Alex & Saavedra - May 2018

Alex & Saavedra - May 2018

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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HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL

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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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

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