I began my law practice in Scottsdale in 1967 at the age of 44 years. My granddaughter, Michelle J. Perkins, who became my partner 29 years later, was one year old at the time I started my practice here.
In March of this year I reached the age of 94 and in July I retired from active practice. I am now engaged in writing my memoirs of all those years in this profession.
I have the daily calendars of my law practice all the way from 1983 to the present date. I, therefore, have a record of the thousands of cases and clients I have had over the years. They include the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all of the friends that all of them have referred to us over the last 50 years here in Scottsdale.
Michelle and the other attorneys here are now carrying on that family type of relationship that we have had with you and yours over the years. Actually, many of the parents and grandparents of our current clients were clients of mine well before the date of my earliest surviving daily calendar.
Practicing law was different back then. There was a whole lot less lawyers and a whole lot less formality. And, if you can believe it, no one had a computer or a cell phone!
For example, there is today a Superior Court judge in Phoenix who was a beginning prosecutor in Mesa back then. I took one of my clients who had been busted for possession of marijuana in for arraignment one morning. This prosecutor had a desk in the corner of the courtroom and was sitting there working away when I walked into the courtroom. He looked up, saw us and said “Hey, C.D., I just wrote up your plea agreement.” My question was, “What did my client plead to?” He replied, “Growing noxious weeds.” This turned out to be some kind of city ordinance and my client had to pay a $25 fine and that was the end of it. I never did see the judge on that one as the prosecutor moved it through and we left. Simpler times.
I wish each and everyone one of you very happy holidays and a great New Year!
Call OWENS & PERKINS at (480) 994-8824 if you need us for a free 30 minute phone consultation.
