Jackson Mississippi Family Lawyers Chinn & Associates
Mark Chinn, founder of the family law firm Chinn & Associates, has always delivered caring service to his clients. But a chance encounter over 15 years ago caused him to take it to a whole new level. “I was in a grocery store and spotted a former client in another aisle,” he explains. “I had the distinct impression — whether true or not– that she was hiding from me.” It was then that he realized that even when he had done a good job of handling the legalities of divorce, the client was still left with great personal and financial loss. The experience caused Mark to think about how his clients felt when the divorce was finalized. He realized that he wanted to deliver the kind of service that would make people’s lives better, not just solve their legal problems. Today, Mark offers a uniquely nurturing experience for his clients at his Jackson, Ms offices. “I want them to feel like our firm is wrapping its arms aroun d them,” Mark explains. “I want them to know we are going to take care of them, and empower them for a better life.”
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Chinn & Associates’ modern, free-standing building was specifically designed for clients in distress. Frayed nerves are soothed by beautiful landscaping and relaxing music that’s piped out to the parking lot. The music follows clients into the reception area, where paintings, fresh flowers, and comfortable furniture create a welcoming environment. “Here, our receptionist, Judy Smith, will do everything in her power to make you feel comfortable,” says Mark. The interview room was designed for listening and contains a small sofa, a coffee table, and a rocking chair. Chinn sits in the rocking chair and begins the consultation by asking his clients, simply, “What’s the matter?” By the end of the interview, he usually has most of the information he needs. “I believe the best legal result comes from a strong contributing client,” he explains. “It’s a symbiotic relationship: the lawyer and clien t work together as a team. The client’s input is indispensable to a good result.”
But for the client to help his or her own case, they must be strong, he says: “So we go to work trying to educate the client in how to face the crisis. We talk about mind, body, and spirit.” Mark maintains that one of the greatest destructive forces in America today is the failure of people to dissolve their marriages with civility and consider the long term best interests of their children. (He’s even written a book on the subject, The Constructive Divorce, published by the American Bar Association, and available through www.ababooks.org.) When determining the correct legal approach, Mark and his associates follow an outcome-oriented approach: “We believe that the only way to confront a difficulty is to begin with the end in mind.” To help clients determine a good outcome, Mark will ask the client: “If we were sitting in this room one year from now, enjoying discussing a good result, what would that look like?” Still, Mark will always stridently defend the rights and interests of his clients. “I’m no pushover,” he says. “If someone won’t work with you, you have to let them know there’s going to be a consequence.” If you’re going through divorce, think in the long term, Mark advises: “Ask yourself what kind of life you want to have.”
At Chinn & Associates, Mark and his colleagues believe in turning adversity into success. In fact, it’s their guiding principal. “Rough water, to most people, is destructive, but to a surfer it’s fun to ride. That’s the way we view adversity,” he concludes. “It’s a magnificent opportunity to catch a great ride.” Mark reassures his clients, “You may not be able to see that now, but trust me, we’re going to handle your divorce in a way that empowers you for a better life.”
For more information, or to book an initial consultation, please contact:
The Chinn Building
4316 Old Canton Road, Suite 200, Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Phone: (601) 366-4410
Toll-free (888) 477-4410
[email protected]
www.chinnandassociates.com
Mark Chinn has written the following article:
FAQs:
- “Can I bring a relative or friend with me when I meet with my lawyer?”
- “What Can I do to Save Time and Money during My Divorce?”
- “I’m a divorce lawyer representing a client who’s having an angry, bitter divorce. I want them to cool it down, but the spouses won’t let up with their personal attacks. What’s the right course here?”
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