Firm Ethos

Lawyers tend to talk a lot and give a lot of advice. Remarkably, they often don’t ask a lot of questions, like “what’s really important to you in this deal” or “what would be the best case scenario for you in solving this conflict?” That’s because too many lawyers substitute their judgment for yours. They allow the legal advice to overwhelm the business context. Often, the result is an overpriced product that does not accomplish its fundamental purpose. The client is left with excessive cost and a case that drags on indefinitely, or a deal that has languished for months or years because the legal details have devoured the business basics. Why line up 10 expert witnesses when you only need one articulate and credible guru? Why turn a simple term sheet into a 20 page manifesto? At Otis & Iriki, we don’t have a staffing structure that demands constant fueling. We do just fine keeping our talented principals and their hand-picked colleagues busy. When one or more large cases or multiple transactions require us to enhance our team, we can respond quickly because we have a community of attorneys who work with us as needed. They are known quantities, and like us, are highly experienced. Our paralegals and clerks are also seasoned professionals in their own right.

What we celebrate is the client who says, “you are an integral part of my business, as much as my suppliers and customers.” It is the email from the CEO congratulating us on our professionalism, our ability to close the deal against all odds and under intense pressure. It is the entrepreneur who says “I really knew I was in good hands. The rough parts didn’t scare me, because I knew you had it under control.” Some law firms seem to be in the business of reinventing wheels. Yes, they have forms and templates and libraries of resources they offer as tools of efficiency. But this is not the same as building a vehicle around a wheel. At OI, we are continually building a community of knowledge and resources. Our vendors, colleagues, clients and friends continually share with us articles, summaries, resources, and other information and we, in turn, pass those along where they are needed. We say yes to speaking engagements and share our knowledge at seminars. We routinely network with clients who have needs that match others’ goods or services. We have put many companies together as a result. We do not charge extra for passing along these resources or for the time it takes to find you a referral or help you brainstorm on how to staff a particular management role. Can calling your lawyer be a pleasant experience? Give it a try.

Otis & Iriki
220 Montgomery Street, Suite 1900
San Francisco, CA 94104