Joann Bussayabuntoon

I offer grateful thanks to Joann Bussayabuntoon, David Rei, and the entire Mara Law Firm, for the comfort and confidence gain in securing your distinguished practice to represent me. I was always kept abreast of updates to my case immediately, as Joann and David held communication, confidence, and ...clarity at top of their representation with consistency. Pride in their work, and founded joy in representing their clients was apparent from the start, and endured through to closure of my claim for compensation. I was never in a frame of mind of guessing, what's next, because they stayed ahead of the curve, and ensured I was aware of everything to expect, and/ or anticipate. It's never easy to deal with an injury; or for that matter the many challenges faced when dealing with insurance company's legal team alone. Thank goodness, through Joann's experience, I never felt alone, or under-represented. I had a top lawyer, dealing with my case, and I felt like I was always led in to each situation, from medical exams, meetings, and discussions with physicians to correspondence, with the best representation out there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Joann and David for everything you've done for me, and my family. To sum up my assessment of the Mara Law Firm, highlighted by, Joann and David, I'd like to offer this poem with warmth, and respect for their unyielding professionalism. Myself, By, Edgar A. Guest "I have to live with myself and so I want to be fit for myself to know. I want to be able as days go by, always to look myself straight in the eye; I don't want to stand with the setting sun and hate myself for the things I have done. I don't want to keep on a closet shelf a lot of secrets about myself and fool myself as I come and go into thinking no one else will ever know the kind of person I really am, I don't want to dress up myself in sham. I want to go out with my head erect I want to deserve all men's respect; but here in the struggle for fame and wealth I want to be able to like myself. I don't want to look at myself and know that I am bluster and bluff and empty show. I never can hide myself from me; I see what others may never see; I know what others may never know, I never can fool myself and so, whatever happens I want to be self respecting and conscience free."

I hired this law firm in 2013 and my case was difficult, to say the least. I started with one attorney and Joann was assigned my case midway through the process. She was ALWAYS just a phone call or email away. She would explain everything until I had a firm grasp on the lingo and she would always be ...available to answer my husband’s questions as well. The one thing I remember through this whole process was when I was deposed by the defense and I had to leave in the middle and as I am standing in the bathroom trying to keep the memories from flooding back, she called me and talked me back from the edge, which allowed me to go back in and finish my deposition. I will forever be grateful for that moment.

Joann is, simply, an outstanding attorney. She exhibits all the characteristics that a client could desire, to include a unique ability to inspire confidence in a long and draining process to establish and win a case that impacts a client on a lifetime basis. The Mara Firm in general and Joann in par...ticular, are responsive to a clients needs in all respects. I never, on any occasion felt out of touch or unsupported, throughout a process that in my case, took almost 2 years to complete. I was always provided with sound advice and practical, realistic expectations. Joann's assistants, and the Mara Office staff, were always responsive to correspondence and phone calls. I ca not say enough good things about Joann or the Mara Firm. I would recommend them with all my heart for any conceivable legal representation. In all areas, Joann met or exceeded my goals with my case. Our opponents respect her and the firm also; this was always apparent in our dealings with the "Other Side". I will always be grateful to Joann and the Mara Firm for representing me; they will always be in my thoughts and prayers, and I cannot praise them enough. If they EVER had occasion to need MY assistance in the future, I would not hesitate one second to saddle up and stand with them.

I thank my guiding Angels for steering me to Joann. Upon returning from my 5th deployment in Afg. my employer immediately recognized my state of Post Traumatic Stress, and initiated a DBA claim on my behalf so I could get counseling for PTSD. I was not fully cognoscente at that time that the DBA ...was the vehicle through which my employer secured my therapy. You can imagine my surprise when an attorney representing my employer and the insurance carrier contacted me a year and a half later, wanting my deposition so they could settle my claim. I immediately Googled Defense Base Act to educate myself when an add for the Mara Law Firm caught my attention. Cindy initially screened my call, kindly gathering all the information. When she asked me to hold on the line as she already had an attorney reviewing the information I was positively encouraged. Within five minutes I was speaking to Joann, reviewing and verifying my history and information. Joann is extremely professional and very confident. When she stated to me that I had a very strong case and that she would be honored to represent me I knew and felt I found someone I could trust. Joann is very compassionate and understanding. She guided and coached me when decision paralysis would occur, helping me to weigh the pros' and cons regarding should I accept a settlement or not. Joann was always available, and promptly responded on the rare occasions when she couldn't take my calls. Joann encouraged my regular communication, whether it be a question, a process explanation or merely to vent. I truly felt I had an Advocate on my side having Joann as my Attorney. Joann cared about me, my case, and the best path forward. Joann's dedication, diligence, and tenacity resulted in the largest PTSD settlement to occur within the last five years. Thank You somehow fails to express the gratitude I feel for Joann, Cindy, and the entire Mara Law team. If you are a DBA worker and you find yourself in a claim, you owe it to yourself to contact a DBA attorney at the Mara Law firm. My sincerest heartfelt Thank You to Joann and Cindy. God Bless you.

Joann handled my DBA case when I came home after eight years in Afghanistan with PTSD and severe depression. I had been dealing with my employers’ insurance for six months and couldn’t get any answers from them. I turned to Joann for help. Not only did she fight for me and win, but she was in contac...t with me with words of encouragement all the way. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs assistance with a Defense Base Act case. Thank you, Joann for all you did for me.