Growing legal firm credits new Grand Rapids jobs to focus on construction law

Deborah Johnson Wood

Hilger Hammond has been in growth mode since its founding 20 months ago, and the firm's founder says it is poised for even more growth.

Steve Hilger founded Hilger Law in September 2008 and since then has brought attorney Ben Hammond aboard as a partner, changed the name to Hilger Hammond and added two more attorneys and a legal assistant.

The firm recently purchased the entire second floor of 49 Monroe Center, where, until a few months ago, it only leased a second-floor suite. Hilger's plan is to put in five more offices and a conference room to accommodate anticipated growth.

"This is your classic example that small business is where job creation starts," Hilger says. "Over the last year and a half we've gone from one person to six (including a full-time contractor), which is pretty phenomenal job creation. It's a great example of jobs growth, and we didn't get any stimulus money to do it."

Hilger says the firm's focus on construction law is a driving force behind the growth.

"We all do work in the construction area," Hilger says. "We're trying to separate ourselves from the others through active commitment – we are actively involved in the construction industry."

As an example, Hilger cites his position as co-chair of the legal advisory committee of the Associated General Contractors, where Hammond and another company attorney, Aileen Leipprandt, are also board members. Hilger says the firm is also actively involved in the Associated Builders and Contractors, American Subcontractors Association and the Construction Financial Managers Association.

"We're making sure we have the right people in the right seats on the bus," he says. "I got that from a book called Good To Great (Jim Collins) and I've decided to implement it. We're trying to make that work and obviously it is."

Source: Steve Hilger, Hilger Hammond

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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].