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 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Punctuality

Posted by Ron | March 05, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Sustaita is a crook

Sustaita is a crook . He took my money , shook my hand , and lied to me with a smile on his face . He didn't show up for my court date , then signed a legal document that was the opposite of what I hired him to do . Avoid this theif like the plague . You will lose your money and lose in court

Posted by anonymous | March 06, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Appropriate $12,000.00

to handle traffic case and civil issue case, but did nothing. He doesn't show up for our scheduled meetings nor answer his phone and emails. Makeup excuses for not doing anything and hide how these cases escalate due to his negligence. I found a lawyer who did the work for less money and was more eff...icient.

Posted by Steven | October 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Research

I hired James to do my divorce. He frequently did not show for appointments and did not return e-mails or phone calls. I was hit for 75% of the medical expenses (should have been 50%) which cost me thousands of dollars. Paperwork was not filed in a timely manner regarding the custody of my daughter w...hich cost me a few more thousand dollars. My experience is not uncommon from what I have learned. I filed a grievance.

Posted by anonymous | May 06, 2012 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Worst Lawyer in Austin!

James is the worse lawyer in all of Austin, He was eager to get my money even wanted to come meet me anywhere but once he took my money he disappeared, never returned my calls or didn't remember to appear in court with me, I had to call to find out when i had court myself. He moves office every month..., doesnt have the experienced staff to help him with his clients, he talks the talk but once you give him money, he is gone! He doesnt care about anything but the money, I would not hire him or I would not reccomend him to anyone.

Posted by anonymous | February 14, 2012 | Criminal Defense

never a call

Family member is being sentenced tomorrow and we found out through a phone call from our loved one not from the attorney. If he couldn't make the trip out to the Del Rio district courts why did he take on the case. Court dates were re-set without notice...sometime failed to even show up...not recomme...ding him

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