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Lewis P. Adams
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Lewis P. Adams
Lewis P. Adams, Attorney at Law
9231 South Redwood Road
West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: (801) 685-8818 | Fax: (801) 685-8821
http://www.lewisadams.com/
LIFE AFTER BANKRUPTCY
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to take on Consumer Bankruptcy clients needing relief under Chapter 7 and/or Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Credit Disputes
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
UT, Oct 1995
Bar Number: 07123
Other Court Admissions
Utah Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, Bankruptcy Court.
Association Memberships
Utah State Bar, Bankruptcy Forum.
Continuing Education
I attend all of the educational seminars offered in the area of bankruptcy law in the local area and attend at least one national seminar in the area of bankruptcy each year. I always exceed the required continuing educational requirement.
Example Cases
We represent the simple individual bankruptcies with the same care and attention to detail that we give to the complex cases involving multiple business entities. We represent hundreds of clients needing assistance in resolving their financial concerns regardless of their circumstances.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science
School:
Chapman University
City:
Orange
State:
CA
Year:
2001
Honors:
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Utah, College of Law
City:
Salt Lake City
State:
UT
Year:
2005
Focus and Accomplishments:
I focused on Constitution Law, Real Estate Law, and Moot Court.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
Utah
Firm Focus and History
Lewis Adams and Associates started out a single attorney with no staff in April 2002. I had the opportunity to work for a couple of years as a staff attorney for a Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Trustee and a couple of years in a small Bankruptcy Office with two other attorneys. In April 2002, believing clients should be treated better and receive more personal attention, I went into private practice on my own and used the facilities of an office sharing arrangement. After the first nine months in practice, a larger place was needed and a secretary/paralegal was hired. Two years into the practice and another move to a larger office became necessary. The work continued to increase and in 2005, a receptionist/secretary was hired. The office moved down the hall in preparation for further growth in the summer of 2005. In October 2005, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Act and we scrambled to learn all we could to be as educated about the changes as possible. At a time when many attorneys were changing their area of practice, we embraced Bankruptcy law completely. In January 2008, we added a second attorney and a receptionist. Our office now consists of a receptionist, two paralegals and two attorneys.
We focus primarily in the area of consumer bankruptcy. We make every effort to help clients feel comfortable in an unfriendly process. Our goal is to help them maintain or regain their dignity and confidence.
Previous Employment Summary
Upon completion of law school, my goal was to open my own practice. Luckily, I found an office sharing situation in which I was able to have the assistance and tutelage of other attorneys already in practice. The practice started out as a general practice, representing domestic law clients in the areas of divorce, adoption and collections. Soon Bankruptcy clients were being referred to my office. The other attorneys did not want to practice in the area of Bankruptcy law. It became apparent that I needed more education in the area of bankruptcy law. The Standing Chapter 13 Trustee offered me a position as a staff attorney in Chapter 13 Trustee's office. Being a perfect opportunity to learn the practice from the inside out, I accepted the offer and remained on staff for two years. Understanding that in order to progress, and wanting to work with the clients more one-on-one, I accepted a position with a small law firm practicing exclusively in the area of consumer bankruptcy, specifically Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. After two years with the small law firm, it became my desire to start my own practice. With an understanding of bankruptcy law from at least two sides of the practice area, and wanting to raise the level of care and representation for the client, I opened my own office.
Activities and Awards
During law school, an opportunity arose to assist unrepresented clients in domestic disputes before the domestic law commissioners as a "friend of the Court." Additional time was spent working with legal aid drafting documents for divorce clients and those individuals in need of domestic violence protective orders.
From 2002 through 2005, I held an adjunct professor position at Mountain West College, teaching bankruptcy, tort and business law classes for their paralegal program.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Our philosophy is that the more a client can learn about bankruptcy, the more the client will understand the complexities and demands of the Bankruptcy Code. The client makes a better client. The client is then able to bring an understanding to enable the client work together with the attorney to resolve the client's financial problems.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Under the local bankruptcy rules in the State of Utah, Bankruptcy Attorneys must represent the clients are a not at liberty to do piecemeal or unbundled representation in the area of bankruptcy. The area of law has become extremely complex and is difficult to navigate for anyone not intimately involved on a regular basis with the process.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In the area of Bankruptcy Law, It would be a disservice to the client to allow them to represent themselves. There are too many hidden traps and complexities in the law that could create for them greater hardship than hiring representation.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
With lofty ideals of hoping to make a difference in people's lives, I entered law school. I believe the practice of bankruptcy law enable our office to lift people who are depressed and help them rise above the financial crisis that is causing them to feel trapped and in bondage.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My family consists of consists of six brothers and one sister. My father was an enlisted man in the U.S. Air Force. We were poor. Neither of my parents graduated from high school, but both them later obtained their GED. Education was important to me and learning became the focus of my life. Entering law school, I already was a father of four children, and was approximately fifteen years older than the other students in law school. I continue to read books on leadership, relationships, and social sciences to better understand the needs of my clients and to better help them with not only their financial problems, but with life problems and issues surrounding their current circumstances.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
During law school, my primary focus was on constitutional law and property law. It wasn't until I started practicing law that my current primary area of practice found me. Clients were referred to me with financial problems that only bankruptcy could alleviate. Bankruptcy literally took over my general practice. It is now the focus of our marketing strategy and continuing education.
What do you like best about your career?
It is extremely gratifying to see hope come back into the faces of those without hope and to see dignity replace depression. There is life after bankruptcy and it is a pleasure to assist clients in their financial matters.
Tell us about your law firm:
The office temperative is maintained by two very competent, kind and loving paralegals. They have been with the office for a number of years and are very knowledgeable in the area of bankruptcy and personal relations. They are very attentive and caring when it comes to the client's needs. They help the client feel at ease and comfortable while the client is embroiled in their financial hardships. We have recently hired a second attorney. She is eager to learn the practice area and understands the sensitive nature of the client's needs. Our clients are made to feel welcome and leave with the feeling of hope.
What are your strengths and style?
Clients always meet directly with attorneys one on one. The attorneys take responsibility for the case from the very beginning. It is not left to the paralegals. However, the paralegals are integrally involved in each case. We are a relaxed and comfortable office. Clients do not feel intimidated by starched shirts and expensive furniture. Native American art decorates the walls. We talk in layman's terms and try and help the client understand a very difficult area of the law.
Personal Interests:
Personal interests include the out of doors. As a family, we love to go boating, camping, hiking and fishing. We love to spend time with each other. We enjoy creating a beautiful yard and home. In my spare time I enjoy reading leadership and relationship books. I enjoy woodworking and traveling with my wife and family. My wife is number one in my life.
Office Manager/Assistant
DaNeise Adams
Fax
(801) 685-8821
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
In most cases, standard fees for Chapter 7 include a filing fee to the Court of $299 and attorney fees in the amount of $1,200. However, each case is considered individually. Standard fees for Chapter 13 cases include a filing fee of $274 and Court approved fees of $2,750. Each case is considered individually.
Hourly Rates
If work is done on an hourly rate, the rate is $225 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
The first hour is a free consultation, which is often enough time to determine the validity of a case and to educate a client sufficiently to enable them to make an education and informed decision.
Typical Retainer
Typically, at least $300 is required before we begin preparation of a case in bankruptcy
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.
