Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I focus on a variety of family law issues: divorces, custody disputes, visitation, alimony. Also, I handle grandparent visitation and adoption cases. I have been maintaining an office in Bountiful, Utah since 2000. I am a member of the Utah State Bar Family Law Section. I provide individualized solution to clients' unique problems.

Abraham Bates is a foreclosure-defense attorney practicing in Utah. Based out of Salt Lake City, his practice covers the entire state of Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, and he is the Managing Partner of a law firm with attorneys licensed in the states of Nevada, Arizona and California. Abe is a committed defender of the rights of homeowners and he strongly believes that homeownership - including having equity in your home - is fundamental to the fabric of democracy and American society.

As Managing Partner of Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates, Abe manages a team of over 30 attorneys, housing paralegals, forensic loan auditors, loan modification staff, and others who share his commitment to hold the Big Banks accountable for their unconscionable, predatory lending behavior - lending behavior that is directly responsible for the foreclosure crisis, economic depression and 10% unemployment rate that we as citizens and homeowners currently face. Many of the committed staff which Abe manages formerly worked for what he calls "the dark side," meaning employees of foreclosure service agents of the Big Banks and attorneys and mortgage lenders who made hundreds of millions of dollars of sub-prime loans before the collapse of the housing market. Now that these staff members have "seen the light" and recognize the problems with the lenders and servicers for whom they previously worked, they are incredibly useful tools to the Firm's foreclosure-defense practice given their intimate knowledge of the dirty tricks, deceptive practices, concealment, fraud and other bad acts perpetrated by the Big Banks (and the 400+ failed sub-prime lenders whose loans the Big Banks purchased with tax-payer (TARP) money) and the servicers who foreclose upon homeowners based on fraudulently executed (robo-signature) documents and false sworn testimony regarding possession of a homeowner's "wet-ink" mortgage promissory note.

Wasatch Advocates, the Utah-focused foreclosure-defense practice which Abe manages, has filed over 100 cases in the last six months in defense of the rights of homeowners in foreclosures. He has won numerous victories after evidentiary hearings and achieved settlements whereby homeowners get principal reductions and affordable fixed interest rates instead of the predatory sub-prime mortgages which they previously faced. For homeowners who want to move out of their homes, Abe has secured deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, credit repair, and favorable short sale approval terms (along with credit repair), enabling the homeowner to walk away from their home without the consequences of a foreclosure. Abe is also spearheading an effort in the 2011 Utah legislative session to enact mandatory foreclosure-mediation laws which would requires the banks and securitized trusts to send a representative authorized to execute a loan modification, short sale approval, or deed-in-lieu, before any foreclosure of a home in Utah can occur. The local and national media frequently call on Abe for comment on MERS, the foreclosure crisis, and solutions to the national foreclosure crisis "Prof Says Banks Undermined the System (SLTRIB)."

Abe is also a long-time friend and colleague of Associate Dean Christopher Peterson at the University of Utah College of Law. Dean Peterson is the leading expert in the country on the issue of MERS and, while not formally associated as an attorney of the firm, provides valuable insight and assistance with Abe's efforts to defend homeowners facing foreclosure. Additionally, Dean Peterson serves as an Expert Witness on a number of the cases which Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates prosecutes in defense of homeowners facing foreclosure.

LITIGATION VICTORIES

Abe secured the first-ever ruling on the merits against the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") in Utah after an evidentiary hearing for a preliminary injunction within hours of the homeowner's foreclosure sale. Abe also secured the first-ever injunction in a foreclosure case awarded by Chief Judge Tena Campbell of the United States District Court in Utah against Provident Funding, based on Provident's negligent misrepresentations, bad faith and unfair dealing in servicing the homeowner's loan. Abe has also won a handful of "free and clear" (Quiet Title) judgments on behalf of homeowners, although this strategy is not a primary focus of Homeowner Legal Defense Advocate's efforts. Abe is currently involved in several state-wide class actions designed to bring down foreclosure-rescue scams, is involved in planning a national class-action lawsuit against MERS and the Big Banks, and is appealing two non-judicial foreclosure cases to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and to the Utah Supreme Court.

OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE

Abe is a strong believer that everybody should have access to an aggressive and empathetic foreclosure-defense attorney and has built Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates with a team of staff dedicated and committed to keeping clients updated on the status of their litigation while simultaneously making efforts to ease the anxiety and trauma that comes with the foreclosure process. He believes that you have a right to know exactly what is going on in your case, your available legal and non-legal remedies, your chances of success, and what it will cost you to prosecute your claims against the Big Banks. The Firm offers free consultations and advice as a matter of course, and provides documents at no charge which homeowners can use on their own to preserve their rights and prevent negative credit reporting prior to a foreclosure. Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Defense Legal Advocates want to ensure that every homeowner understands the process, the timelines, the defenses available, and the legal and non-legal remedies a homeowner may take on their own, or with the assistance of a foreclosure-defense attorney, to stave off foreclosure.

EARLY CAREER

Prior to law school, Abe worked for two powerful and well-connected members of the United States House Of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Abe then returned to his home in Utah, where he worked as a chemical addiction counselor. Abe also helped start several high-technology companies in the mid- to late-1990s. Each of these experiences has enabled Abe to build Homeowner Defense Legal Advocates, a regional law firm committed to defending homeowners facing foreclosure in four out of the five "hardest hit" states in the country (Nevada, Arizona, California, and Utah), whether through driving legislative action, training his staff to empathize with homeowners who face the emotional and psychological trauma that is a natural consequence of the prospect of losing the family home, and by using the Internet to educate homeowners nationwide of their rights both and prior to foreclosure.

Attorney Ed Jones is an expert criminal defense attorney with a successful record exclusively in the area of criminal law. He is licensed to practice law in all of the State and Federal Courts of Utah and California, and the United States Supreme Court. He has handled a wide range of cases from high profile murder cases, to simple infractions. Put Ed Jones' expertise and success to work for you. He is a Powerful Defense Fueled by Experience!

Chris Salcido is a Utah licensed attorney and a founding Member of Salcido Law Firm PLLC.

Prior to founding Salcido Law Firm with his brother, Chris practiced complex commercial and civil litigation with a law firm in Salt Lake City, focusing his practice on the representation of injured victims in personal injury and medical malpractice suits. In recent years, Chris has been involved with some of the largest personal injury and medical malpractice verdicts in Utah.

Chris's past experience also includes the representation of large corporations as a corporate attorney. Chris has considerable experience and knowledge in the representation of ecommerce companies and start-ups. Since co-founding Salcido Law Firm, Chris has focused his practice to personal injury, criminal defense, bankruptcy, family law, and small business representation.

Chris is an experienced divorce and family law attorney. He has represented clients in difficult family law matters including custody disputes, complex divorces, and property divisions. Chris has developed unique and effective approaches to resolving family law matters for his clientâs and their families.

In addition to his legal practice, Chris has maintained a commitment to teaching legal and general education courses at colleges throughout Utah. Chris has taught college courses in American History; Philosophy; Logic & Critical Analysis; Humanities; Probate Administration & Estate Planning; and Evidence.

Chris is committed to giving back to the local community. Chris served as a member of the Utah Army National Guard for several years and is a decorated veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. Chris offers pro bono services to veterans on a case by case basis. Chris personally aspires to 100 hours of pro bono service a year. Chris also supports his alma maters by offering reduced fees to students and alumni of the University of Utah and Utah Valley University.

Utah Bankruptcy Attorney

Shortly after I graduated from law school, I started with a Salt Lake City firm where I represented persons who had been injured due to the carelessness or recklessness of someone else. I enjoyed what I did and took great satisfaction in helping real people, not insurance companies or corporations. I decided that this was the area of law I wanted to devote my legal career to.

I now own my own law firm, Kramer Law Group. We represent the same sorts of people I represented when I first started practicing. And I still enjoy it!

Our focus here is on personal injury law. Our cases mostly involve car accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. We also handle slip and falls, dog bites, etc. And a small part of our practice is devoted to sexual harassment cases. We have experience handling cases involving brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, herniated and bulging disks, fractures, lacerations, burns, bites, etc.

We are based in Draper, Utah, which is in southern Salt Lake County. We also have an office in Utah County, located in Provo at 495 N. University. Even though our offices are in Northern Utah, we have handled, and continue to handle cases throughout the state of Utah. In Northern Utah, we represent the areas of Alpine, American Fork, Bountiful, Cedar Hills, Clinton, Cottonwood, Duchesne, Eagle Mountain, Farmington, Herriman, Highland, Holladay, Kearns, Layton, Lehi, Lindon, Magna, Murray Nephi, North Salt Lake, Ogden, Orem, Payson, Pleasant Grove, Price, Provo, Riverton, Roosevelt, Sandy, Santaquin, Saratoga Springs, South Jordan, Spainish Fork, Springville, Sugarhouse, Taylorsville, Vernal, West Jordan, and West Valley.

Throughout the state, we service:
St. George
Moab
Vernal
Price
Beaver
Nephi
Logan

If I didn't mention it above, we handle the following kinds of cases:

PERSONAL INJURY AND ACCIDENTS

* Asbestos Exposure
* Auto Accident
* Truck Semi AccidentM
* Motorcycle Accident
* Car Accident
* Pedestrian Accidents
* Dog Bite and other Animal Bites
* Back Injury
* Neck Injury
* Brain Injury
* Birth Injury
* Boating Accident
* Construction Worker Injuries
* Dangerous Product Liability
* Recalled Products
* Sexual Harassment
* Hospital Negligence
* Doctor Negligence
* Physician Negligence
* Prescription Drug Medicine
* Lead Paint Exposure
* Medical Malpractice
* Nursing Home Neglect
* Nursing Home Abuse
* Slip or Fall
* Wrongful Death
* Sexual Abuse
* Sexual Molestation

Russell Weekes is a knowledgeable and experienced corporate executive and attorney who focuses on his client needs and goals. Russ Weekesâ approach emphasizes understanding his client's needs and goals first, then providing appropriate counseling and solutions, and providing superior legal services. My bankruptcy practice focuses on bankruptcy, business, criminal defense, estate planning, family law, foreclosure defense, loan modification, personal injury, probate, and trial/civil litigation. Contact me to find out how I can help you with your legal need.

Marco Brown currently owns and operates Brown Law, LLC, a firm that practices primarily in the areas of criminal defense and family law.

Before opening Brown Law, Marco graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law. He then was the judicial law clerk for six judges before practicing as a litigation associate for one of New Mexico's largest firms. While a litigation associate, Marco practiced in the fields of workers' compensation, employment law, insurance defense, and construction law.

These experiences have made Marco's transition to criminal law, family law, and constitutional law (his legal passions) seamless. He is fully committed to defending the rights of all his clients and obtaining the best resolution possible.

Jennifer Smock focuses on debtors' rights counseling. Bankruptcy can be an important tool that helps those overburdened with debt to get a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy can stop foreclosure on a house, eviction from a rental, prevent repossession of a car or other property, stop wage garnishment or debt collection harassment, aid in avoidance of liens, and prevent termination of utility services. Bankruptcy can also help reduce and eliminate high medical bills, provide help for large amounts of student loan debt, and challenge claims of fraudulent creditors.

Jen has handled hundreds of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings from all over the country. Working two years in the legal compliance department for a national auto finance company gave Jen specialized insight into bankruptcy from the creditors standpoint -- from Proof of Claim filing to contesting Discharge. Jen supports the right to file bankruptcy and the policies to ensure that the bankruptcy process works as intended - to provide debtors a new beginning. Whether you file for Liquidation (Chapter 7) or Reorganization (Chapter 13) you can feel confident with Jen on your side.

Jen balances her bankruptcy service practice with consumer law and general civil litigation. Her consumer law litigation practice includes representation in mortgage foreclosure defense, class actions, unfair debt collection, deceptive advertising, warranty fraud, auto-dealer fraud, truth-in-lending, predatory lending, payday lending, unfair credit reporting, identity theft, and tenant's rights. She also worked for Hanes & Associates, P.L.L.C., which focused on legal issues related to Construction Law, including mortgage and promissory note negotiation, lease agreements, and lien avoidance.

Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Attorney

As the founder of Levitt Legal, PLLC, Darren M. Levitt is a strong advocate for men, women, and minors charged with alleged criminal offenses. His firm works closely with individuals who face misdemeanor or felony offenses in Utah. Levitt Legal, PLLC, is based in Salt Lake City, Utah and represents clients throughout Salt Lake County, Box Elder County, Chase County, and the surrounding communities.

Darren Levitt provides all clients with the utmost attention, no matter the seeming severity of the charges they face. His Salt Lake City practice focuses solely on criminal defense. This includes DUI (Driving under the Influence), marijuana charges, domestic violence crimes, weapons violations, assault, violation of probation, property crimes, juvenile offenses, and other offenses. Other practice areas include records sealing and expunging for those eligible under state law.

Prior to opening the doors of Levitt Legal, Darren refined his criminal defense skills during his time working with some of Utah's most renowned criminal defense attorneys. During this time, Darren also worked on one of the highest profile murder trials in the state's history. He has also handled many full trial civil litigation cases within family law, personal injury, and property law. As a criminal defense attorney, this additional perspective has proven invaluable in cases that include family law or personal injury elements.

To learn more about your legal options, call Levitt Legal, PLLC at (801) 455-1743. During your free, no-obligation consultation, Darren will personally review your case, help you understand the charges, and begin charting a favorable course of action. Call today to begin the important first steps towards defending your future or that of your loved one.

Alder & Robb, P.C. is a boutique law firm specializing in Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship, Adoption, Parenting & Partnership Agreements, Small Business Law, and other legal protections.

At Alder & Robb, P.C., we pride ourselves on providing expert, customized, comprehensive and caring legal services. In order to achieve your goals, dreams and values and meet your unique legal needs, we believe that we must get to know you personally and work closely with you. We develop close relationships with our clients that often last for many years. We are here when you need us.

Family and small business oriented law firm where you can get an appointment the day you need one. Lonnie's general practice includes Estate Planning (wills & trusts), Family law (divorce, adoptions, guardianships), Business organizations (partnerships, corporations, LLC's) and wrongful injury law. Your legal issue is important, and will be handled efficiently and professionally.

I have practiced law since 1984. In my years of experience, I developed my approach which considers each client's individual and legal needs. While I prepare each case for litigation, my aim is to spare the expense and emotional toll of litigation and to help my clients achieve the best result as quickly as possible. Because my clients come from all walks of life, I choose to practice in a broad range of legal matters. Some of the issues I handle are family law, including divorce, personal injury matters, probate and estate administration, estate planning, workers' compensation, business litigation, and professional malpractice law.

I have been active as a charter member, and proponent, of the Collaborative Law Group, an organization focused on bringing collaborative law to consumers. I have also been a volunteer lawyer for the Utah Legal Services and Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake since 1989, assisting members of the community who may not be able to afford legal representation.

A graduate of Cleveland State University's Cleveland Marshall College of Law, I authored a paper on Civil Liability for Drug Abuse During Pregnancy; did independent research in Psychology and the Law; and, participated in additional coursework in Forensic Medicine, Psychiatry and the Law.

Since entering practice, I've been involved in with the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Juvenile Procedure; Utah State Bar Solo / Small Firm Section; Utah State Bar Litigation Section; and Utah State Bar Family Law Section. I've served as a contributor to the Utah Legal Services Family Law Manual and as a Judge Pro Tem - Small claims court, Salt Lake County, Utah, and am a Past Chairman of Medical Malpractice Prelitigation panels. Additional professional accreditation includes: Graduate, National College of Advocacy Trial Advocacy Course, Scottsdale, AZ.; Graduate, National College of Advocacy Civil Litigation Course, National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada; attended Association of Trial Lawyers of America Mega Seminars in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Reno, Nevada; and, a charter member of the Collaborative Family Law of Utah.

As the founder of Ayres Law Firm, Tyler Ayres knows that the legal system requires specific strategies to get the best possible outcome for your case. This is why Mr. Ayres has assembled Utah's most experienced team of DUI defense trial attorneys, former prosecutors and drivers license experts. Together, the entire team works in concert on your case to ensure the best possible outcome for you.

"Being accused of a DUI does not make you a criminal," Tyler explains. "We treat you with respect and dignity as our team does everything possible to minimize the disruption of a DUI in your life.

Having defended hundreds of individuals accused of DUI since 2001, Mr. Ayres is one of Utah's most experienced and successful DUI attoneys. Daily he is representing his clients in their criminal proceedings in the courts as well as at the DMV hearings.

To remain on the cutting edge of DUI defense strategies and techniques, Mr. Ayres attends that National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers annual DUI conference. Additionally, Mr. Ayres devotes hundreds of hours every year continuing his study and understanding of DUI defense through personal study and attendance at legal summits, seminars and continuing education courses.


Bar Admissions:
Utah
U.S. District Court District of Utah

Education:
Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon
J.D.
University of Utah, Salt Lake, Utah
B.S.
Major: Communication
Major: Political Science

http://www.ayreslawfirm.com

Leonor has been practicing exclusively immigration law for over 15 years. She represents clients in immigration court, Citizenship & Immigration Services, the Board of Immigration Appeals and Federal Court.
Leonor has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for over 15 years and has served as the Utah Chair and other executive positions. She is current the Chair of the AILA/Immigration Court Liaison Committee.

Todd is dual qualified as both a business, tax & estate planning attorney and also tax accountant. Todd earned a Bachelor & Master of Accountancy in Taxation from BYU and has experience with the Big 4 accounting firms Ernst & Young and Deloitte. He enjoys helping business owners and individuals with their business, tax, and estate planning needs.

Former Utah State Prosecutor, now representing exclusively personal injury clients throughout Utah.

Matt Wadsworth earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Utah in Economics where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class. Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he graduated in the top third of his class and earned the Cali Award in Real Estate Finance and Development and the top grade in Land Use and Development.

Upon admittance to the Utah State Bar Association, he was offered a position with the largest foreclosure firm in Utah, Lundberg & Associates. During this time he managed the processing of thousands of foreclosures and post eviction files, giving him the experience and skill to handle Arnold & Wadsworth’s expansive mortgage lending practices litigation. He is also the firm’s legislative liaison and handles their lobbying needs. Matt’s most recent legislative work with the Utah legislature was sponsoring House Bill 299 with Gage Froerer, which amended the State’s unlawful detainer statute.

Matt practices in the areas of residential and commercial foreclosures, workouts, personal injury, real estate, title, evictions, landlord/tenant law, debt collections, and consumer law, appraisal litigation, loan fraud and bankruptcy. He has significant expertise in the Federal Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

After leaving a career as a Merchant Marine officer, Mr. Bautista has practiced criminal defense exclusively since 1999. Since then, he has represented over 4,000 clients and has obtained dismissals or not guilty verdicts in all types of criminal cases, including white collar crimes, criminal homicide, all sex crimes including rape and aggravated sex abuse of a child, aggravated burglary, robbery, thefts, forgeries, aggravated assaults, drug and alcohol charges including DUI, and domestic violence allegations. When unable to secure a dismissal, Mr. Bautista has helped obtain a favorable resolution, or tried the case before a jury. As of September 1, 2011, he has tackled over 50 jury trials as lead counsel with 42 acquittals, and of the guilty verdicts, two have been reversed on appeal and one was to a lesser misdemeanor charge.

Mr. Bautista believes that each case must be handled from the onset for trial. While most criminal cases are dismissed or resolved prior to trial, diligent and aggressive representation from the onset is fundamental to obtaining the best results.

At Anderson & Karrenberg, Mr. Bautista focuses on representing individuals and companies in white collar criminal cases, and individuals in all criminal cases. By habitually exceeding the continuing education requirements established by the Utah Bar, Mr. Bautista keeps abreast of all major developments in frequently litigated areas, such as securities fraud, health care fraud, environmental crime, computer crime, and sex crimes. Mr. Bautista has represented many high profile clients and he prides himself in being one of less than 15 criminal defense attorneys in private practice qualified to represent clients charged with capital murder in Utah. Thanks to his extensive experience as a trial and appellate attorney, he has successfully helped two clients avoid the death penalty.

Whether you, your company, or your loved ones are under investigation, or have been formally charged, Mr. Bautista has the experience, dedication, and a proven history of success to help avoid the most serious consequences.

Brett’s practice focuses primarily on patent procurement, and includes extensive experience with both U.S. and foreign patents. Brett has drafted and prosecuted patent applications for a wide range of technologies. Brett has experience with patent appeals, patent re-examination and reissue proceedings, patent infringement analysis, and freedom to operate analysis, as well as experience with trademark prosecution and enforcement, copyright filings, and litigation.