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Adam Giuliano

Partner at Kaplan Kirsch LLP

I'm not thrilled that Chambers and Partners recognized Kaplan Kirsch LLP this year. I'm ambivalent.   A couple weeks back my feed was flooded with Chambers posts. My initial reaction was to post our positives (all here: https://lnkd.in/eRip_-e3). But, after taking a beat to reflect, part of me is honestly disappointed. I want more, not just for our firm but for firms broadly like ours.   We have just shy of 50 attorneys. When it comes to Chambers, we and similar firms compete with far larger firms, and the resources that come with scale.    The more years I practice, the more I appreciate the skills of the attorneys at firms characterized as small, diverse, boutique, or simply local. These firms do important, trailblazing and essential work. (Not to mention attorneys with whom I work in public service, outside the reach of rankings, but that’s for another day).   When I look at Chambers, I sometimes wonder why is this firm or lawyer ‘only’ Band X? Or why aren’t they recognized at all?   This isn’t about ego. We look to Chambers, to rankings and awards, to identify attorneys and firms to collaborate with, to recommend, to hire.   The problem is not who is recognized, it’s who is escaping recognition.    This is not a ‘me’ problem - I'm fine. This is an us problem. There are far larger issues in the world, but in this professional setting small measures can have outsized, positive impacts.   In the coming months, Chambers will begin anew its annual review cycle. Ditto for similar rankings and awards, not just in law. Many will depend upon references and feedback. Our and your references and feedback.    What often matters is not the content of the reference, but the fact that a response to a reference request is made. Such inquiries often go into the ether ignored or, worse, relegated to spam. I myself am guilty of allowing this to happen.   Generally speaking, smaller, often diverse, boutique, and local firms have fewer resources to chase and ensure that these requests are acted upon. Sometimes such firms have client bases which are less familiar with Chambers etc., especially where non-corporate, non-profit, or public-sector clients are involved.   The resulting missed connections have ripple effects impacting visibility for small, diverse, boutique, and local firms and attorneys, and therefore clients' access to counsel. This bothers me.   If impressed by a firm that happens to be small, diverse, boutique or local, or by one of their attorneys, please respond as a reference if asked. If really impressed, proactively reach out to see if you can put in a good word for them.    I'll double-down on this. If I ever ask you to serve as a reference, take a moment. Is there another request sitting in your inbox or spam folder? Respond to that. Someone else who deserves kudos? Reach out to them. Only then consider my ask. And I promise I won’t hold a ‘no’ against you if you’ve first taken these steps to support others.

Kaplan Kirsch LLP

Kaplan Kirsch LLP

chambers.com

Peter Kirsch

Partner, Kaplan Kirsch

4mo

Absolutely right - the bias in the international world toward mega firms (always the safe bet for mid-level corporate purchasers of legal services) is very sad for the future of creativity in our industry.

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