Harper Law Arizona

Arizona Law Firm's iPhone App Makes National News

We were pleased to notice this morning that Law.com's Legal Blog Watch mentioned Harper Law's new iPhone App as one of only three law firms in the nation with their own iPhone App. You can check out the article here.

Harper Law Launches iPhone App

We are pleased to announce that Harper Law has launched its own iPhone App, available for download from iTunes for your iPhone or iPod touch device. The App consolidates feeds from HarperLawArizona.com and from three of Harper Law's most popular blogs:

ArizonaPropertyLaw.com, ArizonaContractLaw.com, and EmploymentLawArizona.com.

Looking For A Phoenix Lawyer?

If you are in the market for a Phoenix lawyer you shouldn't have much trouble finding one.  Although I was unable to find any statistics for the City of Phoenix itself, according to the Arizona State Bar website Maricopa County is home to 12,016 lawyers.  That means there are more lawyers in Phoenix than the total population of the towns where many of us grew up.  I grew up in Boise, Idaho when the population was well under 100,000 (it has grown since), and other than one guy at church don't think I ever even met a lawyer growing up.

Now I know that Phoenix is a big city, but twelve thousand lawyers still seems like a lot.  I have been a lawyer practicing in Tucson and Phoenix for well over a decade now, and I was stunned by that number.  I still don't know that many lawyers, but maybe that's because I try to avoid them now.

So what does it mean when you can't hardly turn around without bumping into a lawyer?  Well, it certainly means that if you need to hire a Phoenix lawyer you'll have a wide selection to choose from.  That choice, however, can sometimes be paralyzing.

Of course, you may also be surprised to discovery that its not always that easy to find the right lawyer for you.  Many of Phoenix's 12,000 lawyers work for the government in various capacities, while others work for companies or large law firms catering to the needs of large companies.  The balance work for smaller law firms or practice alone, usually emphasizing certain practice areas in which they have some level of experience and/or expertise.

Most people and small businesses will look to a small or mid-size law firm and, if they are smart, will shop around for a lawyer who is the right fit.  I would advise people looking for a Phoenix lawyer to research on the internet, ask friends and colleagues for referrals, and then meet with a few different lawyers to discuss the legal problem in detail.  Only after one feels comfortable on a personal level and satisfied with the costs and proposed legal strategy should a lawyer be selected.

Obviously, if it looks like my firm might be the right fit, I'd love to have you consider Harper Law for your Phoenix lawyer needs.  Even if we don't practice the type of law you need, we can help you find the right lawyer and negotiate the terms of representation.

This blog entry was written by Arizona attorney Kevin R. Harper.

Tombstone Lawyer Allen R. English Was An Unparrallelled Character

Sometimes I come across a bit of history that I feel compelled to share.  Click here to check out a fascinating article about one of Tombstone's early legal giants (scroll down to the section entitled "Characters Inhabited Rotten Row").

Both the city of Tombstone, Arizona and the practice of law have changed a lot since the late 1800's. According to my recent search of the Arizona State Bar records, there are only five lawyers in Tombstone today, and the city is just a shadow of what it was in its heyday.

A brief review of the life of Tombstone lawyer Allen English shows that he was a skilled lawyer who rose to the top of his profession despite a life-long battle with alcohol that drifted into the courtroom on more than one occasion.  I'm sure that most lawyers today will agree that judges today would not be nearly as tolerant of Mr. English's antics, and that he would not be a Tombstone lawyer for long.

This blog entry written by Arizona attorney Kevin R. Harper.

What Are An Arizona Lawyer's Duties With Regard To Confidentiality?

When you come to an Arizona lawyer to discuss a sensitive legal issue, it’s natural to expect complete confidentiality. Fortunately, in order to encourage clients to be forthright with their attorneys, the law in Arizona and every other state generally protects your confidential information disclosed to your lawyer.

So what exactly are are an Arizona lawyer’s duties when it comes to confidentiality?

Generally speaking, a lawyer's duty of confidentiality means that an attorney cannot disclose any information obtained in the course of a client's legal representation unless the client grants permission. This duty is based on the idea that a lawyer can’t effectively represent a client if he doesn’t know all the facts underlying that client's claims and defenses. The duty of confidentiality encourages clients to be completely honest with their attorney.  This ultimately allows people to obtain the best legal representation possible.

Of course, there are a few exceptions to this general rule. One time a lawyer can disclose information shared by a client without the client's consent is if the lawyer's non-disclosure will lead to the bodily harm or death of a third party. Also, in some instances where a lawyer is sued by a client, the lawyer may disclose information regarding that client's representation in order to defend himself.  Lawyers mat also be obligated to disclose confidential information to rectify or prevent client fraud or lies inside or out of court. In Arizona, the law with regard to such disclosures depends on the precise facts and circumstances of each case, and you should consult with an Arizona attorney to determine how these rules might apply to your case.

Arizona Law Firms

If you are looking for information about Arizona law firms on the internet you'll likely find a lot of advertising and marketing that won't help you, directory sites filled with listings by paid advertisers who may or may not be what you need, along with a flood of good, but largely irrelevant, information to sift through in your quest to find the Arizona law firm poised to serve your need.

The truth is that there are literally hundreds of Arizona law firms employing thousands of Arizona lawyers across the State.  Most of these Arizona law firms emphasize a single to just a few legal practice areas based on the experience and expertise of their lawyers. There are very few law firms that purport to serve every need and if there are some who do it is doubtful they can do so with any level of proficiency. 

At Harper Law we hope to serve as many clients as possible in an efficient, capable and cost-effective manner.  Although we are constantly seeking to expand our abilities by teaming with experienced professionals, our work currently focuses on real estate, business, employment and insurance disputes.  These practice areas cover most of the civil and commercial disputes facing the majority of individuals and businesses.

Although our Arizona law firm may not currently handle the type of problem you face we believe we can still be a valuable resource in your search for an Arizona law firm.  We can provide general advise on things you should know when looking for a lawyer to meet your needs and negotiating the best fee arrangement with an Arizona lawyer.  You may ultimately agree that hiring Harper Law to help you find and retain an Arizona lawyer can be a very wise decision in the long run.

Please feel free to give us a call at any time to schedule a consultation regarding your legal matter or, if appropriate, to schedule a How to Hire an Arizona Lawyer Consultation for a discount fee.