Stepping Out | Boutique firm flourishes in Framingham - outside the hub-bub of the Hub
Photo/Matthew L. Brown
Christopher Kenney, left, and Michael Sams, right, founders of the law firm of Kenney & Sames in Framingham.
Photo/Matthew L. Brown
Christopher Kenney, left, and Michael Sams, right, founders of the law firm of Kenney & Sames in Framingham.
Christopher Kenney and Michael Sams were successful partners in the trial practice of Boston's Sherin & Lodgen. They loved their firm, their work and their clients.
But the MetroWest residents hated their daily commute.
"Spending more than two hours a day in traffic, we felt like traveling salesmen," Sams said.
To Boldly Go
So they left the safety of a highly-regarded firm to pursue their own vision of a better life, along with two associates from other firms.
"We wanted to keep our clients and build one of the leading civil trial practices in the commonwealth without traveling to Boston every day," said Kenney, a Holy Cross alum.
In 2006, the firm of Kenney & Sams opened its Framingham headquarters, along with a small Boston space sufficient to host occasional depositions, client meetings, or visiting lawyers.
"Our solution proved less expensive than having a full Boston office, and now we have no train [fares], no tolls, and ample free parking for our suburban employees and clients," Kenney exclaimed, adding that the MetroWest location is a huge plus in recruiting quality office staff.
Both partners also emphasized the benefits of being closer to their families. Noting that he has a son with juvenile diabetes, Kenney said that "the biggest benefit of the move has been the time with my wife and four children." Sams, a father of three young girls, agreed. "I love having occasional lunches with my family and coaching sports teams for my girls now."
He added that some of his estimated time-savings of 500 hours annually gets "rolled into professional areas," pointing for example to his expanded marketing activity.
"I recently gave a speech to the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce... and I've spent more time with the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry [in Natick]," Sams added. For Kenney, the Framingham base has facilitated stronger connections with trade associations and with a network of Holy Cross alumni who are successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The Value Of Time
The founding partners also have more time for firm management and mentoring. "We all meet every Monday morning for case reviews, collective input and brainstorming, and there is no charge to the clients for this time," Kenney explained.
The meaning of that time is not lost on associates either. "Partners pay attention to associates and to each other, and they are invested in professional mentoring that builds the practice," said lateral associate Lynette Paczkowski. She added that her professional experiences are on par with her Boston peers but said "there is less pressure to live at the firm."
Stating that "this move has turned out better than we envisioned in every way," Kenney pointed to substantial growth in the firm's business with MetroWest and Boston-based clients. "We're still growing our work with public agencies, many of which are Boston-based. They have to be cost-conscious, so they like the big firm experience that we deliver at more reasonable rates than downtown competitors," Kenney explained.
Both lawyers said the move has also produced more symbiotic relationships with excellent suburban boutiques that don't do complex trial work. "This is important because our clients see us as general counsel who can find great legal providers for any need," Kenney said.
Noting that the Framingham-based firm has already doubled in size, he added that a senior litigator from a major Boston firm will be arriving in June. "If this continues, we might look to open a Worcester office too," Kenney said, predicting that "more Boston firms will eventually discover the advantages of opening MetroWest offices."
John Cunningham is a freelance writer based in Natick.
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