Interview with Attorney Nicholas Gounaris

What made you want to become a lawyer?

My father was both a lawyer and a judge, and I was able to observe the satisfaction he received from helping people.

Growing up, my siblings and I were encouraged to volunteer our time and I knew soon after college that I wanted a career that was service-oriented. It was a natural fit for me to go into the legal profession.

In your opinion, what sets your firm apart from the rest?

We provide a different approach than most individual lawyers or law firms. We have a team approach when it comes to representing our clients. We meet regularly to discuss our cases and in particular the legal issues that our clients face.

The lawyers at our firm have experience as former judges, magistrates, and prosecutors, and we’ve found that sharing our thoughts and expertise with each other provides our clients with complete legal representation.

Tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of:

I’m proud of any case that provides our clients with the sense that they were treated fairly and honestly.

Whenever we receive a referral from a past client, it validates our philosophy on how to properly represent our clients.

What steps do you take to prepare for a difficult case?

We approach each case similarly by preparing that case for trial soon after its inception. We constantly discuss the anticipated testimony or how the evidence will be portrayed to a jury.

This approach helps to identify the legal issues that will be important at a trial and this, in turn, helps us achieve a quality result for our clients.

What advice do you most often give to your clients & why?

Speak to your lawyer before you speak to anyone else. This advice helps avoid unwanted results and helps protect our client’s interests in the best possible way.

How do you view your role in the attorney-client relationship?

I understand that each case is the most important aspect of one’s life while that case is pending. I respect that my advice and counsel will help dictate the outcome.

I believe that it is important to discuss all the options available so that my clients understand all the ramifications.

However, ultimately, it is up to the client to decide which route to take and I believe that it’s important to help guide them to a decision that best fits

Tell us about a turning point in your career:

The turning point in my career was when I established the law firm of Gounaris Abboud, LPA. I always believed that a team approach was the best way to properly represent our clients and the formation of our law firm helped me realize that goal.

How long have you been practicing law?

Two decades.

Why should a prospective client choose to work with your firm?

We care about our clients and we care about achieving the best results for our clients.

The majority of our business comes from client referrals and that says volumes about what our past clients think about the service that we provide.