METRO ATLANTA EDITION OCTOBER 2012 www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com MAGAZINE Features: Lance LoRusso Attorney of the Month Inside: Your Partner Compensation System Atlanta Office Market Update
Attorney of the Month Lance LoRusso By Beverly Molander L-R: Barbara LoRusso director of client development, Lance LoRusso principal attorney & owner, Rebecca Sample associate attorney, Clay Strayhorn associate attorney. Lance LoRusso has been fascinated with the law since he was a young boy. His attorney father stressed the importance of being ethical, professional and proud of your profession. Although he eventually followed in his dad s footsteps, his path to practicing law has been unique. After graduating from Emory University in 1987, LoRusso started on an exciting journey that combined his love of law and law enforcement and eventually led to the kind of legal practice he manages today. Starting out as a street cop for the Cobb County Police Department, he later worked in the training division, public relations, and on the hostage negotiation team. He was also a member of the Georgia Governor s Twenty, the top 20 police marksmen in Georgia, for six years. LoRusso continued with the police force while earning a Master of Public Administration degree from Kennesaw State University, and graduated cum laude from Georgia State University College of Law in 1999. 14 www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com
Lance never forgot his roots in law enforcement. I saw a lot of my friends get injured in the line of duty, he says, and many were not prepared for the physical and financial reality of the situation. That stayed in the back of my mind as I pursued my education at night. Lance began working with the Cobb County Solicitor General s Office as an investigator in 1997. This allowed him to take advantage of Georgia s Third Year Practice Act and Law Graduate Practice Act to gain practical experience as a prosecutor. However, his current path began when LoRusso started working for a plaintiff personal injury firm in 1999 focusing on a civil litigation practice. After nine years of handling plaintiff and defense cases as well as administrative matters, he decided to pursue his dream and started the LoRusso Law Firm in January 2008 on Powers Ferry Road in the Cumberland area. His Own Boss I love the practice of law, and this has been the best decision I have ever made. I get to design my law practice according to my personal interests, LoRusso says. Rather than doing a little of everything, I learned early on that we excel when we focus on issues that mean a lot to us. His practice is a unique mix of plaintiff s personal injury and administrative law as well as general liability and medical malpractice defense for healthcare systems and physicians. His personal injury practice includes defamation, vehicle crashes, and wrongful death cases. When I m handling a medical case, I love to do the research to learn about the medicine. LoRusso is quick to point out that he never takes cases against hospitals or doctors. There are many lawyers who enjoy that kind of work, but I don t. I stick with the kinds of cases that I enjoy. I especially enjoy representing individuals as conflict counsel for defense firms. LoRusso is a sought after speaker, trainer and contributing writer in all areas of his practice. He enjoys speaking on a variety of topics including legal issues for nurses, litigation prevention and a guideline to the first 30 days of a malpractice lawsuit. Protecting Our Protectors Another top priority and passion? Working on behalf of law enforcement officers (LEOs). Cases include administrative complaints made against officers through their departments or the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) as well as representing officers as plaintiffs in personal injury cases. Lance responds to the scene of officer involved shootings (OIS). It s nearly incomprehensible a LEO starts out a routine day and only wants to protect the citizenry and return home safely, LoRusso laments. Then his or her life changes immediately and forever. LoRusso s fervor for defending officers is readily apparent, The LEO must justify his actions in administrative and criminal investigations. Oftentimes local, state and national media scrutiny begins before all the facts are put together. This creates an emotional frenzy. It is important to deal with both the facts and the fallout. With his background as a street officer, LoRusso understands how vulnerable anyone in law enforcement can be. Before and long after a case goes to litigation, I work to put my clients in the best position possible whether the LEO is a plaintiff or a defendant. He relates a story about a LEO shot inside a house while serving a warrant. The subject killed himself after shooting the officer. When the perpetrator s family refused to set up an estate, LoRusso established the estate and filed suit. I pursued the case in court for a couple of years, and we were able to get a very good outcome for the officer. Another case that stands out in his mind is the false allegation of sexual assault against a LEO. I pursued a case against the person who made the complaint. We took it to trial, and now she is making monthly payments to the LEO. The judge was not amused by her efforts to tarnish the reputation of the LEO to get out of a traffic ticket. Recognizing the physical, emotional, financial and legal difficulties LEOs face when they are involved in an OIS, LoRusso wrote a book, When Cops Kill: The Aftermath of a Critical Incident. Scheduled for release in fall 2012, the book will help LEOs, their families and agency administrators. All profits from the sale of the book will support law enforcement charities. October 2012 Attorney at Law Magazine Metro Atlanta 15
It is unusual for an attorney and a firm to handle both plaintiff and defense roles in civil cases. I believe representing plaintiffs and defendants helps me advise my clients in a more realistic way, he continues. However, he doesn t back down and enjoys the challenge of taking on cases that have been turned down by other lawyers. Sometimes you just have to look at the facts from a different perspective. Lance, Public Service Employee of the Year Winner, Cobb Fire Lt. Kyle Smith, Cobb Fire Chief Sam Heaton The Plaintiff Never Rests One case in which LoRusso was involved prompted him to work towards changing Georgia law. He represented a LEO who had her arm broken while arresting a DUI suspect. The suspect was allowed to plead guilty and received first offender status. LoRusso drafted the legislation that became Senate Bill 231 and won unanimous approval. Based upon Official Code of Georgia 42-8-60, first offender status is no longer available to anyone who commits a felony assault on a law enforcement officer. LoRusso sees this as one small victory for LEOs who put their lives on the line every day for strangers. More recently, LoRusso has been representing Air Force Reserve Captain Nicole Mitchell who asserts that she was discriminated against in her job as an anchor at The Weather Channel due to her military service commitment. The case garnered local, state and national media attention. LoRusso credits much of his success to the training he received while in law school and advises law students to look for every opportunity to hone their skills and learn about the practice of law. Winning a scholarship and several awards through the GSU Student Trial Lawyers Association and Moot Court, LoRusso volunteered whenever possible to be the swing person on the team. He explains, I had to wrestle with both sides of every issue. Being able to critically analyze my opponent s theory helped me get ready for cases in the real world. Building Your Business As lawyers soon find out, being a good attorney can only get you so far. Being successful requires building your book of business. LoRusso was referred to Raising the Bar business development coach, Robin Hensley, even before he struck out on his own. By applying the skills she suggested, he was able to start his practice with a solid client base. Hensley and LoRusso have written two books together: an e-book called Raising the Bar in Your Law Practice: Ten Ways To Change Your Results Right Now and the recently published book entitled World Class Rainmakers: Raising the Bar in Your Law Practice. Robin understands how law firms and lawyers work and she understands how to obtain, serve and retain clients, he confirms. There is a process to getting new business. Lawyers must carefully decide how to spend their time and money. There will always be a quest for return on any investment, so if you spend time marketing you better make it count. The second book focuses on law practice management, client development and mentoring young lawyers. While Hensley explains how to develop and nurture relationships with clients and other service providers, LoRusso brings to the table an explanation of how the Georgia Bar rules follow or support those principles. The book is focused on making lawyers and law firms more successful. Building a client base is a skill which must be learned, practiced and perfected. Your career and the future of your firm depend upon it. The new book targets law firm partners and senior attorneys. LoRusso points out, Some lawyers spend years working hard and spending time away from their families, only to find that ten years down the road they don t have a client base. They have 16 www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com
spent all of their time working for others. The return on investment just isn t there. Another often overlooked area for growing the firm is in training new lawyers. Lance explains, When the role of mentoring is taken seriously, everyone wins. The young associate will not only be trained to practice law, but will also learn to grow the business. In time, there will be new clients to serve and everyone will prosper. Today, as law firms continue to tighten their belts, there is less room for new hires. So what s a young lawyer to do? Some may first go into the public sector or even volunteer to gain experience. LoRusso s alma mater, Georgia State, has found a way to help their law students with a system that matches law students with attorneys to be mentored on what it s like to run a law practice. The premise is simple: give students a realistic view of what it takes to start a law practice. LoRusso has mentored students every year through this program and by taking on summer associates. This is a win-win for the student and my firm. Our firm gets help, and the student is much better prepared to start successfully. That includes being armed with the understanding of the need to bring in and keep business. LoRusso s firm has grown comfortably, with three attorneys and four staff. Attorneys include Georgia State graduates Rebecca Sample and Clay Strayhorn, also a former police officer. Barbara LoRusso, Ph.D., his wife of 21 years, is director of client development for the firm. My staff members are among the best in the industry and a critical part of my success. LoRusso also credits much of his success to the cadre of experts he has developed along the way. I feel comfortable referring my clients to lawyers I know and trust, and they feel the same about me. You must be a resource for your clients. This includes finding the right attorney to address their needs regarding matters outside of your practice area. LoRusso emphasizes, You must support your client base and reach out to potential clients. He accomplishes these goals through social media like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and through his writing. He is a regular contributing author to www.lawenforcementtoday.com and publishes blog posts through his website www.lorussolawfirm.com and his blog www. bluelinelawyer.com. Heart and Soul of the Man LoRusso s impact as a lawyer is felt far beyond the office or the courtroom. Perhaps his greatest asset is being able to apply his skills in so many different ways. It s no wonder that in 2010, among his many honors, he was awarded the SOAR Award (Serving Others, Achieving Results) by the Georgia State Public Interest Law Association. In 2012, he was made a lifetime member of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. As general counsel for Georgia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), he keeps abreast of legal trends so that officers can be better represented on legislative issues. LoRusso is also involved in raising funds to support officers on duty and those who have fallen while in service. For example, the FOP vest fund provides ballistic vests to officers whose agencies are not able to issue this critical piece of equipment. On the executive board of Hunting for Heroes, www. huntingforheroes.org, LoRusso has seen the positive impact of the organization on officers disabled in the line of duty. He says, Most times, if officers can t work anymore they are terminated, October 2012 Attorney at Law Magazine Metro Atlanta 17
At a Glance The World Class Rainmaker From setting goals that get results to igniting old relationships and building successful new ones, World Class Rainmakers shows you how to position your law practice to make more rain. Starting with how to make a plan and actually achieve it, world class rainmaker and coach Robin Hensley shares ten strategies for increasing your efficiency and productivity, leveraging your firm s time and talent and re-energizing your work life. Attorney Lance LoRusso seamlessly guides you through the legal and ethical considerations of these strategies as they affect business- building in your practice of law. Topics include: And much more John Ruskin said, What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do. Whether you are an old hand at marketing and building your practice or brand new to rainmaking, Robin and Lance show you how to do what needs to be done to take your practice to the next level. TBD($0.00) The World Class Rainmaker: Raising the Bar in Your Law Practice Robin M. Hensley Lance J. LoRusso, Esq. The World Class Rainmaker: Raising the Bar in Your Law Practice By The Business Development Coach for World Class Rainmakers Robin M. Hensley and Lance J. LoRusso, Esq. Principal Attorney and Owner LoRusso Law Firm without disability payments or health insurance. Hunting for Heroes provides peer counseling and new physical therapy goals, but most of all it enables the officer to enjoy the outdoors again. He continues, We do whatever is necessary to make this happen. We even have specialized wheelchairs that incorporate tracks like a tank to get over rough terrain. The officers can be more independent and more able-bodied. One of my favorite activities is raising money for the organization and then going out hunting with these heroes. It s a great and rewarding way to spend the day and keeps me focused on what is important in my practice. Another board responsibility LoRusso enjoys is Easter Seals of North Georgia, helping provide educational and physical therapy opportunities for children who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Easter Seals is the national philanthropy of the National Fraternal Order of Police. An outdoorsman, LoRusso loves taking time for mountain biking, hunting and fishing; and he still enjoys competitive shooting. His Labrador Retrievers, Boo and Scout, are named after the characters in his favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Boo and Scout accompany him as often as possible and they have been known to visit the office on occasion. His favorite quote is by Henry David Thoreau: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away. LoRusso has certainly practiced law in that way - with his own style and zeal - marching down his own path with a different drumbeat from anyone else. Lance J LoRusso Founder LoRusso Law Firm P.C. 1827 Powers Ferry Road SE Building 8, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30339 T: (770) 644-2378 F: (770) 644-2379 www.lorusssolawfirm.com lance@lorussolawfirm.com Blog: www.bluelinelawyer.com Areas of Practice General Liability Defense Medical Malpractice Defense Healthcare Law Catastrophic Personal Injury And Wrongful Death Administrative Law Education Bachelor of Arts, Emory University, 1987 Masters of Public Administration, Kennesaw State University, 1995 J.D., Georgia State University, 1999 Cum Laude Georgia Civil Justice Foundation Scholarship Admitted to Practice Georgia, 1999 Arkansas, 2006 Selected Professional Memberships Lifetime Member, Peace Officers Association of Georgia, Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Wellstar Foundation Major Gifts Committee Lodge Attorney, Georgia Fraternal Order of Police Cobb County Trial Lawyers Association Certified Law Enforcement Academy Instructor, Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Advisory Board, Kennesaw State University Dept. of Sociology and Criminal Justice Selected Community Activities Board Member-Easter Seals of North Georgia Board Member-Hunting For Heroes Selected Published Articles/Books Raising the Bar in Your Law Practice: Ten Ways To Change Your Results Right Now and World Class Rainmakers: Raising the Bar in Your Law Practice, coauthored with Robin Hensley When Cops Kill: The Aftermath of a Critical Incident (in press) Family: Wife, Barbara LoRusso, Ph.D. Hobbies/Interests: Hunting, Fishing, Mountainbiking, Competitive shooting Favorite Quote: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau Book: To Kill A Mockingbird Inspirational person: Benjamin Franklin 18 www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com