When I created this law firm, I asked a few clients and friends to visualize the ideal law firm and to tell me what they saw. They responded with comments in three areas: control of costs; personal service; trust and professionalism.
Control of Costs
My clients said that they did not mind paying an hourly rate, which was consistent with the market; however, they wanted me to strive to be cost-effective. Legal work does not differ in this respect from any other service which a business might employ. If the cost is too high, the business will get along without it. That is indeed what many small businesses do. They do not consult a lawyer regularly, because they believe the cost of consulting a lawyer will exceed the value obtained. This is regrettable, because they need frequent legal counseling and support.
Also, the cost of legal services can increase unnecessarily due to a failure of care and concern on the part of the lawyer. The cost of handling a dispute, especially in litigation, can be impossible to predict, because it depends so heavily upon the behavior of a hostile opponent. That cost can be minimized by diligence and daily attention to cost-effectiveness. The total cost of most matters is driven less by the hourly rate, than by the number of hours spent. Photocopying and other non-legal services that become reimbursable expenses must be obtained at the least available cost, and not marked up by the lawyer. The lawyer must ask himself at every stage, "What is the most cost-effective way of accomplishing this task? If this were my own money at stake, how would I spend it?"
Fear of excessive cost has caused many individuals and companies to obtain less legal guidance and support than needed. They take unnecessary risks by accepting lopsided contract documents, and they fail to collect full compensation for the work performed. We must find a way to provide companies and indviduals with the frequent counseling and representation, which they need at a cost they can afford.
Personal Service. I will personally respond to your phone calls, emails and letters promptly.
Trust and Professionalism. There remains a distinction between the normal business and what tradition has referred to as "the professions". What distinguishes professions from the normal business is a public trust. The professional has an obligation to treat his client's interests as paramount and ahead of his own interests. You should not have to wonder whether your attorney recommends a course of action which exceeds what you really need. The traditional professional makes his decisions and offers his guidance based upon your genuine needs. He gets paid for his services, but the desire to maximize his fee does not affect his advice. To the contrary, a professional must strive to deliver excellent service at the least, reasonable cost, which is consistent with excellence. My clients told (and tell) me this still holds true. They consider it essential and indispensable to our relationship. This law firm strives to meet that standard.