Legal Services & Lawyers

Jennifer Smock focuses on debtors' rights counseling. Bankruptcy can be an important tool that helps those overburdened with debt to get a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy can stop foreclosure on a house, eviction from a rental, prevent repossession of a car or other property, stop wage garnishment or debt collection harassment, aid in avoidance of liens, and prevent termination of utility services. Bankruptcy can also help reduce and eliminate high medical bills, provide help for large amounts of student loan debt, and challenge claims of fraudulent creditors.

Jen has handled hundreds of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings from all over the country. Working two years in the legal compliance department for a national auto finance company gave Jen specialized insight into bankruptcy from the creditors standpoint -- from Proof of Claim filing to contesting Discharge. Jen supports the right to file bankruptcy and the policies to ensure that the bankruptcy process works as intended - to provide debtors a new beginning. Whether you file for Liquidation (Chapter 7) or Reorganization (Chapter 13) you can feel confident with Jen on your side.

Jen balances her bankruptcy service practice with consumer law and general civil litigation. Her consumer law litigation practice includes representation in mortgage foreclosure defense, class actions, unfair debt collection, deceptive advertising, warranty fraud, auto-dealer fraud, truth-in-lending, predatory lending, payday lending, unfair credit reporting, identity theft, and tenant's rights. She also worked for Hanes & Associates, P.L.L.C., which focused on legal issues related to Construction Law, including mortgage and promissory note negotiation, lease agreements, and lien avoidance.

Saunders Law is a small, boutique law firm located in Park City, Utah. At Saunders Law, we are committed to pursuing innovative, creative, and progressive approaches to solve your legal issues and problems. We offer services in business and contract law, landlord/tenant law, and DUI defense. As a small firm, we are able to provide exceptional and professional representation to our clients without losing a personal connection.

Abraham Bates is a foreclosure-defense attorney practicing in Utah. Based out of Salt Lake City, his practice covers the entire state of Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, and he is the Managing Partner of a law firm with attorneys licensed in the states of Nevada, Arizona and California. Abe is a committed defender of the rights of homeowners and he strongly believes that homeownership - including having equity in your home - is fundamental to the fabric of democracy and American society.

As Managing Partner of Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates, Abe manages a team of over 30 attorneys, housing paralegals, forensic loan auditors, loan modification staff, and others who share his commitment to hold the Big Banks accountable for their unconscionable, predatory lending behavior - lending behavior that is directly responsible for the foreclosure crisis, economic depression and 10% unemployment rate that we as citizens and homeowners currently face. Many of the committed staff which Abe manages formerly worked for what he calls "the dark side," meaning employees of foreclosure service agents of the Big Banks and attorneys and mortgage lenders who made hundreds of millions of dollars of sub-prime loans before the collapse of the housing market. Now that these staff members have "seen the light" and recognize the problems with the lenders and servicers for whom they previously worked, they are incredibly useful tools to the Firm's foreclosure-defense practice given their intimate knowledge of the dirty tricks, deceptive practices, concealment, fraud and other bad acts perpetrated by the Big Banks (and the 400+ failed sub-prime lenders whose loans the Big Banks purchased with tax-payer (TARP) money) and the servicers who foreclose upon homeowners based on fraudulently executed (robo-signature) documents and false sworn testimony regarding possession of a homeowner's "wet-ink" mortgage promissory note.

Wasatch Advocates, the Utah-focused foreclosure-defense practice which Abe manages, has filed over 100 cases in the last six months in defense of the rights of homeowners in foreclosures. He has won numerous victories after evidentiary hearings and achieved settlements whereby homeowners get principal reductions and affordable fixed interest rates instead of the predatory sub-prime mortgages which they previously faced. For homeowners who want to move out of their homes, Abe has secured deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, credit repair, and favorable short sale approval terms (along with credit repair), enabling the homeowner to walk away from their home without the consequences of a foreclosure. Abe is also spearheading an effort in the 2011 Utah legislative session to enact mandatory foreclosure-mediation laws which would requires the banks and securitized trusts to send a representative authorized to execute a loan modification, short sale approval, or deed-in-lieu, before any foreclosure of a home in Utah can occur. The local and national media frequently call on Abe for comment on MERS, the foreclosure crisis, and solutions to the national foreclosure crisis "Prof Says Banks Undermined the System (SLTRIB)."

Abe is also a long-time friend and colleague of Associate Dean Christopher Peterson at the University of Utah College of Law. Dean Peterson is the leading expert in the country on the issue of MERS and, while not formally associated as an attorney of the firm, provides valuable insight and assistance with Abe's efforts to defend homeowners facing foreclosure. Additionally, Dean Peterson serves as an Expert Witness on a number of the cases which Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates prosecutes in defense of homeowners facing foreclosure.

LITIGATION VICTORIES

Abe secured the first-ever ruling on the merits against the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") in Utah after an evidentiary hearing for a preliminary injunction within hours of the homeowner's foreclosure sale. Abe also secured the first-ever injunction in a foreclosure case awarded by Chief Judge Tena Campbell of the United States District Court in Utah against Provident Funding, based on Provident's negligent misrepresentations, bad faith and unfair dealing in servicing the homeowner's loan. Abe has also won a handful of "free and clear" (Quiet Title) judgments on behalf of homeowners, although this strategy is not a primary focus of Homeowner Legal Defense Advocate's efforts. Abe is currently involved in several state-wide class actions designed to bring down foreclosure-rescue scams, is involved in planning a national class-action lawsuit against MERS and the Big Banks, and is appealing two non-judicial foreclosure cases to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and to the Utah Supreme Court.

OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE

Abe is a strong believer that everybody should have access to an aggressive and empathetic foreclosure-defense attorney and has built Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Legal Defense Advocates with a team of staff dedicated and committed to keeping clients updated on the status of their litigation while simultaneously making efforts to ease the anxiety and trauma that comes with the foreclosure process. He believes that you have a right to know exactly what is going on in your case, your available legal and non-legal remedies, your chances of success, and what it will cost you to prosecute your claims against the Big Banks. The Firm offers free consultations and advice as a matter of course, and provides documents at no charge which homeowners can use on their own to preserve their rights and prevent negative credit reporting prior to a foreclosure. Wasatch Advocates and Homeowner Defense Legal Advocates want to ensure that every homeowner understands the process, the timelines, the defenses available, and the legal and non-legal remedies a homeowner may take on their own, or with the assistance of a foreclosure-defense attorney, to stave off foreclosure.

EARLY CAREER

Prior to law school, Abe worked for two powerful and well-connected members of the United States House Of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Abe then returned to his home in Utah, where he worked as a chemical addiction counselor. Abe also helped start several high-technology companies in the mid- to late-1990s. Each of these experiences has enabled Abe to build Homeowner Defense Legal Advocates, a regional law firm committed to defending homeowners facing foreclosure in four out of the five "hardest hit" states in the country (Nevada, Arizona, California, and Utah), whether through driving legislative action, training his staff to empathize with homeowners who face the emotional and psychological trauma that is a natural consequence of the prospect of losing the family home, and by using the Internet to educate homeowners nationwide of their rights both and prior to foreclosure.

Glen has been practicing DUI and Criminal Defense Law since 1998. He is one of two Board Certified Lawyers in DUI Defense in the State of Utah. He is a graduate from the Trial Lawyers College taught be the famous attorney, Gerry Spence, in Dubois, Wyoming.

Bearnson & Caldwell, LLC was formed in 2011 by Brad H. Bearnson and Wayne K. Caldwell. Brad & Wayne created their firm to focus their efforts on practice areas directly aimed at serving their clients and their clients' specific needs. Bearnson & Caldwell, LLC serves clientele in the practice areas of Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Family Law, Social Security & Disability, Estate Planning, Business Law, Tax Law, Medical Malpractice, Labor & Employment, Real Estate Law and Litigation.

Practice limited solely to IRS problem resolution.
Avid road bike and mountain bike enthusiast.
Favorite actors: John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart

Mr. Gilland received his Juris Doctorate degree Drake Law School in 1995. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree from Brigham Young University in 1977 and 1978 respectively. He has been practicing law since 1996.

He is is committed to maintaining regular contact with his clients throughout their case. You can trust that your case will be monitored and directed by a lawyer at all times - not a paralegal - as is often the case at larger law firms. Before finalizing any settlement you will first be counseled about your options and will understand enough to make an informed decision.

We understand the importance of making our clients comfortable throughout the legal process. That is why we provide a casual atmosphere within our office and make certain that we treat every client as a person, not as a case number. We personalize each solution to your individual situation. We have worked hard to create a positive relationship with the IRS, one that will benefit you in your situation. We offer information and support that will help you in your individual IRS tax problem and continually monitor your progress. We are attentive to your needs and provide you with realistic and reasonable options tailored to meet your needs and goals - now and in the future.

Chris Salcido is a Utah licensed attorney and a founding Member of Salcido Law Firm PLLC.

Prior to founding Salcido Law Firm with his brother, Chris practiced complex commercial and civil litigation with a law firm in Salt Lake City, focusing his practice on the representation of injured victims in personal injury and medical malpractice suits. In recent years, Chris has been involved with some of the largest personal injury and medical malpractice verdicts in Utah.

Chris's past experience also includes the representation of large corporations as a corporate attorney. Chris has considerable experience and knowledge in the representation of ecommerce companies and start-ups. Since co-founding Salcido Law Firm, Chris has focused his practice to personal injury, criminal defense, bankruptcy, family law, and small business representation.

Chris is an experienced divorce and family law attorney. He has represented clients in difficult family law matters including custody disputes, complex divorces, and property divisions. Chris has developed unique and effective approaches to resolving family law matters for his clientâs and their families.

In addition to his legal practice, Chris has maintained a commitment to teaching legal and general education courses at colleges throughout Utah. Chris has taught college courses in American History; Philosophy; Logic & Critical Analysis; Humanities; Probate Administration & Estate Planning; and Evidence.

Chris is committed to giving back to the local community. Chris served as a member of the Utah Army National Guard for several years and is a decorated veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. Chris offers pro bono services to veterans on a case by case basis. Chris personally aspires to 100 hours of pro bono service a year. Chris also supports his alma maters by offering reduced fees to students and alumni of the University of Utah and Utah Valley University.

Utah Bankruptcy Attorney

Gloria has been practicing exclusively immigration law since 2007. She represents clients in immigration court, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, the Board of Immigration Appeals and Federal Court.

Gloria has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Wayne has been handling injury cases in Arizona for 28 years representing injured people and their families. He is a Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation. Wayne is also a member of the workers compensation panel of attorneys for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), the PHPA and other professional sports players associations. He is available by telephone or email for a personal consultation about your case without cost or obligation. Call or email now.

Rand is the founder of Bateman IP Law Group, specializing in the protection of Intellectual Property. His experience includes complex litigation, and prosecution of patent, trademark and copyright matters. Rand has represented clients from across the United States and several foreign countries. He has obtained more than 200 patents, and has overseen registration of nearly 250 trademarks. Rand has also litigated numerous patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters ranging from architectural copyright cases to patent cases in which his clients received million dollar settlements.

Mr. Pugsley is the Chair of the Securities Litigation Group at Ray Quinney & Nebeker, and the chair of the firm's Technology Committee. Mr. Pugsley was the Chair of the Securities Section of the Utah State Bar in 2006 and has been a member of the Advisory Board for the Utah Division of Securities. He is a founder and member of the Utah Securities Association.

Mr. Pugsley is a commercial litigator who has worked on a broad range of matters, including securities, contract, partnership, antitrust, appellate, automobile franchise, real estate, intellectual property, products liability and bankruptcy disputes. He practiced for several years in Los Angeles, California before moving to Utah, and holds active licenses to practice law in both California and Utah.

The majority of Mr. Pugsley's time is devoted to cases involving investment fraud and securities disputes. He handles civil litigation, regulatory investigations, FINRA arbitrations and receivership actions for parties on all sides of these matters. He has handled many securities arbitrations and frequently defends corporations, officers, accountants, brokerage firms and brokers in investigations, administrative actions and civil litigation brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Utah Division of Securities, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA, formerly NASD). He has been involved in internal investigations for publicly-traded companies, and advises companies and brokerage firms on disclosure and compliance issues. Mr. Pugsley has been an arbitrator with FINRA since 1999 and is also an approved arbitrator for Utah's Court-Annexed ADR program.

Mr. Pugsley maintains an “AV” rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded to attorneys for professional competence and ethics. Mr. Pugsley is listed in The Best Lawyers in America under the category of securities law, and in Mountain States Super Lawyers in the areas of Securities Litigation and Business Litigation. He has been listed by Utah Business Magazine as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” in the category of Business Litigation in every year since the list's inception in 2004.

Born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, John has enjoyed spending his years as a resident of Utah County. John attending Brigham Young University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Finance. Once he graduated from BYU, John worked in the finance arena for two years and then went on to attend law school in Oklahoma. While attending law school, John actively worked in criminal defense, property, and family law. John gained insight into the importance and sanctity of human rights guaranteed to all individuals under the constitution as he worked in the Public Defender's Office.
John specializes in Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, Family Law and general litigation. John spends his free time with his wife and two daughters enjoying the fresh mountain air of Utah. They like to hunt, fish, hike and horse back ride. They reside in Utah County.

Randy has practiced law in Utah since April of 1984. He offices in Heber City, Utah, and handles legal matters throughout the State. He has extensive experience in construction claims and litigation, collections, trucking, commercial and criminal law. He is a frequent speaker on construction and collection law topics, and has substantial experience with real estate matters. With a J.D. degree from the University of Utah, he is a trained mediator and arbitrator, and speaks Spanish. Until his appointment as Heber City's Justice Court Judge, a part time position, he was a member of the Utah Association for Justice (formerly Utah Trial Lawyers Association), and was on the Board of the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has been a licensed real estate agent.

Handling cases in:
Wasatch County
Heber City
Midway
Charleston
Wallsburg
Summit County
Park City
Coalville
Kamas
Salt Lake County
Salt Lake City
Duchesne County
Duchesne
Roosevelt
Uintah County
Vernal
Utah County
Provo
Orem

John W Christiansen has many places to call home; living in Arizona, California, Virginia, and Utah while growing up. After graduating from high school in Salt Lake City, Utah he attended Brigham Young University and studied communications and marketing. While at BYU, he was a member of the Deanâs advisory board and the Marriot School of Businessâ representative to the Student Advisory Council. Following graduation, he worked for an Inc. 500 company as a manager in the marketing department and doubled as a graphic designer.

During law school, Mr. Christiansen received high marks including an S.J Quinney Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and was inducted into the Phi Delta Phi International Honors Legal Fraternity. While in law school, he clerked in various positions which included the Tulsa County District Attorneyâs Office: Major Crimes Division, the Utah Attorney Generalâs Office: Criminal Division, Prosecution Council Section and the U.S. Department of Justice: U.S. Attorneyâs Office. Mr. Christiansen also received the honor of being selected as a candidate in the 2010 U.S. Attorney Generalâs Honors Program

Born: Escondido, California, January 30, 1966.

Admitted to bar: 1994, Utah and U.S. District Court, District of Utah.

Education: Brigham Young University (B.A., in Economics, 1989; M.B.A., 1993; J.D., cum laude, 1993).

Author and Editor : Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law.

Co-Author: Books: How to Form a Corporation in any State, Advocate Publishers, 1990; The Complete Asset Protection Plan, Advocate Publishers, 1990. Co-Author, "Developing an Employee-Centered Electronic Monitoring System," Journal of Systems Management, August 1993. Author, "United States v. Halper: Making Double Jeopardy Available in Civil Actions," 6 Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law 551, 1992.

Activities: Part Time Faculty -- Brigham Young University; Utah State Bar (Member, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 1999-2001; Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee, 2001—2009); Utah Trial Lawyers Association; The American Association for Justice; Board of Directors -- BYU Management Society.

Reported Cases: N.M. v. Safeco 2008 UT 1; McKeon v. Crump, 2002 UT App. 258; McKeon v. Crump, 2001 UT App. 175; State v. Villalobos, 2000 UT App. 354; State v. Kohl, 999 P.2d 7 (Utah 2000); Russ v. Woodside Homes, Inc., 905 P.2d 901 (Utah App. 1995).

Languages: French.

Bryan Baron graduated with honors from Weber State University with a Bachelors Degree in English. He went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Utah and a Law Degree from the S.J. Quinney College of Law. Bryan received CALI awards in Criminal Law and in Business Law, and was awarded “best oralist” at the Pace Environmental Moot Court Competition.

Prior to entering law school, Bryan worked as a paralegal for the law office of Chad B. McKay L.L.C. During law school, Bryan volunteered at the Disability Law Center, worked as a law clerk for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in the Criminal Appeals Division, and worked as a law clerk for the Institute for Clean and Secure Energy. In addition to his legal experience, Bryan is actively involved in the community. He teaches special needs institute classes and volunteers at the protective order clinic.

Utah attorney Stephen Howard is an experienced trial lawyer, negotiator, advocate, and legal adviser. His courtroom successes have included jury trials, appellate work, motion practice, and more. His abilities as a negotiator and problem solver have contributed to positive outcomes for clients outside the courtroom as well. Mr. Howard practices as a member of Salt Lake City law firm of Crippen & Cline, a firm known for providing high quality legal representation and personal service to clients throughout Utah.

Bankruptcy Attorney. We file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Free Consultation.

We are a debt relief agency under the United States Bankruptcy Code. We help people file for bankruptcy relief.