Hidden Gems: Meet Deanna Longtin of Longtin Law Office, PLLC: A Mediation Firm and DaEA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Longtin. 

Hi Deanna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I was married to a farmer in North Dakota for 20 years. I became a lawyer in 2010, started my own law firm in 2011 in a small town in ND, and after my kids left for college, out of state, I decided to move. I ended up in Phoenix area because my kids had been visiting AZ with my ex-husband since about 2012 and they said I would love it, that it was soooo me, with everything that it had to offer. I love beautiful surroundings and dressing up for dinners and entertainment so I was intrigued by Scottsdale. I love sports, entertainment, and arts. I love being outside for activities, including golf, had a motorcycle when I moved here, love to downhill ski, lakes and water sports, etc. It was a perfect fit for me to live so I moved to AZ to reside and continued to work in ND out of my law firm. I have now closed that physical location and opened an office in Scottsdale with a focus on mediation for all types of disputes, including HR/employment issues, parent-teen disputes, estate disagreements, even smaller-scale disputes such as HOA and neighborhood issues. I am also practicing and actively taking family law cases and domestic violence defense. I am also working on a program called DaEA which is Domestic abuse Education and Awareness with a focus on men as victims as mental and emotional abuse. It teaches men how to identify an abusive relationship, what to do if you or someone is in one, and how to prevent getting into that situation from the beginning. It also has an aspect for women, in the same regard, but I prefer to focus on educating men. 

There is a lot more to my background but I will see what the next questions are regarding. 🙂 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being self-employed on a wing and a prayer, and raising three teenagers into and beyond college, on your own, definitely has its struggles. You lie awake at night wondering if you will have enough money to make payroll or provide your family with things they need. You also have a tendency to become a workaholic because so many people rely on you. Working on balancing my life is a daily struggle, even now. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
See my previous answer. I have a unique ability to read people and understand underlying issues, human nature, the dynamics of a relationship whether it is professional or intimate. I inherited it from my dad who was an outstanding federal law enforcement officer because he had a 6th sense. Not everyone can pick up on body language, the delicate intricacies of gestures, words, tone, hidden emotion. 

I am most proud of DaEA and my advocacy for men in domestic violence situations. Too many good men are labeled as DV offenders when in reality they have been the victims of emotional and mental abuse and reach their breaking point. We all have a flight or fight, freeze or flee aspect, and unfortunately, that comes out as a physical altercation when that person has reached his breaking point. The key is to never be put in that situation where you are abused to reach that breaking point. (My experience in criminal defense, family law, and personal life was the inspiration for this program.) 

Experience sets me apart in mediation. I have an interesting professional background because of the extensive experience in various areas that makes me an asset to mediation, and also unique. I have practiced in almost all areas of law, except taxes and bankruptcy. I have ran several businesses including a daycare with 140 children and 30 employees, helped my mom in her grocery store which she owned and operated, owned and operated a small-town bar, and was an integral part of our farming operation, from running machinery to marketing in a global economy and running various ag-related side businesses. I also have banking and finance education and a solid understanding of business interests and financial areans. I have a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and was a Jr. High teacher and coach for a couple years. I have been heavily involved in philanthropy, community events, volunteered in the music program at our local high school for many years and started a youth group for our church back in ND. 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I truly believe I have a purpose in life and that is to educate and advocate for those that can’t or are in need of support and to mediate confrontation. I have mediated incidences since I was a little girl on the playground. 

When I am able to do help, to reach others, and share my knowledge and experience, and make a difference in their lives, I feel successful. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.longtinlawoffice.com
• Instagram: @llomediationaz

Image Credits
Everardo Keeme
Photo Fusion Studio