Two fundamental mistakes people and businesses make in hiring a commercial attorney

There are two fundamental mistakes people and businesses make in hiring a commercial attorney:

1. They assume that any attorney can handle a business matter. Just because a lawyer did a good job defending your nephew’s DUI does not mean he or she will do a good job on a commercial matter.

2. The assume they will get the best representation if they go to a 200 lawyer mega-firm. Large firms frequently use the legal problems of small and medium size businesses as training tools for new associates just out of law school. In addition, because of hourly billing quotas in large firms, bills are sometimes inflated under a concept called “value billing.”

People looking for a commercial attorney should look for a lawyer who has experience representing businesses similar to theirs. In addition, since commercial litigation is expensive in both money and time for businesses, a business person should look for a firm with lawyers who handle both transactional and litigation aspects of commercial disputes. Commercial lawyers should recognize that focus on the business concerns of a commercial client is the guiding principal in a successful commercial representation.

Older, Lundy & Alvarez welcomes Jennifer Meister

Jennifer F. Meister joined Older, Lundy & Alvarez in September 2016 as an attorney in the firm’s Marital and Family law practice group.

Jennifer began her legal career in 2011 with Children’s Legal Services in Fort Myers, Florida, where she prosecuted dependency and termination of parental rights cases. In 2013, Jennifer joined the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida in the Children’s Legal Services division. While working in the Attorney General’s Office, Jennifer handled appeals and complex cases involving dependency, termination of parental rights, domestic violence injunctions, adoption, and paternity matters. Jennifer has a passion for helping children.

Jennifer graduated cum laude from the Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. She earned her juris doctor from Fordham University School of Law. Jennifer is a member of the Stann W. Givens Family Law American Inn of Court of Tampa.
Jennifer was born and raised in Queens, New York. She currently resides in Riverview, Florida, with her husband and twin boys.