prag•ma•tism (noun)
1. an approach to problems and situations that is based on practical solutions.
2. the quality of dealing with a problem in a sensible way that suits the conditions that really exist, rather than following fixed theories, ideas, or rules.
The Hanson Firm was established with the goal of providing clients with pragmatic legal counsel in a variety of business-related legal matters. Our approach is simple, but far from ordinary: provide exceptional legal expertise and practical solutions, and deliver it in a fresh, innovative and cost-effective manner unlike any traditional law firm.
At The Hanson Firm, we challenge the inefficiencies found at conventional law firms and reject their inflexible business models. We provide the same high-quality expertise of top-tier, national law firms, but deliver it with the cost-effectiveness and personal attentiveness you’d expect from in-house counsel.
We do things differently. Why? Because you deserve real value from your legal counsel. We are confident you will find our approach refreshing.
Business-First Thinking
Our highly experienced attorneys provide world-class legal services to some of North America’s most notable companies. Our unique combination of legal expertise and commercial understanding allows us to help your commercial goals by crafting solutions, not by simply identifying constraints. At The Hanson Firm, we pride ourselves on aligning our advice with your core business objectives, offering solutions to overcome obstacles and keeping an eye on your bottom line.
Client-Centered Representation
Clients are demanding more of their legal professionals, which is driving a change in the legal services landscape, and rightly so. Businesses expect greater value at sensible prices, which is achieved by obtaining practical legal advice carefully tailored to advance your goals. At The Hanson Firm, we will provide an honest, client-centered assessment of all legal matters with an eye toward the best strategy to meet to your specific goals.
Efficiency
We strive for the efficient handling of all client matters at the least possible expense to our clients. That is to say, we do only what is necessary to achieve the desired result. We are motivated by results, not fees, and we pursue only strategies that will deliver the best results in the least amount of time. Moreover, we do not push matters down to the least experienced associates, which effectively increases costs due to steep learning curves. You hire us to benefit from our years of experience, not to train us.
Flexible Value-Based Pricing
Your legal needs are unique. That’s why The Hanson Firm is flexible when it comes to pricing and fee arrangements, allowing for value-based billing with an eye toward the relative complexity of each legal matter that faces your business. Unhindered by the rigidity of the conventional law firm model, The Hanson Firm works with its clients to craft fee arrangements and strategies that more appropriately fit the unique task at hand. Regardless of the fee arrangement, we are committed to providing exceptional value and building lasting business relationships.
Cost Sensitivity
Clients will not pay for any fancy or unnecessary overhead. While we maintain a professional presence in a conveniently located Class-A office building, our clients will never wonder about how much of their fees went to pay for expensive furnishings or pricey artwork. We keep our overhead low to keep our clients’ fees low. We also keep a thoughtful eye toward minimizing the little expenses that add up over time, such as courier fees, copying expenses, and the use of outside vendors. In sum, we treat our clients’ expenses as if they were our own.
Concise and Prompt Communication
Unfortunately, the number one complaint leveled at attorneys is that they fail to communicate with their clients. We keep our clients informed about their cases, but not to the point of overkill. Our clients promptly receive a digital copy of everything that is prepared on their behalf, but we save the detailed analysis and discussions for the more complicated or delicate matters. In other words, we won’t waste your time (or money) with a barrage of irrelevant information. We are confident you have enough on your plate.
Our Principal
Michael F. Hanson has provided world-class legal services to some of North America's most notable companies. In a career spanning 26 years, Mr. Hanson has represented hundreds of local, national, and international clients in a wide range of business-related legal matters. Mr. Hanson's practice focuses primarily on general business litigation, banking law, creditors’ rights in bankruptcy, and commercial real estate. His clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Over the years, Mr. Hanson has served as legal counsel to businesses involved in manufacturing, banking and finance, securities, real estate, and construction, among others.
Mr. Hanson is admitted to practice before all Georgia state courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia, the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Past Experience
- Assistant General Counsel, KIT Digital, Inc., Atlanta, GA, 2012
- Senior Associate, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, Atlanta, GA, 1998-2005
- Law Clerk, U.S. Congress, House Committee on the Judiciary, Intellectual Property Subcommittee, Washington, D.C., 1997-1998
- Law Clerk, Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin & Kahn, Washington, D.C., 1996-1997
- Summer Associate, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, Atlanta, GA, 1997
- Law Clerk, Shearman & Sterling, Washington, D.C., 1995-1996
- Paralegal, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Washington, D.C., 1993
Education
- J.D., 1998, The George Washington University Law School
- B.A., 1994, Monmouth University, summa cum laude, Highest Ranking Degree Recipient
Published Cases
- The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia v. Buzas Baseball, Inc., 176 F.Supp.2d 1338 (N.D. Ga. 2001).
Our Office
3225 Cumberland Blvd. SE
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (404) 460-7940