By Frank Weir
Legal News
Attorney Andrew Kirkpatrick has returned to Jackson.
Kirkpatrick left Jackson a year and a half ago and moved to the Boston area, joining a large bankruptcy firm there. But a very heavy caseload there--and the family-oriented Midwest--drew him back.
''I really missed the legal community here. Back east it tends to be more cut throat. You don't know half the lawyers you deal with and, for the most part, you can trust the word of attorneys here.
''My wife and I also came to believe that a smaller community was a far better environment to raise our family. We missed the slower pace here.''
Originally from Iowa, Kirkpatrick is a former United States Marine and was a police officer in Arizona. He came to Michigan in 2000 to attend law school at Michigan State University College of Law.
Kirkpatrick worked as a law clerk/baliff for two Judges in Jackson County, while attending law school at night.
''During law school, I saw an ad that Judge Perlos was looking for a law student-clerk so I applied and got the job. When Judge McBain was elected, he kept me on as his clerk.
''I continued there right up to my graduation in 2003. I planned to return to Arizona, took and passed the Arizona Bar Exam and was admitted in 2003.
''Michigan really grew on me and my family and I was offered a position with the Jackson firm of Wilson, Brown and Dungan.'' In March of 2006, Kirkpatrick joined Mike and Shelly Dungan as a partner in Dungan, Kirkpatrick and Dungan.
Kirkpatrick has added bankruptcy to his areas of legal expertise which now include criminal defense, family law, personal injury and bankruptcy. He is licensed to practice law in Michigan, Arizona, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
He praises his fellow local practitioners.
''I believe Jackson County has one of the best local bar associations in the state. Its a very collegial bar, it runs smoothly and attorneys get along for the most part.
''Clients need to realize that attorneys will fight for them, but it is crucial to have two level-headed attorneys who know the law and the probable outcome of their case, so they are able to resolve many of the issues without costly litigation.
''That may save them thousands of dollars in fees and result in a far quicker resolution of their legal matter.
''In Jackson, for the most part, lawyers do not file unnecessary motions or drag out litigation. They negotiate and explain the process to their clients.
"That being said, not all cases may be worked out with negotiations and settlements, some simply have to be litigated in court.
''The key to a successful practice is knowing the difference.''
''Most attorneys in Jackson have a good feel for how a Judge or jury may or may not decide a particular case .''
And Kirkpatrick practices his legal philosophy when he first meets with clients.
''I think the best lawyer is one who provides good, sound advice about a client's case at the initial consultation.
''He or she doesn't make a lot of unfounded promises just to get a client's retainer. A good lawyer offers reasonable expectations from the beginning, and is not afraid to tell a client they do not have a case, if they truly don't.''
''I would rather a client not hire me because they do not like my assessment of the potential outcome than to have a client who expects a result that is simply not likely or possible.
"It is far better to properly educate a client up front about the case,'' he concluded.
Kirkpatrick's office is located at Dungan, Lady, Kirkpatrick and Dungan PLLC, 503 South Jackson (517) 783-3500.
Published: Thu, Apr 14, 2011
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