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Mary Steele
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Mary Steele
Steele Law Corporation
118 E. Oak Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291
Phone: (559) 636-1445 | Fax: (559) 636-9462
I can help you.
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I am open to working with a variety of clients.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Foster Care
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Colleges & Universities
- Individualized Education Plans
- Private Schools
- Public Schools
- Student Rights
- Title IX
- Trade & Technical Schools
- Age Discrimination
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I am open to working with a variety of clients.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1994
Bar Number: 170163
Other Court Admissions
Eastern District of California, California Court of Appeal, California Supreme Court
Association Memberships
Michigan State Bar, California State Bar, Tulare County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I mostly attend the Tulare County Bar Association seminars focusing on local issues.
Example Cases
I handle divorce cases with custody and visitation issues and restraining orders and property division.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1982
Focus and Accomplishments:
History
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Wayne State University Law School
City:
Detroit
State:
MI
Year:
1988
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California and Michigan
Firm Focus and History
I started Steele Law Corporation in 1994, and I have been primarily dealing with families since then.
Previous Employment Summary
When I first graduated from law school, I worked at a legal aid office focusing on landlord/tenant issues. When I moved to California, I took the California Bar and began practicing in Ventura County focusing on Business Litigation. After about a year, I worked in Tulare County and worked at a law firm focusing on employment discrimination.
Activities and Awards
None
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Clients can educate themselves as much as they want, but the court atmosphere is very fast moving and judges only give you a fraction of time. It is good to be educated, but people underestimate the need of an attorney.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
No, because there is so much spur of the moment decision making and an attorney is needed in most circumstances.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became a lawyer, because I like the law and I like the order that the law imposes on human behavior.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
The various experiences that I have had in different areas of the law; for instance, working with indigent clients and landlord/tenant matters, working in business law, contracts, employment discrimination and different areas of family law have helped me to be a better lawyer. The educational institutions I have attended are relatively well respected such that they have caused me to impose meaningful standards on myself.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
The market chose me. There is a lot of family law issues and a lot of demand for this type of work.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the structure of law.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner. I answer my own phone and am prompt about returning phone calls. When I sense that a legal problem stems from a lack of perspective of the spiritual nature of the issues, I try to address the part of the problem that stems from a failure of perception.
What are your strengths and style?
I place God at the center of my life and everything else follows from that. I do not put a wall between my spiritual perspective and my legal perspective. My spiritual perspective and my legal perspective go hand in hand.
I try and focus on being prepared. I try to make sure that I am well versed in the applicable law and that I know the facts of the case so that when I am in front of a judge I can present the matter eloquently and calmly.
Personal Interests:
I like to paint, write, workout, read, and I love my family.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(559) 636-9462
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I charge an hourly fee.
Hourly Rates
$150
Free Initial Consultation?
I charge $25 for a consultation.
Typical Retainer
$1,500 plus the filing fee.
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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.
