Our Commitment We think it is important for clients to understand the values that guide us and by which we ask and expect our clients to judge us. These values are expressed in our commitment to: Providing superior legal services Cherishing and nurturing relationships Encouraging cross-utilization and support between different specialties, offices and other elements of the firm Advancing the interests of the legal profession and our judicial system Staying ahead of the competition Providing superior legal services, measured by: The quality of our effort as a legal counselor, advocate and draftsmen (how thorough and well reasoned is our analysis; how sound is our judgment; how effective is our presentation); Our success in advancing or protecting the lawful interests of our clients; Our ability to match the requirements of the client's matter (its significance, complexity and urgency with an efficient mix and amount of lawyer effort and other resources); and Our faithfulness to the ethical principles and other standards of responsibility for the legal profession. Cherishing and nurturing the firm's relationships with its clients is achieved by: Understanding and always being directed by the lawful objectives of the client, but without compromising the independence and objectivity that is essential to discharging professional responsibilities to the client; Helping the client understand what lawyers and the legal system can and cannot do, what benefits and risks are involved in pursuing alternative courses of action and what the cost is likely to be; Building the clients trust and confidence that we are committed to serving the interests of the client and we will always give the extra effort required for success; Carefully planning and managing a clients matter so that the necessary services are supplied in the quantity and quality required, at the right time, and at a fair and reasonable cost to the client; and Caring deeply about, soliciting and reacting to the clients opinions on all aspects of the firm's services. Advancing the interests of the legal profession and our judicial system, by: Participating in the organized bar in order to enforce high professional and ethical standards among lawyers, to promote improvements in the structure and operation of the judicial system, and to enhance the reputation of lawyers with the general public; Contributing our services for whom our system of justice will not work without our voluntary help; and Being leaders in developing new techniques and approaches to legal problem solving and client service. Staying ahead of the competition by responding quickly and decisively to developments and opportunities we identify through integration with and feedback from the major elements of the environment in which we operate, including: The business community; The organized bar and other professional associations; Civic organizations; Government; and The lawyers who represent the other parties or interests in the matters in which we are involved professionally.