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Aaron Amore
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Aaron Amore
Kratovil & Amore, PLLC
211 W. Washington St.
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-7718 | Fax: (304) 728-7720
http://www.charlestownlaw.com
Comprehensive Service to Safeguard Your Rights & Assets
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to handle all bankruptcy chapters, consumer protection and litigation cases.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 7
- Credit Disputes
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Chapter 11
- Business Bankruptcy
- Credit Repair
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
- Family Farmer Bankruptcy Chapter 12
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
CT, Dec 1993
Bar Number: 408616
WV, Oct 1995
Bar Number: 6455
Other Court Admissions
West Virginia: West Virginia Bankruptcy Court (North & South) Federal District Court (North & South) West Virginia, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Association Memberships
State Chair of the (West Virginia) National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys; Member of the West Virginia North District Chapter 13 Committee; Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Member of the National Italian American Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I am the State chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and attend annual meeting, workshops and continuing legal education. I also attend state and regional seminars.
Example Cases
I routinely handle creditor harassment cases and predatory lending cases obtaining money damages, loan modifications and cancellation of debt for clients both in and out of bankruptcy.
I often counsel older or disabled clients on how to employ state law exemptions and protections to avoid garnishments, executions or collection actions without incurring the expense of bankruptcy.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts History
School:
Fordham University
City:
Bronx
State:
NY
Year:
1990
Honors:
The Jouin Award for Theology.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Majored in History and Theology.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Connecticut Law School
City:
West Hartford
State:
CT
Year:
1993
Focus and Accomplishments:
Recipient of Public Interest Law Grant.
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
Attorneys licensed in Connecticut, Maryland and West Virginia.
Firm Focus and History
James T. Kratovil began practicing in West Virginia in 1976, and practiced briefly under 1898 Bankruptcy Act. In 1998, I joined Kratovil Law Offices. In 2003 Kratovil & Amore, PLLC was created. The focus of the firm has been the protection of individual's rights. Both Jim and I have handled a wide variety of cases from murder trials to traffic tickets, simple Chapter 7 cases to complex Chapter 11 cases, and just about everything in between. Tanya L. Godfrey joined the firm in 2007 and handles only bankruptcy cases.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked for five years as a public defender in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia before leaving to join Jim Kratovil in private practice.
James T. Kratovil has been in private practice in West Virginia since 1976. He has run his own firm for more than thirty years. During this time, Jim also worked as a part-time Assistant Prosecutor and also a magistrate.
Tanya L. Godfrey was previously employed by the Chapter 13 Trustee for the State of West Virginia for three and one-half years. She represented the Trustee, handled cases, litigated matters and worked in all bankruptcy jurisdictions and locales throughout the State. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement for the State of West Virginia.
Activities and Awards
We also do pro bono work for Legal Aid and Senior Aid.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
The more information a client has, the more empowered he/she is to make the best decisions given his/her individual circumstances. I never tell a client whether he/she has to file bankruptcy or not. That is a decision the client must make after being given the information and advice needed to make the proper choice.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I appreciate all efforts by my clients to organize their thoughts and present both factual and legal matters that assist me in handling their case.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Due to the strict provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, I prefer not to advise a client that I will not represent. It is easier for me to handle a matter pro bono, where appropriate, than to advise clients without actually representing them.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to become a lawyer because of my desire to help others who did not have the education and training to protect themselves in a sometimes harsh world.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I am a second generation immigrant who benefitted from hard working parents who provided me with opportunities that were beyond their circumstances. I have never forgotten the economic struggles my parents faced as a young family and their ability to overcome hardships. I was also very active in sports (football, wrestling, lacrosse and baseball). These team and individual sports taught me to fight, struggle, win and lose. Learning which rules could be bent and which had to be followed was an important part of the game. It is also a critical skill in navigating the legal system.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
It was a natural extension of my desire to help people.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy making a significant difference in the lives of my clients and also, to educate them about the rights and the protections afforded them under the law.
Tell us about your law firm:
There are two full-time bankruptcy attorneys and two bankruptcy paralegals. My staff is friendly and here to help the clients through the process of filing a bankruptcy. My senior paralegal has more than ten years of experience working with bankruptcy clients.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe an attorney has to be aggressive in defense or prosecution of the clients' claims. I believe an honest and direct approach works in most cases.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy hiking, sports, cooking, working on old vehicles, reading, and most of all, spending quality time with my family and friends.
Office Manager/Assistant
Carol N. Hitcho.
Fax
(304) 728-7720
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Evenings and Saturdays by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Our basic fee for a Chapter 7 case is $1,500. The basic fee for a Chapter 13 is $3,500. We will accept Chapter 13 cases with an initial payment of $1,500 with the balance paid through the Chapter 13 plan. Fees are determined case-by-case and they will be adjusted upward depending upon complexity of the case.
Hourly Rates
$250 an hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Initial consultations are free. Generally, they last one hour per appointment.
Typical Retainer
See above.
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.
