$ 295-350 per hour
Paula A. Aylward
also known as Allegiant Legal, PC
About Paula
Biography
I have been an attorney for 35 years, starting out my career as an Assistant District (Prosecuting) Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, where I handled child abuse and sex crimes cases. I've been licensed and practicing in Michigan for 25 years, with a focus on child welfare and family law matters. I handle cases in administrative agency proceedings, in the Family and Circuit Courts, and on appeal to Michigan's Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. I have successfully represented parents, children, foster parents, grandparents and other relatives of children, in Child Protective (abuse/neglect) proceedings, and in adoption, guardianship, custody, divorce, and related matters, as well as having been very successful in helping individuals obtain expunction from Michigan's Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Michigan for 26 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Licensed in Texas for 27 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 35 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Licensed in Massachusetts for 36 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1989
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
28 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Linda | April 24, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Guardianship
Thank You from the bottom of our hearts
We hired Paula on a guardianship-custody case, she is awesome. She cares she is understanding. Paula takes the time to always be available and to listen to what you are telling her and she investigates like crazy to make sure not only does she have all the information but you do too. We could not hav...
Posted by Dee | April 24, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Family
One of the best
This review is way overdue. Better than 5 years ago now i contacted paula aylward in regards to a foster child that was in my care. He had been in my care since 2 month of age and he was now going on 5. He had been returned to bio mom several times and each time came back to me more abused, damaged a...
Posted by Clover | November 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney
The best attorney possible
We could not have asked for a better, more knowledgable or professional attorney than Paula. She always acted on our behalf in a reasonable and dignfied manner. We are truly grateful for her legal expertise and care.
Posted by John and Amy | October 16, 2013
thank you
Paula was awesome in her dealings with myself and my family, very caring. Her knowledge of the Michigan law and how they work is awesome, and if you have ever dealt with them you would know this is not an easy task. Thank you so much Paula for all you did for us and all you continue to do.
Paula A. Aylward's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Paula is an excellent, experienced, intelligent and dedicated attorney. She follows through on matters with intensity and diligence and leaves no stone unturned."
"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"
Stuart Shafer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Jeffrey Dworin
Business lawyer
Jeanne Hannah
Family lawyer
Experience
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 ChildrenMember
2015 - Present
Family Law Section, State Bar of MichiganMember
2015 - Present
Appellate Practice Section, State Bar of MichiganMember
2014 - Present
Children's Law SectionMember 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 ServicesStructured Decision Making Risk/Safety Assessments workgroup
2020 - 2023
Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and NeglectTask Force member
2017 - 2024
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court JudgesAssociate Member
2017 - 2018
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, CPS Program OfficeCentral 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
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
Legal Answers