We do a better job for the divorcing
client by limiting our practice almost exclusively to Family
Law. While we engage in limited collection and construction
law, guardianships, personal injury and wrongful death,
will drafting and estate work, our practice is primarily
family law.
The firm's lawyers have diverse
backgrounds and different areas of expertise. The lawyers
have developed a familiarity with the many domestic law
issues from continuing legal education, negotiating and
settling matters, and by trial of family law cases time
and time again. The firm maintains a statewide practice
and, having appeared before the judges in most judicial
districts in the state, the lawyers have insight on how
the various courts have ruled on particular issues.
Each lawyer is a part of the
firm because he or she wants to practice in a field that
is "people-oriented" and legally challenging.
The lawyers give each case professional attention. You are
not "just another case to us"; we know yours is
the most important divorce you are going through and we
treat you that way.
Our
staff assists us with our cases and are available
to take phone calls to answer non-legal questions. The
more work our staff can do in your case, the less your
fees and costs. We keep our clients informed of the status
of their cases by sending each client a copy of each document
that comes into the office concerning his or her case.
This "team approach" enables the lawyers to
help meet the extra needs of the client undergoing the
difficult process of a domestic relations matter.
In most cases, we also retain
and work closely with forensic accountants. They are experts
at gathering and investigating financial matters. They
efficiently collate and analyze raw financial data for
our use. From early in the case the accountant will have
a very important role. They are independent experts whose
job it is to give neutral opinions - not be advocates.
To keep up with the changes
of law, the lawyers meet regularly to discuss new laws,
judicial decisions and trends, and how they affect each
individual client's case. The firm's library is kept up-to-date
and contains publications dealing with state and national
family law issues. The lawyers attend continuing education
programs, and each lawyer in the office is often asked
to lecture at law seminars. Our attorneys have worked
on legislation, written manuals, and published articles
in professional journals.
Mary
Anne Decaria is a regular columnist for the
Washoe County Bar Journal and has published articles on
nearly every family law subject. She has served on the
Executive Council of the Family Law Section of the State
Bar and was the Chair of the Northern Nevada Disciplinary
Board of the State Bar of Nevada. She also served as President
of Volunteer Lawyers of Washoe County, which provided
Pro Bono legal services to indigent clients.
Gary
R. Silverman is an author of the Bounds of
Advocacy (a book on ethics in divorce cases for the American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers), the Academy's Client
Relations Handbook. He has published an article on evidence
in the American Bar Association's family law publication.
He was President of the Washoe County Bar Association
and Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar.
He was a Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year. In 1996, 1997 and
2005, the firm was the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year.
Michael
Kattelman started his family law practice
after serving as a law clerk for the Family Court of the
Second Judicial District Court of Nevada. Mike has served
on the Executive Council of the Family Law Section of
the State Bar of Nevada, and as Vice President of the
Court Appointed Special Advocate Foundation (CASA) in
Washoe County. He is a member of the Nevada Trial Lawyers
Legislative Steering Committee; the Washoe County Family
Law Bench Bar Committee; and the Committee of Family Law
Certification Requirements. Mike is a lecturer on child
custody jurisdiction; family law legislative issues; and
has published family law articles in The Writ.
Dixie
R. Grossman limits her practice to family
law. Ms. Grossman is a member of the Nevada Bar Association,
Family Law Section, serves on the board of directors for
the Washoe County Court Appointed Special Advocates for
Children (CASA) and secretary of the Family Court Bench
Bar Committee. Ms. Grossman worked with other Nevada Attorneys
on the Amicus brief submitted by the Nevada Family Law
Section in Rivero v. Rivero, regularly volunteers for
the Family Law Lawyer in the Library program, and contributes
her time to other family law issues.
Alexander
C. Morey focuses his practice on family law,
adoption law, child custody, child support, divorce, separation,
domestic partnerships. He was admitted to the Nevada Bar
in 2008. Mr. Morey is a member of the Washoe County Bar
Association, State Bar of Nevada and the American Bar
Association.
Robert
G. Berry has practiced law in Nevada since
1963. Mr. Berry is an experienced business owner, gaming
entrepreneur, land use developer and litigator. Mr. Berry’s
expertise in complex business matters, negotiation, mediation
and alternative dispute resolution are an asset to the
firm.
All attorneys in our office have
lectured widely on family law topics. Mary Anne served as
Chair of the Family Law Section annual seminar, providing
continuing legal education to most of the state's Family
Court judges and lawyers.
Family law issues are complex.
The frequent changes in state and federal laws in custody
, tax, child support, insurance, property rights and retirement
may affect your case. You should hire attorneys who will
recognize the issues in your case, know the recent changes
in the law, and are sensitive to the difficult process you
are undergoing.
What you really pay us for is
independent advice. Every case has strengths and weaknesses;
clients have both realistic and unrealistic goals and expectations.
You would not expect a physician to tell you what you want
to hear about test results. You want a realistic diagnosis
and prognosis. That is what we, as lawyers, owe to you.
Our advice may not be what you want to hear, but it will
be straightforward. And, if you want a "second opinion,"
we invite you to seek it. The attorney-client relationship
must be one with which you are comfortable at all times.
We look forward to working with
you.
Disclaimer
These materials have been prepared by Silverman and Decaria
for informational purposes only and are not legal advice.
Transmission of the information is not intended to create,
and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
No person should act upon this information without seeking
professional counsel.
