Pels Law specializes in Business Law, Commercial Law with an expertise in Complex Litigation. Our team of attorneys work for you to achieve the results you want both in and outside the courtroom. We specialize in ediscovery.
Representing individuals and small businesses from offices in Bethesda, MD and Vienna, VA, the accomplished team at Pels Law Attorneys as Law is dedicated to achieving the best results for clients while aiming to reduce the stress and anxiety that often accompanies legal challenges. Our attorneys have more than 75 years of experience, and our diverse practice areas include business and construction law, real estate matters, family law, personal injury law, criminal defense and other cases involving complex civil litigation. At Pels Law, you will work with honest, skilled and aggressive attorneys who believe every client should be treated with respect and care. Attorney John Pels has received a Distinguished℠ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® for demonstrating high professional ability and ethical standards. As a client of Pels Law Attorneys at Law, you will always receive high-quality legal representation and responsive personal service.
This badge is granted to attorneys who have been reviewed by a past client.
Distinguished Peer Rated
This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.
About Awards
Client Champion Awards
Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity
and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.
At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.
At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.
At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale Peer Awards
A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Pels Law got this award in 2021
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Avvo Awards
Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A,
publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.
Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.
The Pels Law Firm represented my father, in a Safe Act case that concluded in December 2024...which covers financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. When this case started a year ago, it felt like a David & Goliath case. The exploitation that occurred to my father by people he trusted was overwhelming and deeply troubling. We didn't know where to turn. The Pels Law Firm was referred to us by a retired lawyer who really knew his stuff, and knew we needed the best representation possible. We were represented specifically by Nina Basu and Alvaro Llosa. These lawyers are top shelf in every aspect. I don't even have the words to describe the level of respect and gratitude I have for them. On top of the fact that they were brilliant...they were tenacious and unwavering in the pursuit of justice. I am so grateful to Nina, Al, and the rest of the Pels Law Firm in their outstanding representation.
I had the privilege of working with The Pels Law Firm, and I am compelled to share my positive experience about Jon & Alvaro. I was always treated with professionalism, empathy, and a level of expertise that exceeded expectations. They had a deep understanding of the complexities of my case and they were able to communicate those with me in a clear and concise manner. The attorneys and staff members were friendly, approachable, and always willing to assist. I never felt like I was “just another case” for them. They value ethics and integrity. If you’re seeking legal representation that combines knowledge, dedication, and compassion, please look no further. I wholeheartedly recommend The Pels Law Firm to anyone in need of top-tier legal services.
I wanted to write this review of my experience with the Pels law firm. I am extremely glad I brought my case to the Pels firm. My case was very intricate and complex. Mr. Pels and his team were very professional and easy to work with on any hard case. if you are looking for an extremely good attorney that will go all the way to the finish line, look no further. I would give the Pels Law Firm six stars if that was an option.
Mr. Pel operates on a very thin line of truth when he provides information, at least in this case. If you look at the Pels Law website, do not believe all the cases they won as some of those are from outside firms lawyers brought in to provide the work and the Pel firm is just the conduit so the other firm can practice in the courts.
Poor communication, does not provide dates until last minute and gets anxious because he needs a response but fails to give you time to review. Fails to respond (especially if he wants a different answer), misrepresents and occasional lies as well. Dismissive of any feedback on improving client attorney relationship and is very arrogant....he will say people still contact him to thank him. Mediocre skills and is a family business so never has experienced true growth and development of his over all abilities. While technically the case was what some might consider a win....I would pass on his services unless you want a train ride of a wreck, that will be a roller coaster of emotions and test every ounce of ones nerves!
Working with this lawyer was horrible. Late response, unprofessional, poor communication skills and arrogant. He was originally recommended by a colleague but he felt the need to transfer our case to a junior attorney with no interest or followup.
Response from Jon D. Pels
February 22, 2020
It is rare that a client will not follow our advice. When that happens our team must withdraw from representation if we believe it will materially impact in a negative manner our ability to aggressively represent the client.
Reviews
These client and peer reviews are from the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network.
Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.
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Martindale Peer Reviews
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• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
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