“ TRIAL WAS BECOMING A LOST ART AND THERE WAS NOBODY—MINORITY OR OTHERWISE— SEEKING TO FILL THIS CRITICAL VOID. I SAW THIS AS A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME AND MY FIRM.”—PAUL LOH Paul Loh
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T is means we have the luxury of being highly selective in building our ranks with elite lawyers who are committed to a singular mission: getting winning results from our clients. Our lawyers consistently take a trial-oriented approach to our cases, seeking to establish and assess the “story” of each case as early on as possible, which invariably leads to earlier and more optimal disposition of cases, either through dispositive motions or settlement. And, if the matter should proceed to trial, we will present to the jury a case that has been thoroughly developed and vetted—and worked and re-worked—starting since day one.
What are you most proud of in your career?
T e currency of the legal business is trust. It takes a long time to earn, but can be lost in a moment. I take great personal satisfaction each time a client engages us for a matter, especially when it’s a repeat client. Every time a client retains a law fi rm—particularly if the fi rm is not a large, branded fi rm—the client risks some of his or her own credibility by placing their trust in the lawyer. When a client calls me to engage our fi rm for a case, or just to seek advice or a second opinion on a case someone else is handling, I feel immense satisfaction in knowing that we’ve earned the client’s trust to get that call. Knowing
you’ve done right by the client is an enormously rewarding feeling.
You immigrated to the U.S. when you were young and have established yourself as a nationally recognized attorney. Did diversity and inclusion programs help your education or career?
In terms of my personal education and career, to my knowledge I have not benefi tted from diversity or inclusion programs. In terms of my fi rm, I know we’ve benefi tted greatly from clients who have the wisdom and judgment to know that large or majority-owned fi rms do not have a monopoly on elite lawyers, and the courage of conviction to give us a chance to earn their trust. And by this I don’t mean giving a chance merely on small or routine cases, but rather complex and substantial litigation matters that require the best and brightest talent. Diversity is certainly a key part of this calculus. Ultimately, I think we’ve benefi tted most from clients who realized we can do the job as well—if not better—than large or majority-owned fi rms, and at a rational price. In today’s economy, it is simply smart business for clients to hire us because we are great lawyers, who also happen to be minorities. D&B
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MAY/JUNE 2013 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®
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