Managing Partner
The Chase Sensale Law Group, L.L.P.
www.chasesensale.com
It’s Easy to Be Green …
A chance meeting with US Attorney for the Southern District of New
York, Rudy Giuliani coordinated through a friend, and fellow St.
John’s Law alum, Raymond Casey `88, inspired Mr. Dennis Chase `90
to apply to law school. Upon acceptance to St. John’s Law,
his first foray into negotiation was the return of textbooks to the
other law school to which he was accepted. There was no way
that he was going to pass on the opportunity to attend St. John’s
Law.
Almost twenty years later, Mr. Chase has developed a robust, albeit
unique, practice concentrating their efforts in all disability
related matters. Together with his partner, Joseph Sensale
’00; seven of-counsel attorneys assisting Chase Sensale across the
state; and sixteen support staff members living across the United
States, the firm utilizes a virtual practice model. The model
ties together a philosophy of leveraging technology, providing
unparalleled service, and incorporating environmentally friendly
practices like paperless files and striving to maintain a carbon
neutral footprint. Utilizing laptops, cell phones, wireless
networks, scanners, and electronic data storage, the legal team of
Chase Sensale services the needs of more than 5,000 clients 24/7
from home offices scattered across the nation. Their virtual
practice model has a tangible impact on the bottom line – real
estate leasing costs are non-existent, data storage costs are
miniscule compared to other firms, daily commuting expenses and the
associated investment of down-time are all but eliminated.
Employee satisfaction remains incredibly high. To foster
camaraderie, many legal staff members “cycle” through the home
office about once every fifth day to connect in-person and
collaborate face to face with Mr. Chase and his wife Sheri, who
serves as his office manager.
The concept of operating a paperless office environment is a point
of passion for Mr. Chase. One of his proudest professional
accomplishments, as a member of the Association’s House of
Delegates, was to successfully lobby the NYS Bar Association to
become a leader in the electronic dissemination of knowledge and
news. “Institutions such as the New York State Bar
Association historically generate mountains of paper. Today’s
practitioner is very computer savvy and does not wish to be
inundated with reams of paper. The logical solution is to
move more and more of the communication process to bits and bytes
and avoid depleting the world’s natural resources,” professed
Chase.
A member of the St. John’s Law Alumni Association (and
Past-President of the Suffolk County Chapter) and the Suffolk
County Bar Association’s Executive Committee (presently the
Treasurer), Mr. Chase encourages young attorneys and students to
get involved. “The St. John’s Law School Alumni Association,
and your local bar association are tremendous resources to the
newly admitted attorney. Mentors and practice focused
committees can provide a relationship and knowledge conduit
resulting in a very satisfying career. However, the new
attorney must take the first step and attend a meeting, join a
committee, offer their talent and enthusiasm – the burden of
applied effort rests with the younger attorney,” noted Mr.
Chase. Mr. Chase is to first to admit much of his success
stems from his education and experience, both provided by St.
John’s Law.