Funny, he doesn’t look like Einstein. But Martin Fletcher has figured out how to conquer time.
He’s the Managing Partner of Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP, and according to Fletcher, he spends “70 percent of the time working with clients, and 70 percent of the time managing” the steady growth of the firm.
Far from being harried, though, Fletcher says he’s energized by the challenges of leadership in both arenas. “It’s always gratifying to me to help clients meet and overcome what they consider to be ‘hopeless’ challenges,” says Fletcher. “At the same time, I find it’s a lot of fun to help younger lawyers develop their skills as they become trusted advisors to their clients, too.”
Whiteford Taylor Preston’s 151 attorneys in various practices and positions have faced down the challenges of the last couple of years by continuing to do what they’ve done for the last 75 years.
Maintain their balance.
According to Fletcher, that approach applies to the roster of clients they serve, the capital investments they make, and to their generally conservative financial decisions. It’s how they’ve managed to survive and even prosper (despite some belt tightening) over the last couple of years because while some areas of the firm felt the recession more deeply than others, the effects were counterbalanced by the diversity of their services.
But the most important part of the firm’s approach was put into place several years ago, says Fletcher. “We made a decision to specialize not just in the law, but in our clients’ various industries. That focus has enabled us to become more than their legal advisor. Our attorneys have become our clients’ trusted advisors over a wide range of issues.”
He adds, “Whiteford Taylor Preston clients – like all clients – face issues that don’t necessarily require complex and expensive legal solutions. Often what they really need is good, practical advice. We love being their partner in finding common sense strategies that address their business problems.”
“In the long run, we’ve found that’s an approach that helps everyone win.”
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