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Paul R. Hales

Paul R. Hales

Paul R. Hales, Attorney at Law, LLC
City House in Grand Center
3534 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103-1019

Phone: (314) 534-3534  |  Fax: (314) 534-0444
http://www.AttorneyHales.com

Contact Paul R. Hales

Estate Planning, Business & Personal Injury

Legal Topic

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Preferred New Clients

Wills, trusts, estate planning, business, probate, durable power of attorney, durable health care power of attorney, elder law, living will, family business planning and personal injury.

Sub-Categories

Wills, Trusts & Estates
  • Nolo Document Review
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Banking & Loans
  • Savings & Thrifts
Insurance
  • Annuities
  • Auto Accident & Property Claims
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Property & Casualty
Estate Planning
  • Charitable Giving
  • Charitable Trusts
  • Drafting Trusts
  • Drafting Wills
  • Estate Administration
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trusts
  • Living Wills
  • Probate
  • Asset Protection
  • Guardianship
  • Power of Attorney
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Special Needs Trust
  • Supplemental Needs Trust
  • Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust

Bar Admissions

MO, Sep 1973
Bar Number: 25105

Other Court Admissions

Supreme Court of the United States, Supreme Court of Missouri and all Missouri State Courts, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri.

Association Memberships

Supreme Court of the United States, Missouri Bar, and Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Continuing Education

I attend monthly seminars on Estate Planning and regular continuing legal education (CLE) programs on a variety of legal topics accredited by the Missouri Bar. I also do a substantial amount of self-study. My CLE annually exceeds the amount required by the Missouri Bar.

Example Cases

Estate planning cases for individuals and families to address individual needs, children, charitable giving and wealth preservation. Formation of limited liability companies, corporation and nonprofit organizations to address business planning needs. Litigation on behalf of individual, business and nonprofit clients.

Education

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

School:

Wesleyan University

City:

Middletown

State:

CT

Year:

1967

Focus and Accomplishments:

Liberal Arts

 

Degree:

Juris Doctor

School:

Columbia University School of Law

City:

New York

State:

NY

Year:

1973

Honors:

Shearman Scholarship

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

Missouri

Firm Focus and History

My legal practice is focused on personal attention to the needs of individuals, families, and private businesses and nonprofit organizations in the areas of estate planning, business law, personal injury, and health care.

I have been practicing law since 1973 and have been a solo practitioner since 1991.

Previous Employment Summary

I was a partner in the law firm of Goldstein and Price and then the Vice President of Korte Construction Company before becoming a solo practitioner.

Activities and Awards

• Special Counsel and Planning Coordinator appointed by U. S. District Judge George F. Gunn, Jr. in St. Louis Desegregation Case
• Chairman, Aid to Victims of Crime
• Chairman, St. Louis Community College Foundation
• Distinguished Service Award, St. Louis Jaycees
• Education Service Award, St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable
• Community Service Award, Congregations Allied for Community Improvement
• Leadership St. Louis
• Hearing Officer, St. Louis County Juvenile Court
• Member of the board of directors of various nonprofit organizations
• Honorably Discharged Veteran, United States Army Infantry
• General Counsel, St. Louis Area Regional Response System (STARRS)

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

I appreciate clients who educate themselves about their own cases and I take care to explain the law as it relates to facts of each client's case.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I find that a client who has prepared a document is well prepared to discuss his or her own needs. I am willing to review those documents and discuss recommendations as necessary.

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

I am not willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves in court because of the possibility of a misunderstanding that might be considered my professional error. If I am to be involved in a case in which a client must appear in any official proceeding, I insist on taking full responsibility for the client's legal representation.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

The legal profession runs in my family. My grandfather was a judge. My uncle was a lawyer. I have admired the legal profession all my life. And I loved Perry Mason.

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

I have learned from 35 years of legal and business experience and work in the community that it is most important to listen closely to the facts of each case and the needs of each client. I am much more attuned to, and aware of, the human nuances of a case than I was as a younger lawyer. That enables me to provide better, more professional service.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I like the fact that the circumstances of each case are different and I like to help solve problems for clients.

What do you like best about your career?

I am able to serve my needs by serving the needs of my clients.

Tell us about your law firm:

I am a solo practitioner, so all clients deal directly with me. However, I also have the services of a paralegal, translator and I associate on some cases with other experienced lawyers with whom I have long relationships and mutual respect.

What are your strengths and style?

I believe the law should be both an approachable and distinguished profession. Accordingly, my style is personal, direct and professional. My office in a Victorian townhouse I restored in the mid-town St. Louis arts and theater district reflects the care I take in my work and my commitment to change things for the better.

Personal Interests:

My most important personal interest is my family. Other interests include community improvement, education and public policy.

Fax

(314) 534-0444

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Foreign Languages

Bosnian and Spanish.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I offer fixed price services for estate planning documents and business organization. When appropriate, I will take a case on a contingent fee basis with my fee to be paid from the proceeds of a litigated or negotiated settlement.

Hourly Rates

$225.

Free Initial Consultation?

I will do an initial 30 minute consultation for free. However, I will not review documents prepared by the prospective client for free.

Typical Retainer

An advance fee (retainer) is determined by the facts of each case.

Understanding Fees

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.