Integrity.
Intelligence.
Emotional Maturity.
Understanding.
Compassion.
The work ethic to accomplish that which is right and true for her clients.
Michelle Demarest-Sunseri is one of the most honorable people I know, and I have known her family on an intimate basis as a pastor and counselor for years. Her marriage to Doug Sunseri is literally a match made in heaven, and the two of them make an insightful and formidable team.
I had the opportunity to call upon Doug and Michelle for assistance in a complex case involving a foreign national, a violent accidental death, disputes over inheritance, immigration issues and the near-criminal harassment of family members -- all swirling around a 26-year-old immigrant woman with a one-year-old child. Doug and Michelle sorted through complex issues, advised me in terms of how to effectively encourage and support the young woman involved, worked with tremendous efficiency to minimize costs, and successfully steered the young widow and me through a tumultuous time all the way to the acquisition of her citizenship and the settlement of her husband's estate.
Beyond this case, I have turned to Michelle and Doug both for questions related to my counseling practice and pastoral involvement in the lives of hurting people. They have been there for me in every circumstance.
Hiring an effective attorney, I believe, is a lot more than buying into someone who knows the law and can intimidate the opposition. While those are important, I also look for emotional intelligence, the maturity to recognize challenges and see the benefits and pitfalls of potential solutions, a heart-felt commitment to both justice and truth, and the grace to understand both human strengths and weaknesses.
These are great people. They are also gifted attorneys with a passion and compassion for the rights and lives of their clients.