Meet Andre Belanger, Attorney and Author

Andre Belanger is an award-winning criminal defense trial attorney in Louisiana handling serious and complex state and federal cases. His firm is probably the largest criminal defense firm in the state, and though they primarily handles cases in the greater Baton Rouge area, the have handled cases all over the country. Andre is the author of, The Anatomy of a DWI Arrest, now available on Amazon.

1. What made you decide to focus your career on being a criminal defense trial attorney?

I actually learned how to trial cases as a prosecutor and quickly rose through the ranks of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office. When my boss retired, I was one of a handful of people entrusted with charging homicide and sex crimes cases. The office is political and not "at will" so with my boss' retirement, I was out of a job. Fortunately, the top criminal defense firm in New Orleans was eager to bring me on board.

2. How often do you handle DWI related cases?

I'll do a a few DWI trials a year. My fees aren't cheap, so generally my clients are those that do want to have someone fight for them and not necessarily escort them through the guilty plea process.

3. What are some common misconceptions that people have about DWI arrests?

That you can't be prosecuted if you didn't "blow into the machine." Answering that question is the genesis for this book. Everything from the beginning of the traffic stop until you are asked to blow into the machine is an artful process by the police to collect evidence to prosecute you whether you provide the breath sample or not.

4. In reading your book, what is some of the key information that people will learn?

A DWI arrest isn't just a traffic ticket. There are some serious consequences to a conviction. So, you do yourself a favor by hiring the best lawyer you can afford.

5. If you could give just three pieces of advice to people when it comes to choosing an effective criminal defense attorney, what would you say?

Ask questions. How many cases have you brought to trial? What is covered with my fee, or what access to you and service to I get for my fee? What is your plan for handling my case?

Thanks, Andre!

Meet Oliver White, Barrister: A Commercial Barrister from London

Oliver White is a barrister based in London specializing in commercial litigation. In this interview he gives some background as to how he became a barrister, plus details on what a typical day could involve. If you would like to find out more about him, then please see his LinkedIn profile.

1. How did you first become interested in pursuing a career as a barrister?

My father spent his whole career in the practice of the law, albeit as a partner in a provincial but well-regarded solicitor's firm, in which he developed a specialty in commercial planning law. I remember attending a planning inquiry with him, only to discover that my father had instructed counsel to represent his client at the hearing.

Prior to this, I was unaware of the distinction in the profession between solicitor and counsel. I was fascinated about this division of labor, and by nature drawn towards the theatrical calling that is so often associated with a career at the bar. From that day, I cannot recall ever wanting to pursue a different career.

2. As a commercial barrister, what are some of the common types of cases you encounter in your practice?

The range of commercial disputes I have acted in or currently act in is unsurprisingly wide ranging, both in the legal problems and complexities each case discloses and also in terms of facts. However, as a general observation, many if not all commercial disputes contain certain underlying common themes, which in my experience are very human and flawed by nature in ways you might expect.

They include being motivated by greed, a hidden agenda which is driven by a belief in a need on some level to restore pride and exact revenge. Sadly, embarking on costly litigation is, I'm afraid to say, one of the least effective ways achieve any or all of the above.

3. What do you find most challenging about your work?

Every case presents its own unique set of challenges. Perhaps the most challenging is structuring the client's expectations of the likely outcome in a litigated dispute. Many clients only want to hear what they want to hear from their advisor, and I sometimes struggle to get through to an expectant and over-confident client the realistic strengths and weaknesses of their case.

As time goes on, I am improving my communication skills in relation to outcome prognosis, and hopefully this is increasingly helping my clients to be armed with a full and dispassionate overview of the merits of their case.

4. How do you envision your career path over the next five years?

At my age (37), I suppose it is just about realistic (albeit a trifle presumptuous) to be thinking of taking silk in five years time. It is certainly a target I would wish to set myself, and even if not achieved, it will hopefully provide a valuable motivational platform to increase the size and quality of my practice over the next five years.

If any potential clients are reading the interview, then they can find me on Google Maps by clicking on this custom map that I created: Oliver White Barrister on Google Maps.

Thanks, Oliver!

Meet Santo Artusa, Attorney

Santo Artusa, Esq of the Artusa Law Firm is an attorney who focuses on family law and divorce cases in New Jersey, primarily in Hudson and Essex County, NJ.

He started the firm right after law school as he worked in sales, marketing, and trading before becoming a lawyer. He also interned for a federal judge.

Learn more about Santo and his law practice by visiting his website, http://topjerseycitydivorcelawyers.com.

1. What made you decide to shift your career path and become a lawyer?

I left Wall Street and the sales industry after I had a family law situation and realized how important it was to have a lawyer in court. From there, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer, so I went to Rutgers Law School at night after working in Manhattan every day and with two young children at home.

2. How did you decide on family law and divorce as your specialty?

I chose family law and divorce because it is one of the specialties in the law that can have a direct impact immediately on someone's life.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy when a client is happy and justice is done. It is harder than you think to prove to the judge who is honest and who is trying to deceive the court.

4. Do you run into any common misconceptions that people have when it comes to divorce proceedings?

The two most common misconceptions I come across as a divorce and family law in New Jersey is that people think judges want to hear about affairs or misdeeds their spouse has committed only to find out from me that the law does not take these acts into account when dividing assets or awarding alimony. The other is that people only see us working in court, but the majority of our work is preparation and paperwork.

5. Why did you decide to base your practice in the Hudson and Essex County area of New Jersey?

I decided to work primarily in Hudson and Essex County because I have lived here for over ten years. I understand the people here, and I can relate to them.

Thanks, Santo!