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.

Kait McLendon-Kent focuses her practice on all aspects of family law. She serves on the board of the Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association, the board of the Nevada State Bar Lawyer Referral and Information Service, and on the Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board. Kait also participates regularly in the Lawyer in the Library program and has taken pro bono cases from Washoe Legal Services. Kait takes pride in using her training and experience to benefit the clients of Silverman, Decaria & Kattelman, Chtd.

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.