How Chris Mova Built a Client-First Law Practice That's Changing the Industry
It’s an industry often criticized for prioritizing volume over value, but Chris Mova has taken a decidedly different approach to building his legal practice. As the founder of Mova Law Group, a law firm based in San Diego, he's developed a business model that challenges conventional wisdom about how personal injury law firms should operate.
The Genesis of a Different Approach
Before founding Mova Law Group, Chris Movafagh (who goes by Chris Mova professionally) worked at one of Southern California's largest personal injury firms. There, he observed a troubling pattern that would later inform his own business philosophy.
"The large firms were focused on volume and treated clients like numbers rather than individuals," Mova said in an interview. "Their business model depended on taking as many cases as possible and settling them quickly, often leaving money on the table for their clients."
This assembly-line approach to legal services may have been profitable, but Mova saw how it shortchanged clients. It was this realization that led him to establish his own firm with a radically different business model.
A Quality-Over-Quantity Business Model
Mova Law Group's approach is refreshingly straightforward: take fewer cases but handle them with extraordinary care and commitment. While many personal injury firms juggle hundreds or even thousands of cases simultaneously, Mova deliberately limits his firm's caseload to around 70-80 active cases.
This selective approach allows for personalized attention to each client and comprehensive case development. The results speak for themselves. The firm has secured substantial settlements for cases that other firms deemed worthless.
One notable example: a $450,000 settlement for a client whose case had been rejected by four other firms. "They said it was worth zero," Mova pointed out. "But when you're not rushing through cases, you see value others miss."
The Business Case for Client-Centered Practice
From a business perspective, Mova's approach might seem counterintuitive. Fewer cases could mean less revenue, at least initially. But this strategy has proven remarkably successful for several reasons:
- Higher-value settlements: By investing more time and resources in each case, the firm secures larger settlements.
- Referral-based growth: Satisfied clients become powerful advocates, reducing marketing costs.
- Strategic case selection: By carefully choosing cases with genuine merit, the firm maximizes productive work and minimizes dead ends.
- Reduced staff turnover: The more meaningful work environment has helped Mova build a stable, experienced team.
Scaling Without Compromise
As Mova Law Group has expanded from its San Diego headquarters to multiple offices across California, maintaining quality has been paramount. Mova has implemented several strategies to ensure consistent service across locations:
- Selective hiring of attorneys who share the firm's client-first philosophy
- Standardized case management protocols
- Regular cross-office case reviews
- Investment in technology that supports thorough case development
This methodical approach to growth has allowed the firm to maintain its distinctive service model while extending its geographical reach with offices across the state in cities such as Oceanside and San Bernardino.
Lessons for Other Businesses
Mova's success offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs across industries:
- Sometimes the industry standard exists to be challenged
- Personal experience can inform powerful business models
- Quality and quantity don't have to be mutually exclusive
- Client success drives business success
- Growth doesn't require compromising core values
The legal industry often equates success with size. But according to Mova: "We've proven that focusing on quality representation can build a sustainable, growing practice that better serves clients while creating a more fulfilling professional environment."
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