CLIENTS INCLUDE

Q: Why should I hire you?

A: Because I love what I do and I’m very good at it.

Litigation is expensive and disruptive under the best of circumstances.  My job is to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.  This obviously requires professional excellence but also listening patiently, planning strategically and advising candidly.

Lots of attorneys describe themselves as “aggressive” and promise to “fight for you.”  An aggressive approach can be very effective and, certainly, no one wants a wimpy lawyer.  However, aggressive for the sake of being aggressive can sometimes be counterproductive.  Tempers flare, parties dig in their heels, and no one wins except the lawyers.

Does this mean I’m not aggressive?  Far from it.  But when I’m aggressive, there’s a purpose behind it.  Sometimes (gasp!), restraint is better, sometimes for tactical reasons, but sometimes just to neutralize the anger and resentment that so often drive litigation.  The goal is to resolve, not prolong, the case, without sacrificing the result.

Most of my clients are familiar with litigation.  Ask them and they’ll tell you that I am very good at what I do.  They’ll tell you how I convinced the jury to find in their favor; how I convinced the judge to throw out a meritless lawsuit; how I garnished their adversaries’ bank accounts.  Those are good days.

Some clients, however, are not litigation savvy.  They are anxious and vulnerable and dependent on me to guide them through one of the scariest times of their lives.  It is a sobering responsibility, but a rewarding one.  For on the really good days, I help them find peace and leave them lighter, freer, and able to enjoy a good night’s sleep.  They thank me, invite me to their kids’ birthday parties, and ask me to grieve with them, for no other reason than that I am their lawyer and they want me there.  On those days, I know I’ve made a difference.

And that is why I love what I do.