The motivation for this career, as stated must be high because the scholarly requirements are high. The individual pursuing a career as a tax attorney is venturing into an area of new legal law and a primary spot as a front line player in corporate law. The competition is very high and is for a select few who can successfully argue appeal cases which can save corporations or governments millions. It requires submergence into the vast canyons of corporate and property tax and the talent of a Sherlock Holmes to investigate the financial records of business, local and state government assessor offices.

The ability to present the facts of a legal case clearly in a court of law requires elocutionary talent and confidence. It requires an unshakable knowledge of the law, the facts of the case and how to present a possible solution to the case. The path that is necessary to achieve these results is extremely difficult. Some are not talented in speaking before their peers nor are they able to persuade by cold logic and fact the particular merits of a legal case. If this is your particular situation then seek another career, perhaps as a legal clerk.

The specialty of a tax attorney is a narrow and subsequently is not supported by many local legal firms. Often those who are in this field end up practicing law in other areas, most frequently in corporate or business law. If tax law is important for you then how much will you sacrifice to practice it? Will you relocate to where you can establish a career? Some are lucky enough to work in the larger metropolitan centers where this specialty warrants a large clientele. Others face the necessity to relocate. Are you prepared to do this?

Tax law pertains to the business of the retail business, large banking, mutual funds and stock, manufacturing and industries. It includes the private citizen, particularly in state and federal income and property tax. A tax lawyer has to be able to sense where his expertise can be best used. Some may find their niche working as an advisory staff to a large syndicated tax preparation service. Others may find it working for compliance and advisory staff to a large corporation board, advising them on the compliance to the Oxley-Sarbanes requirements. Some may become extremely lucky and serve as a legislative advisor at state or federal government on tax law and compliance issues. The career of a tax attorney is rigorous and needs only the brightest, the best and the most dedicated people.

Full Service Domestic, International, Business and General Practice Law Firm in Lahore, Pakistan

Main Office
Kapoorthala House, Lake Road
Lahore 54000
Pakistan

Phone: +92 42 7324429 / 7229532 / 7237305 / 7315604
Fax: +92 42 7228831

Website:  zallp.com
Main Email Address:  Send an email
Main Contact: Dr. Ilyas Zafar

Law Firm Overview
Zafar & Associates LLP founded in 1975 is one of the largest distinctive global law firm providing superior legal services to domestic and international clients in broad array of areas. This excelling law firm is a conglomerate of 16 offices situated in major cities of Pakistan including the hillock capital city of Islamabad to the hub of industrial marketplace of Karachi and further extending its frontiers to the historically and culturally rich city of Lahore.

With this rigorous partnership we have 100% coverage as far territorial bounds of Pakistan and in the recent years it has virtually molded itself to an international full-service law firm through close interplay of alliances with many leading law firms across the globe. Now ZA-LLP has strong presence for serving its thriving clientele in virtually the broadest range of disciplines in five continents and more than 50 countries worldwide.

At ZA-LLP, we have been at the forefront of managing dispensation of quality legal services on a global basis for more than three decades now. Our team of expert attorneys, solicitors and professional consultants very well understand what it takes to meet client expectations for excellent work and responsive services across different countries and variety of legal systems. Our law firm is an enterprise of outstanding capabilities, unmatched enthusiasms, keen intellects, unyielding integrity and an extraordinary desire to understand and serve clients.

Our focus at ZA-LLP is as simple, that we are deeply committed to the success of our distinguished roster of clientele. We have built our service approach upon a commitment to excellence. We are fully equipped, vastly experienced, true to our clients’ business interests and work in accordance with the highest ethical standards of the profession.

We have a strong presence in Karachi, Lahore and with network of offices at Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar and this expansion has been made to render professional services close to our clients. In addition we have developed overseas links in USA, UK and other emerging markets of Europe, Australia, Middle East and Asia. As a firm, we are set out to provide a total commitment to our clients’ needs and to do so in a way that is efficient, cost effective and most importantly relevant to the issues that they face.

There is no doubt that as business is growing, demands for more legal advice is increasing. We all know that a fast-growing number of law firm were advising on business across borders, however, in the South Asian Region, legal advice depends on knowledge and experience in international as well as in local laws, whether Islamic law or regulations promulgated by the authorities.

In the recent time the world has been engulfed in a tremendous change. Across the globe, monumental events have taken place, redefining the face of the world. Impenetrable walls have fallen, the cold war has thawed, peace in the South Asian Region has become a reality, and democracy in many countries in the world has been restored.

The said information absorbs a summary as to what we are, what we do and what we stand for. This is our hallmark that we can respond knowledgeably, effectively and quickly, whether the issue is local, regional, national or international.
Year this Office was Established: 1975
Number of Offices Worldwide: 21
Attorneys in this Office: 26

Languages: English, Urdu

Practice Areas
Zafar & Associates LLP offers a wide range of legal services focusing mainly in the fields of taxation, corporate matters, financial services, intellectual property, commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, for which a brief overview is given below:

- Tax Law

Virtually every business decision today has tax consequences. You deserve the most practical, tuned-in and well-crafted tax solutions. We provide a comprehensive range of services from the completion of tax returns under corporation tax, self assessment to complex consultancy assignments and strategic tax planning.

Our ability to focus on our clients and deliver innovative tax solutions is enhanced by our knowledge of specific business environments including financial services, leisure, retail, sport, high growth companies, manufacturing and automotive, technology and communications, public sector, property and utilities. We also have a number of specialist tax groups who deal with specific complex areas of tax law.

Our consultants can help you plan, grow and structure your business. We are known for our straightforward approach to solving our clients’ most complex business challenges. We work hand-in-hand with clients to improve business performance, drive shareholder value and create competitive advantage. Our services include:

* Corporate and individual tax planning including trusts, cooperative societies and NGOs
* Compliance services including preparation of income tax and sales tax returns and customs clearance
* Representing clients before tax authorities and assisting in preparing appeals to the Tribunals, High Courts and Supreme Court
* International tax consultancy including tax on international transactions and advising on double taxation treaties
* Assisting with sales tax matters including registration, de-registration and assessment
* Obtaining Advance Ruling on proposed investments or business transactions
* Establishing gratuity funds, provident funds and other employees benefit schemes and their approval from tax authorities
* Providing general tax advice based on current and evolving laws and rulings

- Corporate Law

The Corporate department at Zafar & Associates LLP offers a comprehensive array of services that draw on all of the firm’s resources and expertise. Our corporate lawyers are committed to providing our clients with incomparable service that includes:

* The highest level of substantive expertise and skills
* The highest level of substantive expertise and skills
* Enthusiasm and commitment to our work and clients
* Creative approaches and solutions to challenges
* Cost management through project budgeting, monitoring and efficient staffing

Zafar & Associates LLP other corporate legal services range from amending memorandum and articles, company name change, company re-registration, share classes, share transactions, cancellation, sub-division and consolidation of shares, elective resolutions and issues of share warrants to bearer.

The Corporate Group operates as part of an overall business team and views legal issues through the lens of the specific goals and objectives of the client’s business. Our 1:1 partner to associate ratio ensures senior level involvement in every client matter. We structure our teams to match client expectations relative to billing, communication, budget and reporting structure. Partners are actively involved and readily available to clients.

We provide legal counsel to domestic, multinational and public limited companies, Pakistani and foreign privately-held companies at all stages of development, including start ups and emerging companies, entrepreneurs, closely held and family businesses, financial institutions, private equity firms, venture capital and hedge funds, as well as corporate executives. Our clients are engaged in a wide spectrum of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, high technology, Internet, financial services, real estate, capital formation, health care, medical technology, and not-for-profit and charitable efforts.

We specialize in both sophisticated and innovative legal solutions. Achieving our clients’ business goals is our primary objective. Because tax considerations are critical to all business planning, in all our representations we stress efficient tax planning that takes into account the economic interests of both the individual entrepreneur and the business enterprise. Our attorneys provide advice with respect to:

* Business formation
* Commercial contracts
* Franchising
* International transactions
* Mergers & acquisitions
* Strategic alliances
* Venture capital financing

Whether you are a company director or secretary struggling to make sense of your legal obligations or a busy professional looking to outsource your legal support requirements, Zafar & Associates LLP can help.

- Banking and Finance

We deal in establishment, incorporation and share capital in Banking Companies, Cooperative Banks and Financial Institutions, Transactions of Banking Business, Suspension of Business and Winding up of Banking Business, Recovery of Loans, Mortgage Matters, Landlord & Tenant, Debtor & Creditor, Contracts, Bankruptcy, Bank Secrecy Matters and Negotiable Instruments etc.

We also deal with the matters relating to borrowing, raising or taking up of money, the lending or advancing of money either upon or without security, all kinds regarding bills of exchange, hundis, promissory notes, coupons, drafts, bills of lading, railway receipts, warrants, debentures, certificates including participation term certificates, modaraba certificates and musharika certificates etc and dealing in bullion and species, buying and selling of foreign exchange including foreign bank notes, the acquiring, holding, issuing on commission, underwriting and dealing in stock, funds, shares, debentures, bonds, obligations and securities, all kinds of investments, the receiving of all kinds of bonds, scripts or valuable on deposits.

The Banking Law Firm concentrates all of its resources and professional efforts in the specialized field of Federal bank regulatory law. The firm places particular emphasis upon and specializes in the defense of federally insured financial institution and their officers and directors in all matters pertaining to supervisory bank examinations conducted by all of the Federal bank regulatory agencies to assess compliance with all applicable Federal banking laws, rules and regulations governing the operations of such institutions.

The caliber of the firm’s defensive assistance services has been highly regarded by banking institutions throughout Pakistan, including in-house counsel and regularly retained attorneys for such institutions. The firm also provides assistance in all types of regulatory applications to the Federal banking agencies, as well as defensive assistance in personal civil liability actions instituted against officers and directors of financial institutions for alleged breaches of their legal duties and responsibilities as officers or directors of such institutions.

Zafar & Associates LLP provides services around the world to money-center banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, finance companies, institutional investors, investment banks, private banking and trust operations, credit unions, mortgage banking and brokerage companies, and international and foreign banks institutions.

The Banking Law and Financial Services Group represents banks, mortgage companies, other institutional lenders, businesses and individuals in connection with all aspects of banking law and financial services. Attorneys in this Group handle real estate, commercial lending, and consumer transactions, both secured and unsecured. They assist clients on issues relating to the consumer lending laws, servicing agreements, brokerage agreements, wholesale agreements and funding agreements, and negotiate and prepare loan documentation.

The Group also represents banks, mortgage companies and other lenders on issues involving federal and provincial regulations, new bank charters, holding company formations, conversions, new or acquired branch applications, mergers, acquisitions and licensing / qualification in jurisdictions throughout the country. It also handles all aspects of secondary market transactions, including portfolio purchases, servicing agreements, securitized financing acquisitions and all of the many business and real estate issues which arise in such transactions.

- Intellectual Property

The laws which govern the Intellectual Property in Pakistan also deal with the protection / remedies provided to the proprietors or owners in case of infringement of rights relating to them.

Infringement of Trademarks
Section 39 and 40 of the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001 deal with the situations where an infringement of a registered trade mark has been occurred. Section 39 says that a registered trade mark deems to be a personal property of the proprietor. If any person other than the proprietor uses that mark for the trade which is similar to the goods or services for which that mark has been registered, it shall be deemed to be the infringement of the registered trade mark under section 40. If the words “registered goods” have been displayed on their packaging or on their container, it is a notice to prohibition of certain acts relating to those goods under section 41.

Infringement of Patents
A patentee may institute a suit under section 60 in the District Court which have the jurisdiction to try the suit against any person who during the continuance of the patent acquired by him under this law, in respect of an invention, makes, sells or uses the invention without his license, or counterfeits it, or imitates it.

Infringement of Copyrights
The act of copying of work, which is entitled to copyright protection, by any method, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work. Section 56 of the Ordinance provides that copyright in a work shall be deemed to be infringed in the following cases:

1. When any person without the consent of the owner of the copyright or without a licence granted by such owner or the Registrar under the Ordinance or in contravention of the conditions of a licence so granted or of any condition imposed by a competent authority under the Ordinance :

i) does anything the exclusive right to do which is by this Ordinance conferred upon the owner of the copyright; or
ii) permits for profit any place to be used for the performance of the work in public where such performance constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work unless he was not aware and had no reasonable ground for suspecting, that such performance would be an infringement of the copyright, or

2. When any person:

i) makes for sale or hire or sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade displays or offers for sale or hire, or
ii) distributes either for the purpose of trade to such as extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright, or
iii) by way of trade exhibits in public, or
iv) imports into Pakistan, any infringing copies of the work

Infringement of Computer Programs
Pursuant to the restrictions imposed under Section 56 of the Ordinance, even the purchasers of computer programs may not copy, adapt or make copies of adaption of the programs in connection with their use by themselves or their employees. The unauthorized use of a computer program in a computer is also infringement of the copyright.

Accordingly, if a duplicate of a computer program is acquired by someone who has no license to use it, the copyright owner has the right to prevent him using it. Section 56 also restricts rental of computer programs to un-authorized users. Intention to copy computer programs is not an essential ingredient of infringement; nor is it essential that the copying be in the same medium. Thus, a computer program stored on diskettes (or any other magnetic media) can be infringed by copying the same on paper, or taking a print-out of the same.

- Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation

Zafar & Associates’ litigation practice includes all aspects of business litigation. We regularly represent our clients in administrative proceedings, trial and appellate courts throughout the country, as well as in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution forums. Zafar & Associates’ network of offices allows us to provide clients with a cost- effective and coordinated strategy in matters involving multiple jurisdictions.

Zafar & Associates’ Litigation Department recognizes that business litigation has become increasingly more complex and expensive. To meet our clients’ needs and expectations, we have organized several groups with specialized areas of concentration. These groups promote experience and creativity while helping to control costs.

We appear before the High Court & Supreme Court for issues involving taxes, commercial disputes, arbitration, mediation & conciliation, construction, real estate, banking, insurance, employment disputes, utilities, securities, intellectual property, civil litigation, communication laws, debt collection, bankruptcy, consumer law, environmental law, media law and negligence & damages.

- General Practice

Besides the above, Zafar & Associates provides legal assistance and representation in virtually every field of law.

* Administrative Law
* Admiralty & Maritime
* Adoption
* Advertising
* Aerospace Law
* Agency & Distributorship
* Agricultural Law
* Alimony
* Alternative Dispute Resolution
* Antitrust & Trade Regulation
* Appellate Practice
* Arbitration
* Art & Culture
* Assault
* Asset Protection
* Aviation Law
* Banking & Finance
* Banking Law
* Bankruptcy
* Battery
* Biotechnology
* Bribery
* Business & Industry
* Business Formation
* Business Law
* Business Litigation
* Capital Markets
* Case law
* Child Abuse
* Child Support & Custody
* Child Visitation
* Civil Litigation
* Civil Rights
* Class Actions
* Collaborative Law
* Commercial Law
* Commercial Litigation
* Communication
* Competition Law
* Computer & Software
* Computer Crime
* Constitutional Law
* Construction Accidents
* Construction Law
* Consumer Law
* Contracts
* Copyright
* Corporate Finance
* Corporate Governance
* Corporate Law
* Corporate Litigation
* Corporate Taxation
* Credit & Mortgage
* Credit Card Fraud
* Criminal Defense
* Criminal Law
* Customs Law
* Data Protection
* Debt Recovery
* Debtor & Creditor
* Discrimination
* Divorce
* Domain Names
* Domestic Violence
* Drugs & Narcotics
* E-Commerce

* Education Law
* Elder Law
* Election & Political Law
* Eminent Domain
* Employee Benefits
* Employees Rights
* Employment & Labor
* Energy
* Entertainment Law
* Environmental & Natural Resources
* Environmental Law
* Estate & Trust
* Estate Planning
* Ethics
* Extradition
* Family Law
* Federal Law
* Felonies
* Finance
* Financial Litigation
* Financial Services Law
* Food & Beverages Law
* Foreclosure
* Franchising
* Fraud
* Gaming
* General Practice
* Government
* Government Contracts
* Hospitality Law
* Human Resources Law
* Human Rights
* Identity Theft
* Immigration
* Import & Export
* Industrial & Manufacturing
* Information Technology
* Inheritance Law
* Insolvency
* Insurance & Reinsurance
* Insurance Defense
* Insurance Fraud
* Intellectual Property
* International Investments
* International Law
* International Trade
* Internet Law
* Investment Law
* Islamic Law
* Joint Ventures
* Juvenile Law
* Land Use & Zoning
* Landlord & Tenant Law
* Legal Economics
* Licensing Law
* Litigation
* Local, Municipal & State Law
* Malpractice
* Marketing Law
* Media
* Mediation
* Medical Malpractice
* Mergers & Acquisitions
* Money Laundering
* Murder
* Natural Resources

* Naturalization & Citizenship
* Nonprofit Organizations
* Offshore Services
* Oil & Gas
* Patents
* Perjury
* Personal Injury
* Personal Property
* Pharmaceutical Litigation
* Pre-nuptial Agreement
* Premises Liability
* Privacy Law
* Private Equity
* Privatization Law
* Probate
* Product Liability
* Product Liability Litigation
* Professional Liability
* Professional Malpractice
* Project Finance
* Property Law
* Property Management
* Prostitution
* Public Finance
* Public Law
* Rape
* Real Estate
* Regulatory Law
* Research & Development
* Retail
* Robbery
* Science & Technology
* Securities
* Separation
* Sexual Harassment
* Shareholders Rights
* Ship Registration
* Shoplifting
* Social Security
* Social Security Disability
* Social Services Law
* Sports & Recreation
* Tax
* Telecommunications Law
* Theft
* Torts
* Tourism & Travel
* Trade
* Trade Investment
* Trade Secrets
* Trademark
* Traffic Violations
* Transportation
* Unfair Competition
* Utilities
* Venture Capital
* Visa
* Weapons
* White Collar Crime
* Will
* Wire Fraud
* Work Permit
* Workers Compensation
* Wrongful Termination

Additional Practice Areas: Practice Management, Legal Translations, Common Law, Expert Witness, Professional Risk, International Agreements

Affiliations

* ALPHA Universal
* Global Affiliation of Independent Lawyers

Partners

Mr. CH Ishfaq Ahmed
Director Administration Mirpur
Real Estate

Mr. Mir Ahmed Ali
Attorney
Commercial Litigation

Mr. Ishfaq Ahmed Razi
Director Administration Gujrat
Corporate Law

Miss Rehana Gul Awan
Attorney
Divorce, Immigration, Native Populations, Social Services Law

Mr. Qazi Abdul Basit
Director Administration Peshawar
Business Law

Mr. Siddique Bhatti
Director Administration Hafizabad
Administrative Law

Mr. Ghulam Abbas Chatta
Senior Partner
Banking and Finance

Dr. Syed Riaz ul-Hassan Gilani
Senior Partner
Constitutional Law

Mr. Syed Anwar ul-Haq Gilani
Attorney
Corporate Law

Mr. Syed Nasir Ali Gilani
Attorney
Appellate Practice

Mr. Rana Munir Hussain
Partner
Appellate Practice, Business Law, Capital Markets, Constitutional Law, Corporate Law

Ms. Varda Hussain
Attorney
Employment and Labor

Ms. Shagufta Ishaq
Attorney
Banking and Finance, Corporate Law

Miss Shagufta Jabeen
Partner & Director Admin.
Administrative Law, Appellate Practice, Banking Law, Business Law, Commercial Litigation

Mr. Sheikh Kalid Aslam
Attorney
Litigation

Mr. Zafar-Ullah Khan Khakhwani
Director Administration Multan
Criminal Law

Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed Malik
Director Administration Bhawalpur
Commercial Law

Mr. Ghias Ahmed Malik
Director Administration Faisalabad
Tax

Mr. Ilyas Mian
Director Administration Rawalpindi
Tax
Mr. Safdar Mir
Director Administration Gujranwala
Tax

Mr. Ajmal Kamal Mirza
Director Administration Jhelum
Civil Litigation

Mr. Javaid Iqbal Mugha
Director IP Sialkot
Intellectual Property

Mr. Rana Saqib Munir
Attorney
Litigation

Mr. Jawad Shahid Naqvi
Director Administration Khanewal
Appellate Practice

Mr. Asif Usman Qureshi
Attorney
Intellectual Property

Mr. Shakeel Akram Qureshi
Director Administration Kasur
Immigration

Mr. Akram Raza
Director Administration Sialkot
Tax

Mr. Mian Ghulam Sarwar
Director Administration Islamabad
Tax

Mr. Aslam Shahzad
Partner & Director Litigation
Adoption, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Asbestos Mesothelioma, Child Support and Custody

Mr. Sohail Ayub Tanoli
Director Administration Abbottabad
Administrative Law

Mr. M Tariq
Director Administration Karachi
Commercial Law

Dr. Ilyas Zafar
Senior Partner
Administrative Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Arbitration, Business Law

Mr. Muneeb Zafar
Corporate Analyst & Partner
Aviation Law, Business Law, Capital Markets, Commercial Law, Communication

Mr. Haseeb Zafar
Partner & IP Consultant
Appellate Practice, Banking Law, Business Law, Commercial Law, Copyright

Mr. Nadeem Iqbal Zahid
Attorney
Business and Industry

Associates
Mr. Liaqat Mehmood Baig
Attorney
Commercial Law

Mr. Khalid Bashir
Attorney
Corporate Law

Mr. Shahzad Jamal
Attorney
Intellectual Property

Mr. Muhammad Ali Lashari
Attorney
Banking and Finance

Mr. Mir Masood Ali
Attorney
Tax

Mr. Shahid Mehmood
Attorney
Corporate Litigation

Mr. Aftab H. Nagra
Attorney
Intellectual Property

Ms. Alia Neelum Khan
Attorney
Litigation

Mr. Nadeem Qureshi
Attorney
Corporate Litigation

Mr. Malik Saboor Alam
Attorney
Business Law

Mr. Muhammad Sajid
Attorney
Tax

Mr. Farhan Shahzad
Attorney
Corporate Law

Mr. Naveed Sheikh
Attorney
Family Law

Representative Clients

The World Bank Group (USA)
Philip Morris (Switzerland)
Travelex (UK)
British American Tobacco (UK)
Rothmans of Pall Mall (Switzerland)
Bayerische Motoren Werke (Germany)
Jaguar Cars Limited (UK)
Ferrari SpA (Italy)
Schlumberger (Germany)
Societe Nationale d’Exp. Ind. (Switzerland)
Wartisla Diesel O. Y. (Finland)
Saitagumi Co. (Japan)
Sezai Turkes Fezei Const. (Turkey)
OMV Exp. GMBH (Austria)
Trust for Voluntary Org. (USA)
Sambo Construction Co. (Korea)
China D.C. Technology (China)
Wartsila Mediterranean (Cyprus)
Expeditors International (USA)
Kees Lawrence BSSI (USA)
Y. Y. Zipper Co.(Korea)
Polyco International (Korea)
Dawood Hercules Chemicals Ltd.
Lawrencepur Woolen & Textile Mills
CDL Foods Ltd.
Burewala Textile Mills Ltd.
Nirala (Pvt) Ltd.
Shahtaj Sugar Mills Ltd.
Shahtaj Textile Mills Ltd.
Best Western
Brain Net Ltd.
Abid Group of Companies
Lahore Development Authority (LDA)
Cargill Pakistan Seeds Ltd.
Qarshi Industries (Pvt) Ltd.
Millat Tractors Ltd.
Ashfaq Textile Mills Ltd.
Ravi Textile (Pvt) Ltd.
China Chenyang Corporation
EN. EM. Industries (Pvt) Ltd.
Dawn Sports
Mughal Technical Industries (Pvt) Ltd.
Abson Diffusion (Pvt.) Ltd.
Ravi Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd.
Taj Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd.
Highbury Nexus (UK)    ACCA (UK)
Realaid Inc. (USA)
Unified Communications (Singapore)
Zetron Australasia Pty Ltd. (Australia)
Motorola GmbH (Germany)
Dubai Poly Film (UAE)
Schaetti AG (Switzerland)
The Point of Contact (Cyprus)
Haleeb Foods Ltd.
Neelum Glass Industries Ltd.
Granada Textile Mills Ltd.
Overseas Pakistan
Holiday Inn
Kohi Noor Industries
Rafhan Maize Products Co. Ltd.
Pak Arab Fertilizer (Pvt) Ltd.
Kot Addu Power Co. Ltd.
Al Ghazi Tractors Ltd.
Kohinoor Edible Oil Mills Ltd.
Mustehkam Cement Ltd.
Crescent Textile Inds. (Pvt) Ltd.
G. T. Surgical (Pvt) Ltd.
Hilbro (Pvt) Ltd.
Islamabad Woolen Mills Ltd.
All Pakistan Contractors Associates
Asima Jhangir & Others
S. M. Masood & Co.
Shahpur Textile Mills Ltd.
Gulberg Enterprises Ltd.
Flatties Hotel
Leiner Pak Gelatine Ltd.
Bashir Leather International (Pvt) Ltd.
Bristol Flour Mills Ltd.
Chaudhary Apparels (Pvt) Ltd.
Computer Marketing (Pvt) Ltd.
State Life Area Managers Association
Hansa Leather (Pvt) Ltd.
Qualitex (Pvt) Ltd.
Interhome (Pvt) Ltd.
Lahore Food Industries
Joint Supplies Corp.
Greenland Enterprises
Prime Board Industries
Fabman Engineering Services
Inayat Ltd.

Toronto Family Lawyers – Divorce, Separation, Child Custody, Access, Support

20 Crown Steel Drive
Suite 10
Markham, Ontario L3R 9X9
Canada
Phone: (905) 415-1636
Website:  www.separation.ca
Main Email Address:  Send an email
Main Contact: Mr. Andrew Feldstein

Law Firm Overview
Andrew Feldstein and Associates was established as a small firm in 1994, but has since grown to become the largest Family Law firm in York Region. With its main office in Markham, Andrew Feldstein and Associates has expanded to include satellite offices in North York and Vaughan to meet with the needs of a diverse clientele.

Andrew Feldstein and Associates Professional Corporation is comprised of a team of seven highly skilled family law lawyers, who, together, with its dynamic team of law clerks, practice family law exclusively. As a result, each member of the staff is an expert in their field.

When you call the office of Andrew Feldstein and Associates, your specific case will be handled by either one of our junior or senior lawyers.

Andrew Feldstein and Associates is a boutique family law firm, dealing specifically in this area. As a result, all our staff are knowledgeable in their field. Each lawyer on our team is paired with at least one law clerk, and as such, the team assigned to your file pays special attention to your set of circumstances, resulting in superior legal representation for you. We take great pride in our desire to pay you as much attention and support as you require during this process. Furthermore, we take all necessary steps to ensure that your needs are met in the most professional and helpful manner.

Year this Office was Established: 1994
Number of Offices Worldwide: 3
Attorneys in this Office: 8

Practice Areas
Andrew Feldstein & Associates focuses on the following practice areas:

- Divorce in Ontario

According to s. 8(1) of the Divorce Act (DA), a court of competent jurisdiction may, on application by either or both spouses, grant a divorce to the spouse or spouses on the ground that there has been a breakdown of their marriage.

- Domestic Contracts in Ontario

The legislative framework set out in the Family Law Act provides a default scheme for the ordering of a couple’s affairs upon the dissolution of their relationship. The legislation, however, acknowledges that some parties may wish to regulate their own affairs and allows for this under Part IV of the Act through provisions respecting domestic contracts.1 In contrast to the default legislative framework, whose focus is the breakdown of a couple’s relationship, domestic contracts may deal with a couple’s relationship at various stages. There are three types of domestic contracts: marriage contracts; cohabitation agreements; and separation agreements. Common to all domestic contracts are the requirements that they be in writing, signed by the parties to the contract and witnessed. Additionally, typically only those who are mentally capable and 18 years or older are recognized as possessing the requisite capacity to enter into the contract.

- Adoption Services in Ontario

There are four distinctive routes by which children may be adopted in Ontario:

1. by a step-parent or other relative;
2. from a Children’s Aid Society;
3. privately from a licensed individual or private adoption agency; or
4. from a licensed international adoption agency.

The most common request respecting adoption matters, dealt with by our firm, are requests for adoption by step-parents. As suggested by its name, a step-parent adoption involves an application made individually by the spouse of the child’s parent or jointly with the child’s parent under the Child and Family Services Act to either the Ontario Court of Justice or the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice for an order for adoption. The definition of spouse employed in the legislation is based on the Human Rights Code and includes married partners and partners living in a conjugal relationship whether of the same-sex or opposite sex. Both the applicant and the adoptee must be residents of Ontario for the court to make an order. According to the legislation, a child is defined as a person under 18 years of age; however orders may be made in respect of individuals 18 years and older.

- Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution

The three most common forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Family Law are Mediation, Arbitration, and Collaborative Family Law. Mediation/Arbitration (Med/Arb) is where the disputing parties and the third party neutral attempt to reach a voluntary agreement through mediation. If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may request arbitration by the same third party neutral. Either party may also decide to end the mediation at any time if the mediation is not productive. The mediator/arbitrator, however, has the ultimate power to decide that the mediation is over which will apply pressure on the participants to make a reasonable attempt at mediation in good faith. Mr. Andrew Feldstein can act as a mediator and as an arbitrator. Collaborative Family Law is often described as being a less adversarial process. The parties, their lawyers, and any other collaborative professionals make an agreement to resolve the issues in their matter while staying out of the court system. Mr. Andrew Feldstein and Ms. Stephanie Ansky are both qualified to act for clients in the Collaborative Family Law process. Often coaches may help manage the clients’ anxiety and conflict. A child specialist, who helps with child related issues, may also be involved.

- Child Abduction

Child abduction is a very complicated issue as it often involves issues of jurisdiction, or which court has the authority to enforce a particular custody and access order. Firstly, if a child is abducted locally the custodial parent should contact the local law enforcement. A parent should always keep the order, the separation agreement, or any written document which confirms the custody and access arrangement easily accessible. A child can be abducted locally; however, there are also cases of international abduction where the child is taken to another country. International child abduction is a much more complicated issue. Our firm deals with local and international child abduction cases.

- Child Custody, Access and Guardianship

Fortunately, the majority of couples with children, whose relationship has broken down, are generally able, with the guidance of legislation and the assistance of counsel, to come to an arrangement respecting custody that meets the best interests of the children involved and simultaneously accommodates the lifestyles of the two newly generated families. Thus, although custody claims do feature initially in applications to the courts, most of these reach settlement before trial. The paragraphs below outline legal aspects of custody that are designed to foster resolution while addressing the overarching concern of the children’s welfare.

- Child Support in Ontario

The enactment of the federal Child Support Guidelines (“the Guidelines”) in 1997 went a long way towards lifting the uncertainty that had previously plagued the determination of child support awards upon a family’s dissolution1. Reference to the Guidelines, means that in a great many cases, the questions – who pays and for whom, as well as how much and how long – have readily ascertainable answers. Notwithstanding the relief the Guidelines have brought, complications remain.

- Division of Property & Assets in Ontario

According to the Canadian Constitution, the federal government has authority to enact legislation dealing with Marriage and Divorce, and the provinces have the authority to enact legislation dealing with Property and Civil rights in the province1. This constitutional division of powers means that a married couple’s divorce will be sanctioned under the federally enacted Divorce Act, while the division of a married couple’s assets is determined by reference to a provincial statute. In the case of Ontario the relevant statute is the Family Law Act.

- Restraining & Non-Depletion Orders (Freezing Assets)

There are two general classes of restraining orders allowed for under the Family Law Act (the provincial legislation governing the breakdown of a spousal partnership):

* orders that restrain a spouse from depleting his or her property; and
* non-molestation orders or orders restraining harassment

- Same–sex Family Law in Ontario

Historically same-sex marriage was criminalized by the penal law. When the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom came into existence in 1982 this gave movement and authority to the challenge for discrimination by same-sex couples. However, it was not until 1986 that it became decriminalized.

- Spousal Support in Ontario

Section 33 of the Family Law Act (FLA) and Section 15 of the Divorce Act (DA) gives the court the authority to order a person to provide support for his or her dependants and determine the amount of support. Only individuals who are married may apply for spousal support under the DA. Individuals who are both married and common law may apply for spousal support under the FLA. Even if you are not married, you can be defined as a “spouse” under s. 29 of the FLA for the purposes of spousal support.

- Variation Orders in Ontario

An individual may apply to the courts to vary Spousal or Child support under s.37 of the Family Law Act (FLA) or s.17 of the Divorce Act (DA). Spouses or former spouses may apply for a variation order under the DA (s.15).

* Adoption
* Alimony
* Child Support & Custody
* Child Visitation

* Collaborative Law
* Divorce
* Elder Law
* Family Law

* Pre-nuptial Agreement
* Separation

Additional Practice Areas: Common Law, Same-sex Family Law, Child Abduction, Restraining & Non-Depletion Orders

Partners
Mr. Andrew Feldstein
Partner in Charge
Adoption, Alimony, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation

Associates
Ms. Stephanie Ansky
Attorney
Adoption, Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Collaborative Law

Sanja Curic
Attorney
Adoption, Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Collaborative Law

Ms. Lianne B. Eklove
Attorney
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Child Support and Custody, Divorce, Family Law

Ms. Ritu Horra
Attorney
Adoption, Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Collaborative Law

Ms. Stephanie Ostreicher
Attorney
Adoption, Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Collaborative Law

Ms. Daphna Schwartz
Attorney
Adoption, Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Collaborative Law

Mr. Michael Wilson
Attorney
Adoption, Alimony, Child Support and Custody, Child Visitation, Collaborative Law

Elder Law & Estate Planning Lawyer in Hudson Valley, New York

4 West Bridge Street
Saugerties, New York 12477
USA
Phone: (845) 247-5356
Fax: (845) 246-3657

Website: www.saugertieslaw.com

Law Firm Overview

Francello & Van Benschoten is a Hudson Valley, New York, law firm focusing on the needs of individuals and families needing legal assistance in the broad area of elder law including estate planning, probate, guardianships, long-term health care planning and asset protection. Whether you are seeking an attorney to help with the affairs of a loved one or you are interested in creating your own estate plan, we offer the experienced and strategic legal representation you need to protect your rights and security into the future.

We have significant experience in assisting our clients in creating wills and trusts, asset management, file for guardianship, and take action to ensure financial security into the future. We are diligent and detail oriented, making sure that all paperwork and documents are completed and filed correctly. From naming the executors of living wills and trustees of estates to coming up with a plan that maximizes the inheritance of your beneficiaries, we will tailor a plan to your needs.

Attorneys in this Office: 1

Practice Areas

Francello & Van Benschoten offers a full service elder law, estate planning and probate practice for the benefit of individuals and families throughout the Mid Hudson Valley. Some of the legal matters we handle include:

- Elder Law

Elder law is a relatively new and evolving area of law that involves the long-term health care and medical needs planning for the elderly. In recent years it has involved a transition from estate planning, including wills and trusts, to a more nuanced practice area that addresses the needs of the elderly as they transition into retirement and, sometimes, into a nursing home or other care facilities. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we have significant experience in representing elderly clients and their children in a number of legal matters, including estate planning, financial management and medical needs.

- Guardianships

A guardianship may be an appropriate device when you have a problem that you do not have the authority to solve. If your spouse, or an elderly parent or grandparent is incapacitated, unable to make financial decisions or pay bills, a guardianship gives you power of attorney to handle the financial affairs of your loved one. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we have experience representing clients who are seeking guardianship over a spouse, parent or loved one, as well as individuals seeking to defend against an imposed guardianship.

- Long Term Care Planning

Making plans for your long-term health care is a critical component of estate planning. Whether you are interested in asset protection or Medicaid planning, it is important to consider the financial and legal implications of your planning decisions. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we offer support and guidance to clients interested in estate planning and long-term health care.

- Durable Powers of Attorney

As a firm committed to comprehensive estate planning and elder law services, Francello & Van Benschoten provides clients with a wide range of services designed to protect their financial security and healthcare needs. One of the many ways we help clients protect their rights and future is through durable powers of attorney.

A durable power of attorney considers the idea of how a person’s important financial decisions will be made in the event of severe illness or incapacity. A durable power of attorney empowers a family member or trusted friend to make important decisions regarding financial transactions, paying bills, management of assets and other important matters.

Planning for the future is an effective method of ensuring your personal and family security. When speaking to a new client about their estate planning and elder law goals, we take time to comprehend their unique family dynamics. We work closely with clients to draft all necessary estate planning and elder law documents that may be required to safeguard their future and the future security of their children, including appointment of a health care proxy.

- Elder Abuse & Neglect

Elder abuse and neglect takes many different forms, including financial abuse, fraud, and nursing home abuse. As a firm that is dedicated to helping people and their families, Francello & Van Benschoten offers legal services designed to protect the elderly from negligent nursing home employees, family members engaged in financial exploitation and others who take advantage of the elderly.

Proper estate planning and elder law counsel can prevent abuse of a person’s finances, limit exposure to nursing home neglect and clarify a person’s wishes regarding important health care decisions. Our firm believes strongly that it is never too early to start planning for the future. Whether you are a young married couple who has just had your first child, an individual or couple entering middle age or an elderly person who needs to plan for the future, we can help.

Attorney David Van Benschoten has more than 30 years of legal experience. He is joined by a caring and knowledgeable support staff that is dedicated to helping individuals and families find effective and lasting solutions to complex personal, financial and legal challenges.

- Living Wills & Health Care Proxies

If you should become severely ill and unable to make critical health care decisions, your family may be forced to make these difficult decisions on their own. A living will can clearly define your wishes regarding important health care decisions, including methods of treatment you wish to receive and treatment options you wish to forego (for example, feeding, water or health care equipment that may extend your life if you are in a coma and have suffered irreversible brain damage). A health care proxy tells medical professionals whom to listen to and provides a clear direction of authority at vital time. Health care proxies allows for decisions about your care to be made in the future when problem arise that may not have been foreseen, or to take into account emerging improvements in medical care. As a law firm committed to protecting your wishes, we work closely with clients to develop living wills and health care proxies that protect their rights and reflect their values.

- Nursing Home Resident’s Rights

It is a sad reality that many of our nation’s elderly are subjected to sub-standard care at nursing homes. All too often, nursing homes are understaffed. A failure to carefully choose nursing home employees or a failure to monitor employees often leads to substandard care for elderly residents. At the law office of Francello & Van Benschoten, we are committed to helping individuals and families prevent elder neglect and abuse. If you, your spouse or your parents are thinking about long-term care at a nursing home and you need to learn more about your legal rights and options, we encourage you to contact our law office in Saugerties, New York.

- Estate Planning

In our experience, it is never too early to create legal documents that identify your intentions for medical care or your estate. You may have unexpected medical needs or become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself or your family. A durable power of attorney will designate another person to manage your finances, and health care directives will allow you to make the difficult health care decisions so your family does not have to. We understand that taking the time to make these important decisions can be difficult, however, it is important to take into consideration the number of legal implications these events will have for your estate and your family. We will help you explore all of your options and alternatives and guide you in making the best decisions for you and your family. In taking the time to understand your unique needs and concerns, we will answer your question and help you plan for your future and the security of your family and estate.

- Wills

Creating a will is an important legal decision that will help ensure that your wishes for your estate are enforceable at the time of your death. If you already have a will and are interested in modifying it because of a divorce, remarriage or birth of a child, or if you are creating a will for the first time, our experienced attorney at Francello & Van Benschoten can help you throughout the entire estate planning process.

- Private Annuities

One of the ways our firm assists clients is through Medicaid planning. As part of our Medicaid planning services, we have the ability to create private annuities on behalf of our clients. A private annuity from one person to another converts an asset into periodic income for Medicaid purposes, thus limiting the asset’s exposure to nursing home or Medicaid claims. A nursing home resident’s assets must be consumed to pay for care before Medicaid payments are available; conversion to an annuity allows for assets to be released gradually while Medicaid pays a part of the bill.

- Protecting Your Spouse

One of the many goals of estate planning is the protection of spouses and other loved ones. Through the use of comprehensive estate planning measures, the law firm of Francello & Van Benschoten helps clients find creative ways to protect financial assets and preserve wealth. Through the use of wills, trusts, asset transfers and financial management tools, our firm helps clients preserve wealth and secure their spouse’s future.

- Trusts

The creation of a trust has multiple purposes. You may be interested in securing a trust for your grandchildren or in Medicaid planning. Depending on the purpose of the trust, you have many trust options available to you. Each kind of trust has different legal implications that may affect how the trust will operate. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we will take the time to understand your purpose for creating a trust and will help you explore all of your options and alternatives.

- Special Needs Trusts

Nothing is more important to a parent than their child. If you have children, then you understand the compelling need to protect their future and safeguard their security. The need to protect a child is elevated in situations where a child has a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult or impossible to ultimately live alone as an adult.

If you have a child who is physically or mentally challenged and needs special protections, a special needs trust can be an important measure for their protection. A special needs trust is generally created for the benefit of children who are receiving certain types of government assistance or who may be receiving government assistance in the future.

- Business Succession Planning

How can you give your business to your children? How can you do so without making it a gift or otherwise exposing the children to excessive or unnecessary tax consequences? These and other questions are at the center of business succession planning.

Careful business succession planning takes into account an individual’s views on family, wealth transfer, financial planning and corporate management. At Francello & Van Benschoten, in Saugerties, New York, we provide comprehensive estate planning and business succession planning services designed to meet each client’s individual needs and philosophy.

- Medicaid Planning

Planning for the future of your health care and benefits requires a strategic rearrangement of your assets. This is a complex process that may involve trusts and reinvestments to ensure asset protection and Medicaid. At Francello & Van Benschoten we are experienced in complex asset protection and Medicaid planning to secure the financial stability of our clients.

- Protecting Your Home

You have worked hard your whole life to own a home. If you have lived in your home for a long time, you probably have memories of raising children and enjoying many years of happiness with your spouse. Your house is not only a tremendous financial asset; it is an important part of your present and past.

At Francello & Van Benschoten, we understand the importance of the family home and the role it plays in personal and financial security. As a firm that concentrates on estate planning and elder law matters, we help clients plan for the future and protect their valued assets. One of the ways we help clients is through Medicaid planning.

Medicaid planning is essential to the protection of your home and other financial assets. If you are admitted to a nursing home through Medicaid assistance, the government will seek to cover its costs for your care through the seizure of assets in accordance with federal law. To protect your home and other assets from seizure, there are a number of estate planning and Medicaid planning measures that can be taken.

- Transferring Assets

Planning for the future security of your family is an important matter that requires the attention of an experienced attorney. Attorney David Van Benschoten has been helping families with estate planning services for more than 30 years. As an experienced and knowledgeable estate planning and elder law attorney, Mr. Van Benschoten can help you transfer assets to your spouse, children and other loves ones in an effective and efficient manner.

- Asset Protection

Asset protection allows individuals and families to make appropriate arrangements for finances that will ensure financial security, even after retirement. Asset management is particularly important should significant care or medical treatment be needed. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we are experienced in assisting people who are approaching retirement with asset protection.

If you are approaching retirement, this is an important time to consider asset protection or asset management. Many of our clients interested in asset protection no longer have children in the home, but are concerned about how they will support themselves financially into the future. We can help you address your current financial state and make appropriate plans for your financial future.

- Medicaid Applications / Fair Hearings

Medicaid applications and hearings are complex matters that benefit from the insights of an experienced attorney. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we offer experienced and dedicated representation for people throughout the Mid Hudson Valley. Attorney David Van Benschoten has more than 30 years of legal experience. Our firm has helped thousands of clients find answers to complex legal challenges.

Our experienced legal team is pleased to assist with initial applications, fair hearings, appeals; minimum income needs calculations and more. If you have a hearing with a Department of Social Services Medicaid examiner, we can prepare you for the interview and go with you to the interview.

- Probate & Estate Administration

The probate process can be highly complex and requires a paperwork intensive process. From filing probate petitions, to notifying beneficiaries and filing tax returns, the process requires a very detail oriented and experienced hand in making sure that all paperwork is properly completed and filed and that assets are properly distributed. If you have been named the executor or the administrator of an estate, you can protect yourself against personal liability by working with an experienced probate lawyer. Every probate case is different, and estate administration always involves a different set of assets and beneficiaries. We are experienced in handling various probate cases and will remain focused throughout the process to ensure the proper distribution of assets, including complex transfers of real estate, savings, stocks and other investments. We represent administrators and beneficiaries in all aspects of the probate process and will work strategically to complete probate economically and efficiently.

- Trusteeships

At Francello & Van Benschoten, we provide legal representation for trustees and trust beneficiaries. Based in Saugerties, New York, we assist clients throughout the Mid Hudson Valley in these and other probate and estate administration matters, including: Trustee advisement, Trustee defense, Beneficiary representation, Living trusts disputes, and Probate/surrogacy court hearings.

- When There Is No Will

As an estate planning law firm, we often receive calls from people wondering what to do after a parent has died without a will. A parent’s failure to clearly articulate their intentions can present difficult and complex issues to survivors. If you live in the Mid Hudson Valley and need to speak with an attorney about intestacy statutes or any other estate planning or probate matter, we are pleased to offer our assistance.

At Francello & Van Benschoten, we provide clear advice about your legal options if your parent failed to leave a will and you anticipate disputes about the estate. Attorney David Van Benschoten has been helping people with estate planning and probate matters for more than 30 years.

- Probate Disputes and Property Management

Our firm handles all disputes that may result in probate litigation. We work diligently and earnestly to resolve estate and probate disputes without the necessity of litigation. When litigation is necessary, we have the experience necessary to handle your case with the highest degree of legal sophistication and care.

Unfortunately, many disputes involving trustees and beneficiaries, property management, estate taxes, property distribution and other probate and estate disputes cause undue family friction and conflict. We do our best to provide clients with a firm understanding of their rights and responsibilities. We communicate with opposing parties on our client’s behalf and use our experience and knowledge of the probate process to pursue the best possible results on our client’s behalf.

- Probate Litigation

Probate litigation involves the dispute over a will or a will contest. Whether you are seeking to defend the validity of a will or you are interested in pursuing a will contest that questions the validity of a will, our firm has the experience to effectively assert your rights. At Francello & Van Benschoten, we are experienced in handling probate litigation and representing both sides of will disputes.

Additional Practice Areas: Guardianships, Long Term Care Planning, Durable Powers of Attorney, Elder Abuse & Neglect, Living Wills & Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Resident’s Rights, Private Annuities, Business Succession Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Probate Litigation, Filing Tax Returns after Death, Stock Transfer, Real Estate and Transfer of House Ownership, Title Transfers, Trustee Advisement, Trustee Defense, Beneficiary Representation, Living Trusts Disputes, Probate/Surrogacy Court Hearings

Attorneys

100 N. Stone Avenue
Suite 908
Tucson, Arizona 85701
USA
Phone: (520) 624-4880

Website:  http://www.familylawtucson.com

Law Firm Overview
At the Law Office of DiCampli, Elsberry & Hunley, you can trust us to meet your legal needs. With our expertise and years of legal experience we will give you the representation that you deserve.

How can the Law Office of DiCampli, Elsberry & Hunley help you:

* If you are currently involved in divorce, child custody or child support proceedings
* If you are a small business operator
* If you are facing criminal charges
* If you are interested in appealing a prior ruling
* If you would like to protect your estate and family in the event of your passing

Attorneys in this Office: 3

Practice Areas
DiCampli, Elsberry & Hunley, LLC provides legal representation and services in the following areas of practice: Family Law, Divorce, Products Liability, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Legal Malpractice.

* Business Law
* Child Support & Custody
* Criminal Law
* Defective Products

* Divorce
* Estate Planning
* Family Law
* Malpractice

* Mediation
* Medical Malpractice
* Personal Injury
* Product Liability

Attorneys

Ms. Nicki Dicampli
Partner
Criminal Law

Ms. Anne Elsberry
Partner
Criminal Law

Ms. Kimberly Hunley
Partner
Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury

Website:  http://www.bem-law.com/

Law Firm Overview
At the Pittsburgh law firm of Biancheria & Maliver, we represent plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases involving severe or fatal injuries to the patient. Dr. Deborah Maliver’s prior career as a practicing physician gives our clients a significant advantage in the proof of your claims and in the recovery of the full extent of your losses due to medical negligence. For a free consultation and case evaluation, contact one of our attorneys.

Our practice is highly selective, and we make a careful review of the circumstances of each medical injury case to ensure that it satisfies the standards of Pennsylvania law before commencing litigation. All medical malpractice cases involving the exercise of professional judgment must be supported by a doctor active in the relevant specialty. This requirement is intended to prevent weak cases from being filed.

Our past success with medical malpractice litigation allows us to commit significant legal, medical, and investigative resources to the evaluation and development of your case. We accept all cases on a contingent fee basis, which means that we collect no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a favorable recovery in your case. We also assume the costs and expenses involved in developing and presenting your case. Because medical malpractice cases usually require the resolution of complex technical issues and conflicting medical opinions, the expenses can be substantial. We do not recover them until your case settles or wins at trial.

Once we commit to a client’s case, we are in it for the long haul. We communicate closely with our clients, and we will do everything we can to take care of your needs while your case is progressing. Most of our cases involve either severe disabilities or fatal medical mistakes, so we know how difficult the pressures of a malpractice lawsuit can be on families who are still adjusting to the trauma of a terrible medical accident.

Attorneys in this Office: 2

Practice Areas
Our practice focuses on the most severe injuries, including wrongful death claims, in such medical areas as the following:

- Anesthesia Errors

Errors in the administration of anesthesia during surgery formerly accounted for a disproportionately high percentage of medical malpractice claims and damages awards, due both to the extremely severe nature of anesthesia errors and to the persistent failure of some anesthesiologists to maintain high professional standards. Eventually, anesthesiologists tightened board certification standards and improved both training and continuing education. Though far less common than they used to be, anesthesia errors have not been eliminated entirely, and continue to cause either death or disabling injuries. At Biancheria & Maliver, our attorneys’ experience with the investigation and proof of both liability and damages in cases of anesthesia error can help maximize your recovery in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

- Birth Injuries

While many birth injuries reflect careless monitoring of vital signs or poor response to complications in the delivery room, others are the consequence of improper care or misdiagnoses during pregnancy. In either case, our attorneys have the experience and knowledge required to investigate and present your case effectively. Our focus on medical negligence litigation can help you recover the resources you will need to provide the best care possible for a child injured at birth.

- Brain Injuries/Stroke Misdiagnosis

Brain injuries such as stroke or cerebral palsy often represent the end point of a sequence of errors in diagnosis, treatment, or surgery. One common example of medical negligence resulting in serious and permanent brain injury is the failure to recognize and treat the symptoms of stroke–slurred speech, paralysis, numbness, headaches, or changes in personality can all reflect stroke and indicate the necessity of tests and further examination by a specialist. Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney Deborah Maliver is a physician who practiced medicine before she went to law school. Her medical background and ability to understand and coordinate highly complex expert testimony and forensic evidence provides a significant advantage to our clients, especially in brain injury litigation.

- Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer

Failure to diagnose cancer in time for an effective intervention can result from the negligent misreading of a mammogram, a failure to order a colonoscopy, or a surgeon’s failure to identify a tumor during an operation. Because of the danger of metastasis for any cancerous condition, delay in the diagnosis of cancer can amount to a death sentence for the patient whose symptoms are missed or mistaken for another illness.

At Biancheria & Maliver, our understanding of the duty of medical professionals to identify and refer potential cancer patients for further diagnosis and treatment is based not only on a thorough familiarity with the law of medical malpractice, but also based on practical medical experience. As well as an accomplished trial lawyer, Dr. Deborah Maliver is also a board-certified internist who completed her residency at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York. Her ability to analyze and present the legal consequences of a claim for damages based on a delayed diagnosis of cancer is strengthened by her medical experience with cancer patients.

- Emergency Room Negligence

Emergency medicine depends upon the ability of the physician to recognize illness and life threatening conditions, stabilize a medical crisis, and pass the patient to the right specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. Negligent errors of judgment in the emergency room can often prove fatal. Many instances of emergency room negligence reflect the physician’s failure to consider the risk of a particular medical condition on the basis of superficial characteristics of the patient, for example, she’s too young to have a stroke, or he’s too fit to have a heart attack. Our experience with the investigation and proof of malpractice claims related to emergency medicine can make the decisive difference in the resolution of your claim.

- Errors in Medication

Pain relief medication is very often mismanaged, even in hospitals and clinical settings. Patient-controlled analgesia is frequently poorly monitored and dosed. Hospital overdoses of opiates such as Demerol or dilaudid can also result in death. Pharmacies and pharmacists can be just as responsible for medication errors as physicians and hospitals. Misread prescriptions or careless attention to the proper dosage can result in blatant errors, such as preparing 350 mg capsules, rather than the 35 mg intended by the doctor.

At the Pittsburgh law firm of Biancheria & Maliver, our medical malpractice attorneys are experienced with the investigation and proof of claims related to medication errors. Whether the mistake was committed by a doctor, a nurse, or a pharmacist, our familiarity with the presentation of evidence as to liability and damages can make a decisive difference in favor of your claim.

- Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack

The failure to recognize, diagnose, or treat heart attack is a common basis for a claim of medical malpractice. The consequences are often fatal for the patient, and in many cases involving emergency medicine or other primary care, the medical errors are fairly basic. Aggressive testing and treatment of heart disease can halt and even reverse the conditions that can lead to heart attack, but a physician’s negligent failure to diagnose and understand the risk factors can render useless even the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. At Biancheria & Maliver, we have the legal experience and medical understanding necessary to develop the case for liability against the negligent doctor.

- Failure to Diagnose Stroke

If you have had a stroke or an ischemic attack (TIA) and were not timely or properly treated by your medical professional or hospital, you may have a valid legal claim against the parties or hospitals that treated you. At Biancheria & Maliver, our lawyers’ experience with the investigation and proof of both liability and damages in cases of stroke misdiagnosis can help maximize your recovery in a medical malpractice lawsuit. For a free assessment and evaluation of your claim, your case will always be personally reviewed by Deborah Maliver who is both an attorney and a board certified physician.

- Hospital Negligence

Our lawyers understand that some medical malpractice claims raise issues completely unrelated to either surgical technique or misdiagnosis of illness by a doctor. Instead, they involve basic patient care and reflect breakdowns in training, communication, equipment maintenance, or staff supervision at the hospital. Our attorneys find hospital negligence cases especially tragic because many of the injuries and fatal errors could have been prevented easily. Too many patient deaths result not so much from mistakes in professional judgment as from indifference, laziness, failure to follow instructions, or the fatigue of overworked hospital employees. Our medical malpractice lawyers know how to investigate and prove the facts of hospital negligence in order to recover the maximum compensation possible for your loss.

- Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium Level)

Water and salt (sodium) are both necessary for life. Normally, the body is able to exactly balance the amount of sodium in the bloodstream by either holding on to or letting go of water. There are a number of ways this important balance can be thrown off. For example, drinking very large quantities of water or being given too much by medical personnel (usually accidentally by intravenous line or during surgery) can cause sodium levels to get too low – with dangerous consequences. Other common causes of low sodium levels include: hormonal imbalances, medications, heart failure, and cirrhosis or kidney disease.

Injuries caused by a serious mistake by a nurse, hospital or physician, very often result in permanent and catastrophic brain damage. At Biancheria & Maliver, our attorneys’ experience with the investigation and proof of both liability and damages in cases of central pontine myelination can help maximize your recovery in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

- Informed Consent Issues

Sometimes a medical malpractice case raises questions as to the injured patient’s understanding of the risks involved with a surgical procedure or course of treatment. In Pennsylvania, a physician must obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to performing surgery or certain other procedures. The patient must be given a description of the procedure, as well as its risks and alternatives. If a physician performs a procedure without a patient’s informed consent, the physician is liable for all injuries caused by the procedure if the information not provided would have played a role in the patient’s decision to undergo treatment.

- Liver Transplant Complications

Complications may be a part of any surgery. With a surgery as serious as a liver transplant, the complications may be life-threatening. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that a liver transplant surgeon at a local hospital resorted to dubious practices, using livers from questionable donors. It was reported that the physician performed transplants on patients who may not have needed or been eligible for them. Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney Deborah Maliver was a practicing physician before she went to law school, and she has the ability to evaluate the details of any medical malpractice claim and knows what experts to call to get answers.

- Misdiagnosis of Chest Pain

Chest pain is a common presenting complaint by persons entering an emergency room. Many different life-threatening conditions can present as chest pain. It is the job of the emergency room physician and staff to sort out the possible causes of chest pain. These can range from life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm rupture to minor conditions such as a pulled muscle or a virus. In order to sort out possible causes of chest pain a differential diagnosis must be done. This means that life-threatening causes that are treatable must be ruled out immediately by the physician. We have found that many times careful histories (speaking with patients) or physical examinations are not properly preformed with disastrous results for patients. Following a history and physical examination, depending on what the doctor has identified, various tests such as blood tests, chest x-rays, EKG, CT scan, MRI scans or ultrasounds may be indicated to sort out the underlying cause of the condition.

- Misdiagnosis of Illness

A physician’s failure to make an accurate diagnosis of an illness, infection, or the signs of cancer is one of the most common forms of medical malpractice. For many conditions, delay in treatment can result in permanent disability or death. Our medical negligence practice is led by Dr. Deborah Maliver, a highly skilled trial attorney who is also a board-certified internist. Her understanding of both the legal and medical professions gives her a unique perspective in developing the facts essential to proof of liability and damages in a negligent misdiagnosis case. She also has a significant advantage in evaluating, presenting, and refuting the expert medical opinions that will sustain or defeat the claim of malpractice throughout the course of the litigation.

- Negligent Treatment of Infection

An especially unfortunate aspect of medical malpractice claims relating to death or disability from infections is that in most cases, early recognition and treatment of the infection could have prevented a minor condition from worsening. Dr. Deborah Maliver’s experience as a practicing physician, as well as a trial attorney, helps us investigate and develop the facts of negligent treatment claims, and her skill with the presentation of serious infection cases can help maximize the ultimate value of your claim for damages.

- Patient Controlled Analgesia or PCA’s

PCA, or “Patient Controlled Analgesia” involves the administration of pain medication by a machine in which a patient, usually following surgery, controls the amount of medication administered by pressing a button. The purpose of PCA is improved pain control. The patient receives immediate delivery of pain medication without the need for a nurse to administer it. The medications most commonly used in PCA pumps are synthetic, opium-like pain-relievers (opioids), usually morphine and meperidine (Demerol). If you or a loved one had adverse affects after the prescription of a PCA, you may be the victim of medical malpractice. At Biancheria & Maliver, our lawyers’ experience with the investigation and proof of both liability and damages in cases of medication errors can help maximize your recovery in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

- Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism is a potentially life threatening blockage of the blood flow to the lungs due to a blood clot or other obstruction, such as an air bubble or even a piece of cholesterol from the lining of a vein. Because blood receives oxygen in the lungs for circulation to the rest of the body, it is essential that the signs of pulmonary embolism be recognized and treated promptly. Brain damage or death can result from the failure to treat the condition. Dr. Deborah Maliver is a board-certified internist who prior to becoming an attorney cared for post-surgical patients at risk of pulmonary embolism. The inactivity associated with extended bed rest following surgery or major illness can promote the formation of blood clots in the legs which might then break off and obstruct circulation in the lungs. She is familiar with both the danger signs and the treatment for pulmonary embolism, and her experience with the care of patients with the diagnosed condition helps her both in preparing and documenting the validity of malpractice claims.

- Radiology Errors

Today’s high-tech medical profession demands the use and understanding of diagnostic tests and techniques that are constantly increasing in complexity. While the failure of some radiologists and technicians to keep pace with advances in diagnostic technology accounts for many misdiagnosis problems attributable to radiology error, the failure to use older technologies properly continues to result in catastrophic patient outcomes, including death. In many of our cases, the radiology error compounds and aggravates the negligent care of another physician or surgeon. In other cases, a patient being tested for one condition might be discovered to have a more serious problem with more effective use and interpretation of the test results.

In Pennsylvania, all medical malpractice lawsuits must be supported by a certificate signed by a medical professional familiar with the standard of care at issue certifying that the plaintiff’s claim for damages has merit under the medical facts of the case. Our experience working with conscientious radiologists prepared to certify to another radiologist’s serious error represents an important advantage for our clients in radiology cases.

- Surgical Errors

Many unnecessary deaths and severe complications are the result of negligent surgery procedures and poor surgical techniques. As the technology available for surgery continues to advance at a rapid pace, the skill and training of practicing surgeons does not always keep up with the demands of the new methods and devices. Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney Deborah Maliver was a practicing physician before she went to law school, and she has the ability to work effectively with the consulting medical professionals whose evaluation of your claim and testimony at trial will be essential components of your lawsuit for damages.

- Wrongful Death

At the law firm of Biancheria & Maliver, in Pittsburgh, our attorneys’ concentration on the most serious and complex medical malpractice cases means that many of our clients are the surviving families of patients who died as the result of a surgical error, a misdiagnosed stroke, or other instance of medical negligence. Our experience with the representation of wrongful death plaintiffs means that our client service will be sensitive to the full range of your personal and legal needs as you adjust to the loss of a member of your family. Our careful development and presentation of the facts that demonstrate the defendant’s liability and the full amount of your damages helps ensure not only that the negligent physician or hospital will be held to account, but also that no component of your loss will be overlooked in your demand for compensation.

* Birth Injury
* Brain Injury
* Defective Drugs
* Failure to Diagnose

* Health Care & Social
* Informed Consent
* Medical Malpractice
* Medication Errors

* Negligence
* Personal Injury
* Surgical Errors
* Wrongful Death

Additional Practice Areas: Anesthesia Errors, Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer, Emergency Room Negligence, Hospital Negligence, Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium Level), Liver Transplant Complications, Negligent Treatment of Infection, Patient Controlled Analgesia or PCA’s, Pulmonary Embolism, Radiology Errors

Attorneys

Ms. Christine Biancheria
Partner
Health Care and Social, Personal Injury

Dr. Deborah S. Maliver
Partner
Health Care and Social, Personal Injury

Everyone that earns money will eventually have to pay taxes. Entrepreneurs are faced with figuring out what taxes are owed on the money that they make in their home based business. Some of these owners turn to accountants to figure out the tax information for them. Other owners are searching for answers all over the Internet and other places. Figuring out the amount of tax owed for home based business income can become overwhelming and extremely intimidating.

There is an excellent eBook on the market called, “My Tax Tutor for Home Based Business Owners”. The author of this book is Joni M. Becker, CPA. Her goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the answers to many, many questions that arise when trying to determine what taxes are owed on the money made from the home based business. Her approach is to educate readers about the possible business deductions that can be taken when filing taxes. Her eBook, “My Tax Tutor for Home Based Business Owners”, puts the responsibility of tax filing and understanding in the hands of business owners instead of them having to completely rely on a hired accountant or book-keeper to do the job for them.

It is amazing how many home based business owners are paying incredibly high amounts of additional taxes. Money is being tossed at the government to keep and use that actually belongs in the pockets of entrepreneurs. The primary reason that taxes are being over-paid is because entrepreneurs and their accountants are not aware of all the tax deductions that can be taken. Tax deductions mean that these owners would have been paying less money to the government.

Most importantly, the information provided by Joni M. Becker, CPA is not a set of secrets or tips that must be kept hushed because they are loopholes and not legitimate. The information that Joni M. Becker, CPA teaches in “My Tax Tutor for Home Based Business Owners” are legal and real deductions or tax saving information that entrepreneurs with home based businesses can use each year. The information is presented in plain language that the average person can understand and benefit from. There is a ton of information packed into the eBook.

The only word of caution to offer potential buyers is to check the state level taxation laws of your area to make sure that all the tips and deductions are accurate. Tax laws change quite frequently. One can simply inquire with the IRS if a certain deduction is allowable or not.

Joni M. Becker, CPA is so confident about her eBook, “My Tax Tutor for Home Based Business Owners” that she offers a complete refund if readers are not happy with the eBook within 56 days. Additionally, she claims that she can save buyers a minimum of two grand on their taxes. With all the information and the guarantee, “My Tax Tutor for Home Based Business Owners” should be an excellent investment for the money.

It has been more disconcerting that this bill passed Congress without any adverse public press but a bill that gave Homeland Defense electronic surveillance rights against alien illegal terrorists gained the highest criticism when it was due for renewal. However other agencies and legal firms have been active in preparing a fallback for those with serious tax debt problems. Local attorneys specializing in tax debt relief can force the IRS and any outsourced collection agency to halt all liens and collection activities by requesting a timely collection relief request. They can review the case and have those liens, garnishments and other collection activities lifted if they can prove that the tax was not owed or that the collection period had expired. These are simple things which a tax debt attorney can do but a client cannot.

Another agency has become more active, the United States Tax Relief Agency. It has been created to protect the citizen’s mandated rights; the staff of this organization can stop garnishments and tax levies. It claims to be able to reduce tax debt by as much as 95%.

Other attorneys while specializing in tax debt collection have the weight of their practice in negotiating tax litigation for criminal cases, involving tax evasion and fraud. These are usually attorneys with standing before the U.S. District Attorney and are experienced and able to negotiate both terms of recovery and sentencing. These latter abilities fall under the category of offers in compromise.

Last I would direct you to the Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS at telephone number 1-877-777-4778 where you can get real help for any unresolved tax problems. The service is free if you are in serious economic trouble, incur large expense or have had a response missed by the IRS.

I earlier mentioned that there were several things done by the Romans that eventually destroyed them. One was outsourcing federal taxation. The second was the creation of the slave class and the third was the eradication of the middle class. Seems that we are well on our way to walking in their footsteps.

One has only to read the tax law to see that penalties exist for not filing a return, not filing a correct return and penalties in the form of monthly interest on the total tax due. The IRS charges these penalties from the time that the tax is due, regardless of any time extension. If you file your income tax return late, the penalty is 5% of the monthly income tax due, unless you have a valid reason. This should be attached to your tax return. The penalty can be as high as 25% of the total tax due. Should your income tax return be found to be fraudulent you will be fined 15% per month and even as high as 75% a month of the total tax due. If you file your return but haven’t paid the income tax the penalty is usually ½ % of 1% of the total tax due per month. However, if your return is only 60 days late your maximum fine can be whichever of the following two is less; $100 or the amount of tax you owe.

These are the issues that an honest business may have to face but there are substantially higher penalties for frivolous returns, negligence, fraud, willful understatement of income and financial transactions. Willful failure to misstate, inaccurately file or fail to file income tax returns can and will merit criminal penalties. These facts are stated to emphasize the necessity for tax payer representation and a legal means to achieve redress and relief. There are free avenues for appeal and assistance. The first one is to appeal to the IRS for relief and assistance. Other resources are the Taxpayer Advocate Service which is a group of tax professionals within the IRS who will help you with your unresolved tax issues. Respondents qualify for this service if they are experiencing significant cost or economic harm; experienced a delay of thirty days or more in resolving your tax issue and if you have not received a response from the IRS on the date promised.

If these resources do not meet your need, you can for a small administrative fee $25 – $50 have a county legal service assist in locating affordable legal service for your tax relief appeal or one which accept your case pro bono. Otherwise, you can use your own funds to find representation on the internet or through the local yellow pages.

The present U. S. income tax law, Title 26 of the United States Code, is a direct descendent of that amendment. It requires that individuals and corporations fill out and send an income tax statement yearly that describes the gross income that they have derived from all sources and the taxes that have been paid. Corporate income tax is more complicated than that of individual citizens and requires the assistance of CPA’s and tax attorneys. The states of America may not have an income tax but every citizen of the U.S.A., with a few exceptions mentioned in 26 U.S.C. 61 must file a tax return.

Study of the US income tax law should first begin by studying the federal reference materials. These are the U.S. Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8 which empowers Congress to tax; the 14th Amendment which identifies individual income; and the 16th Amendment which authorizes income tax. Included with federal reference materials are federal statutes (U.S. Code: 26 U.S.C. – Internal Revenue Code), federal regulations (Title 26 C.F.R) and federal judicial decisions. The later contain the rulings, findings and decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court.

The next resource is the state reference materials these are the individual states’ Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act, states tax statutes dealing with taxation and state judicial decisions. Other references for the study of the U.S. Income Tax Law are the IRS, other tax web sites and your local city and county library. The reference library of the nearest law school is also recommended for your investigation into the U.S. Income Tax Law. These often require an advance library card fee, some of which are above $1,300 per semester.

Reference and study syllabus for the study of U. S. Income Tax can be found freely on many law school websites through your own web provider or through your local library internet service. The study of the U.S. Income Tax law is constant and ever changing. This means that if you determine to become a tax professional that the drill of studying tax law is eternal. When you prepare to learn and study do so with that thought in mind. You are never going to graduate from tax law but are chosen to remain an eternal student.