Cummings & Lockwood LLC caters to individual clients with one of the largest groups of Trusts and Estates professionals in the country, as well as business clients, serving as local, regional and national counsel in Litigation, Real Estate, Banking and Lending, and Commercial matters. Cummings & Lockwood is committed to providing its clients with superior legal and other professional services in all of its practice areas.
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 6 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.2 or higher.
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
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.
Cummings & Lockwood LLC got this award in 2021
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.
Cummings & Lockwood LLC got this award in 2021
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.
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.
Joseph was very easy to work with and handled my closing wonderfully. Great at explaining process and requirements. He is an excellent asset to Cummings & Lockwood and reflects the high level of professionalism that I expect when working with this organization.
Real Estate
Posted by anonymous
November 15, 2023
Hired Law Firm
We had a very complicated home selling process, and Joe was our real estate attorney. We couldn't have asked for someone more efficient, effective and on top of communication, from start to finish. When there were hiccups (and there were more than a few), he was there with great guidance. Would definitely recommend Joe to anyone. We also work with Rachel and Rosemary for some extremely complex estate planning and distribution, not to mention our own wills. The coordination and combined knowledge in these areas between everyone at Cummings and Lockwood is extraordinary, and why you pay for good lawyers.
Due to an unforeseen complicated closing, my first attorney bowed out of my deal. Feeling left hung out to dry, Joe Cessario stepped in and made short work of the situation. He really went to bat for me and went out of his way to explain the circumstances. He made sure I didn't feel isolated during the deal as I had with my previous attorney and agent. I would highly recommend Joe.
Joe Cessario provided prompt, expert advice during the sale of our home on buyers' due diligence, negotiation of terms and closing. I found his advice uniformly reliable. He worked efficiently and billed reasonably. He used his support staff where he could to hold costs down. I wouldn't hesitate to use him again.
Real Estate
Posted by Anne
October 06, 2022
Hired Law Firm
Joe Cessario is a pleasure to work with. His professionalism, knowledge and communication skills are outstanding. His advice was always spot on. I wouldn't hesitate to highly recommend Joe.
Residential Real Estate
Posted by Jacqueline
October 02, 2022
Hired Law Firm
Working with Mr. Cessario has been a wonderful experience. He is truly an exceptional attorney and provided impeccable service. As an attorney myself, I highly recommend Mr. Cessario.
Real Estate
Posted by Laura
September 11, 2022
Hired Law Firm
Working with Joe Cessario on our home sale was a great experience. Our home had some complex deed components. Joe answered all our questions and concerns quickly and clearly, giving our broker great confidence and helping to support a quick and easy sale. He is responsive, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Joe Cessario and Cummings & Lockwood!
My real estate agent connected me with Joe Cessario and I am so grateful he did! Joe was great at helping me navigate all the necessary components of being a first time home owner. He made the process as stress free as possible and was always available for any questions that I had. I would recommend him to anyone in need of an attorney.
Residential Real Estate
Posted by Kim
August 03, 2022
Hired Law Firm
Working with Joe Cessario was a seamless and positive experience. He assisted us with the closing of our home and was professional, knowledgeable and exceedingly helpful. We had a few bumpy days before closing and Joe expertly guided my husband and I during this transaction. He thoroughly explained our options and provided us with the knowledge we needed to make critical decisions before our closing. We respect and trust Joe and recommend using him for any real estate needs. Five stars!!!
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Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.
The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.
Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page
Martindale Peer Reviews
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.
The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.
What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*
• 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.
Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.
Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.