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Thomas Griggs

M Paul Fischer PC
40 N Center St Suite 100
Mesa, AZ 85211-5139

480-461-4642 • tjg@azlawfirm.com

Practice Areas
Family Law

Introduction
When a person becomes involved in the challenges of a divorce case, it is important for the lawyer and client to act in partnership to reach the common goal. The ideal situation would be to settle out of court as many of the issues as possible. Settlements allow both parties to have input in the creation of the final court order which will affect their respective financial rights and affect parenting time with their children. For those matters that cannot be settled, then it is important for the lawyer and client to work cooperatively to obtain documentation and information necessary to put on the most effective case at the time of trial. One can never guarantee a trial judge's decision in family law matters, but it is Mr. Griggs' opinion that the Court, as the trier of fact, needs to have complete and accurate information to be able to make the best judicial decisions. Thomas J. Griggs still believes that trials, even of the most important family law matters, can be done with civility and ethics. Mr. Griggs believes that clients are best served by calm and objective advice on the serious matters related to family law litigation. If a family law matter must be litigated, then it is important that the client's case at trial be reflected in the precise examination of witnesses and in the precise presentation of documentary evidence. Mr. Griggs has served on the Board of Legal Specialization for the State Bar of Arizona since 2000 and he has served as the Chair of the Board of Legal Specialization since 2005 to the present time. Mr. Griggs is a former member of the Continuing Legal Education Committee for the State Bar of Arizona. He also is a member of the State Bar of Arizona Family Law Rules and Procedure Committee. He is also a member of the American Judicature Society and the U S Supreme Court Historical Society. Tom is a graduate of Mesa Leadership and Training program.

Education
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law, St Paul, Minnesota,, 1979
B.A. , Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa,, 1974

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards Description
Southwest Super Lawyers for Family Law 2008-2010
AV-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Recipient, Simpson Honor Scholarship


Professional Associations and Memberships
Maricopa County Superior Court, Domestic Relations Division, 1991 - Present
Alternative Dispute Resolution Project
Maricopa County Superior Court, 1992 - 1995
Domestic Relations Study Committee
East Valley (Board of Directors, 1992-1995) and Maricopa County (Family Law Section and Treasurer, 1991-1992) Bar Associations
State Bar of Arizona (former member Continuing Legal Education Committee, current member & chair person of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization; & Family Law Section); & American Bar Association
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers- Fellow

Bar Admissions
Arizona, 1981 U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1983 U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1981

Thomas Griggs