So This Is New …

This greeting is typically written to reflect upon a year gone by and perhaps provide a glimpse for you, Dear Reader, into what new services and capabilities our firm will be offering in the upcoming year.   When you’ve been in business for over 60 years, it is relatively rare that something happens that is transformational to the day-to-day life of serving one’s customers.   Blizzard forecast for the Western New York area?   We’re like, “Meh.  Been there.  Done that.”   Recession hit?   We button down the hatches and give thanks to running a business conservatively and rest comfortably in knowing that this too shall pass.

I don’t have to tell anyone reading this that 2020 has been a year unlike any other in the history of our firm and I dare say any firm in the world.   What we hopefully all have learned, if we did not know it already, is that a virus respects no geographical border, no economic status, and certainly no political belief.

Whether one wishes to believe it or not, this virus is personal.  It is personal in how it directly affects those who are infected and it is personal in how we conduct ourselves to prevent the infection from being transmitted to others.  The wearing of masks, practicing social distancing, and the washing of hands is not a sign of heroism, it is a sign of personal responsibility.  Personal responsibility not only to oneself but, more importantly, to those around you.

If we were told that in a month’s time our business would drop by 90% through no fault of our own, 60 years of experience would have argued to the contrary.   Knowing that we are not alone in that experience, however, does provide that odd sense of misery-loves-company schadenfreude that helps us keep a focused eye on the most important thing for any business and that is taking care of our clients and our staff.

JWH is blessed with a staff that has pulled together and helped us weather the storm.   We’re similarly blessed with clients that have embraced a new way of conducting depositions and receiving transcripts through the use of technology ensuring that the wheels of justice do not grind ever slower while still keeping everyone safe.  Each month we have slowly made progress in climbing out of what could have been a pit of despair to not just regain our previous business but gaining new business as well.

The ethos of JWH has always been to accept change, whether through the implementation of technology or developing and offering new services.  So at least for our business, we’re not looking to return to the old ways,  we’re looking to create even better ways to serve you, our clients.

Upon reflection, perhaps this isn’t so new after all.

To Our Staff & Clients Stay Safe!!!