  |
 |
|
Thanks for Ten Years
An Open Letter to Our Clients
published in the Business Immigration Quarterly,
Spring 2002
This past year, we were fortunate enough to celebrate our ten year
anniversary as a firm. Our success and growth from a firm which handled
about a hundred immigration matters per year to our present size where we
handle in excess of five thousand matters per year is due to a variety of
factors. As I look back on things, I think the most significant factor is
the people who have touched our firm; many only for a short while but with
quite an impact and many to this day. I want to take this opportunity to
thank a lot of those people and wax nostalgic a bit.
In the summer of 1991, a series of events occurred which presented the
opportunity for me to leave my existing law firm and begin my own firm. The
decision to leave was a difficult one because I enjoyed the people I worked
with and the security that a firm provided and also because I had a grand
total of $300 in my savings account and 2 children under the age of four. A
friend and client, Munir, was the manager of a local pizza parlor and
together we sat down one evening in his restaurant and with a napkin listed
all of his family members and friends who needed immigration work done and
decided there was enough work to last us about a month. After that, Munir
was confident that other people would hear about us and we would have all
the clients we needed. And, if that failed, he guaranteed me a job cooking
pizzas at his store. That settled it and we took the giant leap. There were
several employees in those early years that played a vital role in our
survival; Kent, Lynna, Michaela, Sue. Thanks. Without your sacrifices, we
would surely not have survived. There were also several clients that
contributed greatly and remain clients, friends, and confidants to this day;
Jeetan, Rocky, Raju, Steve H. Thanks for trusting us in those early days.
As the years progressed and we grew, certain clients, employees and friends
made great contributions in shaping us into the firm we are now. Those
special clients who have been with us seemingly forever and are truly our
friends; Anita, Amy, Corazon, Dave, Michelle. Thanks. There are also those
employees who may no longer be with us but it can be said that we would not
be the same today were it not for them; Candi, Dwight, Kim, Harlan, Sandy.
Thanks. There are also those friends and colleagues that were there when
things may have looked a little gloomy and they served to help us get
through those days; Kare, Wayne, Mark, Jennifer C., Mike P. and Mike B.
Thanks. A very special thanks to the “Franklin gang” Eroica, Glenn, Rita,
Shawn, Sherry and Tammy. You have been there through most of it and you have
survived …… to date. I would also like to thank my existing staff who is
responsible for making this whole place run. Many of you continue to shape
this firm and I look forward to your continued contributions. Thanks.
I would be remiss if I didn’t say a special thanks to my parents who always
provided encouragement. And to my kids, Ben and Kelsey, who literally spent
many a night at the firm sleeping on the floor and playing “quietly” while
Dad worked. Thanks.
Today, as we enter our second decade, we are excited about the prospect of
continued growth. We are confident that we will continue to be shaped by our
employees and our clients. We are also confident that the type of
relationships we have, marked by trust, partnership, and true friendship
will continue and that more long term relationships will be built. Our
unwritten motto has been to “throw one starfish back each day”. We look
forward to continuing to throw starfish back by serving you and growing with
you in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Mike Hammond
mfh@hammondlawfirm.com
|
|
|
