Meet Ashley Adams of Adams and Associates PLC in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Adams.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am from a small town in Oklahoma. My dad played football for the University of Oklahoma (“OU”), so he told us kids that we could go to college where we wished, but if we wanted any financial assistance, it was going to OU. So, that’s where I went! I graduated from OU in 1988 and came out to beautiful Arizona in the Fall of ’88 for law school at Arizona State University. I graduated from law school in 1991 and began my career at the second-largest law firm in Phoenix at that time, O’Connor Cavanagh, Killingsworth, Westover, and Beshears (hereinafter “OCC”.)

I was very lucky to have worked with some of the finest litigators in the State during my tenure at OCC. My experience as a young lawyer was not without challenges and setbacks, however. During my third year with the firm, when I was up for my first bonus, I was told that my hair was too long, and my shirts were too short, and that clients would never take me seriously. Talk about being deflated! I did not cry– Not there, anyway. I went home and called my Mom, of course. I was working 12-14 hour days at that time. This characterization of me was devastating and humbling, to say the least. After my Mom listened to me cry for a long time, she said to me: “Sugar, you pick yourself up off the ground, you go buy yourself some new clothes, and you go back there, and show them who you are, and where you came from… and don’t you leave there until you make partner.” The idea was daunting, but that is exactly what I did.

In the meantime, in 1999, I heard rumblings that my firm was going to fold. Luckily. I got a call from an old professor of mine from ASU, Bob Bartels. He asked me if I would be interested in applying for a position at the United States’ Attorney’s Office. Are you kidding me? Every lawyer’s dream is to work at the US Attorney’s Office, or at least it was mine. I was lucky enough to get a job (in spite of my past transgressions) and was hired in 1999. I prosecuted white-collar crime, including health care fraud, investment fraud, election fraud, and just about every kind of fraud you can imagine. I was there until I left to be closer to home for my three-year-old daughter.

I started my own firm in October of 2009. This October, we are having our ten-year anniversary party! Whoo Hoo! We bought a cute little building in Old Town Scottsdale, and I think I can say that it is a fun place to work… never a dull moment, that is for sure. We handle all types of criminal cases, felonies, and misdemeanors, governmental and NCAA investigations, and some civil fraud matters. Our clientele consists of professionals, athletes, corporations, and the indigent. We pride ourselves on serving with excellence, one client at a time. We also strive to serve the community and to help those who cannot help themselves. Our goal for 2020 is to have information about all of the basic crimes in Arizona, including likely outcomes, sample plea agreements, and sentencing information in order that we can help those who cannot afford a private attorney and may be having trouble getting information from their public defender.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like, I stated earlier, my experience as a young lawyer was not without challenges and setbacks. The road was not always smooth but because I am determined and driven, I was able to overcome all of them.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I think what sets us apart from other firms is our customer service. You can always reach one of us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During your case, we will provide you with direct access to your file. We set up online portals, through Dropbox, which contains all of your pleadings, court documents, discovery, attorney work product, witness interviews and preparation, witness folder and files, investigative files, and everything else related to your case. You have all that you need at your fingertips. Regardless, we are here to answer your questions at any time. We review the criminal process with our clients at the outset of the representation, so that they have an idea about what is going to happen, and the time frame associated therewith. Each client is given their own folder which contains, among other things, a description of the process related to jurisdiction in which they were charged.

We also care about what happens to our clients, long after we represent them. We continually communicate with families, especially with those whose family member is in custody. Most importantly, we fight for and protect our clients’ Constitutional rights. We are also seasoned trial lawyers and have a high success rate.

What were you like growing up?
I’m from a small town in Oklahoma. Growing up there taught me all about commitment and hard work. I’m really close with my friends and family and I absolutely love the great outdoors.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7502 E Monterey Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• Website: https://www.azwhitecollarcrime.com/
• Phone: (480) 219-1366
• Email: aadams@azwhitecollarcrime.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitecollarcrimeaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZWhiteCollarCrime/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AZCriminalLaws
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/adams-and-associates-scottsdale

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