Practice Areas

Administrative

The area of law dealing with governmental agencies.

Civil Law

All areas of the law that are not classified as criminal

Criminal Law

Public law that deals with crimes and their prosecution. This area of law is usually governed by statute or ordinance.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law is a name given to an approach toward resolving legal disputes and the policies and practices that put that attitude into action. You won't find collaborative law in the statutes or administrative regulations but you will find it in the professionalism and integrity of those who practice law. The basic attitude marking collaborative law is of solving the problem, not fighting the fight. Simply stated, it is treating the process as a way to "trouble shoot and problem solve" rather than to fight and win.

Corporate Law

The area of law focusing on the legal methods of obtaining an official charter or articles of incorporation from the state for an organization, which may be a profit-making business, a professional business such as a law office or medical office or a non-profit entity which operates for charitable, social, religious, civic or other public service purposes and the legal ramifications of such an organization.

Contracts

That body of law which regulates the enforcement of contracts. The origins of contract law can be traced back thousands of years as early civilizations began to trade with each other and a legal system was created to support and to facilitate that trade. The English and French developed similar contract law systems, both referring extensively to old Roman contract law principles such as consensus ad idem or caveat emptor. There are some minor differences on points of detail such as the English law requirement that every contract contain consideration. More and more states are changing their laws to eliminate consideration as a prerequisite to a valid contract thus contributing to the uniformity of law. Contract law is the basis of all commercial dealings from buying a bus ticket to trading on the stock market.

Elder Law

Includes a vast range of issues as they affect senior citizens. Elder law focuses on the legal needs of the elderly, and encompasses a variety of legal techniques to meet the objectives of the older client.

Elder law includes general estate planning issues, counseling and planning for incapacity with alternative decision making documents, and planning for possible long-term care needs, including nursing home care. Determining the appropriate type of care, coordinating private and public resources to finance the cost of care, and working to ensure the client's right to quality care are all part of elder law.

Family Law

The area of law dealing with family relations including marriage, divorce, adoption, paternity, custody, and support.

Mediation

A process of non-binding intervention between parties to promote resolution of a grievance, reconciliation, settlement, or compromise outside of the court system.

Mineral Law

The body of law dealing with the definition of minerals, ownership, leasing, and extraction.

Mining Law

The body of law dealing with issues surrounding the extraction and transportation of minerals.

Personal Injury

The area of law that involves civil law cases designed to obtain compensation for injury to your person. The personal injury attorney usually tries to negotiate with the opposing party or their insurance company. If necessary, and if the attorney thinks you have a good chance of winning, the case may go to trial. The main concerns in a personal injury case are negligence and liability. Before you can collect an award, your attorney will have to prove that the defendant is liable. To prove liability, the attorney must establish negligence. If there is a failure to exercise reasonable care to prevent injury or damage then there may be negligence. Once liability and negligence have been established, the judge or the jury may award money to compensate for medical costs, lost wages and lost future earnings as well as for pain and suffering.

Real Estate Law

Law dealing with "property" consisting of land, buildings, crops, or other resources still attached to or within the land or improvements or fixtures permanently attached to the land or a structure on it.

School Law

The body of law dealing with the issues of public schooling, rules, regulations and rights of students and staff. It also includes Special Education Issues.

Wills

A written and signed statement, made by an individual, which provides for the disposition of their property when they die.

Estates

The area of law that deals with planning for the inevitability of death, such as obtaining life insurance to pay for the costs of a funeral, preparing a simple Will, and other preparations. More comprehensive planning, such as preparing a more complex will, trust, and related estate planning documents may also be needed.