Family Law Business Law Personal Injury Criminal Law Estate Planning

Family Law

JS&A maintains an active practice in all areas of family law and domestic relations including: divorce, legal separation, parenting plan and child support modifications, property and business valuations, relocations, non-parental custody suits, adoption, protection orders, domestic violence, child abduction, jurisdictional issues, pre- and post- nuptial agreements and post-divorce issues. Jonathan has specific experience working with military couples and families, teachers and others with public sector employment.

JS&A works efficiently and effectively with clients who oftentimes are amidst difficult situations. Where appropriate, JS&A is comfortable utilizing psychological, accounting and other professionals. Jonathan and his staff have worked on more than a hundred family law cases and they still remain eager to explore new resources and create innovative solutions tailored to each client's needs. JS&A is always prepared to proceed to court when a judicial resolution is warranted. On the other hand, JS&A works diligently to settle issues outside of court. JS&A strives to reduce its clients' anxieties about the process of family law litigation.

Business Law

JS&A's business law practice works with clients on all issues and activities related to business. The Firm has diversified experience developing, restructuring, managing and consulting with public programs and private organizations. JS&A's business law experience extends through all phases of organizational development and operations including business entity formation and dissolution, finance, employment, litigation, contracts and transactions, dispute resolution, policy creation and implementation, government relations and regulatory compliance.

Jonathan's experience is the foundation of JS&A's creative real life approach to understanding and resolving legal business issues. JS&A understands that its role is to facilitate business activities, not to stand in the way. The Firm prides itself on finding creative ways and resources to assist its clients in reaching their goals. The Firm's business clients range from sole proprietorships to joint-ventures to Registered Partnerships to Limited Liability Companies to Corporations to Not-for-Profit Corporations. The Firm's current business clients include A+ Services, Volcanic Bikes, Puget Sound Regional Services and Yelm Community Services.*

*JS&A's policy is to keep the identity of its clients confidential. The individuals, businesses and organizations mentioned above provided their consent prior to the disclosure of their identities.

Personal Injury

JS&A accepts personal injury cases stemming from car accidents, slip and fall incidents, defective products and medical malpractice claims. The Firm assists clients through the minefield of obstacles and challenges presented by uninvited and unexpected injuries, including: billing arrangements with care providers and collection agencies, restoring and/or replacing damaged property and communicating with insurance companies and at fault parties. While few personal injury cases conclude with a trial, JS&A aggressively manages each matter as if it were headed for trial.

Attorney Jonathan S. Swartz has evaluated several personal injury cases and is confident in his abilities and his extensive resources to prepare cases and clients for settlement, arbitration and/or trial. Having been involved in a debilitating car accident when he was younger, Jonathan is able to empathize with the physical, emotional and economic challenges facing personal injury clients while remaining competent to handle the legal issues.

Jonathan's paralegal, Cheryl L. Sloan, has more than six years experience working with personal injury clients. Cheryl has an extensive background in effectively communicating with insurance companies, medical care providers, medical billing offices, collection agencies and auto body shops. Additionally, Cheryl has extensive experience in preparing cases for arbitration, most of which resulted in settlement without trial. Having also been in a serious auto accident herself which resulted in major surgery and permanent disability, Cheryl empathizes with clients and their difficult situations. Cheryl is compassionate and is able to communicate and help clients understand the confusing and, often times, stressful process of settling an injury claim.

Criminal Law

JS&A is experienced and well-prepared to counsel criminal defendant clients. The Firm represents over eight years of experience working on DUIs and other criminal cases. Jonathan has established relationships and good rapport with many prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges in Thurston and Mason Counties' District and Superior Courts as well as the Municipal Court of Olympia. Prior to becoming an attorney, Jonathan worked as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor and thus is familiar with the personal issues facing many criminal defendants as well as various creative approaches to resolving criminal legal issues. JS&A is well positioned to provide ethical counsel to criminal defendants.

Estate Planning

JS&A staff are ready to assist clients in estate planning and asset protection. The Firm's principal has long standing ties with the community and has established resources-e.g., insurance agents, financial planners and Certified Public Account-with whom he collaborates and consults. Whether a client needs a Durable Power of Attorney or a Will, or the client would be best served with a Trust, the Firm is able to educate, counsel and assist clients with appropriate solutions.