Joshua Key, Esq., MBA
The Law Offices of Joshua Key, PLLC
The Blanton Building
1810 3rd Avenue South
Suite 216
Jasper, AL 35501
Map
Phone: (205) 265-2900 | Fax: (205) 265-2899
http://www.joshuakey.com
The Key to Your Legal Peace of Mind
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and 13), Estates, Wills, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Elder Law, Nursing Home Abuse, Real Estate Matters, Business Law and Planning.
Sub-Topics
Business Bankruptcy
Chapter 13
Chapter 7
Debt Relief
Foreclosure
Garnishments
Personal Bankruptcy
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and 13), Estates, Wills, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Elder Law, Nursing Home Abuse, Real Estate Matters, Business Law and Planning.
Sub-Topics
Elder Law
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Age Discrimination
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianship
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Long-Term Care
- Medicaid & Medicare Planning
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
- Tax Planning
Legal Topic
Real Estate Law
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and 13), Estates, Wills, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Elder Law, Nursing Home Abuse, Real Estate Matters, Business Law and Planning.
Sub-Topics
Architecture & Engineering
Broker & Transaction Litigation
Building Codes
Buying Property
Condemnation
Condominiums & Cooperatives
Construction Contracts
Construction Defects
Construction Financing
Conveyancing
Eminent Domain
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Homeowners' Associations
Insurance
Land Contracts
Land Use & Zoning
Landlord-Tenant
Mechanics' Liens
Mold Claims
Mortgages
Property Taxes
Real Estate Loans
Renting & Leasing
Title Insurance
Title Litigation
Legal Topic
Estate Planning
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and 13), Estates, Wills, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Elder Law, Nursing Home Abuse, Real Estate Matters, Business Law and Planning.
Sub-Topics
Asset Protection
Business Succession Planning
Charitable Giving
Guardianship
Living Wills
Nolo Document Review
Power of Attorney
Probate & Estate Administration
Trusts
- Charitable Trusts
- Living Trusts
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts
- Supplemental Needs Trusts
Wills
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and 13), Estates, Wills, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Elder Law, Nursing Home Abuse, Real Estate Matters, Business Law and Planning.
Sub-Topics
Admiralty & Maritime Law
- Jones Act
- Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
- Marine Cargo
- Shipping
Agribusiness
- Agrochemicals
- Crops
- Equine
- Farms & Ranches
- Livestock
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
- Antitrust Law
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- False Advertising
- International Antitrust
- Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures
- RICO Act
- Unfair Competition
Banking & Finance
- Commercial Banks & Loans
- Commercial Leasing
- Credit Unions
- International Banking
- Mortgages & Foreclosures
- Savings & Thrifts
- State & Municipal Bonds & Financing
- Venture Capital
Bankruptcy - Commercial
- Reorganizations & Restructuring
- Workouts
Bars & Restaurants
- Liquor Licenses
Business Entity Formation
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Franchising
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Public Offerings
- Shareholders' Rights
- Trade Associations
Business Litigation
Business Tax
- Audit Defense
- Corporate Income Taxes
- Excise Taxes
- International Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- Negotiating Payments & Settlements
- Payroll Taxes
- Property Taxes (Ad Valorem Taxes)
- Sales Taxes
- Tax Evasion Defense
- Tax Filing & Compliance
Collections
- Creditor's Rights
- Garnishees
- Judgments
- Locating Funds
Commercial Law
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Franchises
- International Transactions
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
Construction
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Dangerous Property
- Government Construction Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
Consumer Law
- Consumer Class Actions
- Credit Report Problems
- Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment
- Foreclosures
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Lemon Law
- Repossessions
- Student Loans
- Truth in Lending
Entertainment Law
- Art
- Communication & Media
- Film
- Gaming
- Internet
- Literary Arts
- Music
- Publishing
- Sports
- Television
- Tourism, Travel, & Leisure
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Government Contracts
- Debarment
- Defense Contracts
- Defense Procurement
- Federal Contracts
- Government Construction Contracts
- State & Municipal Contracts
Insurance - Commercial
- Annuities
- Bad Faith
- Casualty Insurance
- Commercial Insurance
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Errors & Omissions
- Fidelity, Guarantee, & Surety
- Health Insurance
- Insurance Malpractice
- Insurance Subrogation
- Life Insurance
- Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Property Insurance
- Reinsurance
International Law
- Business & Trade
- Customs
- Foreign Investment
- Imports & Exports
- International Arbitration
- International Banking
- International Taxation
- International Transactions
- Trade Regulation
Internet (Cyberspace)
- Computer Crimes
- Computer Law
- Digital Signatures
- Domain Names
- Electronic Commerce
- Identity Theft
- Spam
Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Bar Admissions
AL
Other Court Admissions
• Alabama Supreme Court
• US District Court Northern District of Alabama
Association Memberships
• American Bar Association
• Alabama State Bar
• Walker County Bar Association
• Alabama Association for Justice
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Alabama State Bar- Young Lawyers Division
• American Bar Association- Young Lawyers Division
Continuing Education
I attend many continuing legal education seminars on a wide range of topics and usually have more than the required hours. This allows me to be diverse in my knowledge and see many discrete issues in the matters I handle.
Example Cases
Due to attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, I do not share information about prior cases for advertising purposes.
Education
University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law
Juris Doctorate
Kansas City
MO
2007
University of Missouri, Kansas City
Masters of Business Administration
Kansas City
MO
2007
Avila University
Bachelor of Science
Kansas City
MO
2004
• National Dean's List
• Dean's List
• Delta Mu Delta Honor Society
Business Administration
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Alabama
Firm Focus and History
Our firm focuses on treating each client like family. We try to attend to a client's needs legally and otherwise by granting as much access to our firm as possible. Our firm is very approachable and many times we will call just to check in on our clients to see how they are doing and what is going on in their lives. Our hope is that our clients have a good experience with the legal process, one that is non-threatening or intimidating and can walk away feeling their needs were met. Our firm is a small firm where you actually get to interact with your attorney, not just his paralegal or secretary.
Previous Employment Summary
I formerly worked as the in-house counsel of a paramedical service located here in Jasper, Alabama. I have also worked for the low income taxpayer clinics and entrepreneurial clinics. While in school I also clerked for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. These positions have given me massive amounts of experience in many areas of law.
Activities and Awards
I am a member of the Alabama Volunteer Lawyers program, and have done pro bono work with those who could not afford attorneys. I have also volunteered my services in conjunction with the Alabama Association of Justice and the Walker County Bar Association to help those affected by the tornadoes to file insurance and FEMA claims.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think it can be extremely helpful for both attorneys and clients. It deepens the relationship between the attorney and the client because the client walks away with a conscious understanding of what is transpiring. Many times attorneys use legalese which does nothing but confuse clients. My firm tries to make sure that every client walks out of the office with a clear understanding of what is going to occur. Therefore, it can be a great help for clients to educate themselves.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am more than happy to review these documents. However, in my experience, it is easier and cheaper to use a form that I am familiar with. Many times the documents that are brought to in my office are documents that are from other states, or have provisions that violate Alabama law. Most of the clients I have done this for do not even understand what is in the document or how it can impact issues down the road.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
This is a new emerging area for attorneys. Personally, I do not mind helping clients that wish to represent themselves, but fees are involved. Many times I have seen people represent themselves and usually the best results are not achieved. It seems that, "He who represents himself has a fool for a client," applies more than ever.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I thoroughly enjoy helping people. I get great satisfaction when a client walks out of my office thankful and appreciative. That is something that you really cannot find in many careers. Moreover, the law is ever evolving and diverse. I never feel like I am doing repetition and that appeals to me greatly. I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was in high school. During my debate classes I realized the joy of taking on an issue that is extremely challenging and find new ways to solve problems.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Working with low-income taxpayers and small business owners while I was in school was a wonderful experience. I realized how you need to understand the personality and psychology of your client to meet their needs. You must focus on their goals and how to achieve them.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
The areas I choose are ones that I have a good understanding and life experience to use and guide my representation. These are the areas I feel I can be the most use to a client. As for elder law and estate planning, those are areas that have personally hit close to home. Because of a family member's illness, I vowed to use my skills and abilities to make sure my clients did not have to go through the pain and agony my family endured.
What do you like best about your career?
My career allows me to meet many people from different walks of life and develop relationships. I love the challenges that my career puts in front of me on a daily basis. It makes sure that I stay sharp and grow personally on a daily basis.
Tell us about your law firm:
Our firm employs Ms. Lauren Fike as our office manager and nurse consultant. She interacts with many of our clients who have medical issues and tries to find solutions to problems. Ms. Fike is a registered nurse and works in the Walker Baptist Intensive Care Unit full time. Ms. Fike is a great asset to our firm and we are very lucky to have her.
What are your strengths and style?
My style is laid-back and casual on the surface; very intense below. I am a very disarming, warm, and cordial person.
Personal Interests:
I am a certified flight instructor, and in my free time I teach people how to fly airplanes. I absolutely love sports, and played baseball in college. Living in the south has also met my outdoor interests. I love to hunt and fish, although I must confess I am not much of an outdoorsman.
Office Manager/Assistant
Ms. Lauren Fike
Fax
(205) 265-2899
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Our firm tries to use a fixed fee as much as possible. However, with some litigation matters and collection matters, percentages are required. Our hourly rates usually come in during business or civil litigation if a fixed fee cannot be determined.
Hourly Rates
Do not wish to disclose.
Free Initial Consultation?
Our firm always offers a free consultation.
Typical Retainer
Do not wish to disclose.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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