Commerce_23_03_v47_digital | Page 29

■ Law

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Continued From Page 26 into an opportunity . Right now , we are actively recruiting and hiring attorneys as the need for talent is evident in our revenue growth . And in turn , we have focused on adding diverse and talented attorneys to our roster . Since I ’ ve been Managing Partner , our diversity metrics have continued to meet and exceed the goals we have implemented . In 2022 , 50 % of our new hires were women , and 25 % were diverse . Also , in 2022 , Connell Foley achieved 5.0 Mansfield Certification by Diversity . Mansfield measures whether law firms are affirmatively looking at 30 % women , underrepresented groups , lawyers with disabilities , and LGBTQ + lawyers for hiring and promotions . Connell Foley is committed to continuing to recruit , elevate and retain diverse talent which will enable us to respond to client needs with the broadest pool of knowledge , skills , and experience . I am proud of our commitment and progress .
Gibbons , P . C . Peter J . Torcicollo , Managing Director
Immigration law has become crucial , not only for new residents but also for global trade .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Sundry Photography
I don ’ t think I ’ d be unique in saying that the biggest change ( and trend ) in the legal industry over the past year has been dealing with both the continuing adjustment to the post-COVID practice of law and the continuing impact the pandemic has had on all our lives . During the pandemic , our lawyers immediately were forced to adjust to almost exclusively remote opportunities to perform their jobs and meet with clients across all practices . Our litigators initially were confronted with a near complete closure of the courts , which evolved over time from telephonic and Zoom-based appearances – including entire trials that were conducted via video conferencing – to the current status where the courts have re-opened but a large number of proceedings continue to be remote . And our transactional attorneys were dealing with the same issues , developing remote protocols for conducting meetings and closing deals .
So for us – and pretty much all other practitioners – the changes have involved updating ( and upgrading ) technological capabilities to ensure that all systems are well situated to continue down the hybrid path , training attorneys and non-attorney staff to work with the new technologies while remaining on top of their game as practitioners , and finding new and different ways to stay connected to existing clients and connect with new client opportunities . We have been able to accomplish all of this , while staying true to our objective of providing the best legal services possible for our clients .
McCarter & English , LLP Joseph Boccassini , Managing Partner
As trusted advisors to our clients , we have the responsibility to stay ahead of trends and developments not only within our own industry , but theirs as well . With that in mind , our focus remains on our talent : professionals at all levels who share our spirit of innovation , commitment to client service , and dedication to the communities in which we live and work . As dynamic as this industry is , one thing never changes : our success depends entirely on the relationships we establish and cultivate with our clients , and those relationships depend upon the quality of the service we offer and the character and integrity with which we offer it .
Working collaboratively , our colleagues across the firm have identified and adopted groundbreaking technological tools that have allowed us to perform our work more effectively and efficiently . They have also emerged as champions and thought leaders on the issues that are most meaningful to our clients : the recruiting and development of diverse professionals and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds , the pursuit of social justice , and our collective work toward sustainability . As leaders , our greatest responsibility is to remain focused on a strategic plan that encompasses these objectives and maintain a platform that empowers our colleagues to work alongside us in achieving those goals .
Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak ( NPZ ) Law Group , P . C . David H . Nachman , Managing Partner
There have been many changes and trends in the legal profession , and one of the most salient is the need to deliver consistent and quality customer service in an increasingly competitive business . NPZ has managed to maintain its high standards in customer care while simultaneously providing a more flexible work schedule for our immigration specialist support staff who are working more efficiently as a result . Another adaption which is on trend now is greater acceptance of virtual teleconferencing platforms for consultations and paperless options for submitting immigration documents to the U . S . C . I . S .
NPZ immigration lawyers also continue to see greater interest in U . S . and Canadian immigration laws , particularly the law ’ s impact on the ability to conduct or open an international business . Topsy-turvy world politics result in more interest in global initiatives in business with individuals and their families relocating to either the U . S . or Canada . To this end , NPZ Immigration Lawyers closely monitor world politics and continue to adjust our practice accordingly . We use cutting -edge technologies to be in direct and constant contact with our clients amidst new developments in US and Canada immigration law .
Overall , NPZ views these trends and adaptations as positive ones which lend a bright outlook for the year 2023 .
Sills Cummis & Gross , P . C . Max Crane , Managing Partner
The rockier global economic climate is requiring in-house counsel to stretch their budgets even further , especially when it comes to spending on outside law firms . In addition , top in-house legal decision makers have more goals and priorities than ever before ; their departments are stretched thinner than ever . This makes it even more important for law firms to be nimble enough to navigate individual client pressures . The management of Sills Cummis has been very strategic about the Firm ’ s size , structure and flexibility over the years , allowing the Firm and our attorneys to pivot as needed to best meet the needs of our clients . This also includes our attorneys identifying , early on , how to be most successful with respect to each client ’ s priorities . At Sills Cummis , we have doubled down on one of our guiding principles – we consider ourselves more than just a legal service provider , but rather true counselors and strategic collaborators with our clients . Separately , as a result of these actions , we have been finding that we are providing a good landing spot / platform for frustrated outside counsel who are in a billing environment where they are unable to provide the level of service and experience that their clients require at a billable rate those clients find acceptable .
Personalized service and customer care is paramount in growing and keeping clients .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / kate _ sept2004
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