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| | Practice Areas As an informed consumer of legal services, you need to be sure that the firm you select is in fact qualified to handle the matter at hand. The attorneys at Nichols & Myers have dedicated their careers to protecting the rights of others and developed a well respected reputation in the following areas: Bankruptcy-At the core of our nation's bankruptcy laws is the notion that honest, financially strapped citizens should be given the opportunity for a fresh start in life. Bankruptcy holds out a promise to the debtor of a new opportunity in life and a clear field for future effort, unhampered by the pressure and discouragement of pre-existing debt. We bring experience, skill, and creativity to the highly complex area of bankruptcy law. Our firm has the capacity and flexibility to handle every type of bankruptcy proceeding, though we focus our attention on Chapter 7 liquidations and Chapter 11 reorganizations. Our bankruptcy areas of practice include:
Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 Bankruptcies provide a fresh start. Contrary to popular belief, bankruptcy does not often ruin your credit. Rather, if you are considering bankruptcy as an option, your credit has probably already been affected due to the fact that your debt exceeds your income, regardless of whether you make every monthly payment on time. If you find that you are ineligible for additional credit cards or the only loans you qualify for are those with extraordinarily high interest rates, your credit rating is already severely affected. Bankruptcy lets you start over and rebuild your credit rating. Debtor-Creditor Law-We represent debtors, creditors, and other interested parties in debtor-creditor court proceedings and in out-of-court workouts. Nichols & Myers handles debtor-creditor litigation in a wide range of contexts, including:
Our firm takes a practical approach to debtor-creditor law, recognizing the cost and risk of litigation, and the significant value of a speedy resolution of disputes. We begin with a thorough review of the loan, sale, or lease transaction involved, analyzing credit and collateral risks, the possibility of counterclaims, defenses, and the likelihood of a timely and cost effective litigation remedy. Our attorneys then develop and implement a litigation strategy, while simultaneously pursuing reasonable settlements. We believe that our approach of pursuing both litigation and appropriate negotiation strategies maximizes benefits to clients, while reducing both legal expense and litigation risks Personal Injury-Nichols & Myers represents individuals and their families who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of others. We handle a variety of serious and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases involving:
Typical cases involve injuries caused by the negligence, carelessness, and recklessness of others in situations such as:
Personal injuries not only cause physical pain, but often emotional and financial hardship through loss of work, medical bills, and stress placed upon families and loved ones. We often take our physical and mental well being for granted-until something goes wrong. At Nichols & Myers, we understand that when an accident happens, lives are forever changed. Simple pleasures become chores. Daily routines are disrupted. Economic losses are often devastating. Whether caused by an automobile accident, slip and fall, or other negligent, careless, or reckless conduct - injuries alter lives forever. Our attorneys assume the responsibility for providing effective, aggressive investigation and representation, thereby allowing our injured clients to attend to personal matters in the hopes of moving on. Motor Vehicle Accidents-While motor vehicle accidents comprise a significant portion of personal injury and wrongful death claims, it would be wrong to think that they are always simple to resolve. We understand not just the "rules of the road" and the special duties imposed on commercial and public carriers, but also the complex scientific and engineering principles often necessary to unravel just how an accident occurred on the roadways of Pennsylvania and who, if anyone was at fault. Nichols & Myers handles accident cases involving:
Whatever the practical or legal issues that arise out of a motor vehicle accident, we are prepared to address them in order to met and exceed client objectives and goals. Medical Malpractice-Medical malpractice, simply put, occurs when your medical provider deviates from the normal standard of care. Medical providers are required to exercise reasonable care in accordance with the standards of care for the profession involved. If a doctor, surgeon, hospital, or other medical provider acts, or fails to act, in a manner that deviates from the accepted standard of care, then that provider may be liable for an injured person's damages. Though the majority of health care providers do good work, mistakes are sometimes made which could adversely affect a person for the rest of his or her life. Nichols & Myers represents individuals and families whose medical provider has breached the standard of care in diagnosing or treating medical conditions. We have extensive experience in cases involving:
Social Security Disability-If you or a family member suffer from an injury or disease that prevents you from working, or is expected to prevent you from working for one year or longer, then you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal agency that administers retirement and disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to an impairment or combination of impairments. To be considered disabled, a person must ordinarily establish that he or she cannot perform his or her past work and also must establish an inability to perform other types of employment. The Social Security system provides benefits for the disabled under two separate but related programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To get disability benefits from Social Security, you must apply. How much a person receives as a benefit depends on his or her work history, resources, and other available income. We have substantial experience obtaining Social Security benefits on behalf of our disabled clients and their families. Due to our experience, we are able to efficiently guide you through the overwhelming maze of regulation and red tape that characterizes the application process. If you have been denied benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or are simply considering whether you should apply, please contact the lawyers at Nichols & Myers today. Estate Planning-Many people avoid proper estate planning because they do not like thinking about death. Estate Planning is generally considered the process by which people develop a plan that ensures that the assets they have worked so hard accumulating during their lifetime are protected and distributed to those they love. Without proper estate planning, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stands to inherit a large portion of your assets. Fortunately, it's not too late to write the IRS out of your will. We can help you implement a variety of advanced tax strategies to keep your assets out of the hands of the IRS. Our expertise includes:
Probate Administration-Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone dies. It often involves:
Nichols & Myers represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries, including executors, trustees, conservators, and guardians, in the following areas:
We take special care during these difficult times to represent families with caring and compassionate counsel, guidance, and direction. Our firm is well aware of the stress that legal proceedings often times add to a difficult situation and strives to complete the formal process as quickly as possible while maintaining an eye towards the expressed goals of clients. Experience enables us to counsel surviving spouses and children during this transition and help them make sound legal decisions for their future. Real Estate-Real estate developers, investors, buyers, and sellers come to Nichols & Myers for our business approach to real estate transactions and understanding of their needs. They stay with us because of the personal care and attention to detail that we apply to every case. We represent clients in all types of commercial and residential real estate projects. Clients include both sophisticated real estate players and relative newcomers, and we tailor our services to buyers and sellers accordingly. Our services encompass:
Business and Commercial Law-Whether building or acquiring facilities or equipment, contemplating business mergers or acquisitions, contracting for the purchase or sale of goods and services, developing policies, procedures, plans and agreements concerning employees and independent contractors, or simply attempting to comply with the constantly-growing array of rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, statutes and laws affecting Pennsylvania businesses, we deliver solutions for our business and corporate clients. At Nichols & Myers, we have litigated, arbitrated, and mediated a wide range of corporate, commercial, and other business disputes throughout Pennsylvania, including:
In addition to business and commercial litigation, our lawyers are also experienced in all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including arbitration, mediation, neutral evaluation, and other methods approved or encouraged by a court. Business Organizations-The form of entity selected for the conduct of a business greatly impacts the daily operations of the business and the income tax consequences to both the business and its owners. The lawyers at Nichols & Myers assist business clients and entrepreneurs with this step of business formation by reviewing the goals and individual facts present in each situation to recommend the best entity-selecting from limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, nonprofits, and the different elections or options available under each format. We provide clients with effective legal advice about:
Worker's Compensation-Workers' Compensation is a benefit that is available to nearly all employees in Pennsylvania who suffer an injury that arose out of and in the course of their employment. Work related injuries typically covered by workers' compensation include:
When you are hurt while performing your duties as an employee there is a specialized area of legislation that governs from whom and how much you can recover. This differs from other types of injuries. We are devoted to assisting our clients in working through this complicated area of law in order to receive a fair settlement from all possible sources. The issues that arise most often in these matters are:
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Copyright © 2008 by Nichols & Myers. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. | |         |
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