1839 S. Alma School Road
Suite 264
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 374-8747
(602) 357-8606 (espanol)
177 N. Church Ave
Suite 312
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 468-6668
(602) 357-8606(espanol)

How Did Your Law Career Begin?

(The content below was transcribed from an interview done with Acacia Law. We think you'll find it much easier
and more enjoyable to read this way.)

Interviewer: What was your first significant case with a jury? What happened?

Acacia Law: I remember the details. The facts were: My client had put a gun to his ex-wife's head. He had two priors. He was looking at about 11 3/4 years in prison if he lost. I had 12 jurors and he was in custody. I remember the clothes he was supposed to wear at trial did not fit. That was a nightmare.

On top of that, the ex-wife came all the way from Texas to testify. I actually had him take the stand, even though he was a prior felon. That was the first major case. That was back in the early 1990s. The jury found him not guilty.

Interviewer: What was the first case you ever had?

Acacia Law: The first jury trial I ever had was a civil one. I used to represent banks and commercial clients. I represented a private company against a company that was represented by this pretty big Boston law firm. I actually had two lawyers from this firm trying this case.

I got through my case. I did it alone. I did not have anyone with me. I wanted to do my first jury trial myself. They got through part of their defense. When we got through, halfway through their defense, the judge called us into chambers. He lit a cigarette. Then, he told them to make me an offer because the jury was going to come back for the plaintiff, with a lot more than what they had anticipated.

I count that as a win.