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Clio Recognizes Four Outstanding Law Firms for Achievements in Business and Community Impact

October 5, 2018

Cloud-based connectivity is the key to emboldening the next generation of legal professionals.

New Orleans, LA — Clio, the leader in cloud-based legal technology, announced the winners of the second annual Reisman Awards, at a ceremony held at this year’s Clio Cloud Conference in New Orleans. Recipients included Clio customers who have demonstrated law firm excellence and innovation over the last year.

“We were absolutely blown away by the amazing ways Clio customers leverage our platform to better the lives of their clients, employees, and communities,” said Jack Newton, CEO and Co-founder of Clio. “We’re proud to recognize legal professionals who are making a profound impact on the world through their work.”

The 2018 Reisman Award recipients are:

The Legal Innovation category honors a practice that has successfully challenged industry norms, either through technology, delivery of legal services, or meeting the needs of a non-traditional market. Modern Law, specializing in family law, understands that both employees and clients have needs inside and outside of the firm. By implementing cloud-based technology they were able to change the concept of a traditional work schedule and began offering unlimited vacation and a completely optional in-office work policy. They also brought in a yoga instructor every Friday afternoon and closed the office to clients. The result has been happier employees who are more engaged with their work, ultimately resulting in more satisfied clients. By listening intently to employee and client needs and integrating Clio data into their reporting and KPI monitoring, Modern Law was able to exceed their aggressive revenue targets.     

Best New Law Firm honors a newcomer who has weathered the trials of entrepreneurship and come out on top. The formation of Morgan & Cumbas was inspired by two visionaries who dared to take bold risks. In March of 2016, Michael Anthony Morgan and José Javier Cumbas left their jobs, and with a mere $2,000 investment, they opened their law firm from a small two bedroom apartment in San Antonio, Texas. After just ten months of operation in 2016, Morgan & Cumbas’ client base had grown to 200 and counting. In two short years, the firm increased its client base from 30 clients to 765 clients (2,450% increase), grew from two to nine employees (450% increase), and secured a 3,000 square foot office in San Antonio, while also launching a Houston office.

Best Growth Story honors a firm that has experienced exceptional gains. Tara Burd, Owner and Managing Attorney at the Law Offices of Tara Burd, knows the struggle of striking out on her own. There were months in early 2016 when Burd wasn’t sure she could pay rent, and relied on credit cards to get by—she was working 60+ hours a week, but was billing on a contingency basis. Sticking it out was all worth it when the winning judgments were finally entered, and the arduous case negotiations finally settled. In 2016-2017, Burd generated 10 times the amount of revenue she had brought in for any previous year, and broke $1 million when her previous earnings had barely broken $100,000. This was life-changing as she was able to upgrade her home, pay off student loans, and finally open a retirement account.

Community Champion honors firms that prioritize giving back to their communities, whether it be through pro bono work, donations, volunteering, mentorship, or another altruistic activity. Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand is a mission-driven private law practice. They work with clients who share their commitment to making a difference in their communities and the broader world. Their focus on carbon reduction has made them the premier firm representing renewable energy producers and others creating the clean energy systems of the future in their region. Another firm goal is to expand access to affordable housing, and they now represent the major nonprofit affordable housing providers in their area.

Named for Clio’s very first customer, Catherine Reisman, an entrepreneurial attorney whose feedback helped shape the software, The Reisman Awards celebrate the legal industry’s game changers, groundbreakers, and pioneers.

“By recognizing firms of different sizes and at different levels of success, we’re highlighting the most enterprising and ambitious of our community,” said Newton. “Our customers are on the leading edge of this industry, and we’re proud to honor their hard work.”

Watch all the highlight videos of the 2018 Reisman Award winners at https://www.clio.com/the-reismans/.

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About Clio:
Clio, the leader in cloud-based legal technology, empowers lawyers to be both client-centered and firm-focused through a suite of cloud-based solutions, including practice management, CRM and client intake software. Clio has been transforming the industry for over a decade with 150,000 customers spanning 90 countries, and the approval of over 65 bar associations and law societies globally. Clio continues to transform and lead the industry with initiatives like the Legal Trends Report, the Clio Cloud Conference, and the Clio Academic Access Program. Clio has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a Deloitte Fast 50 and Fast 500 company. Learn more at clio.com.

For more information please contact:
Sasha Perrin
Senior Manager, Brand and Communications
1-888-858-2564 x625
[email protected]