THE FIRM'S HISTORY:

In late 1998, Mike Bergmann founded this law firm. Before starting his own firm, Mr. Bergmann spent nearly 16 years gaining valuable knowledge, training, and experience practicing with two highly-regarded downtown Cincinnati law firms.


THE FIRM'S PHILOSOPHY:

Mr. Bergmann considers the practice of law both a vocation and a business. From his early teenage years he felt "called" to the practice of law as a means of helping others find order and justice in their affairs. After more than 24 years in practice, Mr. Bergmann is still motivated by that calling.


THE FIRM'S MISSION STATEMENT:

The firm's mission is "to provide clients with quality legal service, promptly done, for a reasonable fee." Mr. Bergmann and his staff believe in that mission and try to make that ideal a reality for the firm's clients.

WHY CHOOSE THIS FIRM OVER OTHER FIRMS?

1. The firm provides quality legal service, promptly done, at a reasonable fee.

What more could a client want?


2. Because Mr. Bergmann undertakes only legal matters which he can personally handle, the firm does not charge clients for the duplicative legal time expended while other attorneys "get up to speed".

In a big law firm, when a client's legal matters involves two or more areas of law, that firm will typically bring in more attorneys to address the multiple areas. In order to get "up to speed" on the client's case or matter, each of the attorneys will spend time either reviewing the file or being briefed on the case or matter. Then, they will expend more time holding intra-office conferences and/or exchanging memoranda between themselves regarding their respective assignments. Ordinarily, the client will be charged for much, if not all, of that time.

In contrast, many solo or small firm practitioners will either not undertake a case or matter involving multiple areas of practice or will seek the assistance of outside counsel as to areas outside the solo or small firm attorney's area(s) of expertise. When a solo or small firm attorney seeks the assistance of an outside firm for additional support, the same level of redundant case or matter review and communication between attorneys may happen as occurs in the big firm setting.

Mr. Bergmann, is uncommon in that, while he now practices in a small firm setting, he has had the opportunity to practice extensively in several areas of law, those being: business formations and transactions, estate planning and probate, construction and real estate law, employment and labor relations, and claim and dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, and litigation). Because of Mr. Bergmann's background working in multiple areas of law, he is able to provide his firm's clients with a wider base of knowledge and experience than many big or small firm attorneys can provide, without involving other counsel.


3. The firm uses the latest proven cost-saving technology.

This firm starts using new technologies as soon as they have proven themselves to be more thorough, efficient, and/or cost-effective than the firm's previously-used tools or methods. Eight years ago, this firm was one of the first businesses in the region to implement a wireless network in its office. Since then, this firm has adopted new technologies in the areas of: client communication; case management; document creation, management, and preservation; legal research; time-keeping and billing; payroll and accounting; and firm marketing. In most respects, this firm is as technologically advanced as any law firm in Southwestern Ohio, regardless of the firm's size.

4. The firm is more accessible to many clients than downtown law firms.

Historically, law firms established their offices downtown, at county seat, because that was where the courthouse, the municipal and county government, and most major corporate offices were located. During the last decade, advances in technology, expanding real estate development, and other factors have made it unnecessary and arguably undesirable to be situated in the downtown area. Except for periodically-required appearances and interaction with the courts and other government agencies, most of a client's legal affairs may be handled from outside the downtown area, by electronic or telephonic means. Also, many clients have become less inclined to travel downtown, because they must deal with congested traffic, considerable parking expense, and safety concerns there.

When Mr. Bergmann was establishing his new firm, he took those factors in to consideration. He located his office in White Oak, a suburb of Cincinnati which is within one mile of I-74, I-275, and Ronald Reagan (Cross County) Highway exits and less than 10 miles from downtown Cincinnati. He also selected a building with first floor offices, a two-step entrance with handrails, and a parking lot immediately adjacent to the front door.

Mr. Bergmann considered the needs of clients who live or work in northern, eastern, and southern Greater Cincinnati too by making arrangements to have meeting offices in the Blue Ash-Montgomery and Mason-West Chester areas and downtown Cincinnati.

5. The firm has lower overhead than most downtown Cincinnati law firms and passes the savings onto the client.

Many downtown law firms have expended a substantial amount of money on high-rent offices that are both spacious and expensively decorated. They are impressive, but the client should make no mistake as to who is or will be paying for them. At Michael J. Bergmann, LLC, we have attractive, but more economical, offices. The savings are passed on to the firm's clients in the form of lower hourly rates than many downtown Cincinnati law firms charge.

AN INVITATION:

If you are interested in finding out if this firm can help you or your business or professional practice, please check this firm's "Areas of Practice" page and the specific practice area pages which are linked to it.