Alan James Tindell

I entered the bar in 1992 and have been in solo practice, emphasizing family law matters, since 1994.  I'm a divorced parent myself and know from personal experience how family law matters like divorce, child custody and support can impact a family.  I've represented probably over 1,000 clients over the last 21 years in all aspects of such cases.  

The vast majority of family law cases settle without having to go through the stress and financial hardships of a trial.  The court strongly encourages that families resolve their matters through negotiation rather than contest them in court because people are rarely satisfied with the outcome of a case if it is left in the hands of a judge who knows relatively little about your family, no matter how much testimony is given.  If you have children, you still have to have some sort of working relationship with the other parent whether after a divorce, legal separation or the break-up of a people who are not married but who have children together.   In the Benton/Franklin Counties area probably 85% or more of family law matters are ultimately resolved by some sort of out of court settlement.  

So while there are certainly short term goals, I encourage my clients to think about the long term and the effects that their decisions and actions will have not only on themselves but on their children in the years and even decades to come.  As an attorney my role is to see that your case is properly and effectively presented to the court, to ensure that all matters are covered, to advocate your position and to advise you as to the ins and outs and ramifications of such litigation.  In the end you as the client have the final choice in the matter.  My role is to ensure you are making an informed choice, fully understanding what your rights and obligations are under the law in regards to your children, property and related financial obligations.  

What about myself?  I have two adult sons, a companion I share my life with and currently four cats that I'm a butler for.  I'm an alumni of Outward Bound, the premier outdoor education program in the world and enjoy whitewater rafting throughout the Pacific Northwest----if you can go on an Outward Bound trip, I can almost guarantee you it will be one of the most meaningful experiences you'll ever have in your lifetime.  

I'm also been involved in community theater as an actor and singer, performing in all sorts of shows such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Sweeney Todd," "Proof," "Bus Stop," "Picnic," "Assassins" and "An Enemy of the People" (I tend towards serious stuff).  

I was also the attorney of record in the first case in world legal history involving the scientific phenomenon of human chimerism.  The case has been profiled numerous times on TV programs throughout the world, most recently in Japan and Britain.  The case received printed articles in magazines in such places as Mexico, Finland, Iraq, Vietnam and Australia.   The first of these profiles, "I Am My Own Twin" is shown often on the Discovery Health Channel.  The case has been the basis of stories on several TV programs including "House" and "CSI" and a couple of years ago was the inspiration for an off-Broadway theater production in New York City called "Chimera".   I sometimes stoke rumors that either Russell Crowe or Tom Cruise will play me in the movie version some day. . .