Deals aren't usually
blown by principals; they're blown
by lawyers and accountants trying to prove
how valuable they are. - Robert
Townsend (A
different Robert Townsend, author of "Up the Organization" and
former President of Avis Car Rental and someone this Robert Townsend admires.)
This Robert Townsend is an international
lawyer and a NEW KIND OF LAWYER with a new kind of law practice:
The "Townsend Method". The "Townsend Method" consists of two main
elements:
(1) Limit on Number
of Clients: The practice is
a highly concentrated practice limited to four (4) clients at a time.
This allows each client the personal attention and focused dedication required
for a prompt and successful outcome.
(2)
Outside The "Lawyer Box" Thinking: Lawyers
are taught to look for problems that a "lawyer" would understand, and then
solve the problem in a manner which (a) generates the greatest amount of
legal fees and (b) solely uses the "legal tools" they have learned.
Limited by just a "lawyer" approach, much of the time they see the wrong
problem. Thus, the client may pay the lawyer to solve the wrong problem;
i.e. something like paying a surgeon to cut off the wrong leg.
Example
Of Outside The Lawyer Box Thinking: In
a recent case a large law firm saw their American client's problem as a
breach of contract when my Chinese corporate client refused to deliver
goods. Their analysis (like any firm) was that the problem could
be solved by a lawsuit for breach of contract. The real problem was
that their client needed additional capital for his company, so that he
could buy the goods in order to avoid Mr. Townsend's client refusing delivery
for non-payment. If Mr. Townsend represented the other party,
he would have raised money to re-capitalize the client's company, and not
just do that which any firm would do. That was the problem that needed
solving.
A
WORLD-WIDE INTERNATIONAL LAW PRACTICE
The offices are located in Brentwood (Los
Angeles) California; i.e. L.A. Law. The clients are from all over
the world. This raises the question: How is it practical for
a client in another state or a foreign country to be represented by an
attorney in California? With the emergence of communication technology
nearly all matters are managed by telephone, e-mail and fax.
Approximately 90% of the clients have never
been in the Los Angeles office. On many matters the client is met
either at the place which is the subject of the representation or the client's
office or home. For instance, one long time British client has a
meeting in England with Mr. Townsend only once a year, but they talk on
the telephone almost daily. Often times the client and Mr. Townsend
never meet in person, because it is not necessary.
(Local attorneys are associated where required
by law.)
INTERNATIONAL
REPRESENTATION
Robert Townsend is a founder of Alpha Universal Trade Lawyer, a group of independent lawyers situated all around the world who work with each other to provide world-wide representation to their respective clients. www.alphauniversal.com.br
QUESTIONS
ON BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAW
If you have questions about becoming a client call the office in Brentwood at (310) 207-0180. If he cannot help you, he may refer you to local counsel that will. There is no charge. If Mr. Townsend is not available, leave a message and he will call you back. He enjoys talking to people from all over the world. This is the reason for the web site.
BEFORE YOU CALL, READ THE LIMITATIONS
ON THE PRACTICE BELOW!
The office does not
handle cases regarding domestic relations, criminal matters, employment
claims, small claims cases or claims that involve an amount less
than $50,000.
The office charges on
a hourly basis only. It does NOT take cases where the fees
are paid after a successful recovery from a defendant; i.e. contingency
fee cases. Fees must be paid each month as earned with an initial
retainer.
A
BRIEF BACKGROUND SKETCH
World-wide
Experience. Robert Townsend's résumé
includes the representation of many important clients, both individual
and business, from around the United States and the world (including
33 countries). See partial client list, infra.
Representation
and Negotiation. The types of matters represented by Townsend
are varied. The areas of practice are set out in greater detail in
other parts of this site. But what is in common with all areas of
practice is that he is a highly capable and experienced negotiator, and
most often the aspirations of the clients are achieved through considered
and tenacious negotiation rather than litigation "warfare." He is
a lecturer on the topic of "negotiation".
International
Finance.
A significant part of the practice
is in international finance along with international law, which includes
advising clients on the legal aspects of international investments and
investment opportunities.
Litigation. When civil law litigation has been necessary,
most of his litigation cases have been against major law firms...with an
excellent record of success. A list of major law firms who have lost cases
to Mr. Townsend is available to any client.
Negotiation
Experience. He has negotiated with heads of state
including notorious dictators, ruling generals (including the
"Black Scorpion" who killed 1.3 million), kings, and presidents;
also with, top banking officials of major and central banks, merchants
banks and insurance companies. The list is too long for this summary.
He is comfortable be it an argument before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
to a London or Zurich negotiation with a banker, from a presentation in
Cairo to a securities meeting on Wall Street. He is international
and his clients are international.
ATTORNEY
AVAILABILITY
One of the most common complaints regarding
lawyers and their services is, "I never can get hold of my attorney".
Unlike most lawyers, Mr. Townsend's clients may contact him at any
time of the day, seven days a week. He is available to his clients
by office phone, home phone, cellular phone, fax, and e-mail. When
he is travelling, domestic or overseas, he advises his clients where he
can be reached at all times.
CLIENT
RESPONSE
Once a client has been exposed to this type
of highly personal practice, the response is usually, "I would never
go back to a traditional law firm". References are
available.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF
THE TOWNSEND METHOD
The client determines what he/she wants to
achieve, and a way will be found to achieve it. "It cannot
be done" is not an acceptable answer. Where there is a mind
there is a way.
