DJK Counsel, Ltd. Company Profile

Background

DJK Counsel, Ltd. is a boutique law firm based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in real estate and corporate law. The firm is dedicated to providing clients with the quality representation typically associated with large firms, while maintaining the personalized attention characteristic of a boutique practice. With over 20 years of experience and billions of dollars in deal and dispute value, DJK Counsel aims to help clients close significant deals and settle high-stakes disputes, enabling them to elevate their businesses to the next level.

Key Strategic Focus

DJK Counsel's strategic focus encompasses several core objectives:

Business-Minded Advice: Combining big firm experience with an entrepreneurial mindset to prioritize clients' bottom lines.

Fair Billing: Ensuring efficient processes to save clients time and money.

Responsive Senior Lawyers: Providing direct access to senior attorneys throughout the legal process.

The firm's primary areas of specialization include:

Real Estate: Acquisitions and dispositions, financing, joint ventures, leasing, litigation, restructuring, and workouts.

Commercial Financing: Bridge loans, construction loans, lease financing, mezzanine financing, real estate secured loans, subordinate loans, syndicated loans, workouts, and debt restructuring.

Corporate Transactions: Buy/sell agreements, earn-outs, entity structure, capitalization and governance, mergers and acquisitions, operating agreements, partnership agreements, preferred equity, shareholder agreements, and by-laws.

Business Litigation: Arbitration, business torts, construction disputes, early resolution disputes, loan disputes, nondisclosure violations, shareholder issues, trial counsel, breach of contract claims, commercial real estate disputes, crisis management, investigations, mediation, partnership disputes, and trade secrets.

Healthcare Transactions: Acquisitions and dispositions, financing, joint ventures, leasing, litigation, restructuring, and workouts.

DJK Counsel leverages key technologies such as Dynamics 365 for Customer Service, Legal for Dynamics 365, and SharePoint to optimize their digital legal, time management, and billing solutions. Their primary markets include real estate developers, investors, lenders, joint ventures, and healthcare facility owners and operators.

Financials and Funding

DJK Counsel, Ltd. is a privately held firm with estimated annual revenues between $1 million and $10 million. The firm operates with a lean team, emphasizing efficiency and personalized client service.

Technological Platform and Innovation

DJK Counsel has implemented several technological platforms to enhance their operations:

Dynamics 365 for Customer Service: Optimizes client management and marketing processes.

Legal for Dynamics 365: Integrates legal-specific functionalities within the Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

SharePoint: Facilitates document management tailored for legal purposes.

These technologies enable seamless integration of daily tasks into a unified interface, improving efficiency and scalability.

Leadership Team

DJK Counsel's leadership team comprises experienced legal professionals:

Dan Katz, Partner: Founder of DJK Counsel, Dan Katz views the practice of law as an art, emphasizing strategic direction to reduce client costs and achieve results. He graduated from Rutgers University Law School and has experience at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York and Paul Hastings in Los Angeles. Dan has also served as a partner at Silver & Freedman and Nossaman before establishing DJK Counsel.

Timothy Ault, Partner: Timothy brings extensive experience in real estate and corporate law, providing clients with strategic legal counsel.

Denis Schmidt, Counsel: Denis specializes in complex legal matters, offering clients meticulous attention to detail.

Nabil Bisharat, Counsel: Nabil focuses on corporate transactions, ensuring clients receive comprehensive legal support.

Caroline Gill, Associate: Caroline assists in various legal areas, contributing to the firm's diverse practice.

Tory Junkins, Associate: Tory supports clients in navigating legal challenges with precision.

Zachary Murray, Associate: Zachary provides legal assistance across multiple practice areas.

Alisa Stephen, Real Estate and Corporate Specialist: Alisa offers specialized knowledge in real estate and corporate law.

Stephanie Huerta, Paralegal: Stephanie ensures efficient legal operations through her paralegal expertise.

Nechama Stolz, Finance Manager: Nechama oversees the firm's financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The legal services market, particularly in real estate and corporate law, is highly competitive. Firms that combine large-scale expertise with personalized service are well-positioned to attract clients seeking both depth of knowledge and individualized attention.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the Los Angeles area include:

Buchalter, A Professional Corporation: Established in 1933, Buchalter offers comprehensive legal services with a focus on business and finance, litigation, and insolvency.

Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP: With over 55 years of experience, this firm provides full-service legal solutions, emphasizing client relationships and consistent results.

Irell & Manella LLP: Known for its rigorous selection of lawyers and a collegial environment, Irell & Manella specializes in various legal areas, including intellectual property and litigation.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

DJK Counsel has partnered with Skyline Consultants to implement Dynamics 365 for Legal, integrating various services to enhance efficiency and scalability. This collaboration has enabled the firm to optimize digital legal, time management, and billing solutions, allowing seamless integration of daily tasks into a unified interface.

Operational Insights

DJK Counsel differentiates itself through:

Personalized Attention: Ensuring clients have direct access to senior attorneys.

Efficiency: Streamlining processes to save clients time and money.

Responsiveness: Acting swiftly to meet client needs in competitive markets.

These factors position the firm favorably against larger competitors by offering a blend of expertise and individualized service.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

DJK Counsel is poised to leverage its technological advancements and personalized service model to expand its client base, particularly among high-net-worth individuals and complex real estate and business entities. The firm's commitment to efficiency and responsiveness positions it well to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the legal services market.