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Steven A. Simons
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Steven A. Simons
Law Office of Steven A. Simons
15315 Magnolia Blvd.
Suite 308
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818-788-LAW-1 | Fax: (818) 363-9288
http://www.onesmartlawyer.com/
Fighting for consumers rights and saving them money!
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Consumer Rights, Auto Sales Fraud, Auto Finance Fraud, Lemon Law, Undisclosed Collision Damage, FDCPA, Credit Defamation, Identity Theft.
Sub-Categories
Internet (Cyberspace)
- Identity Theft
- Judgments
- Consumer Class Actions
- Credit Report Problems
- Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Repossessions
- Truth in Lending
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1987
Bar Number: 131410
Other Court Admissions
All Courts in California; U.S. District Court.
Association Memberships
National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA); San Fernando Valley Bar Association; Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend seminars and participate in self-study programs.
Example Cases
1) Consumer purchased a used vehicle from a car dealer. Dealer stated to consumer that vehicle had never been in an accident. Consumer later discovered vehicle had frame damage. Dealer refused to repurchase vehicle. After litigation vehicle was repurchased with moneys returned to consumer and attorneys fees paid.
2) Consumer thought he was buying a vehicle. Dealer placed consumer in a lease. Consumer negotiated transaction in Spanish and did not receive a Spanish language copy of the lease. After litigation vehicle was repurchased, all moneys returned to consumer and attorneys fees paid.
3) Consumer was 80-year-old victim of identity theft. Credit card companies filed suit despite her having filed a police report and submitting an affidavit of Identity Theft. After litigation case was dismissed. Consumer recovered $1,000.00 penalty and all attorneys' fees paid.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
California State University at Northridge
City:
Northridge
State:
CA
Year:
1984
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science.
Degree:
Associate of Arts
School:
San Fernando Mission College
City:
San Fernando
State:
CA
Year:
1979
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
General Education.
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Southwestern University School of Law
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1987
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The Law Offices of Steven A. Simons primarily focuses on the representation of consumers who have been taken advantage of by auto dealers and credit card companies - whether it is through the sale of a vehicle with undisclosed collision damage, a car that is a "Lemon," fraud that occurred in the finance department, or a creditor that has violated the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. Other areas include Identity Theft and Fraudulent transactions. We also handle cases involving the failure of the retailer to supply a contract in the language that the transaction was negotiated in (i.e. Spanish, Vietnamese etc.).
The Law Offices of Steven A. Simons was originally established in 1999. In 2000 the office merged with another firm and became Brennan Wiener & Simons. In August 2005 the Law Offices of Steven A. Simons split off and again became a stand alone firm.
Previous Employment Summary
2005 to Present sole practitioner; 2000 to 2005 Partner Brennan Wiener & Simons; 1999 to 2000 Sole Practitioner; 1990 to 1999 Senior Associate at Callahan, McCune & Willis (Insurance Defense); 1987 to 1990 Associate at LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas & Fessler (Insurance Defense).
Activities and Awards
Volunteer Arbitrator and Mediator to the Los Angeles Superior Court (1994 to 2004); Panel Member San Fernando Valley Bar Association Legal Resource and Information Service; Volunteer attorney for the Public Law Center in Orange County.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I believe that the more educated that the consumer is the better prepared they are to protect their rights and understand how the business is trying to take advantage of them. Not all businesses operate unethically. However, many businesses are driven by the bottom line and often do not follow clearly established laws and regulations designed to protect the consumer.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I always spend time reviewing documents with clients and assisting them in better preparing themselves for hearings. The more they understand the process, the better a person is able to present his/her facts.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
It has been said that, "an attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client." I have represented myself and found that it was extremely difficult to separate the emotional component from the "business decision" that the law sometimes requires. However, not everyone can afford the cost of a lawyer, or some cases need to be handled without a lawyer (i.e. small claims matters, etc.). Therefore, a part of my practice has been to coach self-represented individuals on how to better present their case in Court. I do offer a reduced fee for this coaching.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
At the age of 13 I read "The Defense Never Rests" by F. Lee Bailey. I knew then I wanted to be a lawyer.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Being a small business owner and a consumer has prepared me to represent consumers in an era of corporate growth and indifference to the needs of the consumer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I became angry when I saw what the corporations were wiling to do to make their bottom line look better at the expense of the consumer.
What do you like best about your career?
Helping people.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner. I have a part time legal assistant, who is bi-lingual (to assist with Spanish speaking clients). I try to meet with each client personally to understand their needs and to best respond to the legal issues.
What are your strengths and style?
Friendly and non-confrontational. My goal is to resolve legal disputes when possible without litigation or undue burden on the client. In those cases where litigation is necessary I strive to maintain costs and expenses to be proportionate to the claim. No one wants to spend $50,000 to defend a $20,000 claim, yet some businesses will do so.
Personal Interests:
My Faith in God, Family, Baseball, Reading in that order.
Fax
(818) 363-9288
Office Hours
Varies - Generally Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Spanish
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I try to tailor the fees to the specific case. It makes no sense to charge $500.00 to coach someone on a $400 debt. The fee agreement is often reached during the initial consultation.
Hourly Rates
Normal $425; document review and coaching; $300-350 per hour. Many cases are handled with statutory violations allowing for fees from the opponent.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, we give a half hour which includes telephone consult.
Typical Retainer
It varies depending on case.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
