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For the second time in their lengthy legal careers, Steve and Cindy Horenstein have opened their own law firm in Vancouver, Wash. They quickly found that much has changed since their first venture 13 years ago.

When they began hiring associates, for example, their top candidates responded not to ads placed in traditional channels like legal publications and law school posts. It was a Craigslist ad that connected the Horensteins with Sekou Caldwell and Thomas Hackett, both University of Washington law school grads well versed in real estate and land use law and business planning, respectively.

Office management software once designed primarily for large firms now is created for small firms as well. And new legal research tools like WestlawNext improve efficiency for everyone in the firm.

Perhaps the biggest change, however, was the freedom to implement a completely new billing system, said Steve Horenstein, formerly a marketing manager for Miller Nash.

鈥淐lients are tired of getting billed by the hour when they can鈥檛 see the costs,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hings can be done much more leaner and meaner now, and clients expect that. Clients make better business decisions when they know how much legal services cost.鈥�

With the billable hour as a last resort, Horenstein Law Group has implemented billing options such as flat fees, budgets based on scope of work, and retainers. The firm鈥檚 small size allows it to be nimble when it comes to experimenting with various billing models, Cindy Horenstein noted.

Another major change was the decision to specialize, rather than offer comprehensive services for clients. Horenstein Law Group focuses on business planning, land use, real estate and government strategies. The firm supplies referrals for clients seeking other legal services that are outside that portfolio.

While much has changed since their firm鈥檚 first incarnation, one thing remains the same: the personal and professional compatibility that drew the Horensteins together in the first place. Both grew up in Vancouver, but didn鈥檛 meet until they worked together at a law firm after Steve graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School and Cindy graduated from Willamette University College of Law.

A few years after starting their first practice, Cindy Horenstein began working at home while raising their two sons, and Steve Horenstein joined Miller Nash. This year marks their 20th anniversary as well as the launch of their new firm.