Testimonials

Below you will find reviews and testimonials for the attorneys from Bruckheim & Patel.
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Michael Bruckheim

My experience with Bruckheim and Patel was nothing short of amazing. From the moment I was referred, I was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. Sweta was my first point of contact and she was very pleasant and meticulous, leaving no stone unturned. She was informative every step of the way, keeping me updated with my case and me on ease. Michael was also great! His choice to stand and fight for my innocence, instead of accepting a plea agreement, to showed me that he really cared about me as his client and most importantly, how much he believes in his team. Throughout the entire process, I was reassured with a sense of superior professionalism and quality service. I would recommend Bruckheim and Patel to anyone who wants results and peace of mind!!! I am forever thankful.

I would recommend Bruckheim and Patel to anyone who wants results and peace of mind!!! I am forever thankful. With their successful representation, they were able save my career!

I am so glad I was referred to Mike for my DUI case. My case went very well and I cannot express how pleased I was throughout the whole process. Not only was Mike very professional, but he was also very personable and pleasant to talk to, which definitely helped me feel like I was in safe hands, especially when I was anxious. Thank you, Mike!

I would definitely recommend Bruckheim to represent you because he not only cares about his clients, but his way in the court room is nothing you have seen before. He has great thinking skills! He is a really good attorney and I am glad he was able to represent me. My trial ended very well and I can’t express enough how thankful I am to have been represented by Bruckheim.

I contacted Michael Bruckheim because I had a DUI charge. As soon as I contacted him, he was kind to answer all my questions in a really good way, and that made me take the decision to hire him. I was really worried with the outcomes of the case, but Michael always seemed to know all the good decisions that had to be taken, and it worked. My case ended up going to trial, and Michael achieved to get all my charges dropped, and I was not expecting that at all. He is a great lawyer and I would recommend him to anyone facing any sort of charges. Now I have a clean record, and I am very thankful to Mr. Bruckheim.

Speaking to Mr. Bruckheim was a huge relief. When you call him, he explains all the steps of the DUI litigation process, your options, and the range of possible outcomes. His explanations are clear and free of jargon or B.S. He knows the court personnel, the prosecuting attorneys, many of the judges, and is extremely familiar with the routines and procedures of the local courts. Most importantly, he is extremely good at challenging and casting doubt on government evidence.

Over the course of the representation, it became clear to me that Michael Bruckheim has developed a strong reputation, and that his words carry weight with prosecutors and judges. Hiring Michael Bruckheim offers you the best chance of saving time and money in the long run, and getting your life back on track.

Not only is he knowledgeable about the DUI laws in DC, but he’s worked with the DC Courts specifically on several occasions and can speak confidently and honestly to what will happen and what to expect. I needed someone sharp, smart, with a history that showcased their expertise, and Michael was that person and then some.
Amazing Lawyer simple…… I’m literally grateful for services provided. My case was definitely a scary one. With his constant relentlessness and dedication, we won with the outcome needed. His professionals is exceptional… just amazing. Mr. Bruckheim will WIN your case or provide the best outcome regardless if it’s a first or second offense…rest assured.
Remarkable Attorney! Attorney Michael Bruckheim is assuring, dedicated, effective, and communicates excellently. I have the utmost confidence in his services. Michael executed expectations and garnered an ideal result for my matter. He is the type of lawyer who is genuinely invested in his clients’ cases and truly strives to attain the best result he can. Clients are lucky to have Michael represent them.

“Michael has an extensive resume, and is dedicated to strategically utilizing his experience, knowledge of the law, and relationships to negotiate the best possible outcome for you! I am completely confident in his abilities, and I would recommend him to my family and friends if they ever needed representation.

When working with him, he not only kept me informed, but also at ease. He was able to negotiate a great deal for me, although my situation was complicated. I couldn’t have asked for better representation!”

“I have only the highest praise for Michael Bruckheim and his office staff. We were able to meet with him the next day after we called his office. He has a superb assistant. In our first meeting, he listened carefully and diligently to our concerns regarding an alleged traffic violation. He explained to us our legal rights and while we were at his office, he contacted the concerned parties and informed them that he was representing us and any further communications or contacts concerning our case should be directed to him. This immediately stopped the calls we were receiving from the insurance company. He advised me how to respond to the questions being asked by the insurance comapnies involved in the case and handled all communications with them. He is professionally competent and highly ethical”
“Michael Bruckheim is a thorough, knowledgeable and caring lawyer. He gives excellent advise and genuinely demonstrates a caring attitude toward his client. Michael knows how to deliver the optimal results for the client and is well versed and very experienced in the courtroom. His honest and straight forward approach gave me confident in the outcome. He did an outstanding job and I highly recommend him.”
“Went to Michael Bruckheim after getting a DUI. I had met with a few lawyers before him, all of whom lacked knowledge (couldn’t answer all of my questions) and charged an arm and a leg. I retained Mr. Bruckheim after I met with him and he was able to answer all of my questions, and charged at least $1000 less than the other lawyers. He was very patient in explaining the process that I would be going through. Every time another question or concern would pop into my head and I texted or emailed him, if he didn’t get back to me within the hour, I had a response by the end of the day. Truthful, knowledgeable, supportive, and extremely amicable. Bonus: he also played all of the cards right so that ultimately, my case was dismissed (!!). I highly recommend this attorney to anyone charged with a DUI/DWI. If I ever get in trouble again (please no, lord) I would definitely retain Mr. Bruckheim again.”
“Mr. Bruckheim is calm, collected, knowledgeable, reassuring, efficient, effective and, most importantly, his advice is clear and his judgment is dead-on. I had legal difficulties in DC, and it was clear that, from clerks through the judge, everyone knew Mr. Bruckheim and respected him (comments such as ‘he is always on time,’ ‘always calls to confirm,’ ‘gets good results for his clients,’ e.g.). Thanks to his expert assistance with the criminal justice system, I didn’t get to see him in trial-mode action! I would and will recommend him without hesitation to anyone in need.”
“Needless to say, I was very stressed out when I was arrested for DUI. I didn’t know what to do or who to call. I knew I needed a lawyer but I didn’t have any idea where to start. I got a recommendation from a friend, and I searched on line. I found a couple highly ranked lawyers who appeared to have good track records with DUIs, including Michael. Long story short, after speaking with five + lawyers I decided to hire Michael. I am glad I did”
“EXCELLENT lawyer. Walked me through the process step by step and was always there to answer questions. Getting a DUI can be a very humiliating, emotional, horrible experience. Michael is there for his clients not only in the courtroom but for support as well.”
“Hiring a lawyer is not an easy decision to make. If you’re like me, it feels difficult finding someone you trust, let alone represent you in court. After consulting with a few other lawyers, from big firms/names to more boutique style lawyers, I decided to have Michael represent me. Instead trying to talk a big game and use all the lawyer jargon that I noticed other lawyers were doing, he was very open and transparent throughout the whole process, leaving no details out and any surprises to come. He was very honest throughout my whole case. Leading up to my court date, he was very responsive, and was always easily accessible via phone, text and email. Most importantly, his prices were extremely fair. If you’re in need of representation, put your nerves at ease and look no further. Michael will give 110% to win your case. Cannot endorse this guy more!”
“After getting a DUI charge in DC, I diligently researched/interviewed ~10 lawyers, and even from the get-go, Mr. Bruckheim stood out above the rest. He was extremely personable, easily reachable via text, and above all very knowledgeable. Even in the free consultation, he allowed me all the time in the world to explain the details of my case and ask loads of questions. He laid forth his strategy for how he would attack the case, giving me great confidence. The entire process (arraignment, status, trial, and DMV hearing for refusal to submit alcohol test) was explained well and made easy by Mr. Bruckheim. The rubber really met the road when we got to trial, and I watched Mr. Bruckheim handily defeat the prosecution. His training as a field sobriety test instructor allowed him to effectively identify issues in the way my field sobriety test was issued along with the misdiagnoses the officer made. His performance in the courtroom from opening remarks to cross-examining the officers and closing was truly outstanding, and I was acquitted! Needless to say, I was extremely pleased with my representation and my result. I sincerely put forward my highest recommendation for Mr. Bruckheim!”
“He was very good at communicating with me, via e-mail on the phone and via txt message (which is very practical). He was always willing to answer any questions I had, and even worked with me to the best of his ability on a day when a hearing was scheduled but got snowed out. When it came to the actual arbitration of my case, he was always punctual, prepared, and confident”
“If you’re in a jam and are looking for help, look no further than Michael Bruckheim. I no longer have this awful thing hanging over my head thanks to his professionalism, skills, and expertise. He really knows what he’s doing. There is no one I’d rather have at my side representing me than Michael.”
“I have to say I was horrified about the bureaucratic process of the court system of the District of Columbia. However, Mr. Bruckheim was very professional and helpful. I consulted with a few other lawyers in the DC area but it was not until I met Mr. Bruckheim that I felt I had found the one to take on my case and truly represent me. From the first consultation, he took a whole hour to listen to my facts and took notes. He was very detailed and explained the process thoroughly. Mr. Bruckheim made me aware of everything there was to expect and made sure that things would be handled smoothly. I have to admit that I was very impressed by him from the very beginning”

“I was facing felony criminal charges. After consulting with several criminal defense lawyers, I knew Mike was the way to go. He was the most honest about my possible outcomes for the case. Each time we met, it felt like my case was very important to him. Anytime I had a question, he was there to answer it.

The felony charges were dropped to misdemeanor charges, thanks to Mike!
I am very pleased with the service I received from Mike.”

“I was arrested and charged with my first DUI. I had never been in trouble with the law before and did not know where to turn. I received a postcard from Mr. Bruckheim and did some research to see if I should seek his counsel. I setup a free consultation, and from our first meeting, even though I was extremely nervous, Mr. Bruckheim put me at ease with his friendly manner and evident expertise. Mr. Bruckheim went through his qualifications (which were exceptional), occupation history and extra training he received, and then was plainspoken when he discussed the process through the justice system and the possible outcomes. He did not sugar-coat anything, which I appreciated so that I knew exactly what I could expect.

After accepting his representation, Mr. Bruckheim was extremely responsive anytime I had a question. He kept me informed along the way, got in touch with me when he said he would and displayed a professionalism within the courtroom that obviously garnered respect from the presiding judges and attorneys alike. Saving the best for last, Mr. Bruckheim helped me avoid conviction, and I will always be thankful to him for his assistance in my time of need. I strongly recommend his services to anyone needing outstanding legal representation, especially relating to DUI/DWI infractions.”

“If you have been charged with a DUI offense, I would urge you to hire Michael Bruckheim. When I was charged with a DUI offense in DC, I called several different attorneys, and got lots of vague answers, contradictory advice, and non-responses to messages I left with secretaries and answering machines. Speaking to Mr. Bruckheim was a huge relief. When you call him, he explains all the steps of the DUI litigation process, your options, and the range of possible outcomes. His explanations are clear and straight-forward. He knows the court personnel, the prosecuting attorneys, many of the judges, and is extremely familiar with the routines and procedures of the local courts. Most importantly, he is extremely good at challenging and casting doubt on government evidence. Over the course of the representation, it became clear to me that Michael Bruckheim has developed a strong reputation, and that his words carry weight with prosecutors and judges. Hiring Michael Bruckheim offers you the best chance of saving time and money in the long run, and getting your life back on track.”
Even More Reviews
For even more client reviews of Mr. Bruckheim visit his Avvo page.

Sweta Patel

In the ever-growing sea of attorneys, Sweta is the beacon you’ll want to find if you’re searching for a lawyer that is tenacious, intelligent and professional. These aren’t just buzzwords for Sweta, these are traits and work ethics she possesses. DC is lucky to have a criminal defense attorney of this caliber!
I’ve learned many lessons throughout this whole fiasco. One of which being that there is no parallel for quality legal representation. Without y’all my situation would be very very different.
I’m most grateful for Sweta’s legal aid at my university administrative hearing. She has been very responsive and clear. She charges a small fee for a safe future! She is seriously knowledgeable and was insanely committed to my case! Thanks to her help I am not being forced into putting my education on pause!
Loyal, thoughtful, honest- the very best. I can’t compliment Sweta and her team for all that they have done for my family and friends – Sweta has been there as a thoughtful listener, honest adviser, and has time and time again thoroughly answered our questions. There is no other passionate, loyal, and hardworking team
Ms. Patel is very personable and knowledgeable and is an expert in her craft. Her reputation proceeds her. I would go nowhere else for your legal needs.
I really want to express my gratitude for what Sweta has done for my family. Her level of professionalism and attentiveness is second only to her knowledge and compassion for her clients. From the moment I spoke to her I knew I had made the right decision by choosing her to represent a member of my family. She was direct and honest with me from the start, which gave me the assurance that I needed. I would recommend her to anyone! Very, very, happy with the outcome, thank you Sweta!
Ms. Patel was great. When I called, she was straight to the point and convinced me to go with this law firm. She told me all the ins and outs of my case unlike other law firms I contacted. Once I met her in person she was as generous as she was on heh phone. She briefed me about what’s going on with my case once I told all the details. She stayed in contact with me all the way until she told me my case would get dismissed. She is a great lawyer and would recommend her to anyone.
Swooped in and saved the day! With little hope of a positive outcome, I fortunately was recommended to Sweta through her partner Mike Bruckheim. Although I was seeking to work with Mike, a top DUI lawyer in the DMV area, he trusted my case with his very talented partner. After one hour of conversation at 9pm in the evening, I was sure of her professionalism, and wanted to hire her on the spot, but she told me to sleep on it. So, I did, and both me and my wife were 110% confident in our decision. I can guarantee personally, which is the main reason why I went with her, that NO STONE WILL BE LEFT UNTURNED. I could rest assured that she would exhaust all options. As a result, my case had the best possible outcome, and I cannot thank Sweta enough for everything she did.
Excellent DUI Attorney: Sweta is an excellent lawyer offering honest and aggressive representation. She was confident that she would resolve my matter with no conviction or negative consequences and that is exactly what she did. Thank you Sweta
She knew exactly how to approach the situation. I trusted her opinions throughout the entire process which made me feel more at ease. In the end, she was able to settle out of court with an outcome that was better than we expected. I was very impressed and will definitely come back should I need more legal services.
A very astute, sharp, and well-respected legal counsel and the government knows it too… if she has time in on her calendar for you, you would be wise to make an appointment with Ms. Patel. NOW!!!
I was lucky to have Ms. Patel to represent me. She knew the different players in the system and how to use it to our best advantage.
As with some other attorneys she does not speak down to her clients she gives you an informative and comprehensive assessment of the situation at every level in terms and the language that you can understand and relate to something many attorneys fail to do
Ms. Patel is not only smart but very knowledgeable, one of the things I admire the most from her is that she does her homework; During the curse of my case (a Felony Fraud) she closely supervised a detailed investigation to prepare my defense. I believe Ms. Patel loves challenges and she got one hell of paperwork and technicalities to learn and deal during my case. She kept me informed every step of the way and prepared me objectively to every possible outcome. I believe her strategic thinking and preparedness was critical to win over what could have possible been a devastating outcome due to the ill nature of the accusations. Having her as an attorney made a real difference and was the only great of a terrible personal experience, I am so thrilled she was able to work on my case and that it ended on a positive result, considering it was a felony fraud charge that she cleverly got dismissed.
Sweta Patel was a great advocate for me through a very stressful experience. Ms. Patel was very helpful, reassuring, and calming. She made sure that I was kept informed throughout the process and explained everything so that I, who has little to no knowledge of the legal system, could understand what was happening. If you need an attorney, I would highly recommend Ms. Patel. She is someone that you would want to have on your side if you find yourself in a position to need an attorney.

Leaving After Colliding charge dismissed!

I was not familiar with DC law and found myself facing a criminal charge for an incident. This lawyer explained the process to me and agreed to represent me. She kept me informed, was present at all my court appearances and articulated my case to the prosecution and worked to reach an agreement that was considered fair and reasonable based on the evidence. Even if my case was lost, I would highly recommend her to anyone needing legal representation because of her professionalism and knowledge.

If you are looking for a criminal defense attorney, especially for DUI, then look no further! Sweta Is THE BEST! I was charged with DUI. I had never been involved with the criminal justice system before. I found Sweta on the internet and I really lucked out! She has been responsive, communicating with me every step of the way. She knows the law inside and out. One of her best qualities is that she treated me like a person and not a client. She went to great lengths to schedule court appearances around my schedule and my work. She even arranged it so that I did not have to appear on certain court dates even though she had to go. She treats you with compassion and respect. In addition to all this, she is a gifted attorney who knows her craft inside and out. She stood beside me every step of the way and was able to explain the law and procedures so that I completely understood. Remember her name because she is going places! Like I said, If you need an attorney especially for DUI, and you are considering Sweta, then don’t consider anyone else. You can’t find a better attorney than her. She is simply THE BEST!

Working with Sweta was an excellent experience. She was effective and efficient in her work. She was always prompt with communication. She kept me informed of every circumstance that could come out of my case and worked extremely hard for the best case scenario. She was confident in her case work and I could tell she thoroughly prepared for each court case – she made me feel as if I was her only client when I knew she had multiple other cases going on! In addition, she was extremely caring and compassionate during this hard time in my life.

Ms. Patel represented me in a DUI case on January 15th in the District of Columbia. Needless to say my case was dismissed due to the excellent time and effort that Sweta invested. As we went to trial and I observed Sweta in action I was amazed at how professional, knowledgeable, and fearless she was. She knows the law and is an expert at her craft. If only I could’ve videotaped her in actions during our trial to have everyone observe how dynamic she is and will continue to be.
Sweta is the definition of straight-forward business– There’s no messing around with her; she sees a task, she accomplishes it in a concise, efficient manner.
I had a ‘Leaving While Colliding’ charge and my car was impounded. Sweta promptly began steps to get my vehicle released and gather any and all information, including, canvassing the neighborhood and interviewing witnesses. I felt comfortable with her and confident that my case was in good hands. In the end, my case was dismissed. I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome, I highly recommend her services.
Excellent Service and Guidance Ms Patel’s knowledge and experience of the DC court system enabled her to advise me and provide the direction that resulted in the dismissal of my case. She did an excellent job keeping me informed over the nearly four months the case was in process. I’m very grateful for her service and would recommend her highly.
I hired Ms Patel because I needed someone in my corner at the courthouse, shepherding paperwork and talking to all the appropriate people. Now weather my case would have worked out with the same result if I hadn’t hired Sweta, i can’t say. But I’m glad I did anyway. It was money worth spending. I think the main thing that she offered was peace of mind throughout this whole thing. Someone who keeps you informed on what’s going on with your case on a daily basis is invaluable. I found this to be my favorite quality. I wholeheartedly recommend Sweta to anyone having the kind of trouble that this firm specializes in.

I would choose no other attorney

I was facing charges in D.C. and turned to Sweta after one of my friends recommended her – great decision. She was one of the most professional attorneys I have ever worked with – well informed and dedicated to my case. Needless to say, the outcome of my case was far better than I had expected.

Excellent Defense Attorney!

I was facing a serious allegation in DC, and I shopped around for a good attorney. After speaking with a few attorneys in the area, I settled on the one who paid the most attention to me and walked me through all the potential steps of my case. I was not wrong! I hired Sweta and she did a great job. My charges where dismissed, and It will be able to be expunged. Sweta is a great investment.

For a Criminal Defense Attorney, Ms. Patel is a rare find. Personable, insightful, diligent, and compassionate are all traits she possess and brings to her profession. Hopefully you won’t ever need her help, but you’ll be very thankful you did have her on your side if the need should arise.

Sweta is a very strong presenter and exhibits a high degree of organization skills.

In addition, to being skilled in the courtroom from her previous Public Defender experience, she’s a dedicated researcher. If your looking for someone who will take the initiative, follow up with context rich communication, and be very hands on with your case then she is the ideal attorney for you.

“Sweta provided me a high degree of confidence for success for my case as we worked through the complex and arduous DC court system. She was consistently on top of matters as they developed and communicated with me often during that process. Sweta’s drive for seeking and documenting the truth were demonstrated during trial and greatly assisted in a “not guilty” verdict. I would certainly want her representing me again.”

Kind & Focused!

I’m hard of hearing so I was nervous about having a lawyer that was difficult to understand and to go through the legal process of getting charges dismissed. She made the whole ordeal very easy and smooth for me and communicated quite clear with both myself and the people of the court. I felt very at ease with her and knew that she was focused on me at the time

Even More Reviews
For even more client reviews of Ms. Patel visit her Avvo page.

Associate Attorney Testimonials

The few interactions I had with Lora, I knew she was a ‘rock star’. This was confirmed after I saw a handful of cases presented by lawyers who had barely prepared and bumbled their way through interactions with the government and judge. The outcome was the best case scenario which I’m truly thankful for. I’m thankful for your professionalism and subject matter knowledge. I took those two qualities for granted as I thought it came with being a lawyer but I realized that wasn’t a valid assumption after seeing some of the cases being presented before mine with other lawyers.

Lora Silberman was very competent, kept me advised of all issues, and delivered very positive results. I have no hesitation on recommending the firm and Lora, in particular, to anyone else needing counsel.
The first conversation with her assured me that I was in good hands.
Best representation ever. Highly recommended! I had already engaged the representation of one of the “hot shot” lawyers on a well-known firm who after charging me double the normal rate, was pressuring me to accept the CPO. I refused and sought another lawyer. Lora Silberman was recommended and everything changed. She was able to negotiate an out of court settlement and got the case vacated. I was extremely impressed by her focused representation of me and protecting my interests. I recommend her unreservedly.
Simply amazing at what she does!
I consulted Lora regarding a fairly complex criminal matter for a prospective client. She was able to point me in the right direction, allowing me to better advise my client about his options. The experience demonstrated her knowledge of the law and DC’s criminal justice system.
As soon as I retained Lora and Sweta for DUI representation, I knew I was in good hands… my DUI case was dismissed and I was able to avoid a license suspension.
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