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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 69 don't know that I have too many special skills, but I read people well. I can spend time with folks we interview and sense their character and likelihood of thriving in our environment." e numbers bear him out. e lack of turnover is the envy of any employer. Over 150 of the employees at Codilis have worked there for more than 10 years. About 55 of these employees have more than 15 years tenure. Incredibly, eight have more than 25 years. "You don't get numbers like that unless you hire a lot of the right people in the first place," Moody said. COMING BACK FOR MORE VP and Managing Foreclosure Attorney Robb Rappe has worked for Codilis twice, the first time in 1989 as a young lawyer learning the ropes and stretching his legal limbs. In 1993, Rappe went out on his own, work- ing from home. He says he did "the typing, the printing, the legal work, everything. I loved it." at is, until he fell in love, got married, and a family was forthcoming. Time would not be as plentiful. Rappe's one-man operation joined forces with a larger firm he'd worked with closely for several years. His focus sharpened as his horizons expanded. In 2010, Codilis came calling, wanting him back in a leadership role. ese days, Rappe is an expert analyst at the firm who, while doing his day-to-day duties, stays on top of legal trends in the mortgage servicing industry. He is regularly called on by lobbyists and legislators. He's helped draft legislation and provided comment on proposed laws or regulations that directly affect the sector. "So often," Rappe said, "ey just don't make sense. My advice and insight is independent, not paid for. I just call them as I see them." Kelli Snowgren Garcia, who works in marketing for the firm out of Dallas, underlines that point. "I frequently meet with clients," she said, "and at a recent visit, the client said we have our 'hands on the steering wheel' regarding ever- changing case laws and legislation, which keeps them in the loop on potential threats, and out of harm's way." Rappe is also fine-tuned on the habits and practices within the stable of defense attorneys who often represent homeowners when the bank, servicer, or law firm begins an action toward foreclosure. Foreclosure appeals are rampant these days. "ose lawyers are committed and competitive, too," Rappe said. Codilis and like-minded law firms have to be on their toes in these battles that show no signs of abating. It's now the nature of the beast. WORKING TOGETHER Greg Moody often reminds himself, "How fortunate I am to be in a place that operates with confidence in its people and their professional judgments." Codilis lawyers deeply value the freedom to forge ahead and explore what interests them. ey believe it's another relatively rare trait in their industry. e Managing Attorney for Codilis & Stawiarski, P.C., the firm's Houston-based practice, is Lisa Cockrell. About the firm's emphasis on workplace satisfaction, she said, "ere is a culture that they feel comfortable in, and which allows them to excel. Leadership is about making others Some of the attorney and staff at Codilis & Associates, P.C. COVER STORY INDUSTRY INSIGHT INDUSTRY INSIGHT INDUSTRY INSIGHT

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