Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/642579
Ron Franklin, founder of Franklin Law, had "absolutely no interest in being a lawyer". He built a career in health and safety at various companies, and did well. "I was climbing the corporate ladder," he says. "But the higher I went, the more I realized that a lot of companies just pay lip service to health and safety." Finally, when he was told to send a report, showing company equipment to be outdated and potentially dangerous, "to the lawyers, and not the joint Health and Safety Committee," he had to quit. First, he gave that report to the joint Health and Safety Committee. Then he went to law school, "with the sole intention of going after companies like that." In time, his focus broadened to other issues affecting workers, and he devoted his practice to them. While vigorously advocating for working people, Franklin came to realize that to serve them best, he also needed to change his own business. "With the billable hour, clients fear their legal bills are going to be out of control," says Franklin. "We want them to have space to understand the process and pursue justice without having to worry about being billed in six minute increments." So, Franklin Law adopted a flat-rate fee structure. Clients get a "worst-case" estimate for the total cost of their matter, and pay by instalments. An early settlement means they owe much less. If the case takes more time than estimated, "We eat that," says Franklin. "We tell our clients that because we are professionals and know this area of law, we are willing to stand by our estimates, even if we're wrong" Could every law firm could do the same? "Litigation can be unpredictable, and for firms that are inordinately profit-driven, that's the concern," he says. "A lot of lawyers want to do right." They may perceive a shift like this as threatening their livelihood, but Franklin says, "Not only is this doing right by clients, it's the way of the future. People can't afford it, or they're scared off by the uncertainty. Lawyers will have to adapt, and those that do can thrive." Ron Franklin 16 FLIP YOUR WIG