On Caseload & Teamwork
On Caseload
We all hear the horror stories of public defenders and prosecutors with caseloads so large that the attorney entering the courtroom has never even looked at a case until standing in front of the judge. Several legal and governmental agencies have even conducted studies on caseload and how it affects the quality of representation for indigents and other defined populations. In every study, caseload greatly affected the quality of representation.
Therefore, we selectively manage the cases on which we decide that we are able to work. Only by ensuring that our attorneys are in a position to effectively handle the number of cases assigned to them, can we expect them to give each case the quality in representation that we believe it deserves. We limit the number of cases that any one person has to work on at one time so that our teams, be it attorneys or team leaders, have the time necessary to devote to working on each case with the full intensity, rather than just enough to get by. We believe a manageable caseload is necessary in order to bring about the best possible recovery for our clients and to contribute to the growing body of case law in a way that betters the legal landscape for the injured.
Teamwork
A successful team beats with one heart. A job worth doing is worth doing together. There is no “I” in team. Everyone has probably heard many mottos about teamwork.
These phrases and sayings may seem overly familiar at times, but they ring true. Here at Swope, Rodante P.A. teamwork is not just a cliché or inspirational sound bite. We put teamwork into practice daily. Instead of using the classic attorney/paralegal structure where one attorney has one paralegal or secretary, and the client hopes there are no gaps in either’s knowledge or experience, we assign specially formed teams of attorneys and paralegals to each case. This team structure allows us the flexibility to have each attorney contribute the best of their particular skill set, while providing our clients with consistency in their interface with our office. Clients benefit from a wider range of experiences and skills, and a member of the team is always available to discuss a case.
Our decision to embrace a team structure was not born from philosophy or the most recent management theory, but instead it arose from a practical evaluation of how to address our clients’ legal needs in the best possible manner. However, if you ask any attorney, team leader, team member or administrative staffer about the values to which the firm subscribes in our commitment to working as a team, each person will agree that one slogan probably says it best: teamwork is the fuel that allows common people attain uncommon results.