Amy Page

I practice in a firm that prides itself on constant improvement. We are all committed to continuous training and seeking out new challenges in our practice. During my career, I've been both a policy maker and a fact finder, as well as a trial lawyer. My practice is multijurisdictional, often involving jurisdictional disputes between different states, tribal courts, and countries. I also take on cases involving complex, difficult issues such as child abuse and domestic violence. My role as an appellate court judge helps me consider cases from multiple levels -- from the outset of representation, I consider avenues to settlement, trial presentation, and preserving a solid record for any possible appellate proceedings.

Many clients come in with no experience in the legal system. The most common question is, What is going to happen? This question could be about the litigation -- timeframes, cost, possible outcomes, chance of success in resolution -- or it could be much deeper. Sometimes this question means, Am I going to lose time with my children? It could mean, Will I still have enough money to live each month, or to retire on time? 

My answers are designed to meet uncertainty with information. My goal is to relay information about the process and the client's case in a straightforward, matter-of-fact way. I talk to them about their case's procedural status, how the facts that have already occurred may have set up a likely outcome, and what information we need in order to influence that outcome. I work to understand the question behind the question and to begin answering that to the best of my ability. We aren't fortune tellers, but after decades of experience, it's possible to give the client a sense of where the litigation might be headed. 

I represented a mother in a multi-jurisdictional custody matter that spanned two states and involved tribal jurisdiction. Mother and child lived in Texas, while father lived in Oklahoma and was a member of a Native American tribe with a court located in his county. No one had ever gone to court, but the parents had worked together and shared time over the child's life. The child had reached the age of fourteen and had been caught using marijuana on a couple of occasions. The father filed an emergency custody request in a tribal court, which was granted on a temporary basis, and immediately cut the child off from any contact with his mother. The mother came to us frantic about her child's emotional health and well-being, as the father was a strict (arguably over strict) disciplinarian who had alienated the child in the year prior to the emergency proceeding. The issues included the tribal court's jurisdiction and the interaction of that jurisdiction with the UCCJEA, actions proceeding simultaneously in tribal court and the court of the child's home state (Texas), and some arguably strong evidence that mother was not doing enough to keep the child from using drugs. In the end, the tribal court restored custody to mother and encouraged the parents to continue working together and focusing on the best interests of their child. The case was transferred to Texas, where co-counsel in that jurisdiction assisted the mother in getting a more permanent order for custody and visitation.

Working cross-jurisdictionally (between state courts, tribal courts, and federal courts) means there's always a need to be cognizent of where you are, who the players are, and what rules are going to govern your case. The cases are not that different, but knowing the nuances of the forum where the case is located can make all the difference. It's also necessary to maintain a list of ancillary professionals in each forum. I need to know who the good mediators are, who is a dedicated and experienced ad litem attorney, and where to send my clients for evaluations and services to help build our case. Practicing this way is a great way to make sure you are never taking anything for granted. 

I've always been interested in stories and the art of storytelling. Ultimately, family law, out of all practice areas, is about finding and telling a story.  This includes helping the client reexamine and reframe the story of their marriage or their relationship with their co-parent. It often involves organizing evidence to tell the story to the court. I enjoy finding the "why" beneath the facts and drawing that out for others to see.