The Trial Lawyer Fall 2024 | Page 26

EMBRACING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
CALLING BIG FIGURE WRANGLERS
LASSOING THE BIG GUNS
POTENTIAL PERSNICKETY ISSUES
scrutiny involved in the licensure and yearly renewals is akin to enduring the State Bar ’ s Character and Fitness evaluation every year for nearly everyone with a stake in owning or running the firm .

EMBRACING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

In the third year since that sweeping regulatory reform in Arizona , many ABS are thriving . To date there are 89 approved ABS , with 40 waiting to have their applications researched / reviewed by Court staff / ABS Committee before being scheduled on the Agenda to be considered for licensure at one of the almost monthly Committee meetings . Among the licensed ABS , we have witnessed unprecedented growth in many of those law firms . Much of this growth is the result of leaning into a new business model of combining business and legal skills , which puts ABS in a position of strength at the outset . Most attorneys who start a new law firm are limited in resources , how much they have to invest in the firm , how much experience they have in operating a business , or even how many clients they can help as they get their law firm up and running . Contrary to most new law firms , a fully funded ABS is able to immediately implement an aggressive business plan for
growth . This ABS vehicle allows : a high level of client services to a significant number of clients ; the development and use of cutting-edge technology to enhance client representation ; and the implementation of strong local and national marketing .

CALLING BIG FIGURE WRANGLERS

Undeniably , when a law firm is no longer restricted in its structure , hiring capabilities , and ownership – the possibilities are endless . We have seen a plethora of unique combinations of ABS so far , including those involving : Criminal Record Expungement , Family Law , Healthcare , Immigration , Intellectual Property , Personal Injury , Mass Torts , Real Estate , Self-service Platforms , Taxation & Financial Planning , Veteran ’ s Disability / Rights , and even an International Pilots Group . Big Auto put together a board of managers that includes lawyers and nonlawyers with expertise in capital management , business strategy , marketing , analytics , and law firm operations . The team we have assembled combines decades of success in key areas of business and law . This gives our team resources that few other law firms in the country have and has led to our rapid growth . We were also able to hire locally and choose from the crème de la crème of applicants .
With unparalleled resources , many ABS have had immediate success with their respective core business objectives . Tangential professionals of various specialties are now able to combine efforts in an ABS , thereby allowing each professional to leverage their relationships , pool their clients , and ultimately provide more comprehensive support to each and every client .

LASSOING THE BIG GUNS

The ABS format allows owners and managers , many of whom are top tier attorneys ( in other states ) and legal services companies with significant experience and capital to contribute , to operate a firm without having to take the bar . These ABS can then build relationships with established successful law firms throughout the U . S . These managers and owners can contribute to the success of the ABS in a more tutorial , distant role while Arizona licensed attorneys provide the legal services . A significant energy that many have harnessed is directly tied to the respective relationships with top law firms throughout the country . Utilizing networking opportunities bolsters the capability to help clients . Co-counseling with the right firm for each individual case , based on the client ’ s needs and location of the accident is key . Leaning into the decades of success each cocounsel firm has achieved and using that experience to a clients ’ advantage allows an attorney to provide more clients with access to justice and representation they otherwise would not have .

POTENTIAL PERSNICKETY ISSUES

In January 2024 , House Bill 2638 was introduced , which purported to “ ensure transparency ” and “ protect consumers ” with the institution of infeasible disclosure requirements on third-party litigation funders and attorneys , among other things . 2 The National ABS Law Firm Association , at the direction of President Don Bivens and supported