James Stephen Sustaita

James Stephen Sustaita

4.2
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 26 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Austin, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family

1301 Nueces, Suite 200, Austin, TX

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018
See Details

About James

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 26 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1999

Not Eligible to Practice - Discipline

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2018

Location

Sustaita Law Firm

1301 Nueces, Suite 200, Austin, TX, 78701

Law Offices of James Stephen Sustaita

1301 Nueces, Suite 200, Austin, TX, 78701

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James Stephen Sustaita's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

47 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | March 04, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

COMPLETE RIP OFF .. Waste of time and money STAY AWAY!!

I switched to James because I felt my first lawyer was useless. James builds you up blows a bunch of smoke at you but does NOT do anything for you! He was always unprepared calling me to his house to "go over my divorce" when nothing was being done. Kept asking for money but never kept me informed.... Ex's Lawyer picked him apart and made him look foolish in court and me!! I got stuck with substandard visitation!! AND MY Ex wife was the one having a affair and making our 7 year old daughter LIE and hide the affair from me!! He didn't tell me I can appeal a divorce and NEVER NEVER did anything for me when It came to child Support.. Immediately after divorce was finalized he turned to me and said " Judge screwed you not me" and ran out of court like a dog with tail between its legs. Never to be heard from again!!

Posted by anonymous | December 05, 2013 | Drug Crime

Superb Criminal Lawyer

I hired this attorney for a serious felony drug case. The odds were against me but James rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He dismantled the State's case piece by piece and eventually got the charge dismissed! He saved my life!! Thank you, James Sustaita!!!

Posted by Kari | December 03, 2013 | Family

A Successful Outcome

Mr. Sustaita has represented me with the utmost respect and professionalism. He has extensive knowledge in family law and has completed my case in court with a high degree of success. He successfully adjudicated my case in court and was able to deliver his proposed outcome and more for my family. Mr.... Sustaita and staff is very hard working and caring. I would highly recommend Mr. Sustaita.

Posted by Yolanda | August 21, 2012 | Child Custody

James was unbelievably knowledgeable - A GREAT ATTORNEY TO HAVE BY YOUR SIDE IN THE COURTROOM!!!

Have been divorced for 8 yrs-primary residence for my 2 children. Daughter turns 16 and decides she want to live with dad. There is no way in H%LL I'm going down without a fight. I'm my child's only advocate (till I meet James)! My ex- has put my children as well as my self through so much! To know t...hat my daughter wants to live with dad because she was told she can only drive her new car to school if she lives with him was the icing on the cake for me! I hired an attorney who was able to get a continuance for my case. I was planning on using her for the case from beginning to end. After observing her skill, lack of aggressiveness and knowledge, I fired her day after recvng continuance. I called upon James Sustaita who I know had just lost his mother and was attending her funeral the day I was asking for my continuance. I hated to call and bother him at this time in his life but I knew this was going to be a BIG battle being that my daughter is 16 and can tell the judge where she wants to live. I had to fight with every email and text I had saved over the last 8 years. I knew the only person who could do this and be successful was James! I WAS RIGHT! He was very aggressive, effective with his family law knowledge and intimidating. He made my ex sweat like I've never seen before! Cross-examination kicked my ex's B#tt! My ex looked up at the judge and said" I'm nervous now"! My ex was so nervous he hadn't realized what he had just done! During another nervous episode he looked at James and said- "You're good, your real good!" It was worth every penny. It was a lot of pennies but worth every one! I'm so GLAD I called on James and he took my case in the middle of a family crisis! James is a GREAT guy and family is important to him! I know that is what makes him good at what he does. He is passionate! This round wan WON!!! Next round is coming up soon and I will be back to share our Victory!!! I highly suggest you call James to stand by your side in an important time of need!!! Thank you James! Yolanda

Posted by Erin | May 06, 2012 | DUI & DWI

Oustanding

I was facing a Criminal DWI and James worked very hard to get it reduced and successfully so. I knew every step of the process as James kept me in the communication loop. He is honest, fair and compassionate. I would trust James with any legal problem or advice that I needed

See All Client Reviews

James Stephen Sustaita's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Mylan Wesley Shaunfield headshot
Mylan Shaunfield

Family lawyer | Aug 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I had the privilege of training with James and couldn't have asked for a better mentor. His ability to think on his feet is unmatched and gives his clients a superior advantage. I know I wouldn't want to face him in the court room..."

Andrew Thomas Robertson headshot
Andrew Robertson

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. James is a great attorney and a great man. I have worked closed with James on many cases and have always been impressed with his hard work and due diligence."

View All Endorsements
Andrew Thomas Robertson headshot
Andrew Robertson

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018.

Disbarment issued in TX, 2018

updated on 03/15/2019

This is the most serious penalty for a lawyer. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the Texas State Bar to understand the reasons for this disbarment.

Disbarment issued in TX, 2018

updated on 08/07/2018

This is the most serious penalty for a lawyer. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the Texas State Bar to understand the reasons for this disbarment.

Fully Probated Suspension issued in TX, 2016

updated on 10/20/2016

Fully probated suspension means an attorney is technically suspended but may still practice law. The State monitors the lawyer's activities during the suspension to make sure that he or she does not repeat the behavior.

Work Experience

2009 - Present

Owner, Sustaita Law Firm

2006 - 2009

Attorney, Keel & Nassour, LLP

1999 - 2006

Attorney, Harris County Attorney Office

Associations

1999 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

1999 - Present

Federal Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

Travis County Bar Association

Member

2006 - 2006

Houston Bar Association

Director, Family Law

Education

1999

Texas Southern University

Languages

Spanish

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
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018
    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