In February, we analyzed our billable hours and determined that 69 percent of our work was on cases referred by other attorneys. There are three reasons for this:

• Weird practice niches. Not everyone has studied the Restatement of Suretyship, as we have for several guaranty cases. Emergency litigation–temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or declaratory judgment actions–is another practice niche, and these cases arise when there is no time to learn the subject. In general, the stranger the problem, the more likely it is that we can help.

• Cooperative efforts. We work one of two ways: jointly with you or as delegated counsel to handle the assignment ourselves. Either way, we work to preserve your client relationship. We can provide the names of other attorney references who will attest to this.

• High quality work and ethics. We have earned the highest (av) rating–very high to preeminent--from the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory. This covers both the quality and honesty of our legal work. Fair and honest billing practices, regular reports, and an objective appraisal of the case are integral parts of our service.