David Matthew Gotzh

David Matthew Gotzh

4.2
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 16 years

Appeals Lawyer Practice Areas: Appeals

About David

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Appeals 100%

Appellate Practice

17 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-250 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 16 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2009

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

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David Matthew Gotzh's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

37 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Free Consultations

Posted by Neil | October 29, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Unreliable and poor business

My case is post-decree and I have worked with multiple attorneys. He is the worst. He appeared to be decent in his short prepared YouTube videos. As my issues should be easier than the appellate court cases he bragged about, I gave him a shot I regretted ignoring the warnings in those 1 star revie...ws(15%) These drastically differences(only 5 or 1 star) in reviews about same business should serve as red-light warning signs to watch out for. Also I did not do enough google search About this business before making the decision. and more warning reviews about him can be found on web with more chilling stories. So lesson 1 is to don't believe those YouTube videos serving for advertisements;watch out for systematic extreme-opposit reviews and google more to know the bussiness. In early days, I tried his so-called five minutes free call update weekly and found out that he spends more time to beat around bushes than on specific issues I care about for my case only. Even worse, I found that he tend to deny thing that you talk with him. So later, i wrote to him in concise bullet points in specific issues even during/after calls. Then you will find the delayed response with most meaningless stuffs and all excuses that he got delayed. This guy works by himself and you cannot expect his performance after business hours/late at night. So lesson 2 is that those free status call is purely a trap for him to get more billable time and you also get bills for a few minutes(down to 1-2 minutes) about those useless comments he replied. Now comes to the worse part of him, I found him misrepresent me on positions since he agreed things that I have wrote him multiple time before the hearing date to list my oppositions. He failed to do his due-diligence while charging time for reading your emails/talking with you. Now he could not deny his misconducts anymore but dropped the case to save his ass in last minute. This put me in a bad situation to get over myself. The worst part is that he still spent longest time to defend how professional he is before he quitted himself and billed me on those useless stuff. In short, like other reviewers, he is completely NOT reliable and professional. You can NOT count on his words and he will dump the case at his convenience. His hourly bill seems low, but his cost is even lower as self-employed and no fixed offices etc. Plus his performance is nothing better than a paralegal. Finally, he made every ways to get billable time on useless stuffs. In summary, stay away from this business and think seriously before you choose it. Otherwise, you will end up paying a pricy bill for the worst service to screw your case.

David Gotzh

Replied last October 29, 2020

Without breaking privacy rules, Neil and I ran into a dispute over values. Namely, that "the deal, is the deal." Meaning when we make a deal, that's the deal. E.g., you fight like heck when the other side tries to change the "deal" after it's been struck - otherwise called "settler's remorse." It's common in family law, so if you want to avoid having your client bled dry with new requests/changes, you have to nip that in the bud the moment you see it. But it's a 2-way street. Neil was aware of my rule. A deal was struck, but after court he wanted me to take a radically different position. I didn't feel comfortable going back on my word to the judge. During the 18 months I was his lawyer, he never complained. So I am surprised at this review, despite us parting on less than ideal terms.

Posted by anonymous | September 21, 2017

Thorough & Detailed

David Gotzh reviewed my concerns and looked over the documents in literally no time. He responded back to me with an absolutely more than thorough response that was extremely helpful. For a free consultation, David was so kind to be so detailed, thorough and so quick to respond. Should we need to pur...sue anything further, we will definitely hire him. I strongly recommend David to help you in sorting out your issue.

Posted by Hugo | December 14, 2012 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Great Attorney

David is a great attorney, wish I had hired him before dishing out $$$ to other attorneys for their so called free evaluation once again thank you for representing me in such of victorious undertaking David Gotzh is truly your Ace in the hole Thank you David for representing me in my moment of nee...d

Posted by anonymous | June 07, 2010

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Attorneys have a habit of making all kinds of promises just to land a client. However, when push comes to shove, nine times out of ten they will let the client down. I read your advise and was impressed. It is, what it is, or simply you can't answer the question without more information. You seem to ...have backbone and want to do the best job you can to help the client and not just offer them coffee and advise for $75.00. And to make things better, you have a website that offers people answers to their questions for free without any commitment. I really think that I would hire you. Thanks for restoring my faith in the legal system.

See All Client Reviews

David Matthew Gotzh's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
Anthony Bettencourt Cameron headshot
Anthony Cameron

Family lawyer | Sep 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A perfect example of a specializing lawyer who has mastered his subject matter. I am always anxious to read his answers because I know they are going to be true to the statute and case law. I don't practice in this are but I surely admire the way David does."

Channika Shalini Desilva headshot
Channika Desilva

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Gotzh is undoubtedly a top notch attorney who has skillfully mastered his primary area of practice over the course of his professional experience. His sharp critical thinking and flawless work ethic are perhaps the key qualities which ensured the success of a remarkable number of his cases. I endorse this lawyer and encourage anyone who needs superior legal representation to opt for his services."

Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Family lawyer | Aug 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Gotzh. Very knowledgeable and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first."

Jill L Rogers headshot
Jill Rogers

Unknown lawyer | Feb 26

Relationship: Other

"A highly experienced, well-rounded and compassionate attorney. I endorse this lawyer"

Sean Cleary headshot
Sean Cleary

Child custody lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Other

"This lawyer is knowledgeable, efficient and talented. I endorse this lawyer."

Anthony Robert Scifo headshot
Anthony Scifo

Family lawyer | Aug 11

Relationship: Other

"Mr. Gotzh continues to show that he is knowledgeable and experienced in the realm of family law through the answering of his avvo questions. I have no reservation endorsing this attorney."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Child custody lawyer | Jul 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Chase N Morinaka headshot
Chase Morinaka

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 24

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. He is well respected among his peers."

Gina M. Famularo headshot
Gina Famularo

Child support lawyer | Jun 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Child custody lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse David. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Daniel Tam headshot
Daniel Tam

Unknown lawyer | Feb 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. It is clear by reading the answers in the AVVO community that this lawyer is a top notch attorney who is highly respected in the legal community."

John Michael Phillips headshot
John Phillips

Unknown lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"With a great track record of hundreds of published answers to consumer questions on Avvo.com and the recommendations from clients and attorneys alike, it is easy to see that attorney Gotzh is skilled and knows the law well, too. Kudos."

Judy A. Goldstein headshot
Judy Goldstein

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the privilege of watching David Gotzh in court and reading his contributions online both here at Avvo and on other professional listservs. Mr. Gotzh is a consummate professional with a wealth of knowledge. I would not hesitate to refer clients to him and highly endorse him."

Jeffrey Scott Hyslip headshot
Jeffrey Hyslip

Family lawyer | Oct 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard Robert Roitman headshot
Howard Roitman

Family lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brian Michael Radke headshot
Brian Radke

Family lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Gotzh consistently and continually provides accurate and reliable information in his answers on Avvo. He is very knowledgeable not only in the law, but also how it is applied and interpreted by the local judiciary."

Bruce E. Burdick headshot
Bruce Burdick

Family lawyer | Jan 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I continually amazed at the brevity and clarity of the answers on Avvo by attorney Gotzh. Always helpful, accurate and to the point, I am pleased to endorse this service-oriented lawyer. I"

Michael John Gauthier headshot
Michael Gauthier

Unknown lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
J. Richard Kulerski headshot
J. Kulerski

Family lawyer

Donald Lamar Cobb headshot
Donald Cobb

Divorce and separation lawyer

Alan James Brinkmeier headshot
Alan Brinkmeier

Appeals lawyer

Salim John Sheikh headshot
Salim Sheikh

Criminal defense lawyer

Sarah Marie Cole headshot
Sarah Cole

Contracts and agreements lawyer

Donald John Ramsell headshot
Donald Ramsell

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2011

Certification in Mediation & Arbitration, Illinois State Bar Association

2011

Advanced Family Law Practioners Conference, Illinois State Bar Association

2011

Certification - Pets and the IMDMA, Illinois State Bar Association

2010

Certification in Child Visitation, Abuse, and Kidnapping, Prairie State Legal Services

2010

Title IV Child Support Certification, Chicago Bar Association

2010

Certification: Issues Impacting Children & Custody, Illinois State Bar Association

2009

Guardian Ad Litem Certification, Illinois State Bar Association

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Attorney, Prairie State Legal Services Inc

2010 - Present

President, Law Office of David Gotzh

2009 - 2010

Attorney, Cabrini Green Legal Aid

2008 - 2008

Associate, Capital University School of Law Poverty Clinic

Associations

2018 - Present

Appellate Lawyers Association

Member

2011 - Present

North Suburban Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Will County Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Kankakee County Bar Association

Vice Chair

2009 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Co-chair

2001 - Present

American Legion

Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

IRFMO Aref, 1-15-1357

Reversal of Support and Maintenance

See More Legal Cases

Education

2008

Capital University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor - Juris Doctor

2005

Valparaiso University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2011

American Legion Benefit

American Legion Benefit

Publications

2014

Accounts Recovery Collecting Illinois Debts

2011

Inside Track: State Bar of Wisconsin Crazy eyes: Why effective client intake is critical

2010

American Bar Association Journal Warning Signs

Languages

English

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 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