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.
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