In an era of “one-stop shop” legal services, the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing continues to stand out as an industry-leading law firm. The Southern California law firm, with offices in Los Angeles and Irvine, specializes in legal tax issues. Their full suite of legal services include accounting, tax compliance, audit defense, international tax resolution, non-resident tax assistance, tax attorney representation and much more. For the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, it’s all about understanding their particular strengths and keeping within their particular wheelhouse – and this philosophy has served their clients well throughout the years.
Sustained success in any professional endeavor requires laser-like focus, a consistent process, and exceptional client service. David W. Klasing Esq. CPA M.S.-Tax, knows all about building and maintaining a successful law practice. His professional credentials speak volumes about his commitment to his clients, and his faithful service and attention to detail have resulted in client recommendations and accolades that few other law firms can match.
Aside from its obvious importance to those seeking assistance, tax law is also an ultra-competitive business field. Only those law firms that provide consistent results – like the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing – can stand the test of time. We asked David W. Klasing about his unique experiences – how he draws personal inspiration and his own success. Whether you’re an aspiring lawyer, veteran legal expert of in another line of work altogether, Mr. Klasing’s responses provide unique insight into what makes an accomplished leader.
1. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I look around at my competition and find out who has a good reputation and a decent market share. I then learn all I can about their area of specialization and see if I can “run” with them. What one man can do another can do. For criminal tax representation, I admire the attorneys out of two firms that I consider the best firms in the nation. I determine whom I wish to aspire to become and how I’m going to get there.
For me, inspiration comes from analyzing the local competition and trying and determine what their strengths and weaknesses are.
2. What piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
80% of entrepreneurs fail three times in business and lose everything before becoming successful. Be careful what you wish for. Knowledge is crucial – know the industry you want to attempt to enter like the back of your hand. Prepare for it to take years to accomplish your goal. Do not set limitations on how long or how hard you are willing to work. Have a plan and follow it. Know when it’s time to throw in the towel. Be very careful that you watch industry trends and know when it’s time to get out – even it is before you become successful. Don’t throw all your money into making VCR’s when you see DVD’s are becoming the wave of the future; in other words, stay ahead of the curve. Surround yourself with the right people and be very careful of false friendships.
3. Where do you see your business in 10 years?
In ten years I would like to have 100 employees and be a dominant force in whatever industry I’m serving. I want to be seen as an “attorney’s attorney” or a “CPAs CPA.” I want to be well respected, trusted and admired. Reputation is everything in the professional services industry.
4. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
My secret sauce is the following: I locate niche markets that are underserviced in my industry, learn everything that I can about that niche practice area and do rigorous research. I then write the Q and A area of my website or better yet secure a speaking engagement before either CPA’s or Attorneys and write course materials necessary to teach the subject. I teach the subject to other CPA’s and Attorneys, reduce the course materials to Q and A’s for my website and write a practice area page for my website that shows why my firm and myself are a great choice for a client to get the assistance they need in the specific niche market I have identified.
I then shoot self-help video on the subject. I eat, breathe and live my chosen professions and always put my client’s needs for excellent service in front of my desire to make a profit. I service the hell out of my clients and try and meet or exceed all expectations. I solicit positive testimonials whenever practical.
5. What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
I have failed at growing my firm in the past. I learned that if I grew too fast, I lost command and control over my firm and client service suffered. Steady growth and a long-term perspective on every decision is the best policy. I have learned that bigger is not necessarily more profitable. I have tried lots of advertising methodologies that have failed, including network television and radio advertising. People do not entrust their net worth and their liberty to just anyone. Developing a good reputation and lots of satisfied clients is the best marketing strategy of all. Happy clients do not say much, while unhappy ones will burn you at every opportunity. There’s a simple solution: keep everyone happy!
6. How does your company provide innovation within your industry?
My firm’s unique marketing propositions are as follows: I employ both tax attorneys and tax CPA’s under one roof. Most businesses need a good CPA and a good attorney on their external management team. If you hire from two different firms, you get a lot of ego battles and attempts to control the entire client relationship. With our firm, you get both from one central location. Our attorneys and CPA’s check their ego at the front door and coordinate their efforts to look for the optimal manner in which to solve a client problem. They team together seamlessly and are always on the same page. Result? No friction, no ego battles, no unnecessary communication or inefficiency. Our clients pay us for practical legal solutions, not to have our attorneys and CPA’s argue with each other. This approach eliminates confusing or conflicting advice.
Thanks again to Mr. Klasing, Esq. for his great responses. To learn more about his law firm specializing in tax issues, please visit their website. You can also call 800-681-1295, or visit their contact page.
