Crime pays if you are a lawyer. The law breakers seem to suffer the same, but lawyers can benefit from representing those who commit crimes. Criminal defense is an important part of the legal world and Offit Kurman is making sure people know what. They have a defense attorney known as Rachel Marblestone Kamins to run the new defense department for Offit Kurman.
Offit Kurman is thrilled with her joining the white-collar criminal defense department. Before hiring her onto the department, the firm could not handle all of the referrals they would receive. The downfall to that is when the client left to seek criminal defense, so did a lot of the other legal work.
“In starting its new group, Offit Kurman joins the ranks of other business law firms in Baltimore — DLA Piper, Venable LLP
Sometimes white-collar crime gets more complex than one might realize. Rachel may find herself representing a business that has been a part of drug related charges or even burglaries. In reality, you really never know what you will find while working for a white-collar defense firm.
Keeping clients and attracting new ones is a large part of running any kind of law firm. Defense practices are run just like any other business and have to figure out how to maintain their books. Several law firms that once handled smaller cases are now handling larger criminal cases. The money is nice and clients that are in major trouble are willing to pay.
No criminal wants to spend time in jail and if they can be defended, they will hire the best lawyers out there. Offit Kurman is prepared to soak up the business of the criminals that want their side defended.
“Law firms that handle mostly civil cases have started criminal defense practices as a way of holding onto existing clients and attracting new ones that may bring other business with them. The billings can also be lucrative. The investigations and trials can take months, if not years. Clients in legal trouble are willing to pay top dollar, said Pam Woldow, a law firm consultant with Edge International in Penn Valley, Pa.”
It is no secret that Offit Kurman is in the business for the monetary value, but they also genuinely care about their clients. The law firm is expected to bring in about a half a million dollars just running the white-collar criminal defense department. While Kamins is quiet about how much she will be charging, she speaks openly about being attracted to the firm.
“Kamins, who joined Offit Kurman as a principal, said she was attracted to the firm because it is large enough for her practice to grow. It also offers the kind of resources, — such as paralegals to do research on cases and marketing people to help promote the practice — that are tough to find in a smaller firm, she said.”