By Liad Hadar, Director at Hadar Incorporated, Specialist Property Law Firm
This article first appeared in Asset Magazine’s March 2024 edition

In the intricate tapestry of professional life, choices often bear profound consequences. For me, the decision on how to conduct myself as a lawyer was not just a path; it was a commitment to values deeply ingrained in my upbringing and personal experiences.

In this article I am sharing a personal experience that shaped me and my thoughts.

This journey, marked by my father’s unfortunate encounter with a legal professional when I was still in law school, laid the foundation for Hadar Incorporated, where specialist professionalism, compassion, care, and unwavering commitment to clients guide our every move.

My Father’s Struggle

My father, a property developer, embarked on a significant transaction that would define his business year (or two) given that, as a small business, he only developed one or two properties a year.

He was acquiring vacant land in a very sought after light industrial office park where land was scarce.

The plan was to develop a warehouse/office (his area of speciality) for a client who had already agreed to purchasing the developed property from him. Securing a purchaser prior to building was a big deal as it derisked the entire process and guaranteed bank financing and a profit from the project.

My father had signed an offer to purchase and the suspensive conditions required payment of a deposit to be made by a given date.

He was travelling overseas and in those days (approximately 20 years ago) internet payments were not yet an option. As a result, my father entrusted an attorney to make payment of the deposit (which was deposited into his trust account) by the due date. The attorney inadvertently missed the payment deadline by a few hours and when he realized he immediately made payment, thinking that it would not be an issue.

The Domino Effect

The repercussions were swift and devastating.

The seller, with another purchaser waiting in the wings, promptly cancelled the deal since the suspensive condition had not been met.

Faced with the fallout of this seemingly small oversight, my father turned to the very attorney he had entrusted with a critical role in the transaction. Instead of conceding that the deal was effectively null and void, he received misguided advice and assurances of a strong legal case to rescue the deal.

From Hope to Arbitration to Failure

Reluctantly, without much understanding of the legal process, the costs involved and the merits of his case, my father was plunged into arbitration, a journey that proved not only financially burdensome but emotionally draining.

The attorney’s misguided advice led to mounting legal fees, a loss in the arbitration proceedings, and, ultimately, the irrevocable loss of the deal. The repercussions extended beyond the professional sphere, eroding trust and instilling a sense of betrayal.

Worse, I vividly remember my father recalling the experience of the arbitration to me. He said that he had never met the Advocate that was appointed to represent him in the matter until the date of hearing. When he met the Advocate, with his attorney, on the morning of the hearing, they assured him that the merits of his case were strong and that they were confident of a successful result.

The arbitration commenced and within thirty minutes, the arbitrator had advised the parties of his preliminary view on the merits for both parties and suggested that the parties negotiate an amicable resolution to avoid incurring unnecessary costs of a two-day arbitration.

I am told that in the adjournment that followed, the Advocate and attorney suddenly did a full 180 degree turn and advised my father that if they continued in the arbitration, not only would he be unsuccessful, but he would be liable for the other side’s costs for two full days.

As I understand it, the conversation was simple – they had no option but to concede the entire arbitration. The bad news was also broken to him in a matter-of-fact way – you’ve got no chance to win, we must give up.

To this day my father remains in total limbo as to what truly transpired to cause his legal team to change their opinions and advice so drastically.

My belief, having acquired more than 16 years of experience in the industry, is that the case was always weak but that his attorney felt obliged to try to undo his error and to save the deal. I also believe that my father’s legal team attempted to win the matter on a purely technical point which the arbitrator must have advised them, to try save some of their embarrassment, was simply without merit.

A Commitment to a Different Path

Witnessing my father’s ordeal during a crucial time in my law school journey became a pivotal moment.

Although it was before my professional career had begun, it was then that I vowed to be a different kind of lawyer. A lawyer who not only embodies absolute professionalism and commitment to exceptional advice but, as importantly, exudes compassion, accountability, and a genuine understanding of the human impact behind legal matters.

There would not be any simple factual statements made without explanations and discussions to ensure that those who trust me would receive the time and care that they deserved.

Values that Transcend Professions

The legal profession, like other professional services, operates at the intersection of people’s lives and livelihoods.

In times of vulnerability, clients seek not just legal expertise but also non-technical explanations, empathy and genuine care.

I often draw parallels with the medical field, where potentially devastating news can be delivered with a cold disposition.

I realized that the legal profession should share a similar commitment to the human aspect of our work.

Building Hadar Incorporated: A Manifestation of Values

Founding Hadar Incorporated was a conscious effort to create a legal practice that prioritizes the cross section of ultimate professional advice with compassion and care.

Our Team is committed to understanding the unique challenges our clients face and providing legal solutions that go beyond the transactional. We view ourselves not just as legal professionals but as partners in our clients’ journeys, guiding them through complexities with a steady hand and a compassionate heart.

We act as if every single matter is our family’s matter.

A Legacy of Trust

In the wake of my father’s challenging experience, I am driven by a mission to redefine the narrative of legal practice.

Hadar Incorporated stands as a testament to the belief that legal professionals can, and should, prioritize accountability and genuine care. We are not just lawyers, we are advocates for our clients’ peace of mind, ensuring that they can trust in the legal guidance they receive. As I reflect on my journey into the legal industry, I am reminded that trust is the cornerstone of any successful client-lawyer relationship, and it is a legacy worth building.