My firm’s mission is to change the client experience of interacting with lawyers.
In order to live by that mission, my clients should know why I wake up each and every morning to practice business, real estate and estate planning law.
When I first started West Michigan Law, I was challenged to answer the question: Why do I do what I do? Without much thought, the answer became clear…my clients look to me to find Peace of Mind. I have the knowledge and expertise that allows you to rest knowing that I will help you through your legal needs. Your best interest is the reason I am in this business, and why I choose to come to work.
Why Estate Planning?
Because there is an immense amount of professional satisfaction that comes from knowing I have helped you implement a plan for your future that will someday provide relief and certainty to your loved ones.
Why Real Estate?
Because I love being able to go out and touch the tangible building that is the result of my work.
Why Business?
Because as a business owner you are taking a risk every day you wake up, and I know that I can prepare a set of documents that will help you mitigate your risk in the face of unforeseen events.
Every single person has a unique story to tell, and I enjoy discovering that story for you. Once we explore the background story that’s driving you to hire me, I can then figure out what solution will provide you the peace of mind you need.
Values
High Quality/Effectiveness
As a lawyer, I sell two products – the expertise inside my brain, and a written work product. Both are critically important to being a successful lawyer, and I take them both very seriously. At the end of the day, all of the expertise in the world does not matter if I am unable to deliver a high quality work product to you that is both understandable and free from errors.
Timeliness/Efficiency
Technology has sped up the practice of law and I do not shy away from that fact. By discussing your expectations at the time of project creation and running an efficient office that stresses adherence to deadlines, I am able to provide a turnaround time that meets your needs without sacrificing a high quality work product.
Proactive/Continuing Education
You might be shocked to learn that lawyers in Michigan are not required to take continuing legal education classes. I believe that a lawyer must always be intellectually curious because the law is constantly changing. As a result, I devote the time necessary each year to not only attend seminars, but present on various new and unique legal topics. This allows me to sharpen my skills of applying the law to your needs in a clear and concise manner.
Cost-Effective/Value Add
This is where the rubber meets the road. I believe that legal services should rarely be compensated on an hourly basis, because the hourly model promotes inefficient attorney behavior and leads to unexpected bills at the end of the project. It is my goal to have a discussion with you at the beginning of a project to explain my role and the scope of services to be provided. We will then come to a mutual understanding of what my fees will be for that scope of services.
Thank you for taking the time to read what being a lawyer means to me. If I have adhered to the above values by taking the time to proactively educate myself and apply that knowledge to a high quality work product in a timely manner, I will hopefully provide an added value to you or your business. I welcome the opportunity to discuss any of them with you in more depth.