JRW ESQ provides the rare opportunity to work with large law firm veterans (nearly four decades combined) and seasoned business/technology counsel at the top of their professional game while also enjoying the benefits clients receive working with a boutique or small firm.
JRW ESQ was founded by Jeff Wahl, a former equity partner at an AmLaw Top 50 firm. For 20 years, Jeff worked on M&A transactions in various industries with deal values ranging from $5M to $2.3B. Jeff was also the lead US transactional commercial attorney for the firm, handling all manner of domestic and international commercial agreements.
Jeff’s former colleagues, J. D. Bridges and Matt Bailey, joined JRW ESQ in 2024. J. D. adds his commercial contract expertise as well as his deep technology background as counsel for SaaS providers, IT solutions providers and tech companies of all sizes, from startups to global organizations.
Like Jeff, Matt is a former equity partner at an AmLaw Top 50 firm. For 17 years, Matt counseled and led clients through high profile private and public M&A transactions and corporate matters, including IPOs, public-company SEC reporting, debt and equity financings and corporate governance/board counseling engagements. Matt was the firm’s office corporate practice group leader and office hiring chair.
JRW ESQ deploys all of this expertise and experience combined with personal attention, responsiveness and cost-effective rate structures difficult to achieve in large law firms.
Partner rates increased in 2023 at the highest levels since LexisNexis CounselLink first produced its Trends Report in 2013
2023 median blended average matter hourly rates (for all timekeepers) increased over 2022 by 6.9% for M&A, 5.6% for Commercial & Contracts and 5.3% for Corporate
The median hourly billing rate for partners in large firms (+750 lawyers) for 2023 was $991 (up 8% over 2022), with (all size firms) M&A at $1,130 (up 8.4%), Commercial & Contracts at $788 (up 7.2%) and Corporate at $723 (up 7.8%)
The average associate rate increase in 2023 in large firms was 11.5% over 2022
Comparing to the 2015 Trends Report, the median hourly billing rate for large firm partners increased +51% from 2015 through 2023
J
J for “jurist.” – An old-fashioned word for “one who has a thorough knowledge of the law.” JRW ESQ draws on our deep background in all facets of corporate, commercial and technology law and nearly four decades of experience managing the legal needs of clients’ businesses.
R
R is for “reasonable” and “responsive.” - Rates, fee structures and bills will be reasonable and not pass every overhead expense to clients. Also, JRW ESQ understands clients need to hear back and receive help promptly.
W
W is for “wisdom.” - JRW ESQ tries to practice wisdom along with practicing law. JRW ESQ seeks to know clients’ preferences, risk tolerances and key goals and concerns so that clients enjoy efficiencies over a long relationship. JRW ESQ strives to give counsel that is honest, loyal, sincere and holistic.