At IMS, we believe our people are our greatest asset. In honor of our incredible team, we are thrilled to go “beyond the bio” and share the personal stories of employees across our organization.
This month, we are proud to highlight members of our Sales Operations and Sales departments. Together, these teams ensure IMS clients have the most up-to-date information and receive seamless service for the life of their case.
Lead Sales Operations Specialist Phuong Bui and Senior Client Relationship Manager Matt Mittelstadt have different backgrounds and tenures, but they are both instrumental in positioning our clients for success. Furthermore, they both embrace the IMS Core Values and embody what it means to have “Humble Confidence.” Read on to learn how Phuong and Matt got started in professional litigation services and what they enjoy most about their roles in the field.
Note: Since this spotlight was published, Phuong Bui has left IMS to pursue other opportunities.
Phuong Bui, IMS Lead Sales Operations Specialist
Phuong Bui joined the IMS Sales Operations department in the midst of a pandemic and didn’t get to meet her coworkers in person for two years. Despite the virtual barrier, Phuong’s teammates have always felt like family. And, though she was new to the legal industry, Phuong quickly became adept at deciphering case details.
Q: How did you get into this industry? Why did you choose IMS?
A: I had recently graduated with my bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting when I came across the Indeed posting for a Sales Operations Specialist at IMS. I knew from past internship experience that I wanted a job beyond basic accounting or auditing, so I immediately applied.
Q: What do you like most about your specific department/role?
A: What I like best is the teamwork. Every single member of my department is so friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I never feel alone on my team. Whenever I have a difficult task or something that requires further communication, there's always someone who can answer my questions and is very willing to collaborate. I appreciate that a lot—it feels like a true family in our department.
Q: What internal accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: What I’m most proud of is a true understanding of the nature of my job. Before I started at IMS, I knew nothing about the legal industry or expert witnesses. It really takes time to fully understand all the specifics of what we do. In the Sales Operations (“SalesOps”) department, we see how our services are used at different points in the trial process, so we really see the entire case and get exposed to so many different case types. We also read the complaints, review the dockets, and access important information that our sales team can use to help our clients.
Q: Are there any stories or memories you’d like to share?
A: I was actually hired in the middle of the pandemic, so I was one of the first official remote employees. I’ve now been with the company for two years, and I only recently met my coworkers in person! We had a SalesOps team outing, and it was so nice to be together and learn about each other—it added another level of rapport and closeness. I felt so much better after that, and it helped me feel more comfortable when speaking at work.
Q: What do you think sets IMS apart from competitors or other companies?
A: What sets us apart is that we provide a full scope of service, and we cover everything in a trial. Our expert witness side is involved at the beginning for the search, or in the middle when they do all the testimony and the depositions. And when the expert work is done, our consulting side is there, then we have trial graphics and presentations. The SalesOps team sets everything up and clears conflicts, then we watch the case movement and provide updates to our Client Relationship Managers who work directly with clients.
Another thing is that we have a lot of quick turn expert searches. When an attorney is in a rush and needs someone within 48 or 72 hours, we do have a qualified team to do that for them.
Q: How do the IMS core values align with your own?
A: I really like “Humble Confidence”—it’s my favorite core value. I still remember when I first read it, it stood out to me the most and I thought, wow, this is a very cool term. And I really enjoy seeing that core value in action. Every single team member that I've worked with, whether they're from my own department or the expert witness or consulting sides, they have this quality and value. Their work is excellent, and they’re equally as helpful. I see humble confidence in every conversation we have, and I grow from it every day.
Q: If you were an attorney-client, what would you find most valuable about the process at IMS?
A: I would say it’s our turnaround time, and not even just for quick turn requests. Our process is really swift, but it’s thorough too. It moves quickly right from one stage or service to another.
Q: Do you have any predictions or comments on industry trends?
A: I think now because the pandemic is almost over, court cases with in-person trials and hearings will be picked up again shortly. And I think this will provide a lot more opportunities for clients to use all of our consulting services for their case. For trial graphics and trial presentation, they really need to be in a physical court—they need to show the physical slides and the attorney needs the ability to pinpoint things and to interact with the jury in person. Things have been picking up quickly for trial presentation.
Q: What has been your favorite case to work on so far?
A: The national opioid cases are so big it’s beyond imagination. It’s every single state versus every single pharmaceutical and retail company. It’s across so many different firms. And there are always constant updates on settlements or new cases or new trials—new everything. Following all of this for a long period of time is very interesting, seeing how it moves and how it affects our whole nation.
Matt Mittelstadt, IMS Senior Client Relationship Manager
Recently celebrating a decade with IMS, Matt Mittelstadt works closely with the nation’s top litigators on the most high-profile and complex cases. Matt has helped to shape our integrated processes and strengthen our client relationships with an elite level of care. He’s also had a little fun along the way.
Q: How did you get into this industry?
A: I was the Program Management Office Director at Qwest and regularly met with inside counsel to refine our business sales contracting process. I researched best evidence rules, and that research helped us a great deal. I discussed going to law school with a friend whose sister was an attorney, and that friend suggested, “Before you go to law school, come work with us at Westlaw.” So, I did.
Q: Why did you choose IMS?
A: A colleague, who knew my skill sets, suggested that I work for IMS—they felt it would be a great fit for me, and they were right! Meeting with Mike Wein, Bill Wein, and Ted Gorder convinced me that IMS was building something special; I had to be a part of it.
Q: What do you like most about your specific department/role?
A: The people. It’s a blast working with my colleagues and helping the smartest attorneys in the world help their clients with very complex matters.
Q: What internal accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Time flies when you’re having fun, and I reached 10 years with IMS this past January. All the best practices we’ve established to help IMS clients over that time are the accomplishments I’m most proud of.
Q: Are there any stories or memories you’d like to share?
A: I’ve heard from several colleagues at IMS that we need to bring back the company cornhole tournament and crawfish boil. I bring my carnival cotton candy machine that ensures everyone has enough sugar in their system to perform at their best.
Q: What do you think sets IMS apart from competitors or other companies?
A: Our people and our pioneering process of integration. We deliver for our attorney-clients through a process that has been refined for years (and every year) by all the pioneers in each of our service segments. And we have the best and the brightest in every segment of our business.
Q: How do the IMS core values align with your own?
A: Perfectly. For me, “Honor the Relationship” is the strongest. We all have a genuine interest in and care for each other and our work for our clients.
Q: If you were an attorney-client, what would you find most valuable about the process at IMS?
A: Listening and flexibility: as part of our process, IMS listens to clients and experts and then has the flexibility to provide the service and support they need, delivered in the way they need.
Q: Do you have any predictions or comments on industry trends?
A: Message refinement—through an integrated strategy—will become more and more critical for successful case outcomes. IMS is leading the way to help attorneys create and execute these strategies.
Q: What has been your favorite case to work on so far?
A: It’s always the next one. Still, there have been countless challenging cases to work on. In an especially fun case, an attorney called me and said, “Matt, I’m about to retire and you’ve been calling me all these years; now’s your chance to impress.” We found the perfect expert for this quirky need and the attorney was deliriously happy. He then rode off into the sunset more satisfied than ever before.
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We are truly grateful to work alongside such humble, dedicated, and collaborative individuals. Join us in thanking Phuong and Matt for sharing so openly and for serving our clients so well!
No matter their background, department, or role, each IMS team member works together to help our clients succeed. (Together, we win.) Visit the links below to meet our team and read more about the IMS culture and career opportunities.