James Robert Schmillen

James Robert Schmillen

4.5
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 24 years

Family Lawyer at Scottsdale, AZ
Practice Areas: Family, Litigation

8140 E Cactus Rd Ste 720 B, Scottsdale, AZ

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Arizona for 24 years

State: Arizona

Acquired: 2001

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Schmillen Law Firm PLLC

8140 E Cactus Rd Ste 720 B, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260-5265

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

James Robert Schmillen's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

23 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (23) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews | Divorce & Separation

Posted by Marta | August 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best Decision Ever!

I can't say enough great things about Jim. I would highly recommend him to anyone that is dealing with a divorce. I couldn't have done it without him. Thank you so much :)

Posted by Chris | January 06, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Smart and Diligent

Jim is the kind of attorney that gets your issue resolved quickly and provides a great result. He also handled my daughter's divorce and I believe because of his accounting and finance background, he got her a better result than anyone else would have!

Posted by Jennifer | August 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Jim is wonderful

Jim (James) handled my divorce and custody situation for me recently. Him and his team were compassionate, caring, loyal and hard working with my case. I was an emotional disaster when I came into the firm in the beginning due to being a stay at home mom for 11 years and a ex that was out to destroy ...me. Jim stood up for me every turn of the way. In the end I received more than my expectations in both child custody and spousal support. My ex was known to bully me and I knew Jim would stand up for me in court and through e-mails to him. He really made a traumatic event in my life as easy as possible. I'd recommend him to anyone needing an attorney who will fight for you, cares about his clients and puts heart into what he does.

Posted by Susan | June 18, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Absolutely the Best

Jim Schmillen took over my divorce proceedings after another Central Avenue lawyer had escalated my case well beyond my wishes, angered the Judge and shut down communications with the opposing side. Within days of hiring him he had re-evaluated my issues, opened communications, and saved me a costly ...and unnecessary deposition. He was then able to quickly prepare for our Temporary Orders hearing presenting a respectful and united front to the Judge. It made all the difference! Our experience would go on to include court ordered mediation and an eventual trial. Mr. Schmillen's council proved invaluable. He was able to champion the causes I found most important to me, for the life I wanted going forward, and for the needs of my children. His accounting background assisted me in realistically planning for my present situation and for building a strategy to secure my future needs. He and his staff were always helpful and accessible for questions or guidance and I always felt my case was their top priority. If you ever need to go to trial, you will want Jim Schmillen with you. He comes well prepared with a brilliant mind and demeanor. That will make all the difference! My future quality of life and for my children largely depended on the hour and a half we were given before the Judge at trial. He made all the difference! If that were not enough, he is fair with his fees at a time when you most need it. If you are thinking of divorce, unhappy with your present attorney, not being heard, being over billed, or need advice about a child custody issue I highly recommend a consultation with Jim Schmillen. He is absolutely the best advocate you will find!

Posted by Kelsi | May 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Exceeded My Expectations

Jim is technically my third lawyer in my case which goes to show how long and dynamic my case has been. A friend referred me to his lawyer, who heard my case and actually said, "You want Jim Schmillen." To have a lawyer recommend another says a lot, and Jim has actually exceeded the expectations I ha...d. I hired Jim for hearing last minute; the case was a few weeks out. He advised me to proceed in manners that were refreshing, on point, and also very relaxing for my nerves. He and his office staff are always extremely quick to respond, kind, and professional; Jim was fully prepared in court even with my lengthy case and short notice. Jim continues to advise me on exactly how to proceed and makes me feel confident in my case with my relentless ex. I trust him because he has shown me he performs and even covers extra bases just in case of anything recurring if you have an ex like mine. It is nice to finally feel confident in a battle that was emotionally and mentally exhausting prior to hiring Jim. I have since referred friends who also love his expertise, efficiency, and professionalism.

See All Client Reviews

James Robert Schmillen's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Nicholas David Boca headshot
Nicholas Boca

Family lawyer | Sep 03

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"James is an absolute professional. He is very knowledgeable and advocates well for his clients. James is responsive and and very personable. I look forward to handling cases with him in the future."

Oksana P Holder headshot
Oksana Holder

Family lawyer | Feb 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Schmillen is a solid litigation attorney with years of experience and a talent for persuasive argument. I endorse this lawyer."

Heidi Lukacsik headshot
Heidi Lukacsik

Family lawyer | Feb 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I had the pleasure of working alongside James on a complex family matter. It is evident to me that James is very passionate about his clients and strives to only provide exceptional service, which includes, from my observation, compassionate, personable and clear communication with his clients and opposing parties, detailed and thorough legal reasoning and a focused skilled approach with his legal strategy - all of which aids a client tremendously if not becomes primarily responsible for the client's success. I highly recommend James as a family lawyer and whenever I have a conflict, he's one of the very first I consider to refer a case to."

James Lamond Cook headshot
James Cook

Family lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Jim is an excellent advocate for his clients. He's aggressive and an incredible writer."

Cynthia C Albracht-Crogan headshot
Cynthia Albracht-Crogan

Litigation lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Jim for over 15 years and have had the pleasure to work with him on many occasions. Jim is smart, a talented advocate, proactive, practical, hard-working and truly cares about his clients. I highly endorse Jim for any litigation matter."

Jason B Castle headshot
Jason Castle

Family lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Mr. Schmillen is an excellent attorney that appears to have a strong appreciation for his client's needs, but able to remain reasonable and problem focused. I strongly endorse Mr. Schmillen as a family law attorney. Additionally, I have found Mr. Schmillen to be a good person that maintains a high ethical standard."

Stasy D Click headshot
Stasy Click

Family lawyer | Jul 20

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Jim and I met as opposing counsel on a highly contentious divorce case. I found Jim to not only be a great advocate for his client, but also knowledgeable and skilled in financial analysis. I would highly recommend him to any potential client, and frequently send him referrals when I cannot assist a client."

Dianne N Sullivan headshot
Dianne Sullivan

Family lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Jim for several years, both as a friend and as opposing counsel. He is compassionate and hard working, and consistently goes above and beyond for his clients. He is well respected by his peers and by the bench, which is a rare things in the legal field."

Rebecca Marie Marquis headshot
Rebecca Marquis

Family lawyer | Jul 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have found Jim to be the consummate professional, incredibly trustworthy, and very knowledgeable in the areas of civil and family law. Jim is an experienced advocate who works hard to achieve resolution while never compromising his client's interests. I recommend Jim without hesitation."

View All Endorsements
Nicholas David Boca headshot
Nicholas Boca

Family lawyer

Oksana P Holder headshot
Oksana Holder

Divorce and separation lawyer

Heidi Lukacsik headshot
Heidi Lukacsik

Family lawyer

James Lamond Cook headshot
James Cook

Family lawyer

Norma C Izzo Milner headshot
Norma Milner

Family lawyer

Jason B Castle headshot
Jason Castle

Marriage and prenuptials lawyer

Stasy D Click headshot
Stasy Click

Family lawyer

Dianne N Sullivan headshot
Dianne Sullivan

Divorce and separation lawyer

Rebecca Marie Marquis headshot
Rebecca Marquis

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

AV Preeminnent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®

2015

Attorney of the Month Award, Volunteer Lawyers Program of Arizona

2015

Top Pro Bono Attorneys In Arizona, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Owner/Attorney, Schmillen Law Firm/Mouser & Schmillen

2015 - 2015

Adjunct Professor, Arizona Summit Law School

2004 - 2011

General Counsel, Younger Brothers Companies

2001 - 2004

Associate, Cohen Kennedy Dowd & Quigley

Associations

2016 - Present

MCBA Family Law Section

Board Member

2011 - Present

Maricopa County Bar Association

2001 - Present

State Bar of Arizona

Education

2001

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1998

University of Arizona

Bachelor of Science in Business Adminstration,

Speaking Engagements

2015

Guest Speaker for Family Law Class

Ethics in Family Law

Languages

English

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 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