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Christie D. Arkovich
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Christie D. Arkovich
Christie D. Arkovich, P.A.
1520 W. Cleveland St.
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: (813) 258-2808 | Fax: (813) 258-5911
http://www.lawyers.com/christiearkovich
Free bankruptcy consultation, low cost payment plan.
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with clients who are filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (either individual or for their small business) or for a Chapter 13.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Collections & Repossessions
- Debt Relief
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
FL, Oct 1992
Bar Number: 963690
Other Court Admissions
State of Florida; Federal Bar for Northern, Middle and Southern Districts, Florida.
Association Memberships
Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association; Hillsborough County Bar Association (former co-chair employment and labor section).
Continuing Education
I both teach and attend continuing legal education seminars in bankruptcy and employment related areas.
Papers and Publications
Co-Author: Chapter, "Closing Argument and Jury Instructions: Plaintiff's Perspective," in Litigating the Sexual Harassment Case, ABA, 2000. Author: Chapter, "Opening Argument: Plaintiff's Perspective," in Litigating the Sexual Harassment Case, ABA, 2000. Several local articles for the USF Small Business Development Center focusing on assistance to individuals starting small businesses and the Hillsborough County Lawyer regarding bankruptcy and employment law issues.
Example Cases
Bankruptcy - Middle District of Florida - Expanding homeowners' homestead rights in the State of Florida regardless of how title is held.
Employment law - Middle District of Florida - Expanding overtime rights to employees despite job title limitations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
Stetson University
City:
Deland
State:
FL
Year:
1989
Honors:
With honors; Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Pre-law.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Stetson University College of Law
City:
Gulfport
State:
FL
Year:
1992
Honors:
With honors: Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Stetson Law Review; State Attorney internship with Hillsborough County.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Florida
Firm Focus and History
The firm was formed in August 1995 to focus on employee rights in employment and labor cases. Shortly after founding the firm, consumer bankruptcy law was added to complement our services to our individual clients. Now, bankruptcy represents the largest portion of our practice, but we also still represent employees who have been wrongfully terminated or have legal claims against their employers. We anticipate further expanding our legal services to our clients to include prosecution of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations in the near future.
We strive to offer our clients fair prices for quality legal representation in a friendly environment.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to forming my own firm, I practiced employment, business and civil litigation for three years in small to medium firms representing primarily businesses.
Activities and Awards
AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think it is wonderful. Just understanding the terminology is an important first step and it makes our consultation with our clients much easier and of greater benefit to our clients. My job is to explain options, legal hurdles, the process and likely outcomes. Educating our clients is something that I have always tried to stress as I feel that two minds working toward the same goal is going to be more successful every time. My website strives to educate potential clients. Even if they choose not to consult with me, I hope the information is helpful to their situation.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Both my bankruptcy paralegal and I review documents prepared by clients as part of representing my clients. However, I do not provide "ghost" representation, which is essentially behind the scenes representation without formally being the client's counsel of record. The malpractice concerns of doing this are simply too large nowadays especially under the new bankruptcy laws passed in October 2005.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
My willingness to coach clients who want to represent themselves is extremely low. Under the old Bankruptcy Code, self-representation was a risky proposition, even with legal coaching. It is now clear, under the amendments by the Act, self-representation has many legal pitfalls and is not recommended at all. In fact, it is probably malpractice for an attorney to so coach a client. Besides, the time it would take to explain all that was necessary to the client, would probably result in the same legal fees anyway so the savings would not outweigh the risks to the client in my opinion. Notwithstanding the above, if a client has a simple problem, there are many times I may explain to the client how to do it themselves rather than to retain my services, such as filing a proof of claim or filing a small claims suit. However, nowadays, filing a bankruptcy petition is no longer simple.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
When I grew up in Iowa, a close friend of the family was a lawyer. I admired this person and saw how much he was able to help my father, a small businessman, throughout the years on a variety of problems. Later in college, I took a couple courses in logical reasoning, public speaking and the law. It was a natural choice after I found that I excelled in these areas. The clincher was a 90th percentile score on the LSAT which is the entrance exam to law school.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Interning at the State Attorney's office was a great experience as well as working at several small firms immediately following graduation. Learning the different ways each firm approached the practice of law was very valuable to starting my own firm. Supporting myself through college and law school with various jobs including bartending, photography, retail, reporting on court cases etc. taught me self reliance, the ability to juggle workloads, people skills and other attributes that make a successful lawyer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose both bankruptcy and employment law due to the ever changing and complex laws in these areas. It makes it interesting. Also besides the challenge of the law in these areas, I find it challenging to make such a difference in the lives of my clients.
What do you like best about your career?
Solving problems for others. Many clients come into my office out of financial desperation and we are able to get them back on their feet. Many of these clients become clients for life and refer their family and friends to us as well. In fact, we do hardly any advertising due to client referrals. Bankruptcy is one of the few areas of law that can have an almost immediate effect and in large part solve most if not all of my clients' problems. Other areas of litigation sometimes takes years and offer a less tangible reward.
Tell us about your law firm:
We try to maintain a friendly office environment. Stuffy, pretentious and overbearing are terms we have never heard to describe us. The photographs in the office are my husband's; we have made the office into a photography gallery of sorts. My paralegal is very experienced and extremely helpful in answering all kinds of questions related to bankruptcy. My mother works with me at the office also which is nice because we get to spend time together and she enjoys the type of work. We do close the office on Friday afternoons to either catch up on work uninterrupted or enjoy the nice weather outside.
What are your strengths and style?
My biggest strength is my ability to listen and analyze. Oftentimes, attorneys tend to be overbearing and force their interpretation of the law or circumstances on others. I find that in our practice, listening to the 'big picture' is a better approach and oftentimes more rewarding when a case is presented and is successful.
Our office style is very low key and 'laid back.' Some debtors' firms are aggressive in their attempts to sign up new business. This office avoids the high-pressure approach. We feel that our service sells itself without any 'embellishment' and if a personal bankruptcy is the correct choice, then that service sells itself.
Personal Interests:
Snow skiing, kayaking, photography, reading, and if I have time, playing Xbox 360 with my twin nephews (BimmerRat is my gamertag for those of you similarly inclined).
Office Manager/Assistant
Paris Penzin
Fax
(813) 258-5911
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Evening appointments available Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Chapter 7 $1,250 to $1,500, plus costs. Chapter 13 $3,300 to $3,600, plus costs, although most of this is paid in the plan.
Hourly Rates
$300.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, consultations are at no charge and typically last 1/2 to 1 hour. We also have a bankruptcy questionnaire on our website to get started.
Typical Retainer
Payment plans for bankruptcies start at $250.
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 applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
