-FAMILY LAW-
Photograph by: David Haldane
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"BUILDING BRIDGES FROM PROBLEMS TO SOLUTIONS"
D. MICHAEL BUSH
BRIDGE2LAW.COM
AV rated
I like to win, but what does it mean to win a family law case? I want you to stabilize after your life has been disturbed by the trauma of divorce and then for you to soar, minimizing the need for lawyers in the future. If you have children, I want you to co-parent your children so they too will thrive. I take inspiration from Khalil Gibran who wrote in “The Prophet”:
“The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."
I try constantly to live up to a recommendation made by another lawyer:
“I sent her to you because I couldn't think of anyone I would trust more to handle her case. As I told her you are a person of great integrity so I know the billing will be fair. More importantly I know you have been through this and will do what you can to help them get through this with the minimal hurt to their kids.”
I want my clients to communicate with respect and dignity no matter what the soon to be ex says. I urge my clients to take the high road. At first some see this as a sign of weakness. One client said, “I have found your advice to ‘take the higher road’ or ‘be the bigger person’ has helped me at several points to get through difficult moments and to also get a perspective in the long run.”
I will also work with clients who have fallen short, but are committed to moving forward with their understanding about the linkage between parental rights and responsibility.
If you have a low conflict case then I will do my best to work to get the case resolved quickly and with low legal fees.
The hardest cases I handle involve high conflict cases with children involved, including cases of physical and emotional abuse. I think of a quote by Red Adair, describing oil field blowouts:
"It scares you—all the noise, the rattling, the shaking. But the look on everybody's face when you're finished and packing, it's the best smile in the world; and there's nobody hurt, and the well's under control."
My goal is to remain calm, focused and pragmatic during the difficult times. When appropriate, I’ll ask clients to consult with other professionals who have a caring and pragmatic approach. I also urge my clients to stay connected with others to help keep their bearings.
I realize I’m at the epicenter of young families in crisis. I will actively work to set up boundaries on an informal basis. If necessary I will go to court to get those boundaries established.
I do want my clients, especially those who have been humiliated and demeaned by their significant other, to take control over their own life. People who have been victimized don’t always make the best decisions when they are under pressure. I will try to give my client’s the opportunity to make mistakes and learn, as they move forward to carve a new path for their lives. However I will also challenge my clients, especially when I think they could spiral out of control.
I am at times blunt, but try to communicate with a sense of humor by reminding young parents that they can send my kids to college or their own kids. One client said it’s not helpful when an attorney “serves my anger, but does not serve my goals.”
My major in college was in Business and Administration. About half my caseload involves civil litigation. I am comfortable handling financial and contractual issues that arise in family law cases. I have successfully challenged a prenuptial agreement that was provided by Legalzoom.com. I have also worked on a family law case decided on appeal. In mid-2005, I was concerned about the potential instability in the residential housing market and urged parties to sell their homes and put the money in interest bearing trust accounts.
While winning a trial while by utilizing the skills learned over the years is exciting, especially for the attorney, the real test is how you're doing two years after I've finished representing you.
One former client said:
“You care about your clients, you want what is fair for them and you don't want to spend all their money getting the best results. I have nothing but the best feelings about you and I am so very happy that you took my case.”
Another former client wrote:
“I would have been lost without your legal advice and (very importantly) your emotional ‘guidance’. It would have been a much different ending for me had I not had your support. Many, many thanks, Michael.”
That’s what I consider winning.
-D. Michael Bush
Here is a list of books that I’ve found to be inspiring:
- “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and “The Wounded Healer” by Henri Nouwen
- “The Purpose Driven Life,” by Rick Warren
- “There Are No Shortcuts,” by Rafe Esquith
- “The Hidden Messages in Water,” by Masaru Emoto
- “Tuesdays with Morrie,” by Mitch Albom