LA Times "Our Times"
By Monte Morin
Instead of getting steamed over legal problems, owner of Santa Monica's Legal Grind has found a way for customers to solve their woes over a cup of coffee.
They might call him lawyerdom's ambassador-at-large. For two years, Jeff Hughes has attempted to break down what he calls a "wall of dread" that separates attorneys from the rest of humanity. The Santa Monica resident and Loyola Law School graduate's method is simple enough: just introduce the two over a cup of coffee.
"Approaching a lawyer can be intimidating," said Hughes, whose Legal Grind coffee shop offers free legal consultations in addition t java and bagels.
"There they are, in a suit, and you're in your street clothes. They're sitting behind a big oak desk and they've got all their support staff; even I get intimidated. What I wanted to do was create a comfortable atmosphere where people could approach lawyers."
Hughes, who sometimes can be seen serving coffee and advising a telephone caller of their constitutional rights simultaneously, said the idea is a solid one. In fact Legal Grind's consultations and lawyer-referral service have been so successful that their business is preparing to expand into West Hollywood and possibly San Francisco.
Success hasn't been without its drawbacks, however. The idea is so attractive that Hughes has to guard against those who would copy not only his idea, but his name and logo, too.
In Nevada City, a couple opened their own Legal Grind even thought the name is a federally registered trademark. Hughes found out about the operation through a customer and immediately called the business.
"I think what's going to happen is we'll see if we can do a franchise or see whether they'll cease operations as the Legal Grind. Hughes said. "If they balk, then we sue."
In another instance, a Dallas lawyer walked a thin legal line by opening a café called Legal Grounds.
In Santa Monica, Legal Grind offers free consultations from attorneys specializing in such fields as family law, entertainment law, criminal law, worker's compensation and tenant and landlord matters. The initial advice is free, but prospective clients must hire an attorney if they want to pursue a case with counsel. Law books also are available for purchase.
"I love this place," said customer Carol Brook-Marino. The Tujunga writer and filmmaker stumbled on the shop by chance, and found herself getting advice on a case in which she claims her name was wrongly removed from a movie's credits. " Access to the law is really nice, because we're all curious," Brook-Marino said. "It's nice when you don't have to sue any body. But when something does happen, you need to know what you can do."
The coffee shop also has carved out its own niche in a business where referrals are the lifeblood of any independent or beginning lawyer. It was Legal Grind's ability to generate referrals that got Burbank lawyer Mark Baer interested in helping Hughes start a new branch in West Hollywood.
"The only way you get clients is through advertising or referrals," Baer said. "If you have a source of pre-screened, direct referrals, that's very valuable."
Hughes hopes to open a consultation and referral service at Little Frida's a popular West Hollywood café where owner Kathleen Mahoney is confident the service will get a warm reception.
" I'm absolutely sure that people will be very into it," she said. The deal has yet to be finalized, but Mahoney and Hughes said they likely would clinch things by the end of the month. Hughes said he's got a number of other projects brewing, including a possible run for Santa Monica City Council.
" What's really rewarding to me is making changes," he said. " It's also nice to be able to chat with people like I do at work. I probably have one of the best jobs in the world."
