Schaffer, Toby M.

I have I have practiced law since 1984. In my years of experience, I developed my approach which considers each client's individual and legal needs. While I prepare each case for litigation, my aim is to spare the expense and emotional toll of litigation and to help my clients achieve the best result as quickly as possible. Because my clients come from all walks of life, I choose to practice in a broad range of legal matters. Some of the issues I handle are family law, including divorce, personal injury matters, probate and estate administration, estate planning, workers' compensation, business litigation, and professional malpractice law. I am also one of few Special Masters for domestic cases.

I have been active as a charter member and proponent of the Collaborative Law Group, an organization focused on bringing collaborative law to consumers. I have also been a volunteer lawyer for the Utah Legal Services and Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake since 1989, assisting members of the community who may not be able to afford legal representation.

A graduate of Cleveland State University's Cleveland Marshall College of Law, I authored a paper on Civil Liability for Drug Abuse During Pregnancy; did independent research in Psychology and the Law; and, participated in additional coursework in Forensic Medicine, Psychiatry and the Law.

Since entering practice, I've been involved in with the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Juvenile Procedure; Utah State Bar Solo / Small Firm Section; Utah State Bar Litigation Section; and Utah State Bar Family Law Section. I've served as a contributor to the Utah Legal Services Family Law Manual and as a Judge Pro Tem - Small claims court, Salt Lake County, Utah, and am a Past Chairman of Medical Malpractice Prelitigation panels. Additional professional accreditation includes: Graduate, National College of Advocacy Trial Advocacy Course, Scottsdale, AZ.; Graduate, National College of Advocacy Civil Litigation Course, National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada; and attended American Association for Justice Mega Seminars in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Reno, Nevada.