Featured Law Firm: The Law Office of Stephen P. Shepard

Welcome to the LawPay Featured Law Firm! For April, we’re lucky to feature The Law Office of Stephen P. Shepard of Maryland!

What type of law do you primarily practice?

Criminal defense

What's your firm's story?

The Law Office of Stephen P. Shepard, LLC was founded on the idea that the way attorneys practice law in the State of Maryland needs to change for the better. That’s why the Law Office of Stephen P. Shepard, LLC is not your “typical” law firm by any means. We aim to provide our clients with one thing: Superior representation based on four core values. Those core values are to provide: (1) client-centered representation, (2) resourceful advocacy, (3) affordable representation, and (4) resourceful advocacy. If you go to our website, www.spslawoffice.com, you can read more about each of the four core values.

How did you get into criminal law?

Criminal law has always fascinated me. But aside from that, since early childhood, I have always had a “soft side” for the so-called underdog in a fight. When you are charged with a crime, it is the State of Maryland vs. You – that can be pretty intimidating! I wanted to be the one who stands up for the underdog. The way that I approach my job is like this: I do not necessarily defend what my client may have done, but I do defend his or her constitutional and statutory rights, ensure that the State can and does meet its heavy burden of proving its case against my client beyond a reasonable doubt, and present any and all possible defenses available to my client under the law.

Which bars are you affiliated with?

American Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Association of Premiere DUI Attorneys, American Association for Justice, Maryland State Bar Association, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, Baltimore County Bar Association

How has LawPay benefitted your practice?

LawPay benefits my practice in two primary ways: First, it benefits me as the owner of my law firm; and second, it benefits my firm’s clients. LawPay benefits me personally because, as a business owner, I am always looking to save money and add more to my bottom line and LawPay does just that: LawPay’s rates are highly competitive, LawPay does not charge for PCI compliance like many credit card processors do, and LawPay’s monthly fee is more than reasonable for the overall money in fees that LawPay saves my firm. Do your homework and you will find that LawPay is the most economical credit card processor available. Or better yet, submit your most recent credit card processor statement to LawPay and let them show you how much you can save by switching.

LawPay also benefits my firm’s clients. First and foremost, LawPay allows my firm to accept credit cards which helps us cater to those folks who prefer not to pay with cash or a check – thus, LawPay improves my firm’s customer service in a way that is consistent with our core values. And with LawPay, we can easily accept credit card payments from clients on the computer, on an iPhone, or on an iPad. You can even collect the client’s actual signature on an iPhone or iPad! Once a payment has been accepted, LawPay e-mails a receipt to the firm that can instantly and easily be given to the client.

How would you describe your experience with LawPay?

I can sum up my experience with LawPay in one word: Amazing! From the first time I contacted LawPay, they were always very helpful and willing to go out of their way to get me the information that I needed. My sales representative even took the time to review several of my old credit card processor statements and create an excel spreadsheet showing me how much I could save by switching to LawPay – now that’s service! Every time I call LawPay, whoever I speak with is always friendly, courteous, and most importantly, extremely helpful. I cannot say enough good things about LawPay and how happy I am that I made the switch: LawPay truly is the gold standard for credit card processing for attorneys.