Our combination of core philosophies separates us from virtually every other law firm in Los Angeles.
“Excellence is not an act, but a habit.”
– Aristotle
We take pride in meeting a standard of excellence in everything we do, whether it is preparing a major brief in the case or asserting a single objection to a particular discovery request – and anything in between. Our clients deserve uniform excellence, and that is all that we know.
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
We specialize in taking control of the litigation early on, and dictating the litigation’s path, direction and pace. We use tested techniques that allow us to proactively guide the litigation, leaving the other side in a defensive and responsive position.
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
– Nelson Mandela
We reject the traditional law firm model of high hourly rates, duplicative internal billing, client-funded associate training, and cost-shifting of overhead to clients. We have built a lean, efficient and flexible business operation that allow us to offer our clients a reasonable and fair cost structure, at a fraction of the rates offered by firms possessing our level of expertise.
“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”
– Albert Einstein
While we have a mastery over traditional litigation methods and techniques, what distinguishes us is our ability to discovery unique solutions and develop innovative litigation theories that often change the course of the dispute.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
We are keenly aware that executives, directors or business owners facing litigation often experience a wide variety of stresses and pressures, and that being embroiled in litigation is often very challenging for them. While leading their litigation and battling the adversary on their behalf, we also provide our clients with behind-the-scenes guidance, to assist them – and their business – in continuing to operate with success and excellence during this time of controversy.
“Never mistake activity for productivity.”
– John Wooden
A business dispute or litigation must be viewed from the broader perspective of furthering the client’s net business goals, not from the perspective of just winning a fight. Because we view our client’s litigation fees as an investment they are making in order to obtain a positive return on the transaction, we pride ourselves on using litigation techniques that are guided by principles of business prudence and efficiency, rather than a “scorch the earth” war philosophy.
“Negotiation is the art of getting someone else to do what you want done because he wants to do it.”
– George Washington
Because over 95% of business litigations ultimately end in settlement, we view the entire litigation – and every step, act and court filing along the way – as a critical piece of the global negotiation process. Our macro and micro litigation strategies always serve the dual purpose of both developing our case for trial, and meticulously and subtly guiding the adversary to a place where it will eventually want to enter into a settlement that benefits our client, because the adversary cannot afford not to.
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
– Sun Tzu, The Art of War
So many litigation firms love to engage in extremely lengthy and messy litigations, which ultimately cost their clients significant money, time and effort. While we are certainly adept at winning long battles, we understand that our clients are often most benefitted if we can use our litigation skills to break down and ultimately subdue the adversary by getting it to agree to a resolution that efficiently accomplishes our client’s goals.
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”
– Plato
So many lawyers live up to the stereotype of being poor communicators – including with their own clients, leaving their clients confused, frustrated and with unanswered questions. We take pride in communicating with our clients (and others) in a way that they easily understand and in a way that addresses each of their questions, so that they come away from our conversations feeling informed, reassured and empowered.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
– Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
We believe that interpersonal skills are an important but lost component of the litigation process, and we skillfully connect to and build relationships with the wide net of personalities who have the potential of impacting the case. Whether it is an ornery third party witness, a difficult employee of the client, or a temperamental opposing counsel, we have the rare ability of demonstrating an understanding of their position and ultimately winning them over in order to advance our client’s best interests.