John Thomas Doherty Jr, Attorney At Law

For individuals in Tacoma, Washington, seeking legal representation, particularly in the realm of criminal defense, John Thomas Doherty Jr, Attorney At Law, operates from his office at 3011 N 7th St, Tacoma, WA 98406, USA. His contact information is (253) 640-0566 for both phone and mobile, which is +1 253-640-0566.

John Thomas Doherty Jr. has been licensed to practice law in Washington State since December 1, 1993, bringing over three decades of experience to his practice. He is listed as a solo practitioner in a shared office or suite, indicating a potentially more personalized and direct approach to client interaction, though this also depends on his caseload. His educational background includes a JD from Seattle University School of Law, graduating in 1993, and a BA from the University of Washington in 1987. He has also served as an Attorney IV for the Kitsap County Public Defender from 2011-2014 and an Attorney III for the Grant County Public Defender from 2009-2011, and has held positions as an attorney since 1993. This background suggests a significant history of working within the public defense system, which typically involves a high volume of criminal cases.

The primary practice areas for John Thomas Doherty Jr. are listed as Criminal Law and General Law. Within the criminal defense field, typical services offered by such an attorney would include, but not be limited to:

• Defense against misdemeanor and felony charges
• DUI/DWI defense
• Drug crime defense
• Assault and battery defense
• Theft and property crime defense
• Traffic offenses
• Probation violations
• Expungements and record sealing

As a public defender, his role would involve representing indigent clients who cannot afford legal counsel in criminal proceedings. This often means managing a substantial number of cases simultaneously, which can impact individual client attention. His experience in public defense also means he has significant exposure to the local court systems, prosecutors, and judges in Western Washington, which can be an advantage in understanding local legal nuances and relationships.

However, the environment and features of John Thomas Doherty Jr.'s practice, as perceived by clients, are a significant point of consideration, especially for local users searching under "Lawyers Near Me." The reviews provided offer a stark and critical perspective on his services:

• One review, from a family member on behalf of their grandson, explicitly states, "this public defender never returns any phone calls." This client reported calling "several times over the last two months merely just trying to change the court date" without success. The reviewer concludes that the attorney "does not represent his clients well," suggesting he is "in this for his own game and cares nothing about the law or the defense of the clients." This highlights severe concerns about responsiveness and perceived dedication to client interests.
• A second review reinforces these concerns, stating, "He never returned ANY of my calls and I called him for two weeks every day ANDDD he finally answered his phone scheduled an appointment with me and he didn't even show up for our scheduled appointment.. He's no good." This review points to a pattern of unresponsiveness and a lack of professionalism, including a missed scheduled appointment, which can be highly detrimental to a client's case and trust in their legal counsel.

These reviews collectively paint a picture of significant communication issues and a perceived lack of client care. For potential clients, particularly those facing criminal charges, timely communication and reliable representation are paramount. Delays in communication, as described, can lead to missed opportunities, added stress, and potentially negative outcomes in a legal case, especially when court dates or critical decisions require immediate attention.

Given the nature of the reviews, promotional information for John Thomas Doherty Jr, Attorney At Law would likely focus on his experience and practice areas, particularly his lengthy career in criminal defense and his background as a public defender. However, the client feedback directly challenges the effectiveness of his service delivery, particularly regarding responsiveness and client engagement. While experience is valuable, consistent negative feedback on fundamental aspects like communication can significantly impact a lawyer's reputation and suitability for new clients. The ability to return calls, provide updates, and honor appointments are basic expectations of legal service, and their absence as reported here is a serious detractor.

In summary, John Thomas Doherty Jr, Attorney At Law, located at 3011 N 7th St, Tacoma, WA 98406, is an attorney with over 30 years of experience, primarily in criminal and general law, including a background as a public defender. He is reachable at (253) 640-0566. While his experience in the legal system is extensive, the prevailing client reviews raise substantial concerns regarding his communication practices, responsiveness, and perceived commitment to client representation. For local users searching under "Lawyers Near Me" for criminal defense or general legal matters, these reported issues with client interaction and reliability should be a critical factor in their decision-making process. Potential clients would be well-advised to consider these aspects thoroughly before engaging his services, as effective communication is often as crucial as legal knowledge in navigating the justice system.