Gravina Law - Areas of Practice

Areas of Practice

John A. Gravina
Attorney at Law
1670 East River Road suite 124
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 795-4330 fax: (520) 881-7689
www.Gravinalaw.com

CLIENT CARE KIT

INTRODUCTION

This brochure will acquaint you with my law practice. I opened a practice shortly after graduating from law school. I worked for a couple of firms for experience. At times, a situation may arise where you will need an attorney; or, a consultation with good information may be all you need.

PHILOSOPHY

Clients are best served by the prevention of legal problems through careful and thorough advice
given. When a legal problem does arise, clients will be assisted in finding the most practical and
cost-effective solution, which may include litigation.

OUR FIRST MEETING

    One of the best ways to have a successful first meeting is to be prepared. Before your initial appointment, gather and organize all important documents that pertain to the matter you will discuss. This simple step can save you time and money and will help us better understand your situation.
    Be prepared to discuss with what it is you wish to accomplish so that we can assess the chances of successfully accomplishing your goals.
    With only a few exceptions, we have an ethical obligation not to disclose information you discuss. That means that except in extreme circumstances, we will not talk about your matter with anyone else without your permission.
    It is best to be prepared to answer detailed questions regarding your legal matter. Accurate details and truthful answers will ensure that we can give you the most effective assistance.
    You will also want to make sure you leave your first attorney-client meeting with answers to important questions. The list below is a helpful start.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK US

What is your experience in this area of practice?
How many cases like mine have you handled?
What are your rates and how will the billing be handled?
What is the estimated total expense for costs and fees of my case?
How can we keep the costs and fees down?
What are my alternatives in resolving this matter?
How will you keep me informed of progress and how often will I hear form you?
Who else in the office can I contact about my case?
What documentation do you need from me?
Approximately how long will it take to resolve my case?

OUR CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP

    Almost everything you tell us is completely confidential. That protected communication is called attorney-client privilege. The confidentiality of the attorney-client relationship allows you to be completely honest with our office so we can represent you in the most effective way possible.
    There are a few rare circumstances in which an attorney may have to break that confidentiality. Those circumstances include revealing information to prevent a future crime.
    Our duty to keep your communications confidential continues even after the client-attorney relationship ends.
    We will talk with you before making major cost expenditures such as for an expert or outside consultant. Let us know that you want to be kept informed about costs as they accrue and ask us to explain options you might have for holding costs down as much as possible.
    There may be other types of fee agreements or variations of the ones described above. Ask us to explain your fee agreement to make sure you understand how it works.

WHO’S WHO IN A LAW OFFICE

The people who make up the staff vary from law firm to law firm. But generally, lawyers depend on a number of legal professionals to assist with handling your legal matter.

That team could include:
- Paralegals
- Nurse consultants
- Secretaries
- Other Lawyers
- Legal clerks
- Office Managers
- Receptionists
- Messengers

    All of my staff are required to keep information about your legal matter confidential. Anything you tell them is protected by the same lawyer-client privilege.
    Check with me to determine whom you should contact for information about the status of your legal matter. Remember, only a lawyer is ethically permitted to give you legal advice.
    I am still ultimately responsible for every aspect of your legal matter and must supervise the work of other team members.

CLIENT RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Your Rights: You should expect us to:

1.    Represent you diligently and ethically.
2.    Be capable of handling your case. You are encouraged to ask about our education, training and experience before hiring us. We will inform you periodically about the status of your case and give you copies of legal documents prepared on your behalf.
3.    Charge you a reasonable fee and tell you in advance the basis for that fee. You will receive a written confirmation of our fee agreement.
4.    Provide an estimate of the costs and legal fees. You should inquire as to the potential costs if your case is lost. Ask for a written explanation of the fees and costs incurred.
5.    Keep confidential almost all statements and information that you reveal in the course of your relationship. Rare exceptions include subjects such as intent to commit a crime.
6.    Give you the right to make the ultimate decisions on the legitimate objectives to be pursued in your case, including deciding whether or not to settle your case.
7.    Show you courtesy and respect.
8.    Exercise independent professional judgment on your behalf, free from compromising influence.
9.    Keep you informed about the status of your legal matter, responding promptly to reasonable requests for information.
10. Provide you with a complete set of your file, if it has not been provided to you during representation, or if the lawyer should need to end the representation.

Your Responsibilities: We will expect you to:

1.    Give us a truthful and candid recitation of the facts surrounding your case. We can only help you when there has been full disclosure. You have the responsibility to promptly notify us of changed circumstances.
2.    Give us prompt responses to reasonable and necessary requests.
3.    Understand that he/she has many other clients and that other clients are equally deserving of our time and efforts.
4.    Set appointments in advance rather than showing up at the office and expecting to be seen.
5.    Be on time for all meetings and legal proceedings.
6.    Treat me and my staff with courtesy and respect.
7.    Communicate in a timely manner with us if you are unhappy regarding our representation.
8.    Refrain from asking us to engage in behavior, which is inappropriate, unethical, unprofessional, or illegal.
9.    Pay the agreed upon lawyer’s fee in a prompt manner. If unforeseen circumstances arise concerning payment, you should inform us of the reasons for nonpayment. If any billing entries are in question, you should give us immediate notice.
10. Immediately notify us if you change your address or phone number.

LEGAL SERVICES

I am a licensed attorney in Arizona. When I first went out on my own, I had a general practice. I now concentrate in consumer law representing claimants and accident victims.

Accidents

    - Representing consumer in their claims against negligent parties;
    - Recent studies show two key reasons for legal representation-you have a better chance of recovering money;
      and you will likely receive more money (25% more after fees and costs-RAND Institute).

Workers’ Compensation

    - Representing claimant’s in their claim against employers and their insurance company; Representation at the
      Industrial Commission; Initial Denial Claims; Petition’s to Re-Open, Loss of Earning Capacity; and, Petitions for
      Re-Arrangement.
    - Workers’ Comp is very complex and the insurance company or self insured employer will be represented by
      attorneys specialized in Workers’ Comp. It is recommended that you consult with an attorney familiar with
      Workers’ Comp.

Social Security Disability

    - Representing disabled workers no longer able to be employed; Initial Claims, Reconsideration
      and Administrative Law Hearings;
    - The reversal rate of a Social Security denial is more than 50%; in my practice it is over 60%. You will be going
      to a formal proceeding and genrallly you should not go to court without a representative other than a lawyer. An
      attorney will assist in gathering the evidence. They will prepare you and your case and be with you at the hearing.
      An attorney represents your interest and is your advocate.

Wills & Probate

    - Drawing up simple wills, codicils, beneficiary deeds and other documents that will help your survivors after your
      death;
    - Assisting survivors in dealing with the legal issues after a loved one’s death.

If you would like to learn more about any of these areas, please call (520) 795-4330. Your questions are invited and held in the strictest confidence.

LEGAL FEES AND COSTS

    Some people use the terms “fees” and “costs” interchangeably, but when you are talking about legal services, you need to understand the difference.
    Fees refer only to the money you pay a lawyer for the time spent working on your case.
    Costs/Expenses are the other charges involved in the handling of your legal matter that are above and beyond the legal fees.
    Your lawyer should provide you a written copy of your fee agreement, which should describe the fees and costs/expenses that you may incur, and how you will be billed.

FEES

There are many ways to pay for professional legal services. Following is an explanation of several methods.

Hourly Rate – We charge a set amount per hour for the time spent working on your legal issue.
    - Most lawyers round off their work to the nearest tenth or quarter of an hour.
    - Staff members who have less training and experience than your lawyer bill at a lower hourly rate. Ask us to tell
       you everyone who is likely to work on your legal matter and their hourly rate.
Contingency Fee – We agree to take a specific percentage of the money you receive if you win the case or settle the matter out of court.
    - If we do not collect any money, you will not have to pay us for the time spent working on the case. You will still
      be responsible to pay all costs and expenses incurred during your case.
    - This type of fee is often used in personal injury cases or other cases when you are suing to collect money from
      the person or entity responsible for injury or damage.
Flat Fee – We charge a set amount to complete the legal assignment no matter how long it actually takes to do the job.
    - This fee is for routine legal matters such as the preparation of a simple will or filing a bankruptcy. When you
      agree to a flat fee, be sure you know what it does and does not include and if there could be additional charges.

COSTS

Costs vary considerably from case to case, depending on the nature of your legal matter. They could include items such as filing or recording fees, mailing and copying costs, money necessary to hire outside consultants or experts, jury and witness fees, travel, and couriers.
    - You are responsible for paying costs.
    - With contingency fee agreements you must pay the costs out of your share of the money that is collected. Even
      if no money is collected, you are still responsible to pay the costs.
    - We may advance costs, but ultimately you remain responsible and must pay us back.
    - We will give you a reasonable estimate of the type and the amount of costs that will likely be incurred in the
      handling of your legal matter.
    - We will contact you with an explanation if there are any major changes in our estimate of the costs.

WAY TO REDUCE COSTS & FEES

    - Gather information before our first meeting. Write down names, addresses and telephone numbers of all the
      people involved in the matter.
    - Be organized. Bring letters, documents and other important papers to your first meeting. Write down questions
      you want us to answer.
    - Keep us informed, but don’t make unnecessary calls about minor details. If you are being charged an hourly
      rate, it is likely you are being charged for your call.
    - Be on time for appointments.
    - Ask if you can reduce costs by obtaining documents, contacting witnesses or providing other assistance.
    - Keep track of all papers sent to you by your lawyer, including receipts for cash payments and monthly billing
      statements.

REPRESENTING CONSUMERS

John A. Gravina. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, September 24, 1960; admitted to Arizona State Bar in 1990; Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Workers’ Compensation, Wills and Probate.
Education: University of Massachusetts (B.S. 1983); University of Arizona (J.D. 1989). Judicial Clerk, Judge Norman S. Fenton, Superior Court, Pima County, 1989. Adjunct Faculty, Pima Community College, 1993-Present. Member: American Bar Association; Pima County Bar Association; State Bar of Arizona; National Organization for Social Security Claimant Representation; Tucson Organization for Social Security Claimant’s Representatives; Arizona Trial Lawyers Association.

John A. Gravina
Attorney at Law
1670 East River Road, suite 124
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 795-4330 fax: (520) 881-7689
www.Gravinalaw.com