In the #Spotlight: Dorf & Nelson embraces the future - and the future is bright for this growing law firm

"It’s all about what you did next."

I spent some time speaking with the leadership of Dorf & Nelson recently - a bi-coastal US law firm in growth mode - with eyes on London. While some firms circle the wagons, others seize the opportunity that change inevitably creates. Theirs is a story of leadership.

- David Kinnear, for High Performance Counsel (HPC)

HPC: TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE.

JON A. DORF, ESQ.

I grew up in Westchester County and have been living and practicing the law outside of Manhattan for over two decades, where and when I first began my law career as a sole practitioner. I am the Managing Partner of Dorf & Nelson LLP and also serve as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Commercial Real Estate Department where I provide strategic planning and oversight for the firm and also advise high net worth clients and an expanse of businesses, ranging from start-ups to mid-sized and larger corporations, by providing solid legal counsel and serving as a trusted advisor. I make it a point to be personally accessible to all clients and ensure that our team provides each matter with an unwavering dedication to excellence, professionalism, and unique client centered solutions. 

JONATHAN B. NELSON, ESQ.

As a former prosecutor, litigating and trying cases is in my professional DNA. However, it was the several years I spent as Associate General Counsel to Compass Found Groups, USA that taught me the invaluable lesson: there are no legal issues, there are only business issues. In other words, my job as counsel to a business is to protect that business in a way that allows it to flourish and succeed. At D&N, I am Chair of the Litigation Department and have fostered an atmosphere that embodies the lesson I learned. We learn about our client’s businesses. We counsel our clients. And we advise on issues that make sense to that business and the stage of economic life in which it finds itself. No two issues are identical because no two clients are identical. I am proud to say that the Litigation Department at D&N is now over twenty attorney strong and is one of the most powerful litigation departments in Westchester, New York.

HPC: AS MANAGING PARTNER OF A LEADING NEW YORK LAW FIRM, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE ROAD AHEAD FOR DORF & NELSON?

JON A. DORF, ESQ.

We are in full growth mode, actively seeking and adding new talent to all our practice areas. As the Managing Partner, I am responsible for steering the firm in a positive direction, despite the challenges that may serve as stumbling blocks. In order to do so, I hold a vision of what I know our firm can become and then take action to ensure this vision becomes a reality. Each economic downturn or environmental challenge creates opportunities for Dorf & Nelson to advance its strategies for serving our clients, domestically and abroad, and providing innovative solutions, which otherwise would not have been considered. 

HPC: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE “THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS” AT DORF & NELSON?

JONATHAN B. NELSON, ESQ.

I am particularly proud of our efforts on Diversity and Inclusion – the importance of this to who we are and how we operate is a common leadership bond we share. I value the fact that as a firm, we know one another by first names and we enjoy is a strong rubric of both personal and professional respect. They say “opposites attract”. Speaking personally, I enjoy the balance that Jon and I bring to one another’s leadership. As the firm grows, there is always lots to do but we find a good point, counter-point equilibrium between us when it comes to the tougher decisions. This was perfectly exemplified in our discussions about potential expansion in the US and into the UK market via London. It makes for well-reasoned, successful decisions. By the way, we’re very excited about London’s potential for Dorf & Nelson.

HPC: IS COVID-19 A BLACK SWAN EVENT, WHICH CREATES OPPORTUNITY?

JON A. DORF, ESQ.

Absolutely. As I noted above, it is these are types of challenges which prompt us to think outside the box and to serve our clients in real time situations with creativity and innovation. As you know, David, New York, particularly Westchester County, was the first U.S. epicenter of the pandemic. As such, we were forced to respond immediately and effectively to assist clients and colleagues in a collaborative manner, enabling business to go on despite the fears and concerns regarding COVID-19. Having come through this unprecedented and extremely trying period, we have grown collectively as a community, professionally as a firm, and personally as individuals, allowing us to move forward and succeed regardless of the time required to eliminate this public health threat. 

HPC: DO THE DRIVERS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS IN NEW YORK TRANSLATE TO OTHER MARKETS, SUCH AS LONDON?

JONATHAN B. NELSON, ESQ.

If you were to take each market individually and analyze the need for more attorneys, it is a sure bet that you would come to the conclusion that each market was saturated. However, if you were to conduct the same analysis, but this time analyze the need for better attorneys, the answer is quite different. At D&N, we pride ourselves at being a cut above. You may ask – But don’t all law firms say that? The might; however, we put our money where our mouths are so to speak. We are constantly investing in our technology in order to bring a better product to our clients. We employee non-attorney professionals so that our attorneys can concentrate on their clients. There is the old adage, “the customer is always right.” We have taken that to the next level: the client comes first, last and everywhere in between. 

HPC: HOW DO YOU VIEW OVERSEAS MARKETS, SUCH AS LONDON POST-BREXIT?

JON A. DORF, ESQ.

Well, change is inevitable. Dorf & Nelson’s practice areas are keeping pace and are in step with such major political changes, such as Brexit. Since we function as a cohesive team, but also maintain a focus on individual practice areas, we are able to respond to global, international, and domestic situations that may impact the law as it applies to our practice departments and our clients. Therefore, we view overseas markets as opportunities, and we are confident in our ability to respond to changing political and economic climates. For example, our intellectual property department has a robust international case load, which has not been at all hindered by Brexit. Our attorneys are highly concentrated in their respective areas, regardless of the physical location of the client. 

HPC: DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN THE LEGAL INDUSTRY IS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

JONATHAN B. NELSON, ESQ.

It should be. For far too long, diversity and inclusion has failed to be a top priority of many law firms. At D&N, we take this issue with the seriousness it demands and are pleased to be the first Gender Fair Certified law firm in the nation. Our commitment to diversity does not stop there. We feel that with diversity comes a spectrum of thoughts, perspectives, approaches and understandings which result in better services to our clients.

HPC: HOW IS YOUR FIRM NAVIGATING THE DEMANDS OF COVID-19 REMOTE WORKING MEASURES?

JON A. DORF, ESQ.

As safety of our firm members and the community in general is a top priority, we have responded in a fluid and dynamic manner to allow Dorf & Nelson to continue providing top notch service while not putting people at any further health risks. Prior to the pandemic, we had the functionality to work remotely, and since the start of the pandemic, have switched into full remote access mode with a skeleton staff present in the offices to provide face to face service, when required, while still strictly adhering to CDC guidelines. We have not missed a beat in providing service to our clients, nor will we do so in the future, should we be faced with additional waves of the virus.  

HPC: THERE’S TALK OF DISRUPTION IN THE AIR. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PLAY FOR LAWYERS IN LONDON LOOKING FOR MORE UPSIDE?

JONATHAN B. NELSON, ESQ.

Beset with COVID-19 financial challenges, a lot of clients are looking downstream to their suppliers seeking more for less and delivered more efficiently. Disruption exposes weaknesses – and change creates opportunities. COVID-19 has exposed some of the fundamental weaknesses experienced by Big Law firms – both as to how flexibly they can manage and compensate their human capital – but also as to the relative inflexibilty in their operating model for clients. For lawyers with portable business it’s a great opportunity to re-align with a more agile firm that can in turn deliver what their clients really want. Moreso, the added benefit to the individual is clear – a bigger slice of the pie and none of the vast overheads associated with Big Law. It’s akin to a successful fund breaking away from a major global bank in order to control its destiny and reap more of the profits. 

Read the full interview and more any time at HPC #HIPCOUNSEL.