We would like to give you a brief introduction to our attorneys., Jodi J. Doak and Timothy D. Arner. The attorney you chose to represent you can make the difference in getting you the best possible results. You should understand your lawyers experience and background in order to make the best possible choice. This choice should be made with great care. We provide you with a brief history here, but also provide you the opportunity to come in and get to know us for free, by offering you a free ½ hour consultation regarding your case. This is something you should do before you make a decision. We also want to get to know you.
What should you consider in choosing an attorney? How do you make the smartest and best choice when choosing an attorney?
1. Experience and Education. An experienced attorney that doesn’t know the law won’t get you far. Every attorney is educated through law school, but great lawyers know the law and are educated. Ask questions about the area of law and what the law is for your case. A good lawyer may not know the answer to your immediate question (especially if it is unusual) but will research and get the answer for you.
2. Communication Skills. Phone, text, email, in person and mail contact allows you to stay up to date and make the best decisions regarding your case. Your lawyer should communicate with you regarding your case on a regular basis through one of these means of communication.
3. Natural Talent. Your lawyer should be naturally talented in their area. A successful lawyer is more likely to be naturally talented because many people will hire them.
4. Personality and the Ability to Relate to You and Your Case
5. Passion. A great lawyer will care about your case and the result. They will have a passion that you will see in them for the type of case they are handling and for your case.
6. No Guarantees. A lawyer that guarantees you a win is unethical. Lawyers are not allowed to promise you a result. If a lawyer is promising you a result, do not hire them. No one can tell you what will happen with your case.
JODI J. DOAK, ESQ.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
Ms. Doak graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic’s special Supper Honor’s Program Magna Cum Laude, which she credits with much of her later success in law school. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and History.
Mrs. Doak loved moving into her practice which was more rewarding, as she loves to help real people and solve real problems. In November of 2003, the Emmet County Circuit Court swore her in, and she established the Doak Law Firm, PC, being the first female attorney in to open an office in Boyne City, Michigan.
For a short time (about a year), Mrs. Doak worked part time for the Schraw & Associates, PC, where she worked with attorney Thomas Schraw. While there and while working for the Doak Law Firm for the last 13 years, she has actively handled cases in the areas of Custody, Child Support, and Family Law, Business, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.
COMMUNICATION: Mrs. Doak stresses the importance of communication. She makes her cell phone available to her clients and returns all calls within 24 hours. She also communicates through email and mail. Every case is the client’s case and the client needs information to make informed decisions. To facilitate communication, the Doak Law Firm now also provides the option of an on-line access to client documents and case information through an individual client portal. Forgot your court date? Log into your portal and check your trial calendar. Misplaced that important document? Log on and download it.
NATURAL TALENT, PERSONALITY & PASSION: Mrs. Doak has a passion for her clients and a deep commitment to her clients and resolving their legal issues in the best way possible.
As client’s have continued to refer people to Ms. Doak, her time has become in high demand. Those referrals are truly the highest compliment. To really know your lawyer, you should meet before you make a decision. You need to be comfortable with your lawyer. If you would like to meet with Mrs. Doak get to know her, and speak with her regarding your case, call the firm and she will call you to speak with you and get you a free ½ hour appointment time. Her number is (231) 675-0648. You can also call the office and speak to her assistant Steve at (231) 582-0712.
AWARDS & ACTIVITIES
1998 – 2001 Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude
• James E. Burns Memorial Award
• Shane Joesph Johnson Award
• Raymond Burr Award in Criminal Law
• 11 Book Awards (highest grade in section) in Torts I & II (personal injury), Contracts II, Constitutional Law I & II, Property I & II, Civil Procedure I, Family Law, Research & Writing, Criminal Law
1994 – 1997 Palm Beach Atlantic College, Bachelor of Arts
• Magna Cum Laude
• Supper Honors Scholar
• Features Editor, Newspaper
• Forensics Senior of the Year
Admitted: State Bar of Michigan, November 2002
FURTHER EDUCATION:
• Domestic & Civil Mediator, 40 hour and 44 hour Mediation training SCAO
• Continuing Legal Education through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM)
LEADERSHIP:
Charlevoix-Emmet Bar Association, Secretary 2008,
Charlevoix-Emmet Bar Association, Vice President 2009,
Charlevoix Emmet Bar Association President 2010.