AN ARIZONA NATIVE
I love Arizona- I was born here. I was born in Mesa in 1969. Back then Mesa was seperated from Phoenix and Scottsdale. It wasn't a small town, but it was nothing like it is today. All three of my children were born in Arizona and carry on the family tradition. Both my parents were born in Arizona: Prescott and Safford. My grandfather was born in Bisbee and my Grandmother was born in Thatcher. My great-grandfather was "the first white child" born in Cochise County - Tombstone. His mother operated the only bakery in Tombstone and his father- my great-great-grandfather was a US cavalryman. My family has been part of this state since before statehood- 2012 will be 100 years since Arizona became a state. They've always hated lawyers- a family joke- and I'm striving to change that perception.
I first came to Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, and Kingman in 1976. My father worked for Valley National Bank, which later became Bank One, and finally Chase bank. He interviewed to be the manager of the new branch housed in the brand new building off Highway 95 in the Hasting's parking lot. I was a child, but I remember the river (no dam) blowing dirt, and 116 degrees. There was no bridge to Laughlin. Kingman was the largest city in the County. Lake Havasu City was little more than the recently reconstructed London Bridge. (I was excited to see that) I toured the Kingman courthouse, where I now practice law 35 years later. My dad was shown the area and offered riverfront property for $60,000 (I wish we had that!).
A lot has changed, but one thing that hasn't changed is the pride my family feels in being "Arizonans." Not that I believe you must be a native Arizonan to have pride in our great state, or that if you were not born here your opinion matters less. My wife is a transplant from New Mexico. The distinction as a native Arizonan, is I understand the historical roots of this state and the factors that shaped our history and present. (I have a master's degree in Southwest History) These factors influence our current laws and politics. My ancestors knew Geronimo, Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp, Virgil Earp, Ike Clanton, McLaurys, and other influential early folk heroes. Doc Holiday gave my Great Grandfather a birthday present- a herd of cattle he won in a poker game in the imfamous "Oriental Saloon." He and my Great-Grandmother Beatrice McBride were friends. My family's Red Goose shoe store is still operating in downtown Safford, after over 100 years, under the direction of my Uncle Frank D. Waters.
After over 100 years in this state, which my family has been committed to for 5 generations before me, I'm not going anywhere. We have been operating businesses in this state continuously since the 1870's- we're here to stay. If you need legal assistance, I will be here for years bringing the same customer service my family has been offering for nearly 150 years to the people of Arizona. My family reputation is important to me, as is my professional reputation. I'll handle your case in such a way that my family will have nothing to be ashamed of.