By definition, Orendorff and Associates in Sudbury is not a large law firm with three lawyers and a support staff of seven. But Thomas Orendorff sees many advantages in keeping his business on a smaller scale.
“It certainly allows some flexibility that is not available in a larger office,” he said.
The atmosphere is less formal, and staff, when requesting some time off, aren't bound by procedures that larger offices abide by.
“We don't have a huge resource in terms of manpower but the whole office really pulls together when it has to, such as preparing for a case,” he said. “That creates a real team atmosphere.”
Orendorff was called to the bar in 1979 and set out on his own in 1983.
“I have always had a small practice, except maybe in the late 1980s when we had five lawyers. For a long time, much of my career has been as a sole practitioner,” he said.
The firm specializes in personal injury and about 10 per cent is dedicated to his corporate and commercial practice. And although he has clients outside the city, he practises predominantly in Sudbury.
“There is enough work here and I prefer to stay close to home,” Orendorff said.
The firm was located in Sudbury's downtown for 25 years but moved to the Minnow Lake area after the building it was in was sold. It is now housed in the former Paroisse La Toussaint church on Bellevue Avenue.
“There isn't much that we did save, but I certainly wanted to preserve the high ceilings,” he said.
The space is bright and airy with plenty of windows that were all replaced, along with the plumbing, electrical work and heating system.
“I think it is an environment that is appreciated by the staff,” Orendorff said. “It's a new old building but they like the change. When we moved, we got all new furniture.”
The 70-year-old facility also houses the Oriental Arts Academy downstairs, and upstairs, in the choir section, work is ongoing to convert it to a library. The original lighting fixtures have been saved and are utilized. The original pulpit can be found in the boardroom.
But despite the historic features found in the office, the firm's use of technology is cutting edge.
Since 2000, every piece of paper that is received by the office has been scanned. The scanner processes 85 sheets per minute.
“We pride ourselves in using technology and the staff enjoys it,” Orendorff said. “Technology is a tool to be used to get maximum efficiency and for us, it minimizes boring and tedious tasks.”
Law firms, he said, are paper driven and clerks often have multiple jobs and responsibilities.
“If you ask for a report in a typical office, someone would have to walk to the filing cabinet and search for it,” he said. “Here, the report is at our fingertips.”
Every staff member has double computer screens which allow them to work on multiple programs. The lawyers each have a large, wall-mounted screen that allows them to display their desktop and the large screens are available in the boardroom, front entrance, library and media preparation room.
“We can easily cut and paste and call up photos and we can easily do word searches and that eliminates a lot of time,” he said. “Other firms come over and see this and they like it.”
Orendorff also utilizes a speech-to-text program which eliminates typing reports and emails.
“We are as paperless as we can be,” he said. “It's unusual in a small firm, but it has been worth it.”
For long-time employee Carole Lachapelle, who has been with the firm for 27 years, the new offices and the technology certainly make the firm one of the best to work at.
But, it's Orendorff who has created the positive environment for the staff.
“He's a good person,” she said. “He's good to clients and a good person to work for and very considerate of everyone. I don't think you can find anyone who has anything negative to say about him.”
