About

JRW ESQ was founded by Jeff Wahl, a former equity partner at an AmLaw Top 50 firm. For 20 years, Jeff worked on M&A transactions in various industries with deal values ranging from $5M to $2.3B. Jeff was also the lead US transactional commercial attorney for the firm, handling all manner of domestic and international commercial agreements.

Jeff’s former colleague, J. D. Bridges, joined JRW ESQ in 2024, adding his commercial contract expertise as well as his deep technology background as counsel for SaaS providers, IT solutions providers and tech companies of all sizes, from startups to global organizations.

JRW ESQ deploys that expertise and experience combined with personal attention, responsiveness and cost-effective rate structures difficult to achieve in large law firms.

COST MANAGEMENT

JRW ESQ seeks to be a better, and more sustainable, way to manage costs without sacrificing quality for commercial contracts, general corporate work and traditional M&A. Consider the following from the 2023 CounselLink Enterprise Legal Management Trends Report:

2022 median partners’ hourly rates increased over 2021 by 6.4% for M&A, 5.8% for Commercial & Contracts and 5.6% for Corporate
The median hourly billing rate for partners in large firms (+750 lawyers) for 2022 was $920, with M&A at $955, Commercial and Contracts at $706 and Corporate at $675
Comparing to the 2015 report, the median hourly billing rate for large firm partners increased +40% from 2015 through 2022

JRW ESQ can help companies reset this trend and manage costs, without compromising quality.

APPROACH

While “JRW” is Jeff’s initials, JRW ESQ wants clients to associate those letters with the following approach:

J for “jurist.” – An old-fashioned word for “one who has a thorough knowledge of the law.” JRW ESQ draws on our deep background in all facets of corporate, commercial and technology law and two decades of experience managing the legal needs of clients’ businesses.

R is for “reasonable” and “responsive.” - Rates, fee structures and bills will be reasonable and not pass every overhead expense to clients. Also, JRW ESQ understands clients need to hear back and receive help promptly.

W is for “wisdom.” - JRW ESQ tries to practice wisdom along with practicing law. JRW ESQ seeks to know clients’ preferences, risk tolerances and key goals and concerns so that clients enjoy efficiencies over a long relationship. JRW ESQ strives to give counsel that is honest, loyal, sincere and holistic.