James Palestini Interview with Stroll Desert Mountain Magazine

SCOTTSDALE PROFESSIONALS COLLECTIVE: MONTHLY ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT

Interviewing James Palestini, Esq., Founder of Palestini Law, PLC

Written by Lindsay E. Benjamin, J.D.

Being an attorney often requires a delicate balance between work and personal life. What activities or hobbies bring you joy outside of the law?

I'm a huge fitness buff. I personally love Orange Theory, but I think everyone should find time in their day to exercise – it’s great for your mental health as well as your physical health. I’ve also started getting into mixology, and I’ve won a couple of local cocktail recipe contests!

What is a philosophy that you’ve lived by?

The Palestini Law motto is “Just Because You Did It Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty.” A lot of people get a laugh out of that, but it’s true! Everything you do in life has consequences, but consequences don’t always have to necessarily be negative. Knowing how to navigate out of potentially costly situations is a survival skill everyone should have, or at least have access to, and that’s where an experienced defense attorney comes in.

Clients often appreciate a personal touch and VIP treatment when receiving professional services. How do you ensure that your clients feel seen, heard, and cared for on a personal level, especially in a close-knit community like Scottsdale?

The nice thing about having my own law firm is that I am the whole firm! When you call Palestini Law, you’re calling me directly. There’s no receptionist, no marketing team, no paralegal – it’s all me. While that does bring its own challenges, I’m available to you 24/7, and I stand by that! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve met a client at release in the middle of the night or on a weekend. When you hire Palestini Law, you have me until your case is closed.

What inspired you to become an attorney?

I’ve always been a huge proponent of justice, but what made me want to become a criminal defense attorney is that justice has two sides. We tend to think about justice as black-and-white: someone has to be right, someone has to be wrong. But this isn’t always the case. Being a defense attorney means looking at something that we normally view in two dimensions and adding a third, and I love getting to take on new challenges to get my clients the outcomes they deserve.

ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY SCOTTSDALE PROFESSIONALS COLLECTIVE

• Lindsay Benjamin, Esq. | Founder, Benjamin Legal: Family & Divorce Law | benjaminlegal.com
• Brook Choulet, M.D. | Founder, Choulet Wellness: Scottsdale Concierge Psychiatry & Therapy | chouletwellness.com