From the world’s largest law firm to my own practice.
I spent nearly 19 years of my legal career with the world’s largest law firm and my client work stretched across the United States to dozens of countries around the world. I worked with clients and on matters around the globe, and that experience allows me to bring additional value and perspectives to cases that other solo and small firm lawyers cannot.
Global reach. Local Focus.
My clients’ needs have taken my practice far beyond the courtrooms of Southern California. From Tokyo to London, Kazakhstan to Hong Kong, Paris to Singapore, Florida to New York, and many more places, my network extends to assisting clients in, and from, many countries around the world.
At the same time, I have spent over tens of thousands of hours representing clients in federal, state, administrative and arbitral proceedings here in California, with strong familiarity and exposure to local rules, requirements and judges.
My network locally, and abroad, allows me to team up with other lawyers I trust to provide a broader range of services to clients than would be possible with a local, smaller law firm.
We try to avoid “off-the-rack” solutions.
Having represented clients in hundreds of disputes over nearly two decades, I know there is rarely one set of solutions for any problem. Most larger firms have a specific approach to cases that works for their business and staffing models. Larger firms are also often focused on how their strategy and approach are perceived by their clients, and whether that strategy aligns with how they have handled prior cases.
I understand that what might have worked on a prior case for another client may not be the right fit for a new client’s objectives, budget or the practical realities of a given case. By working collaboratively with clients before and while a case progresses, we can adjust our strategy, approach and objectives to make sure the outcome fits the client’s needs and is not simply built around a “this is how we always do it” mindset.
Stand out from the crowd.
Clients to come us because they want personalized legal services and advice that does not get lost among a thousand other clients and matters. As a small law firm, we do not have the wide range of clients and practices of larger law firms, and so, we are as selective about what cases we take on as clients are about the lawyer they choose to handle their case.
We strive to learn about and provide solutions that work for your case, and not simply replicate what we do for other cases and clients. We believe the key to effective representation is asking, learning and knowing how to approach each client’s problems individually. Your disputes and challenges are unique to you; we do our best to treat them that way.
I am not a mirror.
Clients deserve objective, frank advice, even if it turns out to be different than what they expect. A lawyer who reflects a client’s thoughts back to them and tells the client what the lawyer thinks the client wants to hear is doing the client a disservice. Clients don’t need mirrors; they need independent, thoughtful analysis of problems and potential solutions.
Objectivity also benefits the client because it builds credibility with decision-makers (judges, arbitrators and mediators) and adversaries. Most judges expect lawyers to adopt the subjective views of their clients. Judges are far more likely to listen to lawyers who they believe are self-aware and are fair in their representation their client’s interests and positions. So, too, with opposing sides and their counsel. When one appears to be part of the solution rather than simply extending or expanding the dispute, more options to resolve the case in the client’s favor become available.
See all sides.
Our law firm’s logo is a cube because it represents the multi-faceted reality of disputes. Most clients and their adversaries naturally only focus on two sides to a story, us vs. them, and are unaware of or do not focus on the other perspectives that may affect the outcome of the case. Those other viewpoints include the parties’ lawyers, the judge, jury, or mediator, or even an insurance carrier. There may also be personal or business relationships who are not parties to the dispute but will be affected by its outcome (or how the case is litigated). Our philosophy to resolving disputes focuses on learning to be aware of these other perspectives and including in our strategy a plan for how to take those other views into account to craft solutions to our clients’ problems.
Civility is not a weakness.
Many lawyers (and unfortunately, their clients) think the best (or only) way to litigate cases is to be overly aggressive and confrontational. They reject otherwise reasonable requests and turn every issue into a fight. They reject basic professional courtesies and practical behavior because they think it means they are being “too nice.” Expending time, energy (and legal fees) on such activities is rarely productive nor is it worth the time and money. To the contrary, I have found that being civil, respectful and professional often helps my client’s cause, and maintains our credibility with the judge, arbitrator or mediator handling our case. Being courteous does not mean we are weak or afraid of the opposition; it also does not mean we will not be assertive and forceful when necessary. Ultimately, our philosophy is that this approach is in our clients’ best interests and yields better results.
From the world’s largest law firm to my own practice.
I spent nearly 19 years of my legal career with the world’s largest law firm and my client work stretched across the United States to dozens of countries around the world. I worked with clients and on matters around the globe, and that experience allows me to bring additional value and perspectives to cases that other solo and small firm lawyers cannot.
Global reach. Local Focus.
My clients’ needs have taken my practice far beyond the courtrooms of Southern California. From Tokyo to London, Kazakhstan to Hong Kong, Paris to Singapore, Florida to New York, and many more places, my network extends to assisting clients in, and from, many countries around the world.
At the same time, I have spent over tens of thousands of hours representing clients in federal, state, administrative and arbitral proceedings here in California, with strong familiarity and exposure to local rules, requirements and judges.
My network locally, and abroad, allows me to team up with other lawyers I trust to provide a broader range of services to clients than would be possible with a local, smaller law firm.
We try to avoid “off-the-rack” solutions.
Having represented clients in hundreds of disputes over nearly two decades, I know there is rarely one set of solutions for any problem. Most larger firms have a specific approach to cases that works for their business and staffing models. Larger firms are also often focused on how their strategy and approach are perceived by their clients, and whether that strategy aligns with how they have handled prior cases.
I understand that what might have worked on a prior case for another client may not be the right fit for a new client’s objectives, budget or the practical realities of a given case. By working collaboratively with clients before and while a case progresses, we can adjust our strategy, approach and objectives to make sure the outcome fits the client’s needs and is not simply built around a “this is how we always do it” mindset.
Stand out from the crowd.
Clients to come us because they want personalized legal services and advice that does not get lost among a thousand other clients and matters. As a small law firm, we do not have the wide range of clients and practices of larger law firms, and so, we are as selective about what cases we take on as clients are about the lawyer they choose to handle their case.
We strive to learn about and provide solutions that work for your case, and not simply replicate what we do for other cases and clients. We believe the key to effective representation is asking, learning and knowing how to approach each client’s problems individually. Your disputes and challenges are unique to you; we do our best to treat them that way.
I am not a mirror.
Clients deserve objective, frank advice, even if it turns out to be different than what they expect. A lawyer who reflects a client’s thoughts back to them and tells the client what the lawyer thinks the client wants to hear is doing the client a disservice. Clients don’t need mirrors; they need independent, thoughtful analysis of problems and potential solutions.
Objectivity also benefits the client because it builds credibility with decision-makers (judges, arbitrators and mediators) and adversaries. Most judges expect lawyers to adopt the subjective views of their clients. Judges are far more likely to listen to lawyers who they believe are self-aware and are fair in their representation their client’s interests and positions. So, too, with opposing sides and their counsel. When one appears to be part of the solution rather than simply extending or expanding the dispute, more options to resolve the case in the client’s favor become available.
See all sides.
Our law firm’s logo is a cube because it represents the multi-faceted reality of disputes. Most clients and their adversaries naturally only focus on two sides to a story, us vs. them, and are unaware of or do not focus on the other perspectives that may affect the outcome of the case. Those other viewpoints include the parties’ lawyers, the judge, jury, or mediator, or even an insurance carrier. There may also be personal or business relationships who are not parties to the dispute but will be affected by its outcome (or how the case is litigated). Our philosophy to resolving disputes focuses on learning to be aware of these other perspectives and including in our strategy a plan for how to take those other views into account to craft solutions to our clients’ problems.
Civility is not a weakness.
Many lawyers (and unfortunately, their clients) think the best (or only) way to litigate cases is to be overly aggressive and confrontational. They reject otherwise reasonable requests and turn every issue into a fight. They reject basic professional courtesies and practical behavior because they think it means they are being “too nice.” Expending time, energy (and legal fees) on such activities is rarely productive nor is it worth the time and money. To the contrary, I have found that being civil, respectful and professional often helps my client’s cause, and maintains our credibility with the judge, arbitrator or mediator handling our case. Being courteous does not mean we are weak or afraid of the opposition; it also does not mean we will not be assertive and forceful when necessary. Ultimately, our philosophy is that this approach is in our clients’ best interests and yields better results.