Dorothy Dagmar Meindok

Dorothy Dagmar Meindok

4.4
Rating: 6.3

Licensed for 13 years

Administrative law Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: Administrative Law, Social Security, Bankruptcy & Debt ... +3 more

1 Private, San Diego, CA

About Dorothy

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Administrative Law 55%

Veterans Law Recognized SME All levels- specialty and complex appeals

15 years | 1,111 cases

55%
Social Security & Disability 17%

I am an Accredited VA attorney. Social security law involves the intricacies of the American public benefits system that provides social security income. Social security is funded by taxes you pay when you are working. Once you stop working and meet the eligibility requirements, you receive monthly benefits. This occurs when you retire, have a recognized social security disability, or are the surviving spouse or child of a person entitled to social security. There are many social security laws

11 years

17%
Bankruptcy and Debt 10%

A bankruptcy attorney can help you manage personal or business debts you are unable to pay. Bankruptcy laws allow people and businesses to (1) get a “fresh start” by relieving most debts; and (2) repay the money owed to all creditors as fairly as possible.

11 years

10%
Federal Crime 10%

The U.S. government, sometimes referred to as the “federal” government, has decided that a number of activities are criminal. These federal crimes are typically very serious and are tried in federal courts under special federal rules of procedure. Some examples of federal crimes include the use of biological weapons, acts of civil disorder, kidnapping, and racketeering, just to name a few. If you are accused of a federal crime, you should enlist the services of a federal crime lawyer.

11 years | 35 cases

10%
Civil Rights 5%

A civil rights attorney helps protect the personal rights granted to you by the government. When someone violates those rights, a civil rights attorney can help you make them stop these violations, or repay you for any damage they have done to you. Your civil rights are spelled out in federal and state constitutions and in discrimination laws.

11 years

5%
Immigration 3%

Immigration attorneys (sometimes called “green card lawyers”) represent people who want to come to the United States, whether it be for schooling, work, or just a visit. Immigration lawyers can also help “illegal” immigrants found living in the U.S. without permission. Immigration laws govern who can enter the U.S., how long they can stay, what they can do while they are here, and how they can become American citizens.

11 years | 11 cases

3%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 100-300 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Iowa for 6 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 2019

Pro Hac Vice

No misconduct found

Licensed in New York for 13 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2012

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Dorothy Dagmar Meindok

1 Private, San Diego, CA, 92592

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Dorothy Dagmar Meindok's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (7) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews

Posted by Sabrina Liller | June 09, 2015 | Criminal Defense

Very hard working and cares for her clients well being

Hello Ms. Meindock is very hard working and took both mine and my fiance's cases on probono.Ms. Meindock got my fiance out of a world of trouble at no charge to us and really worked very hard on the case as if we paid her good money, which was not the case cause she did it out of the goodness of her ...heart. Dot got right to work on my case and did everything she could on her part to get my lawsuit settled through GEICO insurance company but unfortunately I did not follow through on my part but GEICO did get back to Dot with an offer. As for my fiances case she got him out of a bogus gun charge on her own dime and for that We were so grateful!!.She worked very hard and really knows her career in and out, very knowledgeable. I give ms. Meindock an A+ all the way around. Ms. Meindock comes very highly recommend by my fiance and myself

Posted by Chad Felker | May 25, 2015 | Criminal Defense

very professional

Dorothy was my Fiance's and my lawer in NY state. Dot was very knowledgeable and really did her homework when it came to our cases..She always kept us informed and up to date.. Dot fought very hard on our cases and she would inform you of what she thoughtbyour best route for you to go but ultimately... she we tell you its your decision and she would back you and fight for you 110%..Dot is very professional and very passionate in her career and ultimately cares for her clients and their rights.. She got me out of a bogus felony gun charge the D.A. was trying to get me with..I would very highly recommend Ms. Meindock as your lawer cause she will fight for you unlike a few other lawyers I had in the past that just told you here is the offer better take it..If you want a very good chance at winning your case call Ms. Meindock.. Chad, NY State

Posted by Tara | April 17, 2015

I have never met an attorney so genuine.

Dot did exactly what she told me she would do. She was very open and honest that I was not in the best situation. She laid out all of the options, both good and bad. She explained how each option might turn out. It happened just like she thought it would. I am happy to have found her because I can un...derstand her.

Dorothy Meindok

Replied last April 17, 2015

My genuine thanks. Dot

Posted by Tara | April 17, 2015 | Bankruptcy & Debt

bankruptcy

I would never have been able to afford a conventional bankruptcy. Dorothy was very knowledgeable and helpful at every turn. Would highly recommend her to anyone.

Dorothy Meindok

Replied last April 17, 2015

Tara - Thank you so much. In fact, I do not know which Tara is which ( I had two Tara's with open cases at the same time.) Either way, you both were a pleasure to work with. Blessings.

Posted by anonymous | March 03, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Misled

We would like to start with the positive remarks first. Dorothy Meindok is a knowledgeable attorney who we feel is quite capable of handling a diversified case load. However, our experience with Dorothy Meindok was at best stressful and distrustful. We were one of her initial cases in New York State ...after she had passed the bar exam (2012). We were thankful and very appreciative towards Dorothy for taking our civil case in (2012). In the initial stages she was responsive, caring and seemingly dedicated with our case. Prior to going to Discovery in (summer 2012), she mailed our case file back to us and attempted to drop our case with letters sent stating her unhappiness with us personally as clients. We notified the Judge and submitted all letters and personal emails sent by Dorothy Meindok to us. Following these events, we were all brought in front of the Judge and Dorothy continued with our case and the Discovery proceedings meeting in (summer 2012). We were fine with a fresh start and hopeful outlook until Dorothy mentioned she was going to appeal a decision that the Judge had made allowing the plaintiffs' attorney to continue. Ms. Meindok had told us in (December 2012) that she was going to begin writing an appeal and in the following months of February and March (2013) when we contacted her to find out what was happening with this appeal she mentioned that she felt that the appeal did not wish to be heard and she was not going to proceed any further. We looked into this matter and found this was not true that the appeal would be at least heard. Shortly thereafter Dorothy had mentioned that she would be leaving New York State and going to Illinois. We met with her in June (2013) and she had stated to us that she would keep our case since no one else would probably take our case. We were very thankful to her until we received a copy of a letter that Dorothy had faxed/sent to the court in June (2013), on the very same day that we had met with her, at her office in Bath, New York, stating to the court that she would not be keeping us as clients and that she advised us to find another attorney.

Dorothy Meindok

Replied last March 03, 2015

That is not how I remember things. I also remember that I worked your case with integrity, ethics and passion for many, many months without one single penny being paid to me. This rating is unfair and I think you know it. I would like to address a few things you stated. To begin with, I returned your file because of unacceptable behaviors. I was defending your civil matter, which was many years old (I was the 3rd attorney you had,) for FREE, due to your veteran status, and I was not willing to work under those conditions. You are correct, we worked it out and tried it a second time despite my caution. Perhaps, I should have heeded my own warning that no good deed goes unpunished. Regardless, I will try to explain to you once more. Just because a case can be heard by an appellate court (they accept the brief) does not mean the case has any potential to reach the outcome you are seeking. I have a duty to a client and a duty to the court to not pursue frivolous matters.While the issue was and is very important to you as you see things, it does not always equate to a matter of importance to an Appellate Court. Appeals cost upwards of $10,000.00 most times. Without a stronger possibility of success, an appeal is cost prohibitive. Who was going to pay for this? That is a lawyer's job - to make those decisions after analyzing the facts and the law. I would have very much liked to have argued your case because I still think there is a conflict of interest. The trial court disagreed. Looking at the reasoning of the trial Judge in his interlocutory decision and the surrounding case law, etc..., there was not much chance of overturning his decision and removing the opposing counsel for conflict of interest. I did let you know that. You were not happy. I understand. The following months I repeatedly and diligently requested discovery from opposing counsel to no avail. I motioned at one time to have the Judge compel compliance. Opposing counsel was moving offices and was given more time to produce. He did not. I was waiting the time the Judge gave him to comply and the time that corresponding case law had deemed as "reasonable" (which is a standing legal precedent,) before taking further action and asking, (for the second time) a dismissal on your case for want of prosecution. I am very sad that you suddenly change your story & berate me here. I was there, for free, and worked very hard on your case & did what could be done. I spent a lot of time & my own personal money on your case, because I cared. Your previous lawyer was also not acceptable to you & my taking your case, for free, because of your veteran status, saved you several thousands of dollars for which you said you were grateful (?) because you told me that you could not afford paying him any longer. Sadly, I cannot force a Judge to dismiss your case, strike an opposing counsel, or to create timelines which suit you. I can ask & argue for it - and, I did. The answer was - no. Understand that my health took a turn for the worse. I have a right to be near family and friends, just like anyone else, when things like that are hanging in the balance. I told you that I would stay on your case as long as I could. However, I could not guarantee that I would be able to go the distance being several states away. I recommended that you seek another attorney. I followed up with a letter to memorialize that encounter that same day. Time passed and I was contacted by a local attorney asking for your file. I promptly supplied that to her and again, using my own personal money, sent it with tracking and priority. I have heard nothing from or about you since. I was hoping that you were in good hands and that your case was progressing. Now, I get this review, and there is much more I could say in my defense but I won't because I am not a person that thrives on conflict or hurting others. I do wish you the best in your future and I hope that you heal from your neighbor's actions.DM

See All Client Reviews

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Experience

Rating:  6.3 (Good)

Honors

2008

Dean's List, South Texas College of Law

2004

Most Honored Graduate, University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Panel Attorney, Office Of The Federal Public Defender - Criminal Justice Act Panel

2012 - Present

Federal Attorney; not yet licensed in Illinois, Office of D. Meindok, Esq./ Law for Us All, ltd.

2007 - 2010

Felony Court #263, Harris County District Attorney's Office

2007 - 2007

Legal Intern, Department Of Veteran's Affairs Regional Counsel

Associations

2014 - Present

7th Circuit Bar Association

Member

2014 - Present

B.P.O.E. Kewanee, Illinois

Member

2013 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2012 - Present

New York State Bar Association

Attorney Member

2012 - Present

New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Dept.

Attorney Member

2011 - Present

Department of Veteran's Affairs

Accredited Veteran's Attorney

2007 - Present

Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Attorney Member

2006 - Present

American Bar Association

Attorney Member

2008 - 2009

Delta Theta Phi

Vice Dean

Sample of Legal Cases

USA v. Dangelo Dior Dixon

http://www.qconline.com/archives/dixon-found-guilty-of-two-bank-robberies/article_f1266c4f-5378-5460-8392-1b81cec7452c.html

State of New York vs. Chad Felker

Dismissed

USA v. Casey Hunter

Mr. Hunter was found Guilty in a case where he chose to initially represent himself. He did so for the first day of trial.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2014

Defender Services Office/Training Division, Administrative Office of the United States Courts

Completed

2010

South TX College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2012

Private

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and EEOC

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

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