By their nature, commercial disputes are document driven: contracts, laws, and judicial decisions usually determine the parties' rights and obligations.  And other documents: checks, inspection reports, financial statements, will establish who has honored his or her obligations.

Consequently, I will do most of my best and most important work in a quiet room, studying the critical documents in your case.  Only after that will conversations, opinions, and unwritten agreements come into play. 

From the very beginning, I will attempt to establish your goals, what you hope to achieve in the dispute you've asked me to handle, and the pressures - time, money, relationships - that define or constrain your goals.

And shortly after that discussion and I've reviewed the core documents, you and I will establish three things:  our theory of your case; our strategic plan; and our tactical approach.  Thereafter, everything we do, every nickel you spend, should be consistent with these prime agreements.