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MAY 2018
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IT’S NOT ABOUT MONEY IT’S ABOUT JUSTICE Pro Bono Cases Still Need Passionate Representation
the house for quite some time, a lawsuit stemming from a $200 outstanding balance was served. My client scratched her head because she never received any bills. Now, any reasonable person would probably just think to pay the $200 and move on. Well, we were not dealing with reasonable people. HOAs in Arizona have the power to foreclose on your house if you don’t pay your dues, so this became a serious matter very quickly. The opposing legal team came out of the gate asking for $8,000. That was for just two missed payments. They cited attorney fees and other costs associated to jack up the price. We tried to be overly reasonable. At one point, we even offered around $2,500 to clear the whole thing up. Again, this is for $200 in missed HOA dues. But rather than pursuing the peaceful route, the other party kept pushing to the point where a trial was needed. Except now, the opposition was asking for $65,000!
2. All 11 of those bills got returned to sender, and no one thought to just knock on my client’s door. When we put the 85-year-old HOA president on the stand, he had no idea what was going on or that this was even an issue. This is because property management companies and HOA law firms handle all past due assessment and fine issues. This case became a personal vendetta for me. It was a clear example of someone trying to use the legal system to exploit innocent people. The defendants took advantage of the situation and attempted to extort my friend of her hard-earned money. When it came down to its conclusion, the jury quickly awarded in our favor. Some of them spoke with me afterward and said it was the most ridiculous case they had ever heard. I spent over $35,000 in attorney time and three years of my life fighting this case, and I wouldn’t take a minute of it back. Our entire team at Alex and Saavedra shares this same ethical approach. It’s a huge reason why I love being a part of our boutique firm, and it’s also why you’ll love working with us. –Trysta Puntenney “We are sincere about helping people who really need it.” 3.
One of the primary reasons I got into law was to help people. That may sound cliche, but it’s true. In many firms, taking on pro bono cases is deemed a waste of time and resources. Thousands of hours are spent investing in a case, and when it’s all said and done, you don’t get paid. But for me, it’s not about getting paid. It’s about being an instrument of justice against everyone taking advantage of our legal system. I was working a couple of pro bono cases when I was looking at joining Alex and Saavedra. Unsure of how they would react, I brought this up with them, and they didn’t bat an eye. As a matter of fact, they started making any resources I needed immediately available. This approach is why I agreed to join our firm, and it’s why I haven’t looked back since. We are sincere about helping people who really need it. One of the wildest pro bono cases I worked on was against a homeowners association (HOA) a few years back. A friend of mine had recently closed on a house in a subdivision that had pretty marginal dues — $100 a quarter. When she bought the house, the first two quarters were lumped in with her closing costs. After living in
A few significant occurrences played into how the prosecution unfolded:
1.
The HOA had been sending bills to my client’s old address. Yes, the HOA for the neighborhood was sending bills to a house that wasn’t in the confines of the community.
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THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF BOBBIE THE WONDER DOG
Imagine America in 1923. Yankee Stadium opened its doors for the very first time. Walt and Roy Disney founded The Walt Disney Company. The first issue of Time magazine hit newsstands. President Warren
stay, but time ran out, and the Braziers had to return home to Oregon without their beloved Bobbie.
G. Harding died of a heart attack in office, and Vice President Calvin Coolidge became the 30th president. And Bobbie the Wonder Dog trekked 2,550 miles to return home. Of all the stories to come out of 1923, Bobbie’s may be the most incredible. It all started with a road trip. The Brazier family of Silverton, Oregon, decided to take a road trip to visit relatives in Wolcott, Indiana. Mom, Dad, their two daughters, and their Scotch collie piled in the family Overland Red Bird touring car and headed across preinterstate-highway-system America. Several days later, after the Braziers had settled in with their Wolcott relatives, Bobbie the Scotch collie was attacked by a pack of
What the Braziers didn’t know was that Bobbie had been searching for his family as well. He may have been scared away, but he was determined to get back home. And so began his incredible journey. He turned his head west and began walking. And walking. With winter setting in, Bobbie had a monumental task ahead. Bobbie swam across numerous rivers. He trekked across the Great Plains and over the Rocky Mountains. While we will never know exactly what Bobbie endured, we know he made it home. Over 2,500 miles later, in February, 1924, a tired and beaten-down pup arrived home in Silverton, Oregon, to a stunned family. Bobbie the Wonder Dog’s story made national headlines. He received a medal and the key to the city, and he became a silent movie star in the film “The Call of the West.” Today, you can visit Bobbie’s memorial near his home in Oregon.
dogs. The dogs scared Bobbie away, and despite a long search around Wolcott, the family was unable to find any trace of the collie. The search continued throughout their
SMALL FIRM, BIG HEART
Everywhere you go, you’ll see big businesses spouting the same generic message. It goes something like this: “We care about you because we’re people-centered and focus on service.” But once you’re signed up, you’re no longer treated like a person. Instead, you’re just a transaction. Once companies get big, it becomes impossible for them to actually focus on the needs of individual customers. This is true in business, and it’s also true in law. At Alex and Saavedra, we are a boutique litigation firm, and we’re proud of that. We have been successfully representing clients for a combined 43 years. Our foundation is built on thorough investigation, proven trial techniques, and downright gritty preparation. We pour over your case, focusing on even the smallest minutiae — something that bigger firms simply cannot do. A large firm may have the gusto and bravado that attracts a lot of heavy hitters, but we have the credentials, the knowledge, and the experience to produce results. We may be a small firm, but that doesn’t mean we’re not talented or hardworking. For every one hour we spend in court, we invest 20 or more in preparatory work. We’re talking bona fide, in-depth research to the point where we know every facet of your case. This has led to our reputation as winning attorneys, and it’s the backbone of our 99 percent success rate. What Sets Us Apart From the Rest
We believe that when an individual is seriously injured, the difference between a life of dignity and a life of charity resides in the quality of representation. Let us have the opportunity to provide that for you. Reach out to us today and find out why clients come to us for their personal injury cases.
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LegalBetter.com
TAKE A BREAK
When a business owner first sets out in a new market, it can be hard to determine how to establish a customer base, especially with a tight marketing budget. However, one of the most cost-effective and ingenious ways to tap into a new client base is through host-beneficiary relationships. Host-beneficiary relationships are loose partnerships between complementary, noncompeting businesses. They use trust, relationships, and credibility to generate leads and close sales through a special offer presented by the beneficiary as a gift from the host. These relationships cost much less than advertising, which means they reduce the amount you spend acquiring a new customer. This marketing strategy is a great way to enter a new market or take advantage of an opportunity that requires a specific and personal approach. For example, a new hairdresser might want to create a partnership with an established local aesthetician to help him build a core clientele. The aesthetician sends coupons to her own clients, offering free highlights as a gift for their patronage. The hairdresser honors those coupons. Since most people would purchase a cut in addition to highlights, the hairdresser would be able to build his own clientele while making a profit in the process. If you are starting out, it may seem like you have nothing to offer the host; however, in the eyes of her customers, the host is providing a reward or exclusive offer for the customers’ continued support and loyalty. While the newcomer gains a client list, the host gains goodwill. To enter a host-beneficiary relationship, you must have a clearly defined market or market segment. Not knowing or understanding your target market will render your relationship ineffective and a waste of money and time. After you’ve defined your audience, make a list of potential host businesses you can approach. These businesses must have your same target market, an established customer contact list, and a credible reputation. Approach your potential hosts with thought and strategy. Introduce your product or service the way you would present it to new customers: heavy on the benefits and light on the features. Establish your own credibility by providing materials, testimonials, research, and the exclusive offer. Above all else, let the host know how this potential relationship can benefit them as much as it benefits you. Though simple, host-beneficiary relationships are an invaluable tool for businesses looking to tap into new markets. With the Help of Noncompeting Businesses GENERATE LEADS AND CLOSE SALES
BLOOMING MAYO EMERALD GARDENING GEMINI LILY MAY DAY MOTHERS DAY NIGHTINGALE
SPRING TAURUS WARM
Find Out What the Data Says Distracted driving claims thousands of lives every year in the United States. One of the most common culprits behind this epidemic is texting and driving. Although it’s prohibited in 47 states, texting while operating a motor vehicle is still as prevalent as ever. But what about voice texting? Is that any safer? The data says no. VOICE TEXTING The solutionmobile phone developers came up with tomitigate the risk associated with texting and driving was to eliminate the need to physically interact with the phone. Cellular providers thought that voice-to-text technology would help commuters keep their eyes on the road, thus limiting the potential for distracted driving. Here’s how the technology works: The user speaks into their phone, just like a normal conversation. The cellular device then dictates the content into a text message and sends it without the user ever having to touch a button. IT DOESN’T WORK The issue with this is that it doesn’t get to the core of the problem. A study done by Texas A&M showed that not only is voice texting still a threat while driving, but it’s even worse than traditional text messaging! The main concern of texting and driving is that your attention is not on the road; instead, your attention is fixated elsewhere — namely, the content of your message. The research showed that reaction times were twice as slow when operating a cell phone in any capacity — even speaking into it. THE SOLUTION Anything that takes your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel needs to be eradicated from your daily driving routine. When you elect to text and drive, you’re not just taking your own life into your hands; you’re also risking the lives of others. Voice texting is not exempt from these dangers. We encourage anyone involved in a distracted driving accident to reach out to us. These collisions often create catastrophic injuries that will forever impact a person’s life. Our team of qualified lawyers is here to conduct a meticulous investigation and fight for your rights. Call us today at 602-483-6114. IS VOICE TEXTING SAFE?
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602-971-1775 | LegalBetter.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1
Why Joining Alex and Saavedra Was a No-Brainer
2
Bobbie the Wonder Dog’s Incredible Journey
What Makes Our Boutique Firm a Force to Be Reckoned With
3
Voice Texting Is Safe, Right?
Host-Beneficiary Relationships Can Grow Your Client Base
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Gear Up for Grilling Season
Get Your Grill On 2 May Holidays, 2 Reasons to Grill
Is there anything more American than grilling a burger outside on Memorial Day? This year, there’s another reason to fire up the grill that weekend: In addition to being Memorial Day, May 28 is also National Hamburger Day! Enjoy this delicious coincidence by heating up the grill, gathering the fixings, and making one of these tasty burgers at home. THE CLASSIC BURGER Nothing beats the American classic: a seasoned beef patty, a slice of cheddar cheese, a squirt each of mustard and ketchup, a layer of crunchy lettuce, some thinly sliced onions, and a couple of zesty pickles. For a homemade touch, make the
pickles yourself by soaking cucumbers in a brine of vinegar, dill, and salt.
Remove the stems, then marinate the mushrooms for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and a clove of minced garlic. Season the shrooms with salt and pepper, then place them on the grill just as you would any other burger. Gruyere cheese is the perfect creamy topping, and you can use grilled focaccia bread topped with garlic aioli. As you bask in the late spring weather and the inviting smell of delicious food this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember the Americans who gave their lives so we could enjoy these freedoms, and thank those who served.
THEMEDITERRANEANBURGER Take your patty to the next level with a
Mediterranean twist. Mix feta cheese and garlic into your ground beef before forming your patties. Serve it on a grilled ciabatta bun topped withmarinated red peppers and arugula for flavor and texture. If you want to get extra fancy, pour a bit of balsamic reduction over the patty before adding the toppings. THE PORTOBELLO BURGER For a delicious veggie burger even meat eaters will love, use a portobello mushroom as your patty.
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