Andrew E Benzinger

What are your goals, and how can I get you there as efficiently as possible?  And step back for a second: big picture, what is going on here?  (A little further back)  Can, and how can this either be resolved so everyone gains, or so it does not happen again?

And if none of that works, litigation it is!  I am happy to sink my teeth into both a contentious deposition and an appeal, in the same day. 

Self-assessed;

Pros:  Blunt, reasonable, reputation.  I hold ethical duties in very high regard.  Bluntness has certainly prevented many a potential client from retaining me, but I know of none who later obtained better results than I predicted.  

Cons:  Careful, demands honesty, demands true full authority for settlement demands and offers I issue.  The former can increase short-term expense (if research is needed, etc.), but I think this is balanced by decreased long-term risk ("belt and suspenders").  The latter means that I will not issue threats or demands on which I don't have authority to follow through.

What I look for in a client:  Honesty, and do we get along?  We are going to be working closely at times, and if I dispise you or your approach, it's not going to work.

I Am Not An Appellate Specialist.  I don't know why some of my posts state I'm an "Appeals Lawyer," and I've spoken with Avvo about it.  Just for clarity...