The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/854572
29 WWW.ILTANET.ORG Culhane Meadows and "moves to the cloud," nothing changes in their aorney-client relationship. Clients continue to work with their aorneys of record as well as Culhane Meadows' colleagues who also have substantial expertise and experience. The client simply no longer sees fancy artwork on the walls because the firm has no walls. They aren't greeted by a receptionist because the firm doesn't have one. When calling, they get their aorney — a partner with over a decade of experience, not a third-year associate. And because the firm is not passing along needless overhead, they see a dramatic rate decrease. Clients also benefit from having aorneys who directly control their billing rates and fee structures. Such flexibility ensures that the firm can aract and retain large clients as well as startup companies and smaller organizations. This provides an excellent opportunity for the firm's aorneys to represent clients that would have been "priced out" of having such high- level service at conventional brick-and-mortar firms. A Promise Delivered The firm that began with four founding partners is now nearly 60 aorneys strong. It has sustained such accelerated growth, in part, because it employs scalable, flexible technology platforms. Aorneys interface with clients directly, without gatekeepers, and can set the most appropriate fee structures for their clients. Whether the aorney is in Atlanta, New York or any of the firm's seven offices nationwide, Culhane Meadows' unique business model provides opportunities for its aorneys to deliver beer client service and a balanced work-life environment. In creating a model where aorneys truly enjoy collaborating with one another –– turbo-charged by innovative technology delivering efficient, cost-effective and streamlined operations –– Culhane Meadows has succeeded in turning the conventional structure of law practice on its head to deliver a win-win situation for the firm's clients and partners. P2P HEATHER CLAUSON HAUGHIAN Heather Clauson Haughian is an international attorney with experience from both sides of the pond who counsels global clients through complex technology transactions and data privacy and security matters. Heather is a co-founder of Culhane Meadows, a law firm that offers exceptional, highly efficient client service provided exclusively by partner-level attorneys with significant experience from large law firms and in-house legal departments of respected corporations. Contact her at hhaughian@culhanemeadows.com. Turning the Conventional Law Firm Structure on Its Head CASE STUDIES