Practice Areas
Williams and Stanford. PLC is a multi-service law firm practicing within many areas of law. We focus our efforts on the following areas of practice:
|
|
Bankruptcy Law
For debitors. Facing creditors and struggling to pay off debt may seem like a quagmire with no rescue in sight, not to mention the stress of "financial doom" can muddle your thinking. A competent legal shoulder to lean on could mean the difference between foreclosure and minimal loss of assets. Whether you personally or your business is in financial trouble our bankruptcy lawyers in Manchester can assist in you evaluating your options. As a debt relief agency we frequently help clients file bankruptcy.
For creditors. Our Manchester bankruptcy attorneys also work with clients who are on the other end of bankruptcy, the creditor side. Through negotiation and litigation we advance creditor positions during a bankruptcy and provide information throughout the collections and business restructuring process.
Business law
We handle start-up transactions, day-to-day business transactions, and business liquidations for corporations, medium-sized businesses and small businesses. Selecting the most advantageous and suitable type of business entity for your business will depend on the state and federal laws affecting your type of industry. While you may not be equipped to deal with these legal complexities, our attorneys are knowledgeable in the creation of business enterprises and/or entities as well as buying or selling a business. We will provide you with the personal attention, knowledge and trusted legal advice you need to successfully start, acquire or sell a business.
Criminal Defense
You can rely upon our Manchester criminal defense attorney knowledge of the criminal law and aggressive style as you seek to ensure that your life or liberty is not taken away due to convictions for criminal offenses.
DUI - The penalties for driving while intoxicated in Tennessee have never been more severe. For example, DUI is the only misdemeanor criminal offense, which absolutely requires that a person convicted serve jail time, rather than allow for alternative sentencing. In addition, a person whom is convicted of their first offense of DUI will lose their license for one year, face a minimum fine of $350, have to attend and pay for DUI school, pay court costs, and may face other penalties and consequences.
Many DUI cases that seem hopeless at first glance can be won. Just because someone had a breath test that was over the legal limit, failed field sobriety tests or admitted to drinking and driving does not necessarily mean that the State will be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. DUI cases are highly complex and require attorneys who are familiar with the government's tactics in such cases.
Assault Charges - Conviction on a charge of assault can ruin your reputation, hamper your ability to earn a living, and in cases involving domestic violence, can prevent you from ever being able to legally possess a firearm for any purpose. Often, the actual aggressor in a confrontation will later bring charges against a person whom simply defended himself or herself.
If you are charged with any type of assault, you will need an aggressive and knowledgeable lawyer to explain your options to you and prepare your defense.
Drug Charges - Other than the most violent of felonies, felony drug charges can carry the most severe penalties in our criminal justice system. Convictions for minor drug crimes can ruin your reputation, hinder your ability to get seek higher education or can prevent you from getting the job you are seeking. There are many possible defenses available to persons charged with drug crimes.
If you have been charged with possessing, manufacturing, selling or delivering drugs or conspiring with others to do so, you need an aggressive and experienced lawyer to handle your defense.
Violent Felonies - When it comes to difficult cases, violent felonies such as rapes, homicides or armed robberies are at the top of the list. These cases often carry the most serious penalties in our criminal justice system and are usually the most difficult ones to resolve.
If you are charged with a violent felony, it is important that you have the assistance of an aggressive trial lawyer.
Family Law
You can count on our Manchester divorce attorney to assist you in handling the most important decisions you will face in life - decisions regarding your family.
Divorce - Tennessee recognizes two "types" of divorces. The first is divorce based on "fault" and the second is commonly known as a "no-fault" divorce or divorce based on irreconcilable differences. Unless there is an agreement between the parties regarding the actual divorce, the distribution of property and debt and the custody and visitation of any minor children, you cannot get a "no-fault" divorce.
Attention to all the intricacies and nuances of divorce mediations and litigations will determine how you come out of your divorce. You need a dedicated and concerned divorce lawyer in Manchester on your side to handle these complicated factors for you during what will be one of the most stressful and unsettling times in your life.
Adoption - Adoption is the process by which you add another child or youth to your family. Adoptions are usually granted, through Chancery Court and occur when (1) a family member such as a stepparent or a grandparent wants to adopt a child or (2) a third party such as a couple or single person wants to adopt a child. Adoptions can become very complicated when a biological parent objects to the adoption or a third party is seeking an adoption.
If you are considering an adoption you need a knowledgeable and experienced advocate who will look out for your best interest while guiding you through the legal steps necessary to achieve your goal.
Paternity - Paternity exists when the law recognizes a man as a child or youth's father. Once paternity is established, that man has the right to visitation with the child or youth and is required at least in part to provide support for the child.
Paternity establishment is an evolving area of law and it is crucial that you protect your legal rights in a timely fashion if paternity is an issue for you. You will need an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to assist you in establishing or disestablishing the paternity of a child or youth.
Child Custody/Visitation or Support Modification - When married persons get divorced, either the parties will agree to all aspects of a child's care or the Court will make findings and order that a child be cared for in a particular way. Such orders or agreements will set custody, visitation and support for the child. Each of these aspects of a child's care can be modified or changed, but only in some circumstances.
If you believe you need to modify some aspect of your child's care, you need to contact a competent lawyer to discuss your legal options with you.
Child Custody Disputes - Child custody disputes can arise following a divorce or in the absence of marriage altogether. These emotional cases can be very complex and require the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney who will zealously represent your legal interests.
Estate Planning & Probate
Whether you are planning your own estate or stepping in to help a parent relative or friend who no longer is capable of managing their own assets, understanding the appropriate legal options available makes your task less daunting.
We can help you establish Powers of Attorney, both Durable and Healthcare so if the time ever arrives that you are unable to manage your own affairs, you can rest assured your life will be in the right hands. Establishing a Living Will helps your loved ones know your wishes regarding medical care and enables them by proxy to carry out your decisions. A Living Will also prepares them for medical situations by providing answers to guide them through stressful choices. Putting plans in place for a Guardianship or Conservatorship extends solutions for trying times that may lie ahead.
From a financial standpoint, estate planning offers asset protection and minimizes money loss through taxation. Establishing a trust or seeking advice in writing a will can also make you secure in knowing you have provided for your loved ones.
Even if there has been a lack of estate planning, our skills in steering you through the probate court system will save court costs, time and other expenses.
Litigation
Our ability to litigate spans a broad number of law practice areas, some very general and others uniquely specific. Whether you are looking for general civil or business litigation or administrative proceedings, we will competently service your needs. Some of the specific legal arenas where we represent clients include real estate, condemnation/eminent domain, commercial litigation, banking, contract, construction/contractor litigation as well as appellate practice and personal injury litigation.
Seeking counsel regarding disputes reveals if you should go to trial, settle out of court, and in general affirms the best approach to take for the most expedient, cost-effective and remunerative resolution.
Real Estate
In many ways frequently changing laws dictate your actions regarding real estate transactions and there is no substitute for competent legal advice. We can help you make the right decisions not only regarding real estate acquisitions in general, but also in buying or selling a home or accomplishing effective real estate closings. If you have questions about home lending, owner financing or title insurance we are also here to guide you.
Our scope of real estate knowledge extends beyond residential property to commercial property, commercial leasing, zoning and land use, landlord and tenant as well as construction and environmental law.
Personal Injury
Let our knowledge and aggressive style work for you if you have experienced any of the following life changing events.
Auto Accidents - Car accidents are inevitable, but when you are involved in one, you need an experienced law firm on your side. From the moment you feel the impact and hear the sounds of the crash, your life changes. Suddenly you are faced with unexpected car repairs, medical bills, lost wages and other accident related expenses. These things are stressful, and for someone who is trying to deal with serious injuries and the impact they can have on their loved ones, it can sometimes be too much to bear. The last thing you need during such a stressful time is an insurance company run-around. You need help fast. You need an aggressive, experienced law firm with the knowledge and resources necessary to take on any insurance company.
Insurance company's obligations are to their stockholders and policyholders, not to the people injured by their insured's negligence. Insurance company's desire to maximize their own profits provides them with every motivation to try to deny your claim or pay you the minimum amount that they can. The insurance companies also have enormous advantages: they have immense wealth, armies of experienced adjusters and lawyers and years of experience reducing and denying claims.
As your attorneys, our only obligation will be to you, our client. We will use our experience and every resource available to protect your interests, and will work hard to help you receive the full value for your case. We will advise you every step of the way to help you avoid any mistakes that could cost you money. There is no charge for attorney's fees until you recover money for your personal injuries. Call our office today for a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accidents - Accidents involving a motorcycle can involve serious injuries that can be truly devastating to a person's life. Although most automobile-motorcycle accidents involve negligent automobile drivers, motorcyclists are often stereotyped as being fast and reckless. Because of this stereotype and the perceived increased risks involved in operating a motorcycle, victims of motorcycle accidents face a tough battle in their effort to obtain full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Motorcyclists injured by other people's negligence need not accept less than the compensation that would be given to automobile drivers who are injured. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the same laws apply as if you were in a car or truck. These laws require that the persons responsible pay for your motorcycle repairs, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering and other damages. It is important that you understand your rights and the obstacles you face in these cases. Insurance companies will try to pay you less than you deserve unless you know and understand your rights.
Insurance company's obligations are to their stockholders and policyholders, not to the people injured by their insured's negligence. Insurance company's desire to maximize their own profits provides them with every motivation to try to deny your claim or pay you the minimum amount that they can. The insurance companies also have enormous advantages: they have immense wealth, armies of experienced adjusters and lawyers and years of experience reducing and denying claims.
As your attorneys, our only obligation will be to you, our client. We will use our experience and every resource available to protect your interests, and will work hard to help you receive the full value for your case. We will advise you every step of the way to help you avoid any mistakes that could cost you money. There is no charge for attorney's fees until you recover money for your personal injuries. Call our office today for a free consultation.
Truck Accidents - Every 16 minutes a person in the United States will die or be injured in a trucking accident. These cases are not just automobile accidents that happen to involve larger vehicles. Instead, these cases are highly complex and, unlike a typical automobile accident case, involve a web of state and federal laws and regulations. It is important that you do everything you can to document all the facts surrounding the accident as soon as possible. Your observations, photos, witness statements, doctor's diagnosis, measurements and more are all essential in pursuing these claims. Any delay can result in evidence being forever lost or destroyed and mistakes that can have serious consequences on the final outcome of your case.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with one of these dangerous vehicles, then you need the services of a knowledgeable and aggressive trial lawyer on your side. The insurance companies will certainly be represented well and so should you.
Insurance company's obligations are to their stockholders and policyholders, not to the people injured by their insured's negligence. Insurance company's desire to maximize their own profits provides them with every motivation to try to deny your claim or pay you the minimum amount that they can. The insurance companies also have enormous advantages: they have immense wealth, armies of experienced adjusters and lawyers and years of experience reducing and denying claims.
As your attorney, our only obligation will be to you, our client. We will use our experience and every resource available to protect your interests, and will work hard to help you receive the full value for your case. We will advise you every step of the way to help you avoid any mistakes that could cost you money. There is no charge for attorney's fees until you recover money for your personal injuries. Call our office today for a free consultation.
Wrongful Death - Nothing can be more devastating than the loss of a loved one. Wrongful death is a term used to describe a situation in which someone's negligence results in another person's death. Sometimes, negligence results in an injury that later leads to death, but the untimely death of that person is still the direct result of the negligent party's action. The damages in wrongful death cases differ significantly from those of typical personal injury cases and, therefore, require a specialized approach from a dedicated and knowledgeable trial lawyer.
When you unexpectedly lose a loved one, you enter a dark and trying time. Consequently, lawyers handling wrongful death claims should maintain the highest standards of both professionalism and sensitivity. Our firm handles these difficult cases delicately and discreetly, as we try to assist you through your difficult situation.
If you have lost a loved one due to someone's negligence, contact our office today for a free consultation. Find out for yourself what a difference a knowledgeable, compassionate and determined lawyer can make in a wrongful death case.
Medical Malpractice Our firm has the knowledge to help a client determine whether or not malpractice has occurred when someone is injured as a result of negligence or misconduct of individuals in the medical field. Medical malpractice suits can arise under different circumstances: against a government agency that operates hospitals or provides specified medical care; against a hospital for administering improper or overdoses of medication, negligent nursing care, inadequate sanitation, infection, or equipment failure; against a physician, who in the general practice of medicine, deviates from the generally accepted standards of practice by delaying or failing to properly diagnose a medical condition, by failing to properly treat a medical condition, by failing to perform a surgical procedure properly, or by failing to obtain the patient's informed consent before performing a procedure or operation; or against a medical specialist who deviates from an accepted standard of practice for specialists in their field.
Malpractice can have devastating consequences for you or your loved ones. If you suspect that you or someone you loves has been a victim of medical malpractice, you will need an aggressive and knowledgeable law firm on your side to ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you are compensated for your losses.
