Heather Gaines

March 2007

 

The Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney of

the Month for March is Heather Gaines. 

An active member of Southern Arizona

Legal Aid’s (SALA) Volunteer Lawyers

Program (VLP) for five years, Heather

assists clients who would not otherwise

be able to afford representation in real

property, contract and unfair sales

practices cases. 

 

Heather recently completed a case for a

VLP client that involved the client’s

attempt to purchase a mobile home.  The

client made a down payment on a mobile home only to later discover that the

purchase price had increased and that the repairs to the property that were

promised would not be made.  It was at that point that the client decided to try to

recover her money (an earnest money deposit).  When the seller refused to

return her deposit,  Heather answered the call from VLP staff and was happy

to step in and assist the client.  As a result of her efforts, the opposing party

appeared at Heather’s office with a certified check in the full amount of the

client’s deposit.  When asked about her work with the VLP Heather said,

“It's important to be able to provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford

it, and in my practice areas, it often seems that a simple letter or minor

intervention by an attorney can make all the difference for a client who

otherwise couldn't afford even that minimal assistance from an attorney.”

 

Q & A with Heather Gaines

 

Where are you from?

I am a Tucson native.

 

Where did you go to college?

U of A

 

Where did you go to law school?

U of A

 

How long have you lived in Tucson?

All my life, with a five-year hiatus in California starting when I was 5 years old.

 

What is the history of your practice of law?

I clerked for John Pelander and Joe Howard on the Arizona Court of Appeals,

Div.  ll for 1 ½ years after graduation.  From 1999 to September 2000 I worked for

Corey, Farrell Kime & Bromiel (later Corey & Kime), and I joined DeConcini

McDonald as an associate in September 2000 and became a shareholder in

January 2006.

 

What are your currently practice areas?

Real estate transactions and litigation for private clients and school districts,

corporate, business.

 

What drive you to volunteer with VLP?

It’s important to be able to provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford it,

and in my practice areas, it often seems that a simple letter or minor intervention

by an attorney can make all the difference for a client who otherwise couldn’t

afford even that minimal assistance from an attorney.

 

Anyone you would like to acknowledge for contribution to your legal

career / pro bono service?

Part of the reason I was drawn to DeConcini McDonald is the overall dedication

to pro bono service through VLP, and the firm has been very supportive of my

pro bono efforts and the pro bono efforts of all of the firm’s attorneys.

 

One reason you would encourage attorneys to volunteer with VLP?

It’s a way to help people in a very concrete way who otherwise couldn’t afford

legal assistance.

 

Favorite Tucson restaurant?

La Parrilla Suiza

 

Things you do when not working or volunteering your legal services?

Spend time with my husband and daughters, and read.

 

If this award was accompanied by prize money, how would you spend it?

It’s hard to imagine a pro bono attorney award being accompanied by prize

money, so if it was, it seems the only thing to do would be to donate it back

to the VLP, or to another community organization.

 

Best thing about being an attorney in Tucson?

It’s a small enough legal community that I have the opportunity to work with

many of the same attorneys on multiple cases or transactions, and there is

a general sense of professionalism and collegiality among the attorneys I

deal with.

 

Worst thing about being an attorney in Tucson?

Billable hours... but that’s the worst thing about being an attorney anywhere!

 

Things that you wish were closer to your office?

A few more restaurants.

 

What is something you would like people to know about you?

I am the proud mom of a beautiful baby girl born on February 16, and her 3-year

old big sister.

 

Are you a dog or a cat person?

Dog - definitely. 

 

What do you do to unwind after work?

Watch Sesame Street with my 3-year old.