Bridges Law Firm Website: About BLF

:: Professional Philosophy ::

BLF | THE BRIDGES LAW FIRM, PLLC

Confidentiality Policy | Commitment to Clients | Telephone Policy

In a nutshell, the basis of BLF | THE BRIDGES LAW FIRM, PLLC professional philosophy is to serve our client needs with legal professionalism and a commitment to individualized attention. At BLF, our dedication to our professional philosophy is more than a "firm culture." Our legal skills and ethical and intellectual leadership sets BLF apart. It is our goal to put clients at ease from the start. BLF strives to provide a professional and personable environment in which clients feel comfortable and assured that their legal needs are understood and addressed by an experienced and caring attorney and paralegal team. All clients are treated with dignity, respect and courtesy, and their inquiries always receive a prompt response. We make it a point to seek first to understand the concerns and needs of our clients and address each case in a professional and caring manner. Because professionalism and integrity are the backbone of our practice we take great pride in the quality of our work. The phrase "individualized attention" is not simply hollow buzz words with us - individualized attention is an integral part of our philosophy in serving clients. BLF is committed to each and every client and gives nothing less than our fullest attention and effort. At BLF we desire to build and nurture long - term relationships with our clients.

In contrast, to the typical "big" law firms, BLF | THE BRIDGES LAW FIRM, PLLC does not see itself as a "one-stop shop" with the ambition to cover dozens of practice areas. BLF intentionally limits its practice to real estate law and estate planning, believing that the interests of our clients are best served by focusing on our practice areas and leaving the other areas of law to those attorneys that handle them on a day to day basis. When a client needs to select other counsel for other legal needs, BLF has an extensive network of attorneys that stand ready to serve the client. That we believe is true client service.

In keeping with our Southeastern location and our entrepreneurial approach to the profession of law, we offer our employees a wellness program, casual dress Fridays and an open-door policy. At BLF we strive to be good citizens who contribute in numerous ways to the communities in which we live and work. At BLF we work in a collegial environment; enjoying what we do is important to us. Also, business cards are provided not only for attorneys, but for everyone who works at BLF | THE BRIDGES LAW FIRM, PLLC.

On a more somber note, when an employee is faced with illness or some other personal challenge, BLF is flexible and has a policy in place to allow the employee time off.

BLF provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. It is the policy of BLF that all employees shall work in an environment free from all forms of discrimination. BLF does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status.

For more information about our professional philosophy, contact us at 919.677.9900 or use our Contact page.

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BLF's Policy On Law Firm Confidentiality
At BLF | Bridges Law Firm, PLLC (referred to as "BLF," "we," "us," or "our" herein) we respect your privacy. We understand that the matters you bring to us are often highly sensitive. To properly represent you, it is very important that you feel free to fully discuss all aspects of your matter with us. Accordingly, all discussion with us will be held in strictest confidence. Knowing this should help you feel comfortable in providing full disclosure of information.

Attorneys are bound by professional standards of confidentiality that are even more stringent than those required by law. The rules of professional conduct for attorneys provide that an attorney shall not reveal information relating to representation of a client unless the client consents after consultation. This rule applies not only to all attorneys at BLF but also to BLF paralegals and administrative assistants retained by or associated with an attorney. Everyone who works at BLF has been trained in the requirements of confidentiality.

BLF collects only nonpublic personal information about our clients that is necessary or that is provided to us by you or obtained by us with your consent. It is the policy of BLF that any disclosure of information relating to a client or a case to anyone not employed by BLF, without the express authority from the responsible attorney or client, is prohibited, except as required or permitted by law.

All BLF employees realize the importance of confidentiality. The relationship between attorney and client is founded on trust and confidence. It is our duty to preserve client confidences.

Confidentiality is a priority in this law firm. In order to protect your nonpublic personal information, BLF has instituted specific physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with the legal professional standards. BLF hopes you will understand that, as a result of these procedures, there are certain questions we may not be able to answer and certain offices you may not be allowed to enter. BLF respects the sensitive and confidential nature of the attorney - client privilege. This is a commitment that BLF makes to you as our client.

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Our Declaration of Commitment to Clients

To treat you with the utmost respect and courtesy.
To handle your legal matters competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest standards of the legal profession.
To exercise independent professional judgment on your behalf.
To listen and discern your individual needs and tailor each strategy with those needs in mind.
To charge a reasonable fee and explain in advance how that fee will be computed and billed.
To return phone calls and emails promptly.
To keep you informed and provide you with copies of all important documents.
To respect your decisions on the objectives to be pursued in your case, as permitted by law and the rules of professional conduct, including whether or not to settle a case.
To work with other participants in the legal system to make our legal system more accessible and responsive.
To deliver value by using the most effective balance of attorney, paralegal and administrative staff in providing your services.
To preserve and respect the client confidences learned during our attorney/client relationship.
To exhibit the highest degree of ethical conduct in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility/Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

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BLF's Telephone Policy
Communication between BLF and our clients is essential. Much of our contact will be by telephone. The BLF phone policy has been implemented to enable us to continue providing the high quality of legal services for which BLF is well known by providing an efficient timesaving procedure for the making and returning of phone calls.

It is very important to BLF that we maintain prompt and productive communications with you. BLF also strives to minimize frustrations of "telephone tag" or lost time on your part in waiting on a return call.

Telephone Conferencing Hours: BLF maintains regular office hours from 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m., Monday through Thursday and on Friday 8:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. noon. Please remember, at times we will not be available during our regular office hours because we may be in a real estate closing, in a will conference or will signing ceremony, at a court appearance or handling other client-related matters. However, often, we are available to take your call before or after these hours. Like you, at BLF we value our time with family and friends and kindly request that calls which require an immediate response be placed to us during the times stated above.

Preparing for Conferences: Before calling, please prepare a written list of those matters you wish to discuss with us. If our attorneys, paralegals or administrative assistants are not available when you call, please leave your name, number and the time you called and we will return your call thereby saving us both valuable time. Please note only attorneys can give legal advice. Those at BLF who are not attorneys do not give legal advice and should not be asked to do so.

Note-taking Supplies: Please have pen and paper available before calling to make any appropriate notes during our telephone conferences. You will then have a convenient reference source of our conversation and of important dates, advice, or instructions that may have been given to you.

Emergencies: If your call is urgent, please explain what the emergency involves to the person answering your call. An attorney or paralegal will return your call as soon as possible.

Your Telephone Number: It would be appreciated if you would let us know if we may call you (and at what numbers) during evening hours or on the weekend when avoidable circumstances do not allow us to return your call during our telephone conference hours described above or when we may need to contact you on an expedited basis.

Ensuring Clear Communications: During our conversations, please ask for any clarification you may need so that we do not end a conference with your questions unanswered.

Improving Our Telephone Conferencing: Please let us know if you have any suggestions on how we can improve our telephone policy (positive feedback is always welcome, also!).

Our Appreciation! Your cooperation and assistance plays a critical role in the success of our attorney/client relationship and in reaping the timesaving and efficient benefits offered by BLF's telephone policy. We value your having entrusted us to represent you and intend to provide you with the high and excellent quality of services that you have come to expect and deserve from BLF. Thank you again for having given us the opportunity to be of service.

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