F. Michael Keefe, Esquire

10/17/05: ** Client should be aware of major changes in Bankruptcy Law. Please call for further information on how these changes may affect you.
The Federal Bankruptcy Code and the forms of organized debt forgiveness have been in place in one form or another in this country for over 125 years. I often tell my somewhat embarrassed Bankruptcy clients that the Federal Bankruptcy Code is a federal right and remedy, put in place and periodically adjusted by the U.S. Congress like any Federal right, provides remedies for the use and benefit of all citizens. My clients find it comforting to know, from the very beginning of my relationship with them, that they have nothing to explain, be ashamed of or feel guilty about unless they have done something contrary to the Bankruptcy Code Rules and Requirements, which is attempted by only a very small group of persons.

In my bankruptcy practice, I do not represent banks, collection agencies or large corporations. Rather, consistent with the philosophy of our firm, I have focused my practice on primarily consumer debtors, helping individuals and married couples and small business persons find their way out of the morass that is debt difficulty.

Unlike most other Bankruptcy lawyers, I will take an hour to an hour and a half during my intake conference to carefully explain your choices and the ins and outs of the Bankruptcy Code to you. It is not my goal to make you a Bankruptcy Lawyer during that time, but I do think it is my duty to make you an informed client, so that you can make intelligent choices about your Bankruptcy, the debts that you elect to take from Bankruptcy and your consequences of your election to go forward with a Bankruptcy filing after meeting with us.

I also spend a few moments during a Bankruptcy Intake to speak with my clients about how they got into debt difficulty, and how they need to cure whatever habits brought them to my door to avoid enduring the necessity of a Bankruptcy filing again. I spend some time talking about debt relief, and credit rebuilding, which is critical in a society as credit obsessed and driven as ours.

F. Michael Keefe, Esquire

Of all the areas of my general legal practice, I personally enjoy criminal defense work the most.

Although never a "theater person" in high school or college, I have found that I truly love the theater that is jury trial work. Do not believe what you see on television, it takes hours and hours of preparation and years of experience to be able to effectively handle the pressures and demands of an active criminal trial practice.

Most of my criminal clients are regular, honest and hard-working people who have for different reasons made bad choices. Whether the choice was to drink and drive after an office Christmas Party, to strike their spouse in anger, to shoplift, or to "borrow" money from the boss, the majority of those clients have never experienced the terror and apprehension of being caught up in our criminal justice system. From flashing lights on the highway or outside the door, to a ride in handcuffs, fingerprinting and possible questioning, the average person is simply overwhelmed and completely unprepared to deal with the resources of the City, State and even Federal Government and Police Forces.

Our goal in every criminal matter which we undertake is to win an acquittal for our clients. However, I often tell my clients that wish I might, I cannot change the facts and circumstances which they brought through the door when they first meet with me. After a careful review of the available evidence, and the potential consequences for our client, if a conviction seems inevitable, we strive to obtain alternate sentences, which can include alcohol and drug counseling, intensive supervised probation, suspended jail sentences, or otherwise minimizing the consequences of the poor choices made by people in often difficult situations.

Shaunna L. Browne, Esquire

There are many events in my life that have caused me to concentrate my legal practice in the area of family law. My life experiences have allowed me to develop an appreciation for the dynamics that are involved in any issue that relates to your family, whether it is a potential divorce, custody situation, domestic violence, alleged child abuse or neglect or other related issue. I knew early in my legal career that I wanted to practice in an area of law that would allow me to have a lot of contact with clients, as well as a lot of court interaction. Family law has allowed me to do both.

Many times I am contacted by individuals who are experiencing some of the worse times of their lives and I believe that it is my obligation to try to make the legal process manageable and understandable for them. During my five years as a family law paralegal, I was able to gain valuable experience not just with the court process but the unique dynamics that are involved with issues that relate directly to a family.

Each client brings with them their own unique set of circumstances and facts and it is my job to ensure that their needs are being met and that their rights are being protected.

F. Michael Keefe, Esquire &
Shaunna L. Browne, Esquire

In addition to the other more easily identifiable areas of practice discussed in this section, our firm is truly a "general practice" firm, an anomaly in today's world of highly specialized (and expensive) legal practices.

We strive to forge lifelong relationships with our clients, and to be there for them when they have a question or need a quick word of advice about a situation they are facing, which is not yet (and hopefully will not become) a legal issue requiring our further involvement. As a result of our philosophy, we have to stay abreast of many diverse areas of the law, since our returning clients look to us for assistance in a variety of areas and issues. In order to service those needs, we remain dedicated to trying, to the extent possible, to remain current and proficient in as many areas of the law as time will reasonably permit.

F. Michael Keefe, Esquire &
Shaunna L. Browne, Esquire

There is no area of our practice that is more rewarding, and on the same hand more frustrating, than personal injury practice.

Unlike our many other clients, the personal injury claimant has done nothing to warrant his involvement with lawyers or the legal process. The personal injury claimant is truly a victim of another person's negligence, and has had his or her physical and economic well-being, family life, employment, and almost all other aspects of their lives radically affected by the momentary negligence of another person, who is usually a complete stranger.

Our personal injury practice focuses exclusively on people like you who have been injured as the result of another's negligence. We do not represent insurance companies trying to cheat otherwise legitimate claimants out of their lawful entitlement, nor do we represent negligent parties in attempting to minimize the consequences of their disruptive actions. Our focus, consistent with the philosophy of our firm, has been on attempting to protect and maximize the position of persons injured through no fault of their own.

Throughout my career, I have enjoyed doing injury work, since I get to meet and help people who would otherwise have no contact with lawyers or the legal system. My injury clients would universally prefer that I be able to turn back the clock and simply undo their injury, but I must tell them that I am neither a magician nor a miracle worker and I cannot do so, wish as we both might.

All the legal system can do for an injured claimant is to compensate them for both their lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering through the payment of money.