When a client is charged with a crime in Michigan, the police, prosecutor, probation, and judge view each file as a name and a charge without a human connection. A client has brief interactions with many folks, but the perception of the case remains within the 4-corners of the police reports. The typical client and his/her attorney focus on what have already happened, and battle on a lopsided playing field where everyone is focused on a single incident. The case is viewed through a filter of guilt, conviction, and punishment.

The New Rules focus on strategy, which is about being different. It means deliberately choosing a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value. My clients adopt a logical and consistent set of choices that generate and sustain long term competitive advantage in the criminal justice system. My clients are competing for the limited attention span of a judge, prosecutor, and probation department; to be more than just a name and a charge.

We focus on the why we do it; we do it because a client should be judged on more than the 4-corners of the police report. A client should be judged on their past, how they handle the case in the present, and projecting the client’s future path. I’m passionate about giving the client the opportunity to make a true impression, versus the unfortunate first impression provided to those involved in the case.

The typical attorney handling a criminal case for a client is fighting the wrong battles and using their limited time and resources on the wrong playing fields.