Meet David Keys-Nunes

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Keys-Nunes.

David, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Tucson. My parents were both Tucson police officers, so I was drawn toward law enforcement. I worked as a corrections officer for the Sheriff’s Department in Tucson. During that time, I was taken hostage during an escape attempt. Rather than deterring me from serving my community, it solidified my desire to do so. I moved to the Valley and worked as a Scottsdale police dispatcher until I was old enough to attend the police academy.

Phoenix PD hired me in 2005, and I worked as a patrol officer in the Mountain View Precinct for several years. In 2011, I moved into a detective role in the Crimes Against Children Unit. I investigated any and all crimes committed against children ranging from misdemeanor neglect to homicides that resulted from abuse. As a detective, I had more frequent exposure to the courts and legal processes that follow a police investigation.

I wanted to do more within the legal system. I attended law school at night while I was working as a detective during the day. My family and the police department were both very supportive of the challenge this presented. In 2015, I graduated as valedictorian of my law school class. I sat for the Arizona bar exam and not only passed but placed first on the exam.

For the next year, I contemplated whether to practice law or continue in law enforcement. Ultimately, I made the decision to open my own law firm and serve my community in a different capacity. I love being able to help people through challenging times in their lives.

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?
Balancing home life with a demanding career and law school was at times a tough task. Detectives in the Phoenix Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit are on call several times a month in addition to investigating the incredible number of cases generated by patrol officers. My squad was always willing to let me schedule on-call days that fit with my school schedule. My supervisors were always willing to allow me to rearrange my work hours around my class schedule.

At home, my husband and I were in the process of adopting our first child. He also works as a full time professional. In spite of all of the demands for our time, he graciously took on the majority of tasks that needed to be accomplished at home. This allowed me to focus on my education and the bar exam. Our daughter was born between graduation from law school and the bar exam. One of my favorite pictures from that period is wearing her on my chest while I am studying for the bar exam. I know I would not have enjoyed the successes I have without his unwavering support.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Law Office of David Keys-Nunes story. Tell us more about your work.
My practice primarily is a criminal defense practice. I am different than the vast majority of defense attorneys because of my background in law enforcement. Specifically, my time working major felony investigations has given me a unique insight into the process that feeds a case to the prosecution. I have an understanding of why the police make the investigative choices they do. I also am able to spot points in an investigation where things did not occur as they should have. As a police officer and today as a defense attorney, I firmly believe before the government takes someone’s freedom, it must do the work required to prove its case.

The other portion of my practice is dedicated to helping families grow through adoption. I cherish my adoption practice. The costs associated with the adoption are too frequently a barrier for families hoping to have children. I cannot imagine life without my children, and I don’t want legal fees to prevent someone else from experiencing the joy of parenting. Most adoption attorneys bill on an hourly basis. I take adoption cases at a low, flat fee to alleviate some of the variability and expense of adoption. Regardless of whether I end up representing a family or not, I’m always willing to talk with families to explain my adoption journey and help them plan theirs.

In either practice area, I pride myself on being available for my clients. I am the person who answers the phone when clients call—not a secretary who will pass along a message. I am the attorney who works the case—not an associate who the client has never met. It is this level of personal attention that allows me to achieve the results my clients expect.

Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
I am the oldest of three boys in my family. I was like most other oldest children: I was driven and loved to take charge. I joined the Civil Air Patrol in middle school and spent several years promoting through their cadet program. Some of my fondest memories from the program are leadership roles at encampments on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. I enjoyed the camaraderie with other kids who were interested in serving their community. Many of us went on to careers in public service.

Contact Info:

• Address: 835 W. Warner Rd.
  Suite 101-505
  Gilbert, AZ 852332266 S. Dobson Rd.
  Suite 200
  Mesa, AZ 85202
• Website: https://www.dknlawoffice.com
• Phone: (480) 269-1351
• Email: david@dknlawoffice.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dknlawoffice/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dknlawoffice

Image Credit:
Lorraine Nunes

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