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Russell Minas

Russell Minas

Russell Y. Minas, PC
1945 South 1100 East
Suite 200
Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Phone: (801) 531-7400  |  Fax: (801) 746-5004
http://www.minaslaw.com/

Contact Russell Minas

Out of the Courtroom: Collaborative Law and Mediation

Legal Topic

Divorce

Preferred New Clients

I prefer domestic relations clients who are interested in alternative dispute resolution.

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

Family Law

Preferred New Clients

I prefer domestic relations clients who are interested in alternative dispute resolution.

Sub-Categories

Family Law
  • Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Restraining Orders
Children
  • Child Support
  • Custody

Bar Admissions

UT, Oct 1989
Bar Number: 05522

Other Court Admissions

Utah State Courts, U.S. District Court, Utah.

Association Memberships

  • Utah State Bar, Executive Committee Family Law Section
  • Collaborative Family Lawyers of Utah (www.cflutah.org)
  • Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Continuing Education

I attend both local and national conferences on family law and alternative dispute resolution. I also often speak at Continuing Legal Education Bar functions events on the same topics. I usually exceed the minimum required amount of Continuing Legal Education hours.

Example Cases

I handle all types of family matters involving issues of:

• Divorce
• Child custody and parent time
• Child and spousal support
• Real and personal property
• Adoptions
• Grandparent visitation cases
• Termination of parental rights matters
• Juvenile court matters involving parental rights and child abuse, neglect and dependency

My passion is helping people resolve family problems via mediation and collaborative family law, and helping to build parenting plans that are sensible and workable.

Education

School:

University of Utah College of Law

Degree:

Juris Doctor

City:

Salt Lake City

State:

UT

Year:

1989

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

Utah

Firm Focus and History

Our firm was established in 1995.

I am an attorney and family law mediator with offices located in the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City. My practice is dedicated to cases involving family issues, with an emphasis upon alternative dispute resolution. Having handled over 1,000 cases in the court system, my philosophy has evolved to a firm belief that courts should be used only as a place of last resort - that the best outcomes for families (especially those with children) are achieved by the parties themselves, and that the best resolutions are those that are agreed upon, rather than imposed by a judge. I believe in staying as far away from the courthouse as possible, using dispute resolution processes that build community and foster civility.

Previous Employment Summary

• Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (1989-1990)
• Domestic Violence Program Director, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (1990-1993)
• Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (1993-1994)
• Associate, Mooney & Associates, Salt Lake City, UT (1994-1995)

Activities and Awards

• Member, Executive Committee, Utah State Bar Family Law Section
• Member, Utah Supreme Court Diversion Committee
• Member, Utah Online Court Assistance Policy Board
• BV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I believe that greater client knowledge and participation results in a greater likelihood of satisfactory long-term outcomes. Although I am an attorney hired for certain expertise, I try never to forget that it is my client's life, children and money at issue.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I am always willing to review client-generated documents and collaborate as to the final product. Although I am responsible for documents submitted with my signature, on major documents I do not submit until my client has had the opportunity to review, comment and approve.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am willing to provide assistance to self-represented persons to avoid default, to preserve rights, and to assist with procedural aspects, such as paperwork finalization. In addition, as an attorney mediator I am able to assist the parties in drafting the necessary court documents based upon the agreements reached in mediation.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

Shortly after entering law school, I decided to use the law to achieve social justice, as opposed to simply fatten my own pocketbook. This is reflected in my first five years of practice with the Legal Aid Society. Although I am now in private practice, I remain a simple, sole attorney, whose office is walking distance from home. I attempt to stay as far away from the courthouse as possible, and attempt to use my practice to build community and promote civility.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

Three experiences from my youth: (1) the death of my mother; (2) ten years plus as an ice hockey referee; and (3) my employment as a bartender.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

Out of law school I obtained employment at Legal Aid, which happened to the agency that handles domestic relations cases for the indigent. As a result this became my area of expertise.

What do you like best about your career?

Every now and then I am able to make a profound difference in the life of a child, or in the life of a person who has been subjected to severely adverse conditions, which gives me great satisfaction. I also very much enjoy helping people solve problems in the role of the third-party neutral (i.e. mediator).

Tell us about your law firm:

I am a sole practitioner who shares office space with another attorney-mediator, and with two child psychologists who have expertise in child custody matters.

What are your strengths and style?

I make an effort to treat all I encounter with dignity and respect. At the same time I pride myself on telling people (as diplomatically as possible) what I think, as opposed to what I think they want to hear. I believe that what serves a child's best interests also serves my client's best interests, whether or not it is what my client wants. I try to be direct, to the point, to give my clients good value, to make the best use of client resources, and to be accessible.

Personal Interests:

I enjoy rafting the rivers of the American West, summer outdoor music festivals, Southern Utah and being the best possible father and husband I can be.

Office Manager/Assistant

Linette.

Fax

(801) 746-5004

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I handle uncontested divorces for a flat fee, depending upon whether there are children involved, and depending upon the degree to which the matter is truly resolved. The cost is usually between $600 and $1,000 plus the filing fee.

Hourly Rates

$250.

Free Initial Consultation?

$250 consultation fee, for as long as it takes.

Typical Retainer

Depending upon the complexity of the case: whether children are involved, the likelihood of early settlement, and amount of work anticipated, a typical retainer request is usually between $2,000 and $5,000.

Understanding Fees

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