by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
When former Fourth Judicial Circuit Assistant Public Defenders Ann Finnell, Patrick McGuiness and Lara Nezami founded their private practice partnership in January, they moved into an office in the Blackstone Building across the street from where they had worked for years. That’s not much of a change in terms of geography, but the three attorneys have discovered it’s a world apart when it comes to philosophy and opportunity.
The first challenge was the transition from being public servants to being small business owners.
“There’s a lot of minutiae that goes along with setting up and operating a business. There’s overhead and equipment and warranties. It’s very different having the law component and the business component to deal with,” said McGuiness.
“It has been an eye-opening experience. One of the hardest things was putting a value on our services,” said Finnell, who added that having been public servant lawyers, “All of us realize it’s not just about the money, but things are expensive — like having telephones.”
Developing basic small business skills has also been part of the transition.
“Sunday afternoons are for Quickbooks,” said Finnell.
Expanding the scope of their practice beyond criminal defense has been one of the biggest changes for the partners. That element of the change in philosophy has also turned out to be one of the most rewarding so far.
“There were so many things we couldn’t do at the Public Defender’s Office. Now we’re able to do a little bit of everything — personal injury, civil litigation, wills and trusts and family law,” said Finnell. “It has been a nice change of pace. I have enjoyed learning new areas of law.”
Nezami, who practiced in commercial litigation for three years in Miami before joining the PD’s staff, said, “I like having the freedom to take different kinds of cases. Being able to help clients in areas other then criminal defense is very rewarding.”
Public defenders don’t usually meet their clients until the defendant is well into the process. So all three partners have spent a lot of time in the courtroom, an experience that is proving to be an asset in private practice.
“Our trial skills have transferred to civil litigation,” said Nezami, who added getting criminal cases early in their evolution is also proving to be an advantage for clients. “In a DUI case, for example, now we can get to an administrative hearing and possibly help someone keep their drivers license.”
One of the things the partners brought with them was their professional relationship. In that sense, private practice isn’t that different from public service, all three agreed.
“When we were with the Public Defender’s Office one of the attractions was the people we worked with. Now I work with two of the best sounding boards I could ever have,” commented McGuiness.
The six-month-old firm has received quite a bit of advice and support from colleagues who are also former public defenders. That support has come in the form of business advice and even referrals that have led to new clients.
“We also are getting referrals from law enforcement and corrections officers who have family or friends in trouble,” said Nezami.
“We have a lot of folks to give thanks to. We’re working hard and we’re having fun. Those two things are the recipe for success. Business has been good,” said Finnell, which prompted McGuiness to interject, “I think ‘booming’ is the term.”
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