Grand opening of Clifford Law Office in Huntington

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

Clifford Law Office held its grand opening and ribbon cutting during the Heritage Days celebration in Huntington. The Emery County Business Chamber was on hand to host the ribbon cutting. Shane Clifford is the lawyer who has gone out on his own here in Emery County. He will do everything from wills, trusts, family law, corporate law, cities and town representation, personal injury, criminal, contracts and business law. He has been doing some work for Wellington City.
Clifford said, “It’s been very welcoming here. We purchased our building so we can fix it up how ever we would like. Being the sole proprietor gives me the freedom to have the Art in the Attic and the Seasons Yoga upstairs.”
Kirsa Merrell is the assistant at the law office. She said you can get all stressed out at the lawyer and then go upstairs to a yoga class and get calmed down again.
Clifford has been a lawyer for the past 19 years. His office is located at 175 North Main Street. Walk-ins are welcome and the first consultation is free. “I wanted to be a lawyer, my Dad was a welder and he always pushed education to his family. I also wanted to be able to support my family. We have five children. Kaleigh, Conner, Zachery, Madison and Gabriella. We have lived in Cleveland for the past six and a half years. Before that I worked in Las Vegas. I was born in Maine and was raised in South Jordan. I attended Southern Utah State College as a freshman and then served a mission to Argentina. When I came home, I finished my undergraduate work at the University of Utah and then attended Brigham Young University law school.
“My wife Tonya and I were married shortly after I came home from my mission in 1990. I decided to start a business here in Emery County, because this is where two of my sisters ended up. I have three sisters, one of them is in Massachusetts and the other two moved here. Sharman and I are only about seven and a half months apart. I was adopted, that’s why I was born in Maine. After I was adopted my parents found out they were going to have a baby. Sharman Gilbert and her family live in Lawrence. We all went to Bingham High. My other sister Carrie Staples moved here too.
“I was a partner in a law firm in Las Vegas and we also had an office in St. George. I really moved here to raise kids. I told my law firm, I could manage my accounts from here, but they weren’t sure they wanted me to do that. But, then they decided I could, so I managed the Vegas office accounts for two and a half years. Then the firm dissolved. For four years, I have been on my own. There are pros and cons to being a sole proprietor, It’s a lot of work, but it can be very rewarding at times.
“I work harder now, but I get to do things and make my own decisions. I decided to move my office to Huntington. This has increased my flexibility. The burden is sometimes heavy, but I have enjoyed being part of this growing community.
“It’s been good. Huntington has welcomed us. It feels like we belong here. It’s been nothing but good and we’ve been received very well. I love the flowers on Main Street. The house had new carpet and paint. We did the wheelchair ramp in the front. We are trying to keep it really nice. The attic was a perfect fit for the yoga and art. This is a historic house, built by Doctor Hill in 1920. I talked to a man who was delivered by Dr. Hill. Dr. Hill’s first wife died and then he married Stella Hill a school teacher. It’s been fun to learn the history of the place. I have looked at old photos of Huntington and Dr. Hill was in a lot of them. He was a very prominent figure in his time.
“The scope of my practice has been very broad, I still do some work for my Las Vegas clients. I do personal injury. In a small town, I have to have a broader scope, I can handle divorce and family law. I have found the skills I developed doing corporate law have helped me here. I am a student of the law and I’m always learning new things. I pay particular attention to details. I think these skills have given me an advantage here. I’ve enjoyed meeting and working with the other lawyers in the area. I have had some corporate clients from this area seek me out, too.
“There are several things going on in Huntington and we’re glad to be part of it. Dr. Gagon is coming in with a medical center. This is really a nice place to be. I love the changing dynamics of the Main Street. The Family Dollar, the Miller’s Landing, good things are happening here.
“There’s so much potential here in our county. I look at the bouldering, the San Rafael Swell, we had someone stay at the law office who was here for the bike festival. People are coming here from all over. There are a lot of attractions here. Some of them aren’t very well known.
“One thing I have loved since coming here is the Cleveland Community band, I helped start. You don’t have to be a resident of Cleveland to be in our band, and I would encourage anyone who wants to get involved. There are no age limits. Gus Jensen is our band director. We play at the 24th of July celebration in Cleveland, Easter, Christmas. We played at the Emery County Fair and the special needs talent show. Gus led us for his talent. That was such a neat experience. Gus likes the spotlight.
“We’ve tried to become a part of the community and to contribute. Music and the band is really close to my heart. For my mid-life crisis, instead of buying a sports car I bought a tuba and started the band, I needed music in my life. Anyone in the whole county is welcome to come and play. We really have a lot of fun,” said Clifford.
The new businesses had free hot dogs at their open house and gave away door prizes. The phone number to the law office is 435-613-1010. Clifford also speaks Spanish.