10 Year Anniversary Letter to Our Clients

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@hammondlawgroup.com