Founding partner Edward Dawda has presided over the growth of the Bloomfield Hills law firm that bears his name.
By Jeanine Matlow
Legal News
With a refined identity that honors their past and embraces the future, “Dawda” reflects the streamlined efficiency that clients have come to expect from the established law firm in Bloomfield Hills for the last three decades, according to its leadership team.
As founding partner Edward C. Dawda explains, there were several reasons behind the decision.
“We looked at 30 years; it is a long time to play a part in the professional services industry,” says Dawda. “It is evidence of our endurance and the success we’ve had with our great clients. We decided 30 years would be a good time to look back at where we’ve been and where we are going and to see what other firms have done. We have been a long-lasting fixture in Michigan and the Midwest in the legal community.
Part of our evolution is the modernization of the firm, to bring it into a more modern era.”
The new brand makes sense to others in the legal profession, according to Dawda, an alumnus of Michigan State University who earned his law degree from Detroit College of Law (now known as MSU College of Law).
“The rebrand reflects our evolution into a more streamlined, technology-forward firm. When you've proven your staying power over three decades, your name becomes your reputation,” says Dawda.
From a service standpoint and an excellence standpoint, Dawda says the law firm’s quality will continue.
“I think clients, both existing and new, will see a new energy,” he explains. “We're not just changing our name – we’re positioning ourselves at the forefront of legal technology. Our investment in AI tools allows us to deliver the same high-quality work more efficiently, which benefits both our clients and our ability to attract top talent.”
Dawda also sees the rebrand as an advantage for active recruitment of talent to the firm.
“The institutionalization of the firm being one name stands out and will help us recruit new lawyers,” he says.
The firm’s specialties already stand out.
“With over 40 lawyers, we have very skilled people who are superb at what they do. Part of the emphasis has been from clients who come to us with projects, which led to an established presence in the real estate transactional area, corporate work and transactional contracts,” says Dawda, noting that the firm’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies. “We have a significant presence in the tax and estate planning area and do banking work as well. We also litigate and represent companies in employment related matters. We try to be a full-service business law firm, and we recognize that we can only do that with lawyers who are experienced and experts in those fields.”
In the last three decades, Dawda has seen many changes and advancements along the way.
“There are so many more laws and regulations. Lawyers have to be attuned to do our jobs,” he says. “Technology and artificial intelligence have exploded. Thirty years ago, we had desktop computers with big monitors. Now everyone has a laptop or tablet. Technology has affected us in a very positive way.”
Over the years, Dawda says the firm has built a great team with solid first-class lawyers and professional support staff.
“Some assistants have been with us for the full 30 years and many lawyers have been with us since the beginning or shortly thereafter. To me, that tells us we’re doing something right to create a great working environment,” he says. “We have wonderful people who get along and are mission focused.”
And they are looking for more.
“We just hired two new lawyers who start in September and we have an active summer associate program with interns,” says Dawda. “We are looking to grow in a careful, methodical way.”
Several clients have been essential to their success.
“There are three or four clients we have worked with for many years. They helped us grow our firm as we worked with them to help grow their business,” he explains.
In line with the firm’s milestone anniversary, Dawda says the time was right for a refresh.
“After 30 years, we wanted to come out and say ‘we are here to stay,’” says Dawda. “With this name, people will see us here for many, many years to come. That’s the statement we’re trying to make with our rebrand. Our endurance and new name are evidence of that.”
As the firm moves forward, Dawda remembers the importance of looking back.
“One of the reasons we can do this rebrand is that we got through 30 years and hope to do another 30 or 60 with a solid group of lawyers who are true professionals and so supportive of our people,” he says.
“That’s what really makes up our firm and got us to the 30 years.”
Legal News
With a refined identity that honors their past and embraces the future, “Dawda” reflects the streamlined efficiency that clients have come to expect from the established law firm in Bloomfield Hills for the last three decades, according to its leadership team.
As founding partner Edward C. Dawda explains, there were several reasons behind the decision.
“We looked at 30 years; it is a long time to play a part in the professional services industry,” says Dawda. “It is evidence of our endurance and the success we’ve had with our great clients. We decided 30 years would be a good time to look back at where we’ve been and where we are going and to see what other firms have done. We have been a long-lasting fixture in Michigan and the Midwest in the legal community.
Part of our evolution is the modernization of the firm, to bring it into a more modern era.”
The new brand makes sense to others in the legal profession, according to Dawda, an alumnus of Michigan State University who earned his law degree from Detroit College of Law (now known as MSU College of Law).
“The rebrand reflects our evolution into a more streamlined, technology-forward firm. When you've proven your staying power over three decades, your name becomes your reputation,” says Dawda.
From a service standpoint and an excellence standpoint, Dawda says the law firm’s quality will continue.
“I think clients, both existing and new, will see a new energy,” he explains. “We're not just changing our name – we’re positioning ourselves at the forefront of legal technology. Our investment in AI tools allows us to deliver the same high-quality work more efficiently, which benefits both our clients and our ability to attract top talent.”
Dawda also sees the rebrand as an advantage for active recruitment of talent to the firm.
“The institutionalization of the firm being one name stands out and will help us recruit new lawyers,” he says.
The firm’s specialties already stand out.
“With over 40 lawyers, we have very skilled people who are superb at what they do. Part of the emphasis has been from clients who come to us with projects, which led to an established presence in the real estate transactional area, corporate work and transactional contracts,” says Dawda, noting that the firm’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies. “We have a significant presence in the tax and estate planning area and do banking work as well. We also litigate and represent companies in employment related matters. We try to be a full-service business law firm, and we recognize that we can only do that with lawyers who are experienced and experts in those fields.”
In the last three decades, Dawda has seen many changes and advancements along the way.
“There are so many more laws and regulations. Lawyers have to be attuned to do our jobs,” he says. “Technology and artificial intelligence have exploded. Thirty years ago, we had desktop computers with big monitors. Now everyone has a laptop or tablet. Technology has affected us in a very positive way.”
Over the years, Dawda says the firm has built a great team with solid first-class lawyers and professional support staff.
“Some assistants have been with us for the full 30 years and many lawyers have been with us since the beginning or shortly thereafter. To me, that tells us we’re doing something right to create a great working environment,” he says. “We have wonderful people who get along and are mission focused.”
And they are looking for more.
“We just hired two new lawyers who start in September and we have an active summer associate program with interns,” says Dawda. “We are looking to grow in a careful, methodical way.”
Several clients have been essential to their success.
“There are three or four clients we have worked with for many years. They helped us grow our firm as we worked with them to help grow their business,” he explains.
In line with the firm’s milestone anniversary, Dawda says the time was right for a refresh.
“After 30 years, we wanted to come out and say ‘we are here to stay,’” says Dawda. “With this name, people will see us here for many, many years to come. That’s the statement we’re trying to make with our rebrand. Our endurance and new name are evidence of that.”
As the firm moves forward, Dawda remembers the importance of looking back.
“One of the reasons we can do this rebrand is that we got through 30 years and hope to do another 30 or 60 with a solid group of lawyers who are true professionals and so supportive of our people,” he says.
“That’s what really makes up our firm and got us to the 30 years.”
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