Hansen Reynolds Dickinson Crueger LLC
316 N. Milwaukee St., Suite 200, Milwaukee
www.hrdclaw.com
Year founded: 2011
Product or service offered: Litigation law firm that focuses on complex business and patent litigation.
Leadership team: Tim Hansen, Toby Reynolds, Erin Dickinson, Chuck Crueger
Projected 2015 revenue: $10 million
Target clientele: Privately-held companies with $50-$500 million in annual revenue and publicly-traded companies. We are, of course, pleased to represent smaller private companies and individuals as well.
Business organization memberships: MMAC, Rotary, Independent Business Association of Wisconsin, multiple state and federal bar associations
What has fueled your company’s growth?
“A unique business model focused on low overhead, innovative fee structures and a need in the legal market for a boutique firm focused on high-end litigation. We also capitalized on opportunities to associate with like-minded, complementary law firms. Also, the economic downturn made it possible for us to hire and retain incredibly talented lawyers and staff.”
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth?
“In some sense, space. Finding a workspace that can grow with the firm, reflect a professional but unstuffy aesthetic, and not exceed the budget is a challenge. As a newer firm, we also have to maximize every opportunity to brand and market ourselves to create awareness.”
Do you plan to make any changes to your company?
“We are exploring office space and marketing opportunities, but no big changes are expected. That said, we remain nimble and open to change if the right thing comes along.”
Who are the business people you admire?
“We looked to three other boutique, litigation-focused firms in developing the model for our firm: Susman Godfrey (Houston); Bartlit Beck (Chicago) and Boies Schiller (New York). All three are smaller firms that handle some of the most challenging lawsuits in the country. They embody many of the traits we aim for: creativity, flexibility and some calculated risk-taking. We’d be happy to add our name to that list.”
What is the outlook for your industry?
“Nationally, there has been a decline in commercial litigation. But we are busier than ever. This reflects a demand for a better model, not a reduction of conflict in the business world. Business disputes are sometimes unavoidable. Businesses should not be deterred from acting because it costs too much to defend yourself or assert your rights. We also monitor legal and regulatory developments. Business clients are constantly challenged by new rules and restrictions. We try to create solutions before our clients are confronted with a problem that emerged literally overnight.”
What is your company’s most important growth strategy?
“As we grow, the most important strategy is to focus on hiring well. We have the luxury of being very selective in whom we hire. We demand the best and brightest from the top schools and judicial clerkships. But more importantly – and more difficult to find – is people that fit our culture. We have stacks of resumes from incredibly talented and pedigreed lawyers, but unless they can convince us they should be family, we just can’t hire them. A team of people who like to work together can serve our clients the best. If we maintain our high standards and create cohesive teams of great lawyers, business growth will naturally follow.”
