Wasatch Advocates
Summary
Main Office
4525 Wasatch Blvd.
Suite 300
Salt Lake City,
UT 84124
(801) 662-0077
Languages
English, Spanish
Years of Experience
30
Practice Areas
Geographies
Office Locations
Main Office
4525 Wasatch Blvd.
Suite 300
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Call Wasatch Advocates today to schedule your FREE consultation!
Wasatch Advocates provides a full range of legal services to the criminally accused and consumers who face overbearing pressure from big banks and mortgage lenders.
We defend citizens accused of DUI, drug possession, domestic violence, sex crimes, and traffic offenses. We also defend any driver's license suspension action that may accompany your criminal charge. When we take a case, we plan to go to trial to prove your innocence. We pride ourselves on maintaining an open line of communication with our clients throughout the process - providing copies of evidence, pleadings, memoranda, and any other type of information arising from your case. After all, part of our job is to inform those accused of crimes of their constitutionally protected rights and how best to exercise them.
Foreclosure Defense: A recent front-page Salt Lake Tribune article identified Salt Lake County as the number one county in the country in terms of growth in foreclosure-related filings. The housing downturn came late to Utah, but it is now impacting thousands of responsible homeowners, who are threatened with the loss of their most cherished possession - their homes. Wasatch Advocates utilizes a unique strategy to fight the banks and mortgage companies, forcing them to offer loan modifications at flat, fixed rates, oftentimes with reductions in the loan principal. Additionally, we can arrange short-sales on terms that benefit the homeowner. Lastly, mortgage servicers are oftentimes liable for money damages for the fraud they commit against borrowers who have applied for Obama's Making Home Affordable program.
Creditor Defense (Bankruptcy): The downturn in the economy has had another serious impact on consumers: combined with escalating mortgage rates, increasing unemployment, and the lack of affordable health care, many citizens are finding that they can no longer afford to pay their bills and credit cards. Wasatch Advocates offers affordable, flat-fee Ch. 7 and Ch. 13 bankruptcy services. We will walk you through the entire process and counsel you regarding your non-bankruptcy options, including negotiating a settlement of your debts. If you choose to file, we make it quick and easy, automatically entering the debt from your credit reports into your bankruptcy petition. We will stop creditor harassment and give you the fresh start you have been waiting for.
We offer free consultations for all of our services. We charge affordable, flat-fees for our services and we allow payment arrangements for those who cannot afford to pay the entire fee up-front.
Call Wasatch Advocates today to schedule your free consultation.
Case History
Piersall v. MILA, MERS, et al.
Practice Area: Foreclosure
Description: Wasatch Advocates secured a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and, one week later, a Preliminary Injunction against multiple bank defendants, the Mortgage Electronic Registration System ("MERS") and local foreclosure-mill eTitle Insurance/Lundberg & Associates. The homeowner's claims included violations of state foreclosure laws by MERS, negligent misrepresentations by lenders, and violations of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).
Outcome: Wasatch Advocates secured a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and, one week later, a Preliminary Injunction against multiple bank defendants, the Mortgage Electronic Registration System ("MERS") and local foreclosure-mill eTitle Insurance/Lundberg & Associates.
Brunson v. Provident Funding, Woodall, et al.
Practice Area: Foreclosure
Description: Wasatch Advocates secured the first-ever foreclosure TRO from Chief Judge Tena Campbell, United States Federal District Court for the District of Utah, based on lender's negligent misrepresentations regarding homeowner's payment history. One week later, Wasatch Advocates prevailed against Provident and local foreclosure trustee James Woodall after an evidentiary hearing which further established the homeowner's claims.
Outcome: Wasatch Advocates secured the first-ever foreclosure TRO from Chief Judge Tena Campbell, United States Federal District Court for the District of Utah.
Strom v. Ivory Homes
Practice Area: Litigation
Description: Attorney Abe Bates secured $13,000 in pre-judgment interest against Utah home-builder Ivory Homes after Ivory concealed important features of a home under construction. Over the course of three years, Ivory continually moved for judgment and to dismiss the case. All of these efforts failed, and the homeowner was awarded $40,000 judgment at trial (returning their deposit). Ivory's contract precluded a homeowner from receiving interest on their deposit, but Abe convinced the Court that the provision was unfair and against public policy.
Outcome: The award paid from Ivory to the homeowners increased to $65,000.
First Utah Bank v. 6M Holdings LLC, Tuscany Homes LLC, et al.
Practice Area: Litigation
Description: Motion for summary judgment in litigation over real property against two real estate development companies.
Outcome: Wasatch Advocates secured an award of $65,000.
First Utah Bank v. RK Haws Development Inc.
Practice Area: Litigation
Description: Litigation against a real estate developer.
Outcome: Wasatch Advocates secured a judgment of $253,000.
State v. Lopez et. al.
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Three co-defendants on a motion to suppress evidence in 4th District Court in Provo.
Outcome: 39 felony charges (fraud, forgery, theft by deception) dismissed.
State v. Robertson
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Successfully convinced the District Attorney that the complainant was lying after presenting damaging evidence he planned to use at trial.
Outcome: First degree felony rape charge dismissed and client released from jail after 71 days incarceration.
State v. Vrieze
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Felony drug possession (methamphetamine) charge.
Outcome: Dismissed in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City.
Cedar City v. Meek
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Misdemeanor drug possession (marijuana) and DUI charges.
Outcome: Dismissed on a motion to suppress evidence in the Iron County Justice Court.
State v. Mmureithi
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Client originally charged with first degree felony aggravated kidnapping and forcible sexual abuse.
Outcome: All charges dismissed in Third District Court, Tooele Department.
State v. Mecham
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Three felony weapons charges.
Outcome: Reduced to one misdemeanor attempt charge in Third District Court, West Jordan Department.
State v. Johnson
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Felony grand theft auto charge.
Outcome: Dismissed when it demonstrated to prosecutors that the vehicle in question was partially paid for by Defendant, despite the alleged victim's claims (Second District, Ogden).
United States v. <redacted>
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Defended California resident caught with marijuana in Zion National Park.
Outcome: Secured a plea-in-abeyance for client whereby client could continue to use marijuana while on probation in California because of his medical marijuana license.
State v. Torrez
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Felony methamphetamine charge.
Outcome: Reduced to misdemeanor and client avoided further jail despite a lengthy criminal history with multiple felony convictions for the same offense (Third District, Salt Lake City).
City of Moab v. &lt;redacted&gt;
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Represented a pilot who was caught at a security checkpoint at the Moab airport with marijuana and a pipe.
Outcome: Got all charges dismissed, saving the pilot's license and career (Grand County Justice Court).
State v. Marsh
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Ten felony charges for sexual exploitation of a minor.
Outcome: Reduced to one count for attempt (Third District, Salt Lake City). Employment was arranged for client after his case was resolved.
State v. Robarge
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Second degree felony marijuana possession (six pounds).
Outcome: Reduced to misdemeanor, client avoided any jail time (Fourth District, Provo).
Salt Lake City v. <redacted>
Practice Area: DUI and DWI
Description: Client charged with DUI (BAC .11), carrying a weapon while intoxicated, possession of alcohol by a minor, open container, expired registration, and parking in a handicapped zone.
Outcome: Not convicted of DUI, 5 remaining charges dismissed (Riverton Justice Court).
Heber City v. <redacted>
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Defended police officer charged with domestic violence.
Outcome: Charge reduced to a non-criminal infraction (disorderly conduct) and successfully represented the officer in the administrative review and POST proceedings, enabling the officer to keep his job.
Summit County v. April
Practice Area: Criminal Defense
Description: Assault/Domestic Violence charge.
Outcome: Reduced to disorderly conduct in Summit County Justice Court.
DUI - Nephi City Justice Court
Practice Area: DUI and DWI
Description: DUI charge - Nephi City Justice Court
Outcome: Dismissed after it was proven the defendant used prescriptions for a disability.
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Lawyers
Abe Bates |
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Locations :
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI and DWI, Expungement, Sex Crimes