The Firm
Clients and conflicts
Most of the firm’s clients would rather nobody knew they had needed it. The firm does not name a client unless the client has named the firm first.
Who our clients are
The firm acts for companies during transactions and disputes, for family offices and the families behind them, for law firms and their clients, for research institutes, for memorial archives and for a small number of private individuals. About half of its work is for clients it has served for more than ten years.
| Sector | Share of engagements, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Companies, during transactions and disputes | 38% |
| Families and family offices | 24% |
| Law firms | 14% |
| Research institutes and universities | 9% |
| Memorial archives and moratoriums | 6% |
| Private individuals | 5% |
| Software clients only | 4% |
Named clients
Frothly, the San Francisco research institute, is the only client that currently names the firm in public, in its list of institutions it works with and in its own staff mail. The firm installed and maintains its staff intranet. The firm’s chairman is Frothly’s treasurer; see below.
Conflicts
Before accepting an engagement the firm checks it against every current and former client. It does not act for both sides of a matter, does not act against a former client in a matter it worked on, and does not act for any firm that places telepaths or precognitives. It has never acted for Hollis Talents and has declined to do so on three occasions.
The firm keeps a register of the declared interests of its partners and directors, maintained by the general counsel and renewed each year. It includes the chairman’s seat on the board of Frothly, where he has been a director since 2009 and treasurer since 2015. He declared his ownership of the firm to Frothly’s board in 2009, and the declaration remains in force.Referrals
How to become a client
Telephone the New York office, +1 212 014 0147, and ask for the Prudence practice. You will be asked who referred you. If nobody did, you will be asked to come in.