Every law firm strives to stand out from the pack, to attract and hold its clients by virtue of its distinguishing characteristics. In reality, with few exceptions, every reputable law firm strives to provide quality work at the most reasonable price possible. This is not an exercise in pure altruism. No firm can prosper by providing poor work at exorbitant prices. Therefore, it is hardly a mark of distinction for a firm to say that its clients receive good work for fair prices. Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP is like every other reputable law firm in that regard. How, then, is Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP truly different from its competition and, on what basis should a client choose Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP over other goods law firms? When we decided to create Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP, we were determined to create a working model of a law firm which broke some of the old outdated "rules" about how a law firm should be organized and function. We wanted to break down any barrier which prevented us from developing a close, long-term, and mutually-beneficial relationship with our clients. Anything which stood in the way of our being able to offer each individual in our group a working environment sensitive to, and supportive of, his or her personal and professional goals also had to go. All impediments to encouraging each of us to contribute in a positive fashion to the improvement of the legal profession, human relations, and society at large were also slated for elimination. When we opened our doors in 2001, the old rigid hierarchical law firm style of organization was nowhere to be seen. Although each person offers his or her own unique set of experiences, skills and substantive areas of knowledge, we view ourselves as a team. Every individual's contribution and opinion is valuable to us. We really strive to eliminate the arrogance of position that permeates some other law firms because we know that, without the conscientious and diligent efforts of every member of our staff, we would be unable to function as well as we do. Each individual at Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP is encouraged to pursue his or her personal and professional goals and, with that concept in mind, the barrier of inflexible compartmentalization has been eliminated. Another Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP goal is for us to understand our clients' businesses as much as possible. While we might apply the particular expertise of a certain member of the firm to a client's specific project, we want our overall firm focus to be more expansive. We are looking for long-term relationships with our clients. Part of that effort is to help them reduce or eliminate risk and to structure present business decisions with future eventualities in mind. Only with a deep understanding of our client's structures, business and goals can we hope to accomplish those ends. We know that our clients value cost-effectiveness. While every reputable firm seeks to meet that need by writing off duplication in staff time, keeping hourly billing rates as low as possible, and so forth, Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP places particular emphasis on cost management. Although we are well-equipped with pleasant surroundings and all the necessary technology and other resources we require to do a good job for our clients, our firm knows how to keep its overhead under control. If it did otherwise, our clients would, in some way, be paying for all the extras. Although a client at one of the "luxury" law firms may not see separate invoice items for rare antiques, ridiculously expensive furniture, and an army of inexperienced briefcase-toting associates, rest assured that he or she is paying for all that splendor. The global emphasis is one of the most critical components of Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP's firm culture. From the beginning, we intended to create a firm which was ready and extremely able to provide legal services to domestic and foreign companies and individuals whose personal and business affairs carry them across borders and into diverse cultural situations. "International" legal services are not an accidental sideline for us. They are an essential part of our firm character. Marshall Suzuki Law Group, LLP is keenly aware that it, and all of its members, are citizens of a larger community. Each of us strives to give back to that community in his or her own manner and, in doing so, to improve the human condition in some small way. |
