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Ronald V. Thomas
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Ronald V. Thomas
Thomas Law Office, PLC
3030 E. Cactus Rd.
Suite 102
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 788-1395 | Fax: Upon Request
http://www.thomaslawoffice.net/
Fast, affordable, thorough, and effective.
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I handle a wide variety of family law cases, from the simple to the very complicated. I prefer clients who appreciate fast, affordable, effective service.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Common Law Marriage
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Powers of Attorney
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I accept a wide variety of cases.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I accept a wide variety of cases, everything from simple personal bankruptcies to complex corporate bankruptcies.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Collections & Repossessions
- Credit Disputes
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Chapter 11
- Business Bankruptcy
- Credit Repair
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
AZ, Oct 1996
Bar Number: 017517
Other Court Admissions
Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia.
Association Memberships
American Bar Association, Maricopa County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I spend most of my continuing education hours on seminars relevant to my practice, but I do occasionally take seminars outside my practice area in order to learn if techniques used in those practice areas would make me a more effective advocate in my own practice areas.
Example Cases
I recently represented a client whose wife was trying to "steal" all the marital home equity from him because he had signed a disclaimer deed during a refinance transaction. Other attorneys my client had consulted told him he would lose the case because he had signed the house over to her. I felt confident that we could get the judge in that case to see the unfairness of the situation and award my client an equal share of the home's equity. We won. I also represented various parents in interstate custody relocation cases, both those who wanted the kids to stay with them in Arizona and those who wanted the kids to remain with them outside Arizona. We won virtually every one of them. With regard to my bankruptcy practice, I have handled hundreds of bankruptcies from the smallest debtor with only a few credit cards to corporations with numerous complicated issues that had to be resolved. I am well qualified to handle a wide variety of cases whether in family law or bankruptcy law.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of Southern California
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1993
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
Psychology.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Southwestern University School of Law
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1996
Honors:
Award for highest grade in Personal Injury Law class.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia
Firm Focus and History
My independent law practice was started in October 1996, right after I passed my first bar exam. I had clerked for a judge and worked for a Los Angeles law firm while attending law school, and was eager to get immediate courtroom experience.
Our focus is on helping people who are experiencing a martial, custodial or financial crisis or who are trying to avoid one.
Previous Employment Summary
I have owned my own practice for virtually my entire career, although in law school I clerked for a judge and a Los Angeles law firm. My clerking experience in law school prepared me for the litigation trenches. I observed many hearings and trials from the judicial perspective and this has proved to be invaluable to my clients.
Activities and Awards
After passing my first bar exam, I started my own practice. In order to hone my trial advocacy skills, I chose a niche area with lots of demand - tenant representation. I handled numerous cases in my first year of practice, probably gaining the equivalent of years of litigation experience using the traditional career path.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think people should be proactive and do as much as they can to help themselves. But people should also realize that they often need input from experienced advocates.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Certainly. I have done so countless times, and charge reasonable rates for doing so.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I have done so my entire career, and welcome any client who seeks my advice to aid his or her own representation. For example, I recall coaching a man who was told by the judge after trial that he was one of the best prepared and effective parties he had ever seen. The man thanked me for helping him to help himself.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to be an advocate. I wanted to see results from my work. I wanted to help people who have been wronged. I often won arguments as a kid, and was told by many that I would probably become a lawyer one day. I made the right career choice.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I had a variety of jobs as a kid that helped me to deal with people in a more effective way. For example, I was a taxi driver, and had to know how to interact with aggressive people, drunk people, but also professional people and tourists. I use these developed-skills to my advantage when interacting with witnesses in the courtroom and in other situations. I also owned my own landscaping company while attending college full time. This taught me how to manage my time efficiently. I now use those time-management skills to my clients' advantage. For example, I know how to time certain legal procedures for maximum advantage and how to allocate the litigation workload most efficiently. I also clerked for a judge while attending law school. This enabled me to see things from the judge's perspective.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I did not set out to handle family law and bankruptcy cases. I initially wanted to be a personal injury attorney. One day in the first year of my practice, I was asked to handle a divorce case for another attorney. I found that I was not only extremely effective at it, but really enjoyed it as well. In fact, the mediator in that divorce case called me after the divorce was final to congratulate me on my performance and tell me that he would be referring cases to me in the future. As for my bankruptcy practice area, I chose it because I enjoy it on an intellectual level. There are many interesting issues that arise all the time, especially with the passage of the recent changes to the bankruptcy laws. I especially enjoy the strategy involved in bankruptcy practice.
What do you like best about your career?
I love all of it. I am never bored and I wake up each morning looking forward to my workday. I think I like my career so much because I get to play many roles: counselor, advocate, manager, actor, intellectual, etc. I love to see the smiles on my clients faces after we win cases.
Tell us about your law firm:
Although I am a hands-on practitioner and am therefore involved in virtually all aspects of my clients' cases, I also depend on my legal secretary to aid me in my effort to gain every advantage for my clients. Much like a surgeon whose effectiveness is enhanced by his assistants in surgery, I too utilize my secretary's assistance for the benefit of my clients.
What are your strengths and style?
My style is business-like, but I also adapt somewhat to my client's style. I took acting classes in Los Angeles and will often change my style in a particular case if that will aid my client. My strengths are my thoroughness, dedication to detail, and renowned calmness under pressure.
Personal Interests:
Playing with my two young boys, reading, and skiing.
Office Manager/Assistant
Debbie Ehlinger
Fax
Upon Request
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional Saturday appointments available.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
German
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
My standard consultation fee is $75 for family law cases. My standard fee for a personal chapter 7 bankruptcy is $1,290, which can be paid over a 90 day period if desired. The initial bankruptcy consultation, which lasts two hours, costs $200 and is credited toward the bankruptcy fee.
Hourly Rates
$175.
Free Initial Consultation?
No. $75 for family law cases, and $200 for bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy consultation fees are credited toward the total fee.
Typical Retainer
$2,500 to $3,500.
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.
