For the founders of AXS, prominent local attorneys who gestated in the womb of Big Law who are now seeking to disrupt the traditional law firm model, Wynwood was an obvious choice of location. Jeff Gutchess, who heads up AXS’s trial team, puts it as follows: “the importance of creativity to good lawyering is too often underestimated, and we believe that being the first law firm in such a creative neighborhood gives us that extra edge.”
AXS was built around the realization that many clients are frustrated with the large firm business model. With that in mind, the founders created a firm that would provide a better environment in which to practice law and to unleash the joy and satisfaction of counseling people through challenging business and life situations, while simultaneously meeting the evolving needs of the Miami business community by providing more hands on service in a more efficient manner. AXS Law assembled a core team of seasoned, high-level professionals to provide a legal strategy from a completely new perspective, outside the norm, sometimes irreverent, but always more effective. They have tailored the practice of law for the new generation of business leaders and the economic world in which we live and work.
AXS’ office space embodies this philosophy. Open, inviting and inspiring, the space exudes the fresh. Local artists exhibit their work in the space, and the building itself has been designed as a public space for art with murals by acclaimed artists Andrew Antonaccio, ROA and Johnny Robles. AXS attorneys work both in the office and on the 14,000 square foot rooftop, which is being designed like the Highline in New York City with work and social seating, and which will also be the base for AXS entertaining its clients and the community. The founders believe the location and office space will be a welcome change for clients who may be tired of the traffic and stodginess of the Brickell office tower, particularly as the neighborhood evolves (and now that state officials have declared that Wynwood is Zika free).
Located at 2121 NW 2nd Avenue on Wynwood’s main artery, the office also reflects the personalities of the attorneys who work there. For Jeremy Ben-David, who leads the Firm’s real estate group and co-heads the transactional practice, the key to the firm’s success has been attracting top notch attorneys who are well-rounded individuals with interests outside the law and who complement the Firm’s culture: “we encourage our attorneys to pursue other activities outside of the law, and many of our attorneys are also entrepreneurs in their own right – for us that makes perfect sense, we want our lawyers to understand to the core the many challenges our clients face and to be able to interact with different people on multiple levels.”
In short, AXS has built a refreshed credible brand in an otherwise traditional and monotonous sector. Or as Ben Wolkov, who leads the Firm’s international practice and co-heads the transactional practice, states: “In our own modest way, we want to shift the paradigm for how law is practiced in the same way VICE redefined what was possible in media. Creative destruction is the foundation of our brand philosophy”.
AXS’ attorneys exude enthusiasm and passion and it is clear that they live, breathe and believe in what they are doing. And they demonstrate a defiant pride in not being tethered to their chairs. As Morgan Ben David, who runs the Firm’s franchise practice states, “we are out in the community, having fun, meeting people, and establishing relationships that oftentimes, naturally, lead to opportunities to help people.”
The Firm heavily emphasizes alternative legal fee arrangements and is known for getting the best result for the client at the least cost, without racking up hourly fees. To accomplish this, they structure fees based on success in helping clients achieve their business goals. AXS utilizes flat fees, success fees, contingency fees as well as traditional hourly billing arrangements. As Lauren Quattromani, a corporate attorney explains: “I find that the quality of the interaction with our clients is vastly improved outside the traditional hourly fee model – clients tend to communicate more freely when they don’t feel like the clock in running. And from a business development perspective, it gives a younger attorney like me the opportunity to be flexible with the clients I bring in.”
The Firm also occasionally will agree to take equity in certain clients or projects in lieu of payment of cash fees. This has helped the Firm attract clients from the City’s booming technology scene. The Firm’s offices are adjacent to Rokk3rlabs, a major player in Miami’s tech scene. The companies hope to collaborate in providing services to common clients and one of AXS’ attorneys has even co-built a company with Rokk3r.
At the end of the day, AXS understands that it is all about the quality of the services they deliver. And unlike most boutique firms, who traditionally have focused on limited practice areas, AXS is a full service business boutique firm that covers all the major areas of law (litigation, corporate and transactional, real estate, hospitality, franchise and immigration). That means that they are perfectly poised to be a client’s first point of contact for ALL legal needs. Given their vast collective experience in many areas of the law, in most cases, AXS is able to provide clients with the guidance they need. They also pride themselves on having the right judgment to tell clients when specialists are needed and they have the network and experience to know whom to bring on. In those cases where specialists are brought on, AXS stays involved to make sure that the specialists are held accountable. AXS wants their clients to think of them as their “outside general counsel”.
If you’d like more information on AXS Law, please visit www.axslawgroup.com