Hooper Hathaway, P.C.

Welcome to Lawyers Near Me, your essential platform for finding legal professionals in your local community. Today, we introduce Hooper Hathaway, P.C., a long-standing law firm located at 126 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA. This firm serves clients across Ann Arbor and the surrounding regions, offering a range of legal services. For direct inquiries and consultations, Hooper Hathaway, P.C. can be reached by phone at (734) 662-4426 or via mobile at +1 734-662-4426, ensuring accessibility for those seeking legal counsel.

Hooper Hathaway, P.C. is situated at 126 S Main Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. South Main Street is a prominent and often vibrant area in Ann Arbor, known for its mix of commercial establishments, professional offices, and cultural attractions. The firm's location on this well-trafficked street suggests an established and accessible presence within the city. While specific details about the interior decor, amenities, or specific comfort features of their office are not publicly provided, a law firm in such a central location typically maintains a professional and organized environment. Clients can generally expect a clean, private, and discreet space designed to facilitate confidential discussions regarding sensitive legal matters. The building's presence on a main street also implies ease of access, potentially offering convenient parking or proximity to public transportation, enhancing the overall convenience for clients visiting the firm for consultations.

Hooper Hathaway, P.C. is a well-regarded law firm with a history of providing diverse legal services. While the provided information does not detail a comprehensive list of all their practice areas, their established presence and the nature of client reviews suggest a broad scope of work. Law firms of their apparent size and reputation often handle a variety of legal disciplines. Based on general knowledge of such firms and the context of the reviews, their services likely include, but are not limited to:

• Estate Planning and Probate:
  One review specifically mentions "estate" matters, indicating that the firm likely handles wills, trusts, probate administration, and related issues. This is a common practice area for firms providing comprehensive legal services to individuals and families.
• Business and Corporate Law:
  Many full-service firms assist businesses with formation, contracts, transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution.
• Real Estate Law:
  This often includes commercial and residential real estate transactions, zoning, land use, and property disputes.
• Litigation:
  Given their broad scope, they likely engage in various forms of civil litigation, representing clients in disputes across different legal fields.
• Family Law:
  While not explicitly mentioned, some firms offer family law services, such as divorce, child custody, and support.
• Employment Law:
  They may represent either employers or employees in workplace disputes, discrimination claims, or contract issues.
• Environmental Law:
  Ann Arbor, being a prominent location, often has firms that address environmental legal issues.
• Tax Law:
  Offering advice on tax planning and disputes for individuals and businesses.

The firm's ability to retain clients over two decades, as indicated by one review, implies a consistent delivery of service across various legal needs. For users on "Lawyers Near Me," this suggests a firm that can potentially offer comprehensive legal solutions for individuals and businesses in the Ann Arbor area.

The client reviews for Hooper Hathaway, P.C. present a mixed perspective, offering both highly positive and very critical feedback. This provides a nuanced view of client experiences with the firm:

• Positive Aspects (from a 20-year client):
  • Professionalism and Ethics:
    The client highlights that the lawyers are "professional, highly ethical," and "trustworthy." This emphasizes the firm's commitment to upholding high standards of conduct and integrity in their legal practice.
  • Personable and Caring:
    Described as "personable" and "caring," the attorneys seem to foster strong client relationships, making clients feel understood and supported during their legal processes. This human touch is crucial in building long-term trust.
  • Availability and Responsiveness:
    The term "available" suggests that the lawyers are accessible to their clients, responding to inquiries and providing timely updates, which is essential for effective communication.
  • Sound Counsel and Client Best Interests:
    The client states, "I trust in their counsel and feel confident that they always have our best interests in mind." This speaks to the firm's perceived dedication to advocating for their clients' goals and providing advice that truly benefits them.
  • Long-Term Client Satisfaction:
    Having worked with the firm for "20 years" and having "nothing but great experiences" indicates consistent quality of service and strong client retention, suggesting a high level of overall satisfaction for this particular client.
• Negative Aspects (from an estate-related review):
  • Ethical Concerns in Estate Matters:
    This review raises serious allegations of unethical conduct concerning an attorney within the firm. The claim that an attorney "encourages their clients to remove property from an estate before it is resolved" without permission from another trustee, and labeling it as "steal from children," is a severe accusation. If true, this points to a significant breach of fiduciary duty and legal ethics.
  • Lack of Oversight/Compliance:
    The claim that the firm "let them take expensive items from the homes as a 'personal disbursement'" suggests a potential failure in internal controls or adherence to proper legal procedures in estate administration.
  • Impact on Beneficiaries:
    The statement "she let them steal from children!" underscores the profound negative impact this alleged conduct could have on vulnerable beneficiaries, highlighting a disregard for fairness and legal obligations.

These contrasting reviews indicate that while some clients have had exemplary long-term experiences, others have encountered deeply troubling issues. For a "Lawyers Near Me" user, this duality highlights the importance of thorough due diligence and potentially seeking multiple consultations.

For potential clients searching on "Lawyers Near Me," Hooper Hathaway, P.C. presents a complex value proposition. Based on the provided information, the firm would promote the following:

• Experienced and Established Firm:
  Their long-standing presence in Ann Arbor and reputation for professionalism, as highlighted by one client, suggests a firm with deep roots and considerable legal acumen.
• Ethical and Client-Centric Approach (as per positive review):
  The emphasis on being "highly ethical, personable, available, caring and trustworthy" from a long-term client signifies a commitment to client well-being and professional integrity. This would be a key selling point for those seeking a supportive and reliable legal partner.
• Trusted Counsel:
  The confidence expressed by the long-term client in the firm's counsel and their dedication to "best interests" would appeal to individuals seeking expert guidance in complex legal matters.
• Diverse Practice Areas:
  The implied breadth of their services (e.g., estate, business, litigation) positions them as a versatile firm capable of addressing a wide range of legal needs for individuals and businesses in the Ann Arbor area.

However, an objective introduction must also acknowledge the negative review. This review, though singular, introduces significant concerns about ethical conduct and potential misdealings in estate matters. Therefore, prospective clients using "Lawyers Near Me" would be advised to:

• Conduct Thorough Research:
  Look for additional reviews or information beyond what is immediately available.
• Directly Inquire:
  During initial consultations, ask specific questions about the firm's procedures, particularly concerning asset handling in estate cases, and their approach to ethical compliance.
• Consider Case-Specific Fit:
  While the firm might be excellent in certain areas for some clients, the negative review suggests that clients dealing with sensitive matters like estate administration, especially those involving multiple trustees or children's interests, should proceed with heightened caution and clarify all procedures beforehand.

Ultimately, Hooper Hathaway, P.C. offers a comprehensive range of legal services with a demonstrated capacity for long-term client relationships and strong ethical conduct, as attested by one client. However, the presence of a severe negative review necessitates a cautious and thoroughly investigative approach for new clients, especially concerning estate-related matters.