Whether they be displaced associates, non-promoted senior associates, or new graduates, many recently minted law "firms" are likely by-products of the recession. Often the new business takes the form of a solo practice. The old joke of a new firm is that the practice is a "transom law firm." That means, with a dearth of clients, the firm will take whatever case crosses the transom. But the potential client must ask themselves whether their case is of so little importance that they may trust it to just anyone.
Not all lawyers are created equal. Like any other business, time, experience, and skill count for something where the final product is concerned. Like any other product, quality does not always equate with least expense.
Everyone must start somewhere. If a client has a relatively simple situation involving a relatively straightforward transaction, a new lawyer, or general practice lawyer, may do just fine. However, where a case is more complicated, the transaction more complex, or where there are multiple issues at hand, an experienced lawyer who concentrates his or her practice in that area of the law is irreplaceable.
"My father always said that you are free to disagree, just try not to be disagreeable," states John G. DiPiano, a Massachusetts Family Law Lawyer and Litigator. "Too often I see these firms billed as bargains making mountains out of molehills, and I wonder if controversy is interjected just to churn things up and cause the case to take more time to resolve. After all, time is money," says DiPiano. "At DiPiano Godson LLP we concentrate in Family Law and Litigation - period. We don't perform transactional work; we don't do complex estate plans; and we don't generally leave our area of expertise. We also do not compromise our client's positions. Most firms like ours are a bit more expensive, and we think that we are worth it," DiPiano states.
"While other firms bill themselves as 'affordable' and offer payment plans or internet videos chock full of drama, we try to keep the message simple. We concentrate in Family Law and Litigation, our fee structure is fair, and we deliver intelligent, effective advocacy. There are no videos, or monthly installment plans - we aren't selling used cars." DiPiano maintains.
DiPiano also says that "the best thing a client can do for him or herself is to remember that when it comes to choosing a lawyer, they should choose wisely." When a case ends badly because corners were cut too deeply, correcting the problem, if possible at all, is more costly than having had the case handled more effectively in the first place.
LLoyd D. Godson, of DiPiano Godson LLP is president of the Middlesex County Bar Association. His contribution to the members of the profession and their clients who can't always get the case resolved is to donate many hours of his time in free conciliation through the Middlesex Bar Association Program. Godson sees this as a worthwhile task that helps litigants save time and money by breaching obstacles that stand in the way of resolution.
DiPiano Godson LLP also performs some reduced fee and pro bono work on a case-by-case basis, and volunteers time to Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education seminars, teaching other lawyers on certain legal practice areas.
While doing its part to pitch in during a poor economy, DiPiano Godson LLP also took some careful measures to control its own costs and weather the storm. Recently, the firm moved its home office to Lynnfield, a suburb of Boston about 15 or so miles northeast of the city. The practice maintains a location in Boston, but its operations went suburban. "Parking costs went down, overall costs went down, and our hourly fees remained consistent, without any increases over the past 18 months," says DiPiano. "If a client is looking for a bargain, they should consider a lawyer with a good track record, and reputation, who is not located in a glass an marble tower with a water view in Boston," DiPiano states. "Who does the client think is paying for those diggs?" asks DiPiano.
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