John J Alastra

End of life decisions are many things ~ the words complicated, & intimidating immediately come to…read moremind. As I'm not getting any younger, I reached out to my uncle, who is an attorney in another specialty, to seek a referral for writing my last will and other related legal documents. My uncle worked with David Bale decades ago and could attest to how thoughtful and thorough he was. This certainly proved to be the case. I made first contact via his website and received a prompt response including details about the price, process and expectations. His responsiveness was impeccable from start to finish. In those early emails he provided me with all the materials I needed to be prepared for our first meeting. I greatly appreciated this because when you pay by the hour, time is essentially money. During our first meeting he gently asked informed questions to ensure that he was accurately capturing my intentions. When applicable, he presented several options for me to choose what best suited my needs. After the meeting Mr. Bale drafted all of the necessary documents and emailed them to me for proofing and updating. This was a seamless and efficient process that I feel also saved time and money. Once documents were reviewed, we set our final meeting which included signing, notary services and receipt of official documents & copies thereof. All documents were also provided to me electronically as well. I was quoted $750 for the entire process and we stayed on target. He was kind and made an effort to get to know me in effort to help me make more informed decisions.

I had contacted the Mr bale's office via yelp after reading the reviews here. Honestly people…read moreshould review attorneys and others like inspection services, title agencies etc. I believe this area is life changing and needs more focus rather than just restaurants(Which is important too ). I am going to make sure i will review in the most unbiased and descriptive way of all kind of services and people i come across to give a clearer picture to someone who comes after me. Moving on to the main topic, Mr bale was contacted for legal counsel on home closing/real estate. Many attorneys i spoke to required a paid consultation to explain my issue whereas Mr David Bale made sure he had a brief conversation firstly by emails and a short call to understand my requirement of legal counsel totally free. This opens up a window to communicate if you really need a counsel or it is too early or late. Based on his genuine suggestions and advices during our short call i can tell how knowledgeable and experienced he is and i am pretty sure he has dealt with varied real estate related legal situations. In terms of fees, they were reasonable and i think they are standard across all columbus. It is a hard decision to pick an attorney from a plethora of choices on the internet, and i hope my review helps somebody.

Law Offices of Gary Vinson II

Over a period of several months this past winter and spring, my wife and I had the pleasure of…read moreworking with Mr. Gary Vinson and his Office in crafting a Family Trust for our family. I had been dreading this task for the usual reasons (don't want to think about dying, worried about family dissension, etc.), but Mr. Vinson supplied ample verve, sensitivity, and good humor, along with exceptional professional expertise, to make the process as pain-free as it could possibly be. At the outset, Susan and I had no clear idea of what we were doing or even what we actually wanted to accomplish. But Mr. Vinson's insightful questions, laying out of options, thorough discussion of pros and cons, demystification of probate law and estate planning, and exploration of alternative outcomes clarified for us the different choices we might make and the possible outcomes of those choices. Ably assisted by his partner/Office Manager/spouse, Mr. Vinson prepared necessary documents for us along with clear instructions on how to proceed going forward. He also made an offer (still open) to meet individually with any of our seven children in case they need help understanding the structure of the Trust and their place in the arrangements. I'll mention parenthetically that the whole effort was, to my mind, surprisingly affordable. In short, working with Mr. Vinson and his Office has provided my wife and me with great peace of mind and the sense that we have provided for our children and grandchildren as best we can. Thank you, Mr. Vinson! Over a period of several months this past winter and spring, my wife and I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Gary Vinson and his Office in crafting a Family Trust for our family. I had been dreading this task for the usual reasons (don't want to think about dying, worried about family dissension, etc.), but Mr. Vinson supplied ample verve, sensitivity, and good humor, along with exceptional professional expertise, to make the process as pain-free as it could possibly be. At the outset, Susan and I had no clear idea of what we were doing or even what we actually wanted to accomplish. But Mr. Vinson's insightful questions, laying out of options, thorough discussion of pros and cons, demystification of probate law and estate planning, and exploration of alternative outcomes clarified for us the different choices we might make and the possible outcomes of those choices. Ably assisted by his partner/Office Manager/spouse, Mr. Vinson prepared necessary documents for us along with clear instructions on how to proceed going forward. He also made an offer (still open) to meet individually with any of our seven children in case they need help understanding the structure of the Trust and their place in the arrangements. I'll mention parenthetically that the whole effort was, to my mind, surprisingly affordable. In short, working with Mr. Vinson and his Office has provided my wife and me with great peace of mind and the sense that we have provided for our children and grandchildren as best we can. Thank you, Mr. Vinson! Over a period of several months this past winter and spring, my wife and I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Gary Vinson and his Office in crafting a Family Trust for our family. I had been dreading this task for the usual reasons (don't want to think about dying, worried about family dissension, etc.), but Mr. Vinson supplied ample verve, sensitivity, and good humor, along with exceptional professional expertise, to make the process as pain-free as it could possibly be. At the outset, Susan and I had no clear idea of what we were doing or even what we actually wanted to accomplish. But Mr. Vinson's insightful questions, laying out of options, thorough discussion of pros and cons, demystification of probate law and estate planning, and exploration of alternative outcomes clarified for us the different choices we might make and the possible outcomes of those choices. Ably assisted by his partner/Office Manager/spouse, Mr. Vinson prepared necessary documents for us along with clear instructions on how to proceed going forward. He also made an offer (still open) to meet individually with any of our seven children in case they need help understanding the structure of the Trust and their place in the arrangements. I'll mention parenthetically that the whole effort was, to my mind, surprisingly affordable. In short, working with Mr. Vinson and his Office has provided my wife and me with great peace of mind and the sense that we have provided for our children and grandchildren as best we can. Thank you, Mr. Vinson! Over a period of several months this past winter and spring, my wife and I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Gary Vinson and his Office in crafting a Family Trust for our family. I had been dreading this task for the usual reasons (don't want to think about dying, worried about family dissension, etc.), but Mr. Vinson supplied ample verve, sensitivity, and good humor, along wit

If you're looking for the best Real Estate, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts and Probate Lawyer in…read moreColumbus - Gary Vinson II Attorney at Law is your man. I can't tell you how wonderful it has been working with Gary. He is very good at what he does. He really knows his stuff and is very generous with his advice. You will be impressed by him - I guarantee it. Gary has been a very dear friend and business partner of mine since 2000. He has done more for me than almost any other attorney on the planet. I thank God for Gary. In a world of corrupt and greedy lawyers, Gary is the oasis you're looking for. Call him now!

Gary J Gottfried Co., LPA

1.0

Its better to avoid Gary!! He himself think he is very…read moreknowledgable. Very hungry about money in his old age. He main focus is to make your case complicated and get benefit from it. Gary, you will leave for few more years, why do you steal money from others?? You have enough do good work going-forward.

From the owner: Gary Gottfried has been helping families make their way through the full range of family law…read moreissues. Our firm will represent clients with issues related to: Divorce and dissolution of marriage Enforcement of orders and appellate work Separation agreements Child support and child custody Spousal support Paternity and parental rights Visitation, grandparents visitation Premarital agreements Same sex - domestic partnership issues International divorce actions The Ohio State Bar Association has certified Gary Gottfried as a family law specialist. This certification is a result of proven expertise, on-going education and the opinion of peers and judges who practice in this area. Gary's qualifications are outstanding and include being selected as a "Super Lawyer" in Ohio Family Law.

Gregory, L. Williams, Jr., Esq., Partner

I am so grateful to have had Gregory as my legal consul during the loss of my grandmother. He was…read morevery straight forward and never misguided me. Always kept me informed with everything regarding probate, and always had the best help with any issues that came about. I would recommend him to anybody needing a probate attorney or needing to make any plans regarding their final wishes. I cannot thank him enough for all the help he did for me and my family during our time of need. Thank you!

From the owner: My name is Gregory Williams, and I'm on a mission to help the people of Columbus, Ohio plan for…read moretheir future, protect their families and businesses, and provide for their loved ones. Whether you're a business owner in need of legal guidance, an individual exploring your estate planning options, or a family member who just lost a loved one and needs guidance through the probate process, I'm here to help. For compassionate, effective legal counsel, please reach out today and schedule a consultation. My office is conveniently located in Westerville, Ohio.

Chester Law Group Accident Lawyers

(3 reviews)

Highest recommendations for Chester Law Firm. Smart,…read moreethical, good communicators who will treat you fairly and with respect.

David gave us great advice on our case. He cared about our process from start to finish, and helped…read moreus feel at ease. We would highly recommend his law firm

Ability Professional Network

Great presentation by Ken Lazar Tough Interview Questions: Tips & Tricks. He covered the top 10…read moreinterview questions with pointers how to emphasize your related experience and clues to what the hiring manager really wanted to know about you. Very helpful!

From the owner: Ability Professional Network specializes in recruiting sales and sales management professionals…read more We are going to change the way you think about recruiters. We help our our candidates to grow their careers and clients grow to their business. It's our purpose. We want to place you in a career where you can maximize your previous experience, use your industry knowledge and leverage your connections. We look at personalities and company culture where the potential for you to do your best and be your best is the greatest.

Sequent

Sequent handles the Human Resources management for the company I work for. I was in there offices…read morefor an introductory meeting and to fill out some paperwork. 1: This place is ultra-modern in it's design & decoration. I LOVED just being in their lobby. 2: All the staff there are uber-nice. Seriously, they took one of the more boring parts of corporate life - walking through various health benefits plans, setting up payroll, etc - and made it an actually enjoyable experience. It's obvious their team loves working together.

Tobin & Associates

I have done contracts for Tobin and Associates love how they follow through with their contracts…read more They take care of the contractors and call to check on us! Great to work for!

From the owner: Tobin specializes in executive recruiting, leadership training, and ongoing support for post-acute…read moreand senior care organizations. We provide mutually beneficial solutions for job seekers, employers, and business leaders.

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4 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

John M.

6 months ago

If there was a "zero rating", I would give it. I am not revealing my actual name, I prefer to remain anonymous. I cannot believe this man has not been reported to the bar. This attorney made me cry to the point I almost threw up. I've never been this upset in my entire life. He was angry I had to change our meeting twice and then he was 15 minutes late. He had me wait 30 minutes for him. Offended by a joke about money I made, he consistently said over and over "I DONT WORK FOR FREE!," "YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING READY" followed by moments of kindness with fist pumps, serious personal questions that had NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CASE. ALL ABOUT MY PERSONAL LIFE. He repeatedly would alternate "THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP." with fist pumps the within literal seconds reprimand and berate me. ALL repetition throughout our meeting stating he may or may not take my case. Extremely condescending, demeaning and rude. I eventually got up and said "THIS MEETING IS OVER JOHN!" Whereupon I walked out with him calling my name, trying to hand me the fee statements to retain him and I shouted "YOU ARE DEMEANING TO WOMEN!" "I WOULD NEVER HIRE YOU NOW OR EVER!!!!!" "ALL OF THE REVIEWS ABOUT YOU ARE TRUE!!!!!" He followed me to my car and kept saying "Good luck in your future endeavors " and kept following me as I started the car and put in reverse. He was near my hood and then by my door. He kept talking as I drove away. This man needs to reassess how he talks to people instead of degrading them, then telling them over and over how he's offended by something I said to break the ice. He was more interested in money than my case, angry I had nothing prepped. I told him I had personal issues and could get it all to him and he exploded repeatedly about working for free and he wouldn't do it.He was twitchy and spoke to me with eyes closed, his speech was extremely fast and everything was on repeat with him, constantly interrupting me and making me feel worthless by his choices of words. On a positive note, he knows his stuff. I would report him to the bar; the only reason I'm not is because I don't want to waste one second on him the way I wasted two hours on him. I hope no one ever goes through the horror I went through. This has made me ill now for days, very shaky and I almost went to the ER. This man jarred me to my soul and I'm still, three days later, very shaken up. My husband contacted him to defend my honor, and he degraded my husband, continued to degrade me then threatened to come after my husband or me and sue us for slander. How can you sue someone that speaks what really happened. It's called a fact. One say he may run into a client that goes to the bar about him. All I can do now is heal myself physically and mentally and pray he is kinder. read more

Lindsay H.

324

10 months ago

John must have 2 friends in San Fran who were willing to give him fake reviews because those are the only good ones here. This clearly mentally ill lawyer is representing my childhood friend in a divorce and I've never in my life heard a so-called professional treat, and speak, to a client as insanely as this guy does. Not only does he verbally berate her any chance he gets, he treats her like a rock in his shoe. He verbally abused her so badly in a public place that MULTIPLE people tried to intervene and he turned and fought with them! He says things like "do you know what I do for a living??". He screams at his client to not interrupt him whilst interrupting her any chance he gets. This man child clearly hates people, and his profession. He's gross, just so entitled and arrogant. He never lets her speak, he's letting the opposing counsel get away with murder and literally telling her that she's going to lose custody and her case. My friend is on mental disability, folks!!! And of course he knows this and still treats her with the most intense disrespect and anger. She cries every day. He's heartless. Heard he recently went through a divorce, which I'm so sorry to whomever was married to this clown. Glad you got away! How anyone could treat clients that are PAYING them this way, let alone emotionally vulnerable women who are going through custody and divorce proceedings is just unbelievable. He's DISGUSTING and his soul is black. If you've experienced abuse like my friend, and the other reviews here, please reach out to me. We are filling official complaints against this sicko. He deserves to be disbarred immediately. read more

Katie O.

1 year ago

John represented me in a difficult divorce case and was honest, fair, and worked tirelessly to get things done on time and correctly. His attention to detail is impeccable and he carefully considered my requests and provided excellent legal guidance. I was grateful for John's straightforward approach, and I was well prepared for court. He truly cares about doing what is right, and I can't thank him enough. I highly recommend john to anyone! read more

Max P.

4 years ago

guy is a total asshole who cuts you off and acts like it's you cutting off I've never delt with such an asswipe before like that in my life. I do not recommend unless you're a stale old hag read more

John J Alastra - divorce - Updated August 2026

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