Join Us Meet GSB Philosophy We are an eclectic group of people who come from diverse backgrounds, subscribe to different views of humankind, and are resolutely independent in our thinking. Despite the odds, we have managed to unite behind a few fundamental goals and values. We have no illusions that everyone (or anyone) recites the firm philosophy each night at bedtime, but we do believe that the process of stating, debating, and occasionally restating our philosophy is a valuable one. Reexamining our philosophy stimulates us to remember why we joined the firm - whether five months or twenty-five years ago - and to reflect on the reasons we have remained. The process also challenges us to confront any differences we may see between the law firm we are and the law firm we want to be and renews our commitment to close the gap. To some, this process may sound like an exercise in nostalgia and idealism. It is much more than that. It is one of the most practical activities we can undertake as a firm, for it gives us a sense of direction and purpose that allows us to build and manage our firm effectively. Our shared commitment to this philosophy makes our firm better than the sum of our individual attorneys and staff members. We recognize that there are tensions among the components of our philosophy, but we are not willing to sacrifice any one for any other. Instead we count on each member of the firm to participate in the process of balancing those tensions. We Are Committed To Providing Legal Services Of The Highest Quality As Judged By Our Clients. We want to serve our clients ethically and to our utmost abilities. Our clients are the most important judges of our success. In order to provide legal services that truly benefit our clients, we must solve our clients' problems, not simply produce work that is excellent in a technical sense. Our work must be the best that the firm can perform, not just the best that an individual or an office can perform. Every attorney and staff member is an integral part of the firm, and each person's contribution to the firm's work is critical. We serve our clients through teams, and each member of each team takes personal responsibility for the quality of the firm's work. We Are Committed To Each Other. A commitment to the firm is a commitment to each person in the firm as a human being. Our commitments take many forms: We want to develop each other as outstanding lawyers and skilled staff members who have interesting and satisfying careers. The firm's current structure - practice groups, reporting lines, and the like - is subservient to people. We want to accommodate individual needs and desires, whether by developing a new practice, supporting a flexible work arrangement, or in some other manner. We decry hierarchy for the sake of hierarchy. No one has a "place" that he or she should "know." We appreciate and encourage a certain amount of irreverence toward all matters concerning our firm, including this philosophy. We believe that the process by which we make decisions can be as important as the substance of our decisions. All members of the firm receive meaningful information concerning developments and proposals that affect them, and all are encouraged to express their views. We not only expect each other to voice differences of opinion but also rely on each other to inform and guide the firm's decisions. We want a work environment that is collegial, informal, and fun. It is important not to take ourselves too seriously. We believe humor plays a valuable role in our relationships with each other and with our clients. Our commitments to each other are real. We are frank and honest as well as supportive and loyal. We intend the firm to be a sanctuary for us all - to provide support when we stumble, understanding when we fail, and cheer when we win. We Are Committed To The Communities In Which We Practice. Individually and as a firm we want to make valuable contributions to the communities in which we live and practice, through pro bono legal work, bar involvement, community activities, and political participation. We recognize that our right to practice law comes from the public and carries with it public obligations. In addition, we cherish the personal satisfaction, firm recognition and just plain fun that comes from service to the community. For these reasons the firm promotes and subsidizes service to the public. We are proud of our record in this area and believe that our commitment to the community sets us apart from the rest of the legal crowd. We Are Committed To The Firm's Financial Success. A strong financial position is a necessary foundation to fulfilling our first three commitments. We want the firm to be a stable and financially rewarding place to work so we can attract and retain attorneys and staff of the highest caliber and perform legal work of the highest quality. We also want to have a financially secure position that will enhance our ability to accommodate individual needs and make meaningful contributions to our communities. Each of us has a responsibility to contribute to the financial success of the firm because our individual contributions provide the bedrock for the benefits and privileges we all enjoy. The firm's financial success is a mark of our collective success. It means we have provided legal services our clients have judged to be of high quality. It means we have worked with and demonstrated commitment to each other. It means we have successfully reached out to the community in which we practice. © 2000-2008 Garvey Schubert Barer. 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