Barry Rose - Attorney at Law - Insights on Family Law - Family Lawyer, Divorce Lawyer, Bellevue, WA

Insights on Family Law

INSIGHTS ON FAMILY LAW

In over 20 years dealing with Family Law issues (both as a student/clerk and a practicing attorney since 1992), I have made a number of observations about the practice of Family Law. These are solely my personal opinions. While others may hold different views, I think it will be helpful to you, the prospective client, to share my insights regarding Family Law.

1. Litigation Costs More Than Alternate Dispute Resolution.

Proceeding to Court to resolve a disputed issue is very expensive. It is the highest revenue-generating area of an attorney’s practice. Litigating is not only financially expensive but it is extremely time consuming and emotionally exhausting because of the uncertainty and stress associated with Court hearings and trials. I suggest you be wary of any Family Law attorney who stresses litigation, trial and other formal Court proceedings as the preferred way to resolve your family’s problems and disputes, as opposed to “Alternate Dispute Resolution” such as mediation and arbitration.

2. Reasonable Attorneys Usually End Up Costing Clients Significantly Less Than “Aggressive” Attorneys.

Sometimes prospective clients seek an “aggressive” attorney. Let me be clear. Zealous advocacy and tough negotiating skills are core principles of my practice. However, there is a big difference between being zealous and being unreasonable.

Attorneys should work together to resolve their respective clients’ issues. Adopting an obnoxious, difficult or unresponsive demeanor with opposing attorneys means that more communication must be done in writing and through formal procedures, such as litigation and formal discovery. Such practices only increase the time and expense required to achieve a resolution. This often results in substantially higher costs to the client while failing to produce substantially different results. Being courteous is not a sign of weakness and being obnoxious is not a sign of strength.

3. Sole Practitioners Provide Comparable Services to “Big Firms;” Expert Consultants are Available to All Attorneys.

A prospective client may be tempted to retain the services of a “big firm” as opposed to a sole practitioner. Certainly, there can be outstanding legal services provided by firms of all sizes and in all locations. However, I do not believe that big firms generally provide better services than a sole practitioner.

A law firm is only as good as the attorney in charge of your case. A big firm is basically an association of individual lawyers. Big firms often assign cases and projects to junior associates who you may not even know! I am a sole practitioner and I can guarantee you that I will be the only lawyer working on your case. I will be available and responsive to you. Should there be a need for an “Expert,” such as a business evaluator, forensic accountant, real estate appraiser, tax attorney, etc, I have access to leading experts and will retain their services, with your approval, to address any outstanding issues.

4. As a Sole Practitioner, You Will Always Have Me Personally Involved in Your Case.

I guarantee that I will be the one and only attorney working on your case, unless special circumstances require additional expertise, in which case you will be fully informed and involved with the selection and retention of any associate attorney.

I am available to my clients whenever they need me. If I am in a meeting, court, etc. and not able to speak with you immediately, I will return your call promptly. While I may not always be immediately available during evenings and weekends, you will have my personal cell phone number that is good on a “24/7 basis.” My goal is to always answer telephone calls and e-mails within 24 hours or less. My office is also staffed by a friendly and professional receptionist to answer your telephone calls and welcome you to my office.

If I need to be absent for more than a short time (such as for a vacation), I will ensure that a substitute attorney is standing by to assist you while I am unavailable. I will also file with the Court and opposing counsel a Notice of Absence, to help ensure that your case remains stable during my absence.

Glossary of Family Law Terminology

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