Landau Injury Law

Shown with the Philadelphia skyline in the background, Doug and his wife are shown during a reception at the annual AAJ Convention.  The Herndon Reston area injury and disability lawyer got to visit some of the sights in the evenings after most of the lectures and demonstrations had concluded.  One particular highlight was the new, interactive Museum of the Constitution.  Doug highly recommends it for families with children in 6th grade or higher.  The Landaus also recommend taking in a concert at the Kimmel Center, whose architecture rivals its acoustics.

The better question might be, “Do you really want a lawyer sitting at his/her desk 24/7 ?”

It means that they do not try cases (and many lawyers NEVER GO TO COURT !).

It means they are never in mediation or arbitration in “closed door” sessions with a retired judge.

It means they never get out of the office to investigate their cases, interview witnesses or take depositions at the Defendants’ place of business or “scene of the crime.”

It means that they do no volunteer work, putting in time for the community.

It means that they have no life.

Is that really the trial lawyer you want for your case ?

At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., we encourage clients to fax, e-mail, write and call.  Doug Landau responds as quickly as he can, but as he is often in Court, and cell phones are not permitted, able staff can frequently assist and get prompt answers.

Here is my long-time friend Richard Langerman, visiting with me while I indulge in one of my pet vices when traveling - a shoe shine !  Another vice is “multi-tasking,” so comparing case strategy while getting a spit and polish conforms to my M.O. perfectly !  Richard is an excellent Arizona Personal Injury Attorney.  Richard Langerman represents clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and throughout Maricopa in Arizona.  Our fathers were great friends and Stalwarts in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and I have remained friends with Richard, and his sister Amy Langerman for decades.  In fact, it was Amy who gave me the nickname “Road Kill Landau” because I can represent people up and down the length of I-95 here on the East Coast because of my bar licensures !

Shown here are top D.C. Lawyers and Doug Landau at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Justice. Herndon Reston area injury lawyer Landau has been attending these meetings of of several thousand top American and International Trial attorneys since the 1970s. The lectures and programming is first-rate, and (more…)

 The last item on the VIRGINIA CLE’s list of the top 1o Law Practice and Client Problems was stress.  Anyone who has been to our friedly, not fancy, “Law Shop” in the Historic District of Herndon knows that we try to protect our clients and their families from unnecessary stress, expense and delay.  THe last item on the list, and my own personal solution, follows:

•10. Managing the stress of a high-pressure legal practice

We all have interests outside of the office.  My family is foremost.  We are close, keep in touch, and get together for just about any event, especially if there’s food !  I also “let off steam” by participating in sports.  For some of athletic interests and accomplishments, visit www.TriathlonTrialLawyer.com.

I firmly believe in the “Sound Mind in a Sound Body” philosophy.  You may see some lawyers dealing with their stress by drinking, smoking, taking drugs or other less than commendable behaviors.  However, you will likely see me trying to win a running race, biathlon, triathlon, aquathlon, tennis match, ping pong tournament or volunteering at some other charitable event.  Just as my trial and teaching calendar is “an open book” for those clients and their families who want to see me “in action,” my racing schedule is also posted and available for those who want to cheer me on, have a good laugh or see if I am as good a TRIathlete as I am TRIal Lawyer.  After all, I try to win all cases and all races !  I try to channel any stress or high pressure into my racing.  With a gold medal, All American honors, Virginia Triathlon Series blue ribbon and individual overall and masters victories, this strategy seems to work for me !

 At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., we use common sense and proven system to solve the “Top Practice & Client Problems.”  “Problems” #8 and #9 and the ABRAMS LANDAU solutions are:

•8. Keeping track of billable time spent on client matters

Let’s face facts, most of my injured clients cannot possibly advance thousands of dollars for an hourly retainer like the doctors, businesses and lawyers who hire me.  That is why 95% of our work is with a contingency fee contract where I am not paid for my time and effort unless I am successful in the case.  That is also why my staff and I generally do not waste time keeping time records and billing clients. While I have won cases where the court has asked for a time computation, our thorough note taking, computerization and documentation has enabled the Courts to make significant fee awards in a number of our cases.

•9. Interruptions from clients

In addition to the strategies outlined in #3, above, we also discourage “walk ins” other than to drop off documents, evidence or to get pictures taken.  Your neurosurgeon probably does not see “drop ins” and neither do I.  It is not fair to long-time clients who have made appointments in advance. And nobody likes to be kept waiting, especially by someone else who has “cut in line.”  So, while I do like my clients, I cannot possibly be effective if I am interrupted while in the midst of major case projects, depositions, conference calls or strategy sessions.

See tomorrow’s post for another of our strategies for solving these “law practice problems.”

We are half way through the list of the notorious “TOP TEN” legal practice and client problems, according to VIRGINIA CLE (CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION). At ABRAMS LANDAU, we already have developed ways to solve the problems that other lawyers just complain about. Self discipline, proven systems and efficiency enable us to successfully represent injured clients in court. The “problems” #6 and #7, and the ABRAMS LANDAU solutions are:
•6. The problem of perfectionism in providing high-quality client work

First, other than my wife, nobody is perfect. Secondly, we strive to provide high-quality work, and even ask the Courts, Workers Compensation Commission, Health Care Providers and other professionals for their suggestions so as to improve what we are doing for our clientele. Also, by having clients and their families watch us “in action” in Court, we bring our own, additional critics so that these “extra eyes and ears” can help us to be even better advocates for the injured victims we represent all over the country.

•7. Maintaining concentration on client work and legal projects

At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., we have sophisticated computers, excellent computer consultants and advisors , and several calendaring systems that help us to keep track of the complicated and ever-changing deadlines and statutes of limitations. Because we own our own buildings, we are able to dedicate whole rooms to a single case, and even go “off site” for more in-depth discussions and preparations. Most firms will not spend the time, money and effort we do in preparing our clients’ cases for trial.

See tomorrow’s post for another of our strategies for solving these “law practice problems.”

THE VIRGINIA CLE (CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION) brochure listed the “Top Practice & Client Problems.”  At ABRAMS LANDAU, we already have strategies for these challenges that other lawyers find so difficult.  The Landau Law Shop avoids these pitfalls that trip up other law firms through time-tested systems and common sense.   The “problems” and the ABRAMS LANDAU solutions are:

•4. Keeping up to date with changes in the law

Virginia lawyers are required to attend 12 hours of CLE per year.  I average three times that, as it is important to keep up to date with the latest developments in the law.  I also get CLE credits for teaching, writing and preparation.  Several of the states where I am licensed have CLE requirements, and I have achieved enough credits to become a “Fellow” of the National Board of Trial Advocacy and passed the National Board Certification exam.

•5. Dealing with client demands

Reasonable client demands are dealt with reasonably and quickly.

Unreasonable demands can result in a client joining a very exclusive club - the “Ex-ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. client club.”  Because I try to have the difficult conversations about what a case is worth and what litigation we are likely to expect, we avoid the mistakes so many other lawyers make by avoiding the hard questions and/or leaving them to the end of the case, when expectations may have become unrealistic and expenses may skew the economic outcomes.

See tomorrow’s post for another of our strategies for solving these “law practice problems.”

•2. Dealing with client emergencies

Because we have adequate staff (some would say we are “overstaffed”), we have not had any problems with “emergencies.  Clients send us faxes, e-mails, special delivery packages and leave voice mails if there is an urgent matter after business hours.

•3. Managing client communications

Client communications are another area where I have a unique procedure.  I advise clients that I try to read everything.  So I prefer faxes, letters and e-mails.  Because I am a TRIAL lawyer, and I actually go to court on a frequent basis, I am not physically in the office every single day of the week.  That is another reason I prefer if clients put their thoughts in writing and send them to me, so I can read and respond after Court is through.  NON-emergent telephone calls are handled by making an appointment.  That way, I am not likely going to be disturbed, the paper and computer files will be available and we can think deeply and plan strategically.

THE VIRGINIA CLE (CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION) brochure that came across my desk listed the following as the “Top Practice & Client Problems.”

At ABRAMS LANDAU, we already have strategies for these challenges that other lawyers find so difficult.  Self discipline, experience, proven systems and efficiency enable us to successfully represent injured clients in court.  The “problems” and the ABRAMS LANDAU solutions are:

•1. Juggling multiple client cases, matters, and legal projects

At ABRAMS LANDAU, we do not handle a large volume of cases.  We are selective with the cases we take, work on files as a team, and we involve clients (and their families and co-workers) in the activities in their files.  We are uniquely qualified to represent individuals with permanent disability, brain injury and spinal cord trauma in their negligence cases, workers comp claims AND Social Security Disability almost anywhere on the East Coast.  The efficiency of having ONE firm familiar with your medical history for use in ALL THREE CASES not only saves money, but time as well.  Our team strives for efficiency and understanding when helping innocent victims of defective products, criminal assaults, unsafe buildings, dog attacks and reckless drivers.

See tomorrow’s post for another of our strategies for solving these “law practice problems.”