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 Founded in 1886, Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. has built a rich heritage of highly successful client service by anchoring its practice in time-honored principles of legal scholarship, professionalism, innovation and skillful, vigorous advocacy. As a result, the firm has produced an enviable legacy of achievement by adapting and growing its multi-dimensional practice to serve the diverse and challenging needs of a growing spectrum of clients.
This versatility has resulted in a practice which is local, regional and national in scope, and focuses on five specialized groups:
In the course of providing excellent legal counsel, many law firms lose touch with the basics of good client service. In the crowded and competent upper tier of the legal profession, we have learned that the only truly sustainable competitive advantage is a skilled, experienced and highly motivated team of legal professionals sharing a core purpose - the heartfelt desire to build and nurture strong and enduring client relationships.
Our core purpose manifests itself in a number of ways. First, we recognize that while clients may appropriately select one or more lawyers in our firm for their expertise, experience and accomplishments, they have also selected our firm because of its reputation and resources. Therefore, for the benefit of our clients our lawyers will not be "lone rangers" who handle every detail themselves. Instead, when appropriate, our clients will be served by teams of attorneys and other legal professionals, and headed by the lawyer of their choice, who can deliver the expertise our clients require, in the most cost-effective manner possible.
Second, we know that our clients expect us to ensure quality control, closely supervising associates and efficiently managing all members of the team serving the client. Accordingly, we strive daily to ensure that those who work on a client's matters are not only professionally competent, but also well-briefed on the matter or case and the client's business, procedures, needs and available personnel.
Third, we are mindful that, above all, our clients want our objective advice and counsel. They want solutions to their problems, not more problems. They also want us to help them anticipate future problems, and either avoid them or prepare the client for dealing with them in the future. We continuously emphasize meeting and exceeding these expectations.
Finally, we also acknowledge that excellent client service is dependent on continuous and clear communication with our client. Clients understandably do not like surprises. We consult with clients regularly on developments of interest, strategy, timing and expense, and we try to continuously prepare them for what may occur in the future.
Our decades of experience have also taught us that when it comes to fee and billing arrangements, the following are important:
- Adherence to agreed-upon budgets. We will endeavor not to surprise clients with unexpected fees or expenses when possible. We do not believe that clients should pay for the training of the firm's attorneys and professional staff.
- We will endeavor to ensure that all bills are accurate, free of errors and inconsistencies and comply with formats and protocols requested by our clients.
- We will bill regularly for our services so clients are updated regularly on the fees and expenses they are incurring.
- We will formulate fee arrangements and manage our work so that our clients do not pay for inefficiencies that may occasionally result in the legal representation. We will also endeavor to formulate fixed-fee or incentive based fee arrangements where appropriate.
In addition to the above basics, we also work hard to enhance our client relationships by delivering enhanced services, such as:
- Utilizing state-of-the-art technology including web-based client support, litigation docketing and support systems and document imaging systems
- Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge management system
- Keeping clients updated and informed about matters that may affect them by means of newsletters, client alerts and on-site seminars
- Holding regular client feedback meetings regarding our work and service for them.
In summary, our ultimate goal is to exceed our clients' expectations every day.
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