I provide caring timely and responsive, yet aggressive representation in the most sensitive areas of the law with the highest level of skill, creativity, sensitivity, and integrity.  My firm is sleek, streamlined, and personal enough to devote a higher level of attention to the clients I serve at a reasonable cost.  I evaluate your case, inform you of your legal rights and options, and guide you through the legal process. Every client is treated like my only client because the decisions you make in your current case may greatly effect your future options.

My goal is to acknowledge all aspects of your unique situation, respect your needs, maintain contact with you as your case progresses to ensure you understand your legal options at all times, and focus on protecting your interests as I work diligently to resolve your matter.

Small Caseload
While practicing law may be business as usual for me, I understand that your case is intensely personal to you.  Therefore, I maintain a small caseload to be available to answer your questions and address your concerns as soon as possible.

Personal Relationships
Let’s get through this challenging time together

Personal relationships are the foundation of sound legal counsel
Because of the intimate nature of family law cases, clients must share private, emotional information with their attorney. Without this knowledge, an attorney cannot provide effective counsel for the client's case. An attorney must also be able to provide and communicate an honest evaluation of the client's case. My previous experience working in various areas of the legal field including domestic violence provide me with counseling skills required by delicate, sensitive family matters.

Nonjudgmental, supportive environment
In our modern society, a nuclear family (married man and woman with children) is the exception to the rule. Understanding that families are not "one size fits all," I encourage a nonjudgmental, supportive enviroment so we are able to candidly discuss the unique circumstances of your case.

Your teammate and guide
You certainly know more about your life than I do! I prefer to view our relationship as teammates, rather than something else. Your input and opinion is not only valued, but welcomed. The information you provide is essential to the successful representation of your case. Further, many of the decisions that must be made are of a personal nature to you. I provide professional guidance to assist you in making those decisions. Together, we develop a legal plan that meets your needs.

Become Empowered
Devoted to making sure you understand your legal options

You should be aware and understand all of your options and obligations before you make a decision.
If I inform you about the law and provide guidance and additional educational materials to you, you are better able to make informed decisions that secure your best interests and an advantageous resolution of their matter in the most expedient, affordable, and reliable way possible.

Knowing my clients are under immense stress and pressure, I try to create a smooth legal process by empowering my clients and eliminating unnecessary problems or legal fees.

Collaborative Law, Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Always looking for the most appropriate ways to resolve your case successfully, expeditiously, and economically

My firm emphasizes alternative dispute resolution methods (including collaborative law, mediation, etc.) over costly, and time-consuming litigation.  In the event, we are unable to reach an agreement outside of court; however, I aggressively prepare your case as though we will proceed to trial.

Providing a level of service to each client that effectively solves problems, minimizes risk, and seizes opportunities.

Services that Set Me Apart

Caseload
I intentionally maintain a small caseload to be available to answer your questions and address your concerns as soon as possible. You need answers and I want to provide them.

House Calls
For your comfort and convenience, I will visit your home, office, or other location, at no additional charge in the Yulee/Fernandina Beach area. By making house calls, I try to alleviate the stress and initimdation clients often feel when going to an attorney's office. Further, you can avoid the traffic and travel time by having me come to you--more time for you in your busy schedule.

Appointments
Evening and weekend appointments are available upon your request. Sometimes you cannot get off work, cannot get enough time away from work, your occupation does not allow you to take time away during business hours, or maybe you do not want your boss or coworkers to know you are meeting with an attorney; so I am happy to meet with you at your convenience.

Personally Tailored Services
My legal services are tailored to your personal preferrences. From how you communicate with me, to how and how frequently you want a status update, to how you receive your documents, to how your pay your fees, and everything in between. If you prefer a particular method or service, let me know!

Client Extranet
An easy, secure website you can log into and have access to the documents in your client file.

Handling Your Case

Prompt, accurate, and honest evaluation of legal questions so you can decide how to proceed

You work directly with me--no legal assistant, case manager, or secretary running interference.
We discuss the facts, status, predicted outcome, strategy, negotiations, settlement, and everything in between. I handle everything for you. I answer my own phone, respond to my own emails, etc. You are not passed around from one "team member" to another. I am familiar with you and your case. You are not a number at this firm!

We will explore all options, analyzing costs and merits of particular actions and dispute resolution

Stay current with all changes in the law so I can apply that knowledge to your case

Innovative use of technology to keep you informed and help you manage your legal costs

My office relies on techonology to provide personal, efficient, and reliable service to reduce your overall legal costs.

Contacting and Communicating with Me
Feel free to use the method that best meets your needs:

Phone
An attorney who answers their own phone! What a novel idea! All kidding aside, I answer my phone unless I am in court, with a client, or otherwise unavailable. If I am unavailable or on another line, you may leave a voice mail message. I will return your call as soon as possible including evenings and weekends, as needed.

All clients receive information on how to reach me in case of an emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Blackberry
My Blackberry allows me to answer calls, return messages, and reply to emails sooner. I can return your calls and emails while I am away from the office.

Email
My email jan@jmmflaw.com is sent to my BlackBerry and my office, so I can reply sooner. Email allows for immediate document exchange as well as general communication.

Fax
My dedicated fax number is 904-321-0988. The fax machine is always on and eady to send and receive your documents.

My Office
My office is highly automated. By effectively using law practice management software, I can provide efficient legal services which keeps your expenses down and gives me more time to personally attend to your needs. My case management system keeps our case on track and ensures we are organized and do not miss deadlines. My office also maintains or has access to all of the latest legal research--just like the big firms, at a fraction of the cost!

Firm Website (http://www.jmmflaw.com)
I am always expanding quality resources and information on the website. You are invited to use the blawg and resources as tools to guide you through all aspects of family law

Library
In the Library you will find resources, helpful links, frequently used forms, and additional information.

bLAWg
The bLAWg is a weblog (blog) but about the law, so it is called a "blawg." The bLAWG is updated several times a week. The bLAWg contains information on the latest legal developments, additional resources I have found, is a place to discuss current legal issues, and provide an additional forum for information.

I have had the pleasure of being a member of the military community for many years and am personally aware of the special challenges military families face. Please visit my military page for additional information.

Contact me to see how I can help you. Ask me about a military discount!

All cases are unique, particuarly in family law. Therefore I offer different representation agreements to suit your needs—we can discuss this in more detail at your initial consultation.

I generally require a non-refundable retainer to be paid when you sign the representation agreement.  Because I maintain a small caseload, I accept or decline future cases based on the number and complexity of current cases. 

All fees and costs must be paid in advance and are not included in the representation amount. 
I do not begin work on your case until your payment has been received and the funds have cleared the bank.

I accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover as additional payment options.

You will receive a monthly statement detailing the costs, fees, and expenses as well as the remaining funds in your account. Unlike most other firms, I do not bill you for in house copies and faxes, 1 oz. postage, and other so-called soft costs. (See your representation agreement for specific details about these costs.)

It is my goal to stay on your projected budget, but sometimes that is not possible.  I will notify you as soon as possible if an added expense will be necessary and we can discuss what options may be available.