A Look Back at the Bale Law Firm’s Origins
Bale Law Firm has been helping injured Vermonters and their families for more than twenty years. David Bale and Brian Haaf co-founded the firm in 1999 as David Bale & Associates, in the wake of the 1997 private practice dissolution of some of Burlington’s most prominent attorneys. The firm quickly grew from three to five attorneys, attracting lawyers with experience and competence that had practiced for years in Vermont’s largest firms.
In 2003, the firm took on the name Bale Hyland, which it kept through the end of 2011. In 2012, the firm changed its name to Bale Law Firm, reorganized into an "A-LLP," (a type of Limited Liability Partnership), and brought in two new named partners: Josh McClain and Katherine Coy. Today the firm encompasses 20 attorneys, with an additional 9 supporting professionals.
In its early years, Bale Law Focused on personal injury, civil litigation, and medical malpractice, and was recognized for its litigation strength by Best Lawyers in America and Benchmark Litigation. In 2007, the firm took on its first post-conviction case, representing a death row inmate in New Hampshire. Over the next ten years, the firm grew its criminal defense practice from three attorneys to twelve, and not long after, includes four former public defenders who each spent ten years in the office of the Public Defender.
In 2009, the firm represented first-degree murder defendant Allen Prue in his second murder trial . The firm’s defense work was profiled in an award-winning series of articles published in Seven Days. FDP attorney and former Barre City prosecutor Katherine Coy and defense attorney David Bale defended Mr. Prue in that trial. After meeting with members of the public during the trial, the Barre Times-Argus published an editorial calling for a moratorium on the death penalty in Vermont.
The firm built on and expanded its federal government practice beginning in 2011. In January 2015, the firm joined forces with eight other law firms nationwide to represent the family of John F. Shannon Jr. during more than two weeks of evidentiary hearings in a long-running dispute between three government contractors receiving large payments from FEMA and the outside law firm which negotiated the agreements. The hearings were broadcast live from Washington D.C. on C-SPAN2, and resulted in a favorable ruling for the Shannon family.
In additional to practicing law, David Bale has also been an adjunct professor of criminal law at the University of Vermont since 2008. In 1988, David founded what has become Vermont’s only statewide education and research foundation focused on fatal and serious automobile crashes. The Vermont Fatality Analysis Reporting System Foundation continues to analyze data from around the state and provides information to public officials about traffic safety issues.
Bale Law Firm’s Service Offerings
Bale Law Firm provides an extensive range of legal services to individual clients and businesses. The areas of practice include:
Corporate Law, Business Law and Litigation
Bale Law Firm addresses a variety of business needs, including choice of entity selection, business operations, mergers and acquisitions, sales and purchases, corporate governance, commercial real estate transactions, business litigation, and intellectual property issues.
Family Law
Bale Law Firm’s Family Law practice provides clients with a variety of services, including divorce, child custody, child support, post-decree modifications and motions, enforcement proceedings, legal separations, and prenuptial agreements.
Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills and Probate
Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills and Probate is a critical area of practice for Bale Law Firm, as many clients rely upon the firm’s experience in these areas to obtain sound and reliable advice. Estate planning is used to outline an individual’s wishes for after death. These wishes are outlined in a will or trust, which Bale Law Firm can assist in drafting.
Elder Law
Whether the issue be obtaining veterans’ benefits, Medicaid, social security or long-term facility planning, the firm can assist in these matters.
Probate
The firm represents clients in probate matters and ensures the process goes as smoothly as possible for the client. The firm represents clients in all matters related to the administration of decedents’ estates and proceedings in probate court, both formal and informal.
Litigation
Bale Law Firm represents individuals and businesses in all types of cases. If the parties cannot agree, the attorneys at the firm will represent their clients with skill and integrity in all facets of litigation.
Meet Bale Law Firm’s Distinguished Legal Team
The expert attorneys at the Bale Law Firm are Thomas, Brian, and Jay Bale. Since 1976, the Bale family has been serving clients in the greater Nashville area who have both medical and legal needs.
Thomas Bale was a prosecutor for the State of Tennessee from 1974 to 1984 and currently manages the Nashville Bale Law Firm office. Thomas practices in both our Davidson and Williamson county offices. In 1982, Thomas had the distinction of being named Assistant District Attorney for Human Trafficking—serving as a consultant to the District Attorney’s office.
Brian Bale is a former Nashville Prosecutor who also has experience as "Of Counsel" to one of Nashville’s largest criminal defense firms. He has achieved numerous not guilty verdicts and has successfully defended many high profile cases. Brian has represented numerous doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. He continues to represent doctors and medical professionals in criminal cases while also with civil defense matters fee paid by the insurance companies.
Jay Bale spear-headed Bale Law Firm’s expansion into Williamson County. and opened the first Williamson County Bale Law Firm office in 2007. Since that time Jay has achieved numerous successful verdicts and settlements for the firm. Jay successfully handles all areas of criminal law but has particular experience in DUI and license driver issues. Jay represents clients throughout Tennessee.
Client Testimonials
The firm takes great pride in the trust placed in us by our clients. We strive to provide exceptional service to every client, regardless of the size or nature of their legal problem. In this section we will explore some notable case stories where Bale Law Firm successfully represented clients. We highly recommend Bale Law Firm and would use them again if needed. The case was a continuation of a divorce case that was over 5 years old. AB was able to settle the divorce with an extremely large settlement. His expertise was very impressive as was his professionalism and the way he handled opposing council. Always very professional but also very personable and up front about everything. A true pleasure to work with. I would and will continue to recommend him to friends and family. I was devastated when my husband left me for someone else after 14 years of marriage. I live in a rural area, and I feared that if I retain a lawyer at all it would be an inexperienced person whose fees would be sky high . I lucked out by finding Kory. He listened to me and treated me with respect no matter how emotional I became over the twists and turns our case took. He really did his homework, and went above and beyond to make sure I understood the laws, the process, and how important it was to have the right mindset before, during, and after the case. He has given me the strength to move on without fear and with confidence in my abilities. It was an education for me, and gave me hope and a sense of determination. Kory is a winner! Jeremy Stewart cared about me— not just my case, but about me in general. He was always available to answer questions, talk me off the ledge, and win my case in the end. I highly recommend this law firm. They will take care of you. We are so thankful to Vic and the team at Bale Law Firm for assisting us with estate planning and obtaining renewed wills for both of us. Vic was very kind and patient and did a great job for us. Thank you all at Bale Law Firm!
Our Corporate Social Responsibility
A testament to our belief in giving back, Bale Law Firm has been actively involved in community service and pro bono work since our founding. We believe that every member of a community has something to give back. In fact, many of us are practicing attorneys because of the impact lawyers have had in protecting the rights of the downtrodden and healing our communities from injustice. We all have an obligation to support our communities in away that makes a positive difference. Our lawyers actively volunteer their time and talents by providing pro bono services, serving on local boards, coaching youth sports and helping non-profit organizations in a myriad of ways. We are proud to serve on the boards of many church and community organizations in and around the Freeport area. We also share our talents by providing no or reduced fee for individuals or groups involved with oppression, harassment, discrimination, instability in healthcare, children and civil rights issues. Another of our favorites is coaching; many of us coach youth sports teams. It is great to teach kids skills but it is really exciting to watch them grow, realize their potential and win in the end.
Getting in Touch With Bale Law Firm
When it comes to seeking professional legal assistance, clients want attorneys who are readily available and give their case the attention it requires. This is exactly what the Bale Law Firm offers clients in need of a knowledgeable Criminal Defense or Family Law Attorney.
To reach the lawyers at Bale Law Firm, clients can visit the physical address located at 101 West Spring Street, Suite 503, in Monroe, North Carolina. Numerous parking spaces adjacent to the building ensure convenient access.
For clients who prefer to get in touch with Bale Law Firm via phone , they can contact 704-289-6704 for the firm’s receptionist, who can connect them with the law firm.
Individuals looking for convenience can also schedule an appointment with attorneys via the Bale Law Firm website, found at www.balelawfirm.com. Here, potential clients simply click on "Schedule a Free Consultation" and fill out the interactive form with their personal information, including name, email address, phone number, zip code, and a message to the lawyer about their situation. From there, clients can await an email and a phone call from a law partner.