BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
Integrity
- I am honest in my dealings with clients, judges, and opposing counsel. I do what I say I am going to do. I do not make promises I cannot keep. I am careful to be explicit about my caveats and exceptions.
- A lawyer who is not accessible is worthless to a client. I return phone calls as quickly as possible. While I discourage unrealistic deadlines, I try to get answers back to clients on their schedule, not mine. I remember that clients do not care about excuses; they care about their needs.
Advice to Clients
- I attempt to give my clients realistic, pragmatic advice, not just tell them what the law is. I describe alternatives, analyze the risks and benefits for each alternative, and discuss the steps necessary for each alternative when appropriate. Where possible, I make affirmative recommendations, or try to describe the factors that would favor one alternative over another. When I do not know the answers to a question, I say so forthrightly and seek the answer. I know and respect my limits.
Quality
- My written and oral work products aim to be clear, well thought-out, organized, and tailored to the needs of the client and the matter. I strive to be thorough. I do not produce unnecessary paperwork. I look for the shortest, most efficient way of documenting a transaction and the most effective way of obtaining my clients' goals in litigation. I strive to speak and write in simple, declarative sentences. My contracts are readable, with each step following a logical and organized sequence. I attempt to avoid "lawyerese" and legal jargon, both orally and in my written documents, wherever and whenever possible.
STANDARDS
Transactions
- I do not advise clients to take unreasonable positions in negotiations. While I recognize the need to give and take in negotiations, I focus on solutions, not the creation of problems. I strive to diffuse confrontational attitudes in my clients, opposing counsel, and opposing clients. I try to be respectful and courteous to all participants in a matter.
Litigation
- I strive to be a vigilant, effective attorney in my efforts to represent clients in litigation matters. Although I cannot guarantee results in litigation or other dispute resolution proceedings, I provide my clients with informative progress reports on their cases from time to time in order to enable my clients to make meaningful and informed decisions. I reevaluate my clients' positions as the cases progress and significant events occur, and I inform my clients accordingly. When representing clients in litigation or alternative dispute resolution proceedings, I do not engage in motions or other proceedings which have no reasonable, factual , or legal basis. I comply with applicable laws, court rules, and ethical standards of my profession.
Client Communications
- I keep my clients apprised of what is going on with their matters. My policy is never to treat clients in a condescending manner, nor do I imply that my expertise and decision-making processes are beyond a client's ability to comprehend.
- The amount of the bill should reflect the applicable rates when the services were performed, together with costs and administrative charges. Bills should not include time for administrative activities which are of no direct benefit to the client, such as performing conflicts checks and attempted telephone calls. The description of the work performed should be clear and specific.
