In celebration of our 5th year anniversary and in anticipation of a few seismic shifts in 2015 (more detail later), we have updated our branding package: new logo, new colors and updated website (not done yet). There are hundreds of outstanding business lawyers out there. We distinguish our firm by not only our pride in legal scholarship, but also our commitment to connection, community and collaboration in our personal and professional lives. This logo symbolizes these three values.
- Collaboration. The circles are heads of people huddled as in as sports huddle, collaborating as a team. I embrace a sports analogy because sports have been so fundamental to the development of my character, creating skills that distinguish me as a lawyer (competitive, hate to lose, disciplined, give 110%, do-whatever-it-takes-attitude, driven, collaborative, dedicated, loyal, enthusiastic).
We endorse collaboration. The concept of SYNERGY. The whole is more than the sum of its parts. We believe in collaborating with our clients to solve a problem, launch an idea, develop strategy. For our clients, we aim to resolve disputes in the most economical and expeditious fashion, which usually mandates collaboration. This saves clients time and money. I hired a graphic designer years ago. Like lawyers, graphic designers have special skills sets to produce a product for you. This designer was so much more than a logo or website creator. She became my partner in helping me get my business off the ground. I was forever changed by that service experience. I got so much more bang for my buck. I strive to do that now with all of my clients.
- Connection. The figures are interconnected in a circle to show touch, connection. I tried to work with the designers to create a logo that symbolized VIRAL connectivity on and off line (the notion that we influence you and you influence three others and those three influence three others); but then the image looked too complicated and busy.
We are committed to helping our clients with not only their legal needs but also with connecting with others who can help them on and off line. The need for connection is a basic human need. Pervasive use of Facebook is evidence of this. Just as we read the book Bowling Alone in my Creating Community college class at WVU 20 years ago about the Collapse and Revival of American Community, I believe there is an connection crisis now more than ever despite social media and as a result, in part, of social media. No business owner should be an island; in order to take your business to the next level, you need to connect with others who will help you and your business to be the best versions of yourselves. Hence- our tagline- our business is helping you with yours.
- Community. I wanted to symbolize our firm as being the hub of the wheel in a community or the influencers in the middle, but putting initials in the middle of the logo looked weird. We are motivated by a desire to create community in our neighborhoods, in our towns, in our social and professional circles.
The Creating Community class was one of my favorite college classes. I have always been passionate about it both in and out of my professional life. Because I do not want the firm to be Salene Mazur Kraemer-centered, I took out my initials. We are adding new people in 2015 and I had to set the stage for that. I wanted the shape to be circular in contrast with the sharp edges of former masculine logo. To soften the brand. To symbolize a shift. I wanted to add a stronger power color (navy) and some light with the coral and white. Ultimately, we want happy, long-term clients who feel that we, as their trusted advisors, help them in more ways than one. Now we get to slap this logo everywhere in our new Pittsburgh office (coming January 2015). More on that later!!!