Placement Preference

2013

Inter-Com (Michigan Probate Judges Association publication) Walking the Title IV-E Tightrope: A Guide to Securing Federal Funding for out of home placements and to appealing denials of Federal funding

2012

www.allegiantlegal.com The Central Registry: Michigan's Secret Life Sentence

2012

www.allegiantlegal.com The Danger of Waiving Your Right to Modify Spousal Support

2012

www.allegiantlegal.com Retroactive Application of Michigan's Revocation of Paternity Act

2005

ABA Dispute Resolution Magazine Integrity Meets Integrity: Using ombuds to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

2004

Western Michigan University Center for the Study of Ethics in Society The Ethics of Apology and The Role of Ombuds

2001

Therapeutic Jurisprudence seminar Therapeutic Jurisprudence and the Ombudsman

Languages

Spanish

Activity

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